CITIZENSHIP TRAINING

Lesson Objectives:

When you finish reading this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Upgrade knowledge on the principles underpinning good citizenship, rights and responsibilities of
citizens, service and volunteerism for national development. Analyze issues that relate to the good
citizenship, values, rights and responsibilities of student-citizens in the country.

2. Make reasonable decisions that will address issues, explain concepts and solve problems using
relevant examples pertaining the exercise of rights, fulfilment of obligations, and promotion of values
towards responsible citizenship.

3. Imbibe good citizenship values of being maka-dios, maka-kalikasan, maka-tao at makabansa which
facilitate them to appreciate the significance of good citizenship towards the attainment of national
development goals.

4. Instil the spirit of nationalism and patriotism as a good citizen.

5. Appreciate and exercise one’s rights of sovereignty.

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP?
Citizenship is a term denoting membership of a
citizen in a political society, which membership
implies, reciprocally, a duty of allegiance on the part
of the member and duty of protection on the part of
the State (De Leon 2011).
 THE CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES
1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the
adoption of this constitution.
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the
Philippines.
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers,
who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority.
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law (Article
IV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution).
 THREE KINDS OF CITIZENSHIP
1. Political Citizenship. It means showing respect for the law and
government. One can be a good political citizen by carrying out duties
such as voting, paying taxes and obeying traffic rules.
2. Environment Citizenship. It involves caring for the environment.
Practice environment citizenship by doing things like conserving water,
using fuel wisely, planting a tree and putting garbage in the disposal.
3. Socio-economic Citizenship. It is about caring for the community and
supporting the economy. A person can show socio-economic citizenship
by buying products made in the Philippines, engaging in legitimate
livelihood programs, and volunteering in church groups, health centers,
and school.
WHAT IS GOOD CITIZENSHIP?
Good citizenship means “huwarang mamamayan” in
Filipino. Good Citizenship is living by the values of
cooperation, patriotism, hard work, respect for others,
respect for the law and government, truth, freedom, love,
equality and peace. Good citizens are law-abiding, helpful
to others in their community, and have good personal traits,
such as patience, honesty, honesty and understanding
towards other people.
RIGHTS WITH OBLIGATIONS

Citizens should realize that for every right there must be a corresponding
duty. It is true, they have rights of which they cannot be deprived of, but they have also
duties which they must not neglect. If the people are aware not only of their rights but
also of their obligations, there will be less misunderstanding and less conflict in the
society. One of the reasons for the turmoil and ferment in many countries is the attitude
of demanding one’s rights under the law and yet being forgetful of one’s duties as a
citizen.

Rights become fully available for enjoyment only when all the citizens, without
exception, comply loyalty with all their obligations. The right to life, liberty, and
property, for instance, are but partially for enjoyment so long as there are members of
the political community who are deficient in that necessary compliance. Conversely,
the enjoyment of rights become ample and real to the degree that the citizens willingly
carry out their obligations (De Leon 2011).
THE NEED FOR PARTICIPATION FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP

Participation means being involved in something that you believed in.

participation in the decision making, or governance, of your barangay, city,
municipality, or province is an important part of being a good citizen. Participation
in governance means cooperating with other people toward a common goal that
will help everyone in our community. There are two kinds of participation: direct
and indirect participation. When you practice direct participation, you are likely to
attend barangay assemblies, or help your local government to plan programs and
projects. Direct participation is a very effective way of being involved. Indirect
participation is choosing somebody to represent your needs and wishes. Voting in
barangay elections is an example of indirect participation. Participation is an
essential part of good governance. (Local Government Academy 2004)
GOOD GOVERNANCE, A KEY TO PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Governance is the ‘output’ of what governments do. According
to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP), governance is a process of making decisions and
then putting these decisions into action. Local governance involves
decision-making process at the local government level. Good
governance is decision making which results in better standards of
living for everyone.
EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

There are eight characteristics of good governance (Local Government Academy

2005).

1. Participation. When the people help to make the decisions of the government.
People are viewed as stakeholders, so the government should care about their needs
and interests. They should be included in planning, implementation and monitoring.

2. Rule of law. When the government makes fair laws. The human rights of people,
particularly monitor groups, are protected. Courts must be unbiased and there should
be an honest, uncorrupt police force.

3. Transparency. People can easily see and understand what is happening in their
government. There are no secrets.

4. Accountability. When the government takes responsibility for their actions and can
explain to the people why they have made decision.
EIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE...

5. Consensus oriented. When the government can work with different

groups in the community, particularly monitory groups, to reach a general
agreement about something.

6. Equity and inclusiveness. Every person should feel included in society.

Everyone has opportunities to improve his/her quality of life.

7. Efficiency. The timely delivery of service using the minimum available

resources to achieve the greatest effect to the most number of people.

8. Responsiveness. The government is able to respond to the needs of the

people, or stakeholders, within a reasonable amount of time.