CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY:

GOVERNMENT SECTOR PERSPECTIVE

by Danggay Group

PRESENT MECHANISMS, STRUCTURES & POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE

Legislated mechanisms

- Right to suffrage, referendum, initiative, and plebiscite

- Participation in Local/ Regional Development Councils and other Local Special Bodies and Barangay-based Institutions (LSB, LHB, LCPC, BPOC etc.)

- Mandatory representation of specific sectors in the local Sanggunians (e.g. women, IPs)

- Citizen participation in public consultations, committee hearings, etc.

- Conduct of barangay assemblies

Non-legislative mechanism - Faith-based participation and the like

Traditional structures - e.g. Council of Elders It can be an effective mechanism especially in IP

communities but there is no data to make a fair assessment as to its effectiveness in non-IP communities or a mixed community.

CHALLENGES FACED BY GOV’T SECTOR IN ENGAGING CITIZENS PARTICIPATION

Restrictive Behavior

- Apathy or no interest to participate e.g. Apathy may result if members of

the community find that they have no part to play in government.

- Citizens underestimate themselves – they let elders and /or representatives decide on their behalf

Restrictive Environment - Unhealthy political environment

resulting to fear on the part of the people to participate

- Insufficient information to the public

Traditional social structures are rapidly dissipating because of adaptation of the local communities to modern social structures.

Restrictive National Legislation - No implementing rules on sectoral

representation in the local sanggunian

Empowerment of Leaders - Delegating/sharing powers with

Sanggunian and other officials. Authority may be delegated, but not

responsibility. Leaders should not shirk away from their responsibilities.

- Continuing education/values formation of officials and employees.

STRATEGIES IN ENGAGING CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE

Empowerment of the people.

- Listening to peoples voices (no one has the monopoly of good ideas)

- IEC - Public consultation at different levels of planning process to build ownership of plans, programs and projects

-

Leaders need to understand that they work for the people. Lack of people empowerment would result to failure of governance.

• Others Strategies

- Schedule Sanggunian sessions in various barangays, to coincide with barangay assemblies or meetings.

- Tie-up meetings with NGOs and other civic organizations

- Improve and update database of local government units

- Incentive-based management of barangays - Harmonize various laws and government policies /

programs and projects to avoid overlapping and sometimes confusing policies.

- Providing employment to the citizens - Enforcement of rules and regulations

“ a free man is one who lives under the guidance of reason, who is not led by fear, but who directly desires which is good….”

- from Danggay group

How can local governments in Northern Luzon effectively interact with the national government?

Membership in the LDCs and other councils and committees

Program implementation / monitoring & evaluation

Cooperation of Private & Public Sectors.- Membership in councils, etc.

Responsibilities of state in administering services to the people

- Strict monitoring of program implementation to ensure continuity and sustainability.

While we at the Government Sector acknowledge the inadequacy of our efforts and existing mechanisms in

encouraging citizen participation in governance, we commit, in our own

personal way, to exhaust all possible means within our power and under the rule of law to enhance our capabilities

and that of the people so that democracy may be preserved.

We commit…..

……end of presentation…..

Thank You

--- danggay group