MLQ Institute of Local Governance launched

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has officially launched the President Manuel L. Quezon Institute of Local Policy and Governance program being undertaken by the city government to provide city officials and residents a regular forum, where they can be updated on current local and national concerns.

In simple ceremonies held at the Albert Session Hall the other day, Belmonte credited Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista with the setting up of the forum, which will also implement continuing education among the local government executives and community leaders.

Bautista welcomed guest speakers and reactors during the maiden forum, which tackled the shifting forms of government from the present presidential to a possible parliamentary system being initiated in Congress.

He said a forum on Charter change will be held with the participation of barangay officials who will be given time to interact with speakers so they can be more enlightened on political issues.

Among the speakers and reactors were former University of the Philippines president Dr. Jose Abueva, and former Finance Minister Cesar Virata.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile was the lone reactor of the forum.

Abueva advocated the federal system with the division of several regions in the country into a federal state. He said the time to change the Charter is long overdue.

Enrile batted for a parliamentary system similar to that of Singapore. He said under a federal system there would be duplication of government functions of a federal state and the national government, which will greatly affect the delivery of basic services. — Perseus Echeminada