Regional confab showcases participatory governance

CEBU, Philippines —  Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that participatory governance should be sustained even beyond Duterte administration.

During yesterday’s Regional Conference for Peace and Development held in Danao City, Densing has emphasized that a genuine change should not only be done by those in the government, but the people itself.

He said it is very important that each sector will be consulted.

Densing cited President Rodrigo Duterte who started it by changing the clusters in the Cabinet to participatory governance, from the local to national level.

“Kung gusto tag tinuod nga pagbag-o dili lang na sa mga tawong naglingkod sa gobyerno. Naa tay mahimo kung maghiusa ta para sa pagbag-o, para sa kausaban,” said Densing.

A former activist, Densing is encouraging everyone to unite and form groups and let their voices be heard something that Duterte is encouraging which the previous administration was not doing.

“Ako aktibista ko, pero ni-join ko diri sa administrasyon ni Duterte, kay nakita nako sa iyaha, ang iyang ka sinsero sa pagbag-o ug nga kamo gikinahanglan para ani nga pagbag-o,” said Densing.

The conference was represented by the farmers’ group, youth, labor, women, fishermen, and other sectors along with different government agencies at the regional level led by Densing and DILG-7 regional director Leo Trovela and Cebu provincial director Jhoaden Lucero to discuss different issues even at the barangay level.

Although Region VII is generally peaceful and progressive, there are still some areas or barangays and sectors that need to be given attention to.

Densing said Duterte may not have delivered everything the Filipinos hoped for, but he has done a lot more than anyone else.

The regional conference could not be said as “too late” as even after Duterte’s term ends, the activity and programs the DILG are doing now can be a template for the future government, Densing said.

Densing said it is important that everyone realizes that to achieve real progress and development, everyone should participate in the process.

Along with this is a challenge for everyone to sustain the momentum, continue to unite and voice out their concerns via participatory government.

“Dapat ipaglaban ng taong bayan! Ipagpatuloy natin ang konsepto ng participatory governance sa sunod na administrasyon,” said Densing. — GMR (FREEMAN)