Gov’t eyes nat’l feedback mechanism on major programs via Internet

MANILA, Philippines - The public can soon interact with the national government on matters affecting their daily lives just by using the Internet.

With the help of the government of Australia, through the Australia-World Bank Philippines Development Trust Fund, Filipinos can also serve as watchdogs in the implementation of the government’s major programs and projects like the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

These are among the highlights of discussions during the first day of a forum of the Knowledge for Development Centers (KDCs) last week at the World Bank Group office in Bonifacio Global City.

KDCs comprise 15 universities, policy and research institutions in the Philippines that promote knowledge sharing about development issues, in partnership with the World Bank Group.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a report that the government plans to roll out a National Feedback Mechanism soon.

“Envisioned as a link between government and civil society, it will serve as an online platform where citizens will be able to engage government by launching petitions or making queries online,” Lacierda added.

He said the new online platform is part of the government’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) launched globally in 2011.  The Philippines is one of  eight founding members alongside Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

He said the OGP is a global effort to secure commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

Since 2011, the government has launched several online portals including the Official Gazette by the Office of Press Secretary, Budget ng Bayan by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Open Data to make public documents and information that affect people’s lives available to the general public.

The new platform will provide avenues for citizens to contribute to policy-making and monitor the implementation of the country’s major programs and projects.

Civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sectors are encouraged to partner with the government in implementing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program to maximize the synergy of public and private efforts towards improving the lives of Filipinos.

Pantawid Pamilya is the Philippines’ conditional cash transfer (CCT) program that provides modest cash grants so that poor households can invest in the education and health of their children zero - 18 years. It also promotes access to maternal care services for pregnant beneficiary mothers.

As of April this year, CCT covers close to four million poor household beneficiaries or about 20 million people nationwide, which makes it the second largest CCT in the world.

World Bank country director Motoo Konishi said that the agency firmly believes in the role of partnerships in tackling development challenges and promoting good governance.

“Partnerships with the government, civil society groups, citizens’ groups, peoples’ organizations, academe and development partners make us more effective in our efforts to support the country’s agenda for achieving more inclusive growth,” Konishi said during the forum.

The KDCs nationwide include Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati; Ateneo de Naga University in Naga; Central Philippine University in Iloilo; Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department at the House of Representatives; National Economic Development Authority (NEDA); Notre Dame University in Cotabato; Palawan State University in Palawan; the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS); Saint Paul University Philippines in Tuguegarao; Silliman University in Dumaguete; University of the Philippines (UP) School of Economics in Quezon City; UP Los Banos in Laguna; the University of San Carlos in Cebu; University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao, and the World Bank Office Manila.