The timely stoppage of the controversial flyover projects in Cebu City sent strong positive signals that the change that we long for is happening in our backyard, in our lifetime.
Now, we realize that if we are on the side of law, are united and boldly and selflessly determined to have the future that we and those unborn deserve, then the goal of a sustainable Cebu is within our grasp.
With an administration that subscribes to open, transparent, accountable and participatory governance, the ball is in the hands of the people. If authentic societal transformation is to take place, for both the present and future generations, we, citizens, have to be active nation builders, without having to rely on certain political authorities, whose sole reason, perhaps, for existence is to hold on to power for himself and family.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson is one leader who not only listens to and respects the constituents’ right to be heard and their vision of a livable Cebu considered. He lives by the rule of law. Apart from believing in transparent governance (visit www.dpwh.gov.ph, to understand what I mean), he is aware that national projects cannot be implemented at the whim and caprice of those holding public positions. This disparaging practice was unfortunately allowed to flourish in the past, despite the clear provisions of the Constitution and the Local Government Code for a genuine, participatory and transparent process.
The People Power Revolution in 1986 paved the way for our pro-people, pro-participation and pro-nature Constitution to be born. The guarantee of local autonomy was reiterated, just like in the 1973 Constitution. But, this time, institutions and mechanisms for the people to actually determine their present and future became a reality with the enactment of Republic Act 7160, the “revolutionary” Local Government Code (the Code).
Not many people know that the Code has been copied by other countries because of its strong decentralization principles and features. Relinquishing power is not the easiest thing that a central government is expected to do. It took a revolutionary president, Corazon Aquino, to make it possible. She signed the Code twenty years ago, and, as they say, the rest is history.
What gave local autonomy the possibility to be genuine, meaningful and a living reality was the decentralization of powers, authority, resources and responsibilities from the national government to local government units (LGUs). Health, sanitation and environmental protection are services devolved to the LGUs, as frontliners in the delivery of services.
There is institutionalization of citizen participation in governance through local development councils and special bodies, and sectoral representation in local sanggunians (which, however, is still a dream) and even voters making ordinances through initiative. The Code also provides for political tools to hold public officials accountable, such as recall.
To ensure prompt delivery of services to the people, LGUs are given fiscal autonomy. Local chief executives can no longer imagine how it was to be so dependent and to line up in Malacañang for projects to be given to their areas. They have the power to receive the internal revenue allotment (IRA) from the national government, free of conditionalities and liens, the power to impose tax and other sources of revenue and even a share in the utilization of the national wealth, a reason why some local officials unhesitatingly host their communities for some polluting industries.
It is sad, however, that local officials do not respect the rights of the people to craft their destiny and participate in the decision-making process through activation of genuine local development councils (LDC) and the election of three sectoral representatives in each sanggunian. Arbitrary, senseless , wasteful and irrelevant projects materialize because it is what the mayor, the governor or the congressman want. Is our democratic space only for the elected?
How can communities benefit from the talents, skills and experience of the people if the local chief executives continue to pretend that they alone call the shots? Don’t they realize that golden opportunities for citizens and leaders to share and craft their destiny together are forever lost?
How can governance be reflective of the people’s needs and desires for their barangay and city when they are excluded from decision-making that they have every right to participate in? Do they have participatory budgeting? Is the budget of an LGU crafted through engagement with the barangays and the LDCs?
Social networking and media have made possible the instantaneous relay of information, and offer outlets by which residents can air their sentiments and dreams. It is a gross miscalculation on the part of politicians if they continue to believe that the old mindset of relying on political machinery and their perceived influence will win them elections.
Times have changed. People now have the will to effect change, and as Tony Oposa aptly declared, that has made all the difference.
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KISAW SA BARANGAY Forum: If you want your voices to be heard, and to help empower constituents to be active stakeholders in their respective communities, now is your chance. Join the forum workshop for participatory barangay governance, entitled “KISAW SA BARANGAY” at 8:30 a.m. today, Nov. 14 at University of Cebu Banilad campus, Cebu City. Speakers are Manny Valdehuesa, founder of the Gising Barangay Movement and the multi-awarded San Francisco Municipal Vice Mayo Alfredo Arquillano, Jr.