People’s Participation in Governance

REPORTER: Eric Lucena

The involvement of citizens in the political process is an

essential part of democracy.  Tactics and strategies for

increased citizen participation in local governance can be seen

around the globe. The Philippine political structure and system

lies in the principle of democracy, and the active participation

and involvement of the people in some government actions and

function is a vital process to exercise the freedom of democracy.

We are talking here of people who are not themselves serving in

government. We are talking of people who are strictly speaking

outside government service but, who are responsible for putting

people in public service or working with the latter without

holding public office.

It is important for improving public resource management and

reducing corruption, by making public servants and political

leaders accountable to the people. For citizen participation to

work, transparency of government information is needed, as well

as the inclusion of members into decision-making from groups

whose concerns are being addressed. Citizen participation in

local governance involves ordinary citizens assessing their own

needs and participating in local project planning and budget

monitoring. Citizen participation requires trust, belief and

wholeness - trust in their co-participants, belief that

participation can make a difference, and feeling socially

included. To ensure strong participation of citizens in local

governance, citizens need to understand and want to exercise

their right to participate in local political issues. When

developing a local agenda, it is important to consider

citizenship rights, democratization, plurality and rights of

minorities. Stimulating interaction between the public and civic

actors at the local level allows information to reach local

stakeholders, providing them with a holistic view of the actors

and relations involved and helping local actors make better-

informed decisions on strategic routes to take for participation

in their local settings. While in our country where the tradition

of human rights activism is grounded on a moral basis of being

human, asserting human rights tends to be associated with

opposition politics. While activists accept the risks and costs

of promoting human rights, those for whom they struggle can be

made more vulnerable if human rights issues are not translated

into citizens' rights. This active participation is not only

focus to the national interest that pertains to the National

Government , the LGU has been part of this system which the

people can participate not only to National Government but also

to the local Government actions by joining People’s or Non-

Government Organizations. This is authorized by Sections 34 and

35 of the LG Code. Under Sec. 34 - LGUs are mandated to “promote

the establishment and operation of people’s and NGOs to become

active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy.” In Sec. 35 –

LGUs are empowered to establish Linkages with People’s

Organizations and NGOs through: (a) joint ventures and (b) other

cooperative arrangements. LGUs MAY ASSIST NGOs Under Section 36.

Assistance to People’s and Non- Governmental Organizations. LGUs

are authorized - through their local chief executive and with the

concurrence of the sanggunian concerned – to assist POs, and NGOs

financially or otherwise in their economic, socially oriented,

environmental or cultural projects within their territorial

jurisdiction.

The LGU has been a foundation in nation Building and the

outcome of the result of every actions of the government that

will prejudice the life of its citizen cannot be blame to the

government miscalculation or incompetence but also to its

citizens that fail to participate to achieve a common good and

public welfare Furthermore, not knowing the external players is

another problem leading to many programs choosing to focus on

short term gains or minor matters and not really making a long

term difference. Relating experience at local spaces in

iterations with the government is difficult, especially in

contexts where citizens do not exercise their rights. That the to

empower civil society organizations, decision makers should be

influenced to create a suitable environment for the active

participation of citizens and citizens trained in the skills,

competencies, mechanisms and methodologies to participate.