I think the debate over flyovers is going nowhere. The contending parties have already decided not to budge from their positions for a compromise.
The proponents, specifically the Department. of Public Works and Highways and Rep. Cutie del Mar, are saying that it would take the President or the Supreme Court to stop the two proposed flyover projects in Cebu City’s north district.
The other issue that should also be addressed is the matter of governance and whether it is valid and legal for a member of the House of Representatives to impose his or her will on a local government unit when it comes to implementation of national projects prioritized by a member of Congress.
Can a local government unit stop the implementation of a project sponsored by a congressman or congresswoman? What is the role of members of the House of Representatives in implementing projects in a locality vis a vis the local government unit?
I think this is one issue where our political scientists can help resolve with an in depth study.
Isn’t it necessary to consult local government units and its stakeholders before implementing a project sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives?
Can a member of congress ignore the sentiments of the public especially those opposed to the project?
Isn’t it proper for the mayor and those opposed to the flyover to sit down with the congresswoman in the flyover controversy to discuss the matter and find an acceptable solution?
Instead of prolonging the debate, I think it would be best for the parties to sit down and find talking points to work out a happy compromise.
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Allow me to share with you an excerpt of my research about changing the system of government from a unitary system to a federal system.
I’ve long proposed a shift to a federal system. Social scientists say that there are two fundamental ways by which social, economic and political change may happen. There’s agency change or changing the behavior of the individual and institutional change where change may occur by transforming the structures or institutions within which the individual is made to operate.
Philippine geography as an archipelago makes travel and communication difficult, time-consuming and costly.
With several islands, a highly centralized unitary form of government is ineffective in dealing with contingencies in far-flung areas. With the administration and power concentrated in Manila this results in inequitable development among the different regions.
Development is stunted because of the difficulty in reaching and responding to the needs of remote areas. We can promote equitable regional development by supporting the less endowed and developed regions and the poor and the needy across the land.
Stimulate and hasten the country’s political, economic, social and cultural development and modernization. Bring the government closest to the people.
It is best for proponents of Charter Change to look into this proposal in amending our Constitution, not by the power of a Constituent Assembly through Congress but by calling for the election of true representatives of the people in a constitutional convention so that the people’s voices can be heard.