DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya. Inquirer Photo/Dexter Cabalza
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to target millennials and other youth in its nationwide campaign for federalism.
In a statement, DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said DILG’s federalism roadshow, which starts next month, was looking to involve the youth in its push for federalism, banking on “their openness to change.”
“The end goal of the first wave of our campaign is to pique the interest of the younger generations and involve them in the process of nation-building,” said Malaya, who heads the DILG’s Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform.
‘Openness to reforms’
He pointed out the importance of getting the support of millennials and the younger generations, the largest segment of the Philippine population, in the push for the change in the system of government “because of their flexibility and openness to reforms necessary for progress.”
“If we succeed in educating the youth about the benefits of federalism, we would have won half the battle already because we will have instilled in them a sense of responsibility in support of the change the administration wants to be able to move this country forward,” Malaya said.
The DILG and the consultative commission (ConCom), which was tasked to review the 1987 Constitution, would kick off its federalism roadshow on June 18 in Dumaguete City. From there, consultations and dialogues would be held in the different regions of the country.
Through the roadshow, the DILG seeks to inform Filipinos on the importance of unity in a decentralized governance under a federal system, the cornerstone of the Duterte administration.
Public feedback
Roadshow consultations and dialogues will involve the ConCom presenting its initial draft of constitutional amendments to get public feedback.
“We want to start a real national conversation and not just here in NCR (National Capital Region), that’s why we’re going to the provinces,” said Malaya.
The ConCom hopes to finish its recommendations on constitutional reform in time for the president’s third State of the Nation Address on July 23.