Stepping up as citizens

Nearly a quarter century since Filipinos promulgated the 1987 Philippine Constitution and two decades since the Local Government Code of 1991 took effect, more citizens are helping shape society by engaging the government.

In Cebu, interest in issues like the building of flyovers and management of traffic in Cebu City, the fight against human trafficking and the cleansing of our polluted air suggests a stronger collective will and political maturity.

This new drive to participate in democracy proceeds, perhaps, from the cohesion provided by the Internet  (the  new Movement for a Livable Cebu that opposes the flyover projects has a robust online presence with 3,000 members), a deeper understanding of the People Power principle or both.

Government authorities would benefit from  welcoming  the contribution of citizens especially where it’s mandated.

Among these are the development councils for towns, cities and provinces  provided for under the LGC. Under the law, one fourth of the council should come from nongovernment organizations.

Will Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama convene the City Development Council?

The CDC has the power to (1) formulate socioeconomic development plans and policies; (2) define the annual public investment program; (3) set incentives to to promote  private investment capital; (4) Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate  programs and projects.
A CDC would include Mayor Rama, Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar of the north district, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of the south district, Councilor Margarita Osmeña who heads the appropriations committee, the city’s 80 barangay captains plus NGO members.

Projects like flyovers would fall within the ambit of a development council. Ideally the project would be discussed and undergo genuine public consultation instead of appearing from out of the blue, imposed by congressmen.

The MLC, Road Revolution organizers and the Banilad-Talamban Traffic Task Force could be part of the development council, providing checks and balances to government initiatives.

Citizens can also participate  through the airshed boards that local governments are supposed to convene  under the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 to help ensure we have clean, healthful air to breathe. But where are the airshed boards? Sadly, none have been activated in Cebu City or province.

Another government body open to citizen participation is the Local Child Protection Council, which under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act should be established in every locality.

But where are the Cebu LCPCs that would foil the sinister designs of crime syndicates, traffickers, kidnappers,  porn rings and other child predators?

Government alone does not make a society.  Officials  should  enlist the aid of concerned citizen groups in working for the common good.

Progress is best attained when leaders cease being aristocratic and empower ordinary citizens.