Rationalized Planning System

If we are to make planning work, this means putting the people at the heart and center of
what we all want to achieve.

The rationalized planning system, makes for logical, data-driven, law-abiding, public-
management type of planning. It is more or less the ultimate bible of planners in the local
government level. But I perceive a problem regarding inclusiveness.

Inclusiveness is something that I believe we have not achieved. Many plans, at the local
level or higher, were crafted by master planners, or economists, directed by mayors, or people
in authority. The participation of citizens is mostly left to consultations, surveys, signatures on
an attendance sheet, or a photo for the media, at the very least. The true nature of our
communities are left to become rationalized, only to be justified and complied with after the
planning process is done. It is very rare to find a locality where people come together to craft a
plan without fearing political direction, or without the guidance of a non-governmental
organization. In the BARRM, in many cases, people just wake up one morning to find that such
and such plan will be implemented without them being consulted.

This is why I believe our region's state is like this. It is often disconnected, difficult,
extremely political, troubled with the process of implementation, and fascinated with power.
Making planning work means putting the stakeholders, the people as the focus of what we all
want to achieve. That is why a vision for the a place is a vision for all its citizens. Plans without
ownership, and plans that are not implemented or understood by its stakeholders, are also
plans that are useless. Involving citizens in the planning will make them have a sense of
"ownership" of that plan, and they will better take care of whatever gain is obtained because of
this ownership. Genuine change, planning-wise or otherwise, comes from the communities, the
people. Not just authoritative directives.