Councilor: Policy-making should involve public

CEBU, Philippines - After over three weeks of closely observing the policy-making process in the United States, the head of the National Movement of Young Legislators in Cebu shared how important the public’s involvement is in the creation of legislations.

Catmon town Councilor Earl Tidy Oyas was among the three young legislators from the Philippines chosen to be part of the Professional Fellows Program for the fall of 2014 under the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State from October 8 to November 8.

 The Cebu Provincial Board last Monday passed a resolution sponsored by Board Members Carmen Remedios Meca and Celestino Martinez III commending Oyas.

 For 23 days, Oyas stayed at the office of Councilwoman Robin Kiech in the City of Denver, Colorado.

 “One of the things that struck me most is the strong involvement of the public in the policy-making because in Denver City during the council meeting they entertain individuals who want to express their views on a certain policy that the council is making,” Oyas told The Freeman.

 Oyas said the program has enhanced his skills on the legislative process and he is set to share his experiences to his fellow young legislators, particularly in Cebu.

 “I was able to compare how the legislative body makes policies in Denver and in the Philippines. I can say we are somewhat the same but their implementations of the policies are stricter,” Oyas added.

 There were nine participants from South East Asia for the program which ended with a Professional Fellows Congress in Washington D.C. on November 5 to 7 attended by 200 delegates from 45 countries.

 The program offers an opportunity to develop a better understanding of the United States, as well as a substantive professional experience with a non-profit organization, private sector business, media outlet or government office.

 As part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows, Oyas’ involvement in the program is viewed as part of a broader effort to strengthen leadership development and networking in ASEAN, deepen engagement with young leaders on key regional and global challenges and strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and young Southeast Asian leaders. (FREEMAN)