People’s Participation in

Governance

Reporters:
AIGE L. MASCOD
ALJON ORTALEZA
WHAT IS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION?

Citizen Participation or Public Participation in social

science refers to different mechanisms for the public to
express opinions – and ideally exert influence – regarding
political, economic, management or other social decisions.
Participatory decision-making can take place along any
realm of human social activity, including economic (i.e.
participatory economics), political (i.e. participatory
democracy or parpolity), management (i.e. participatory
management), cultural (i.e. polyculturalism) or familial (i.e.
feminism).
2

TREY
research
Public participation (citizen participation) is a political principle or
practice, and may also be recognized as a right. Generally, citizen
participation seeks and facilitates the involvement of those
potentially affected by or interested in a decision. This can be
concerning individuals, governments, institutions, companies or
any other entities that affect public interests. The principle of
citizen participation holds that those who are affected by a
decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making
process.

TREY
research
Citizen participation implies that the public's contribution will
influence the decision. Citizen participation may be regarded
as a way of empowerment and as a vital part of democratic
governance. In the context of knowledge management, the
establishment of ongoing participatory processes is seen by
some in the facilitator of collective intelligence and
inclusiveness, shaped by the desire for the participation of
the whole community or society.

TREY
research
Public participation is part of "people-centred" or "human-
centric" principles, which have emerged in Western culture
over the last thirty years, and has had some bearings of
education, business, public policy and international relief
and development programs. Public participation is
advanced by the humanist movements. Public participation
may be advanced as part of a "people first" paradigm shift.

TREY
research
In this respect, public participation may challenge the
concept that "big is better" and the logic of centralized
hierarchies, advancing alternative concepts of "more
heads are better than one" and arguing that public
participation can sustain productive and durable
change.

TREY
research
The implementation of the citizen participation process is
important for the democratization of social values and better
planning and fulfilment of public needs. It is also useful for
educating the public, especially regarding government
development programs. This will potentially influence social or
personal changes amongst community members, which can then
be used to incorporate diverse public interests and thus accord
people with the right to participate indecisions that will affect their
lives.

Add a footer 7

TREY
research
 According to Chadwick (1971)
By participating in the decision-making process, the public will realize the
importance of their involvement in deciding their future.

According to Slocum and Thomas-Slayter (1995)

Public participation is a means to convey individual and the society's

interests and concerns about the development plans, given that these
planning activities would consequently affect the public generally and
certain groups specifically.

TREY
research
What are some examples of citizen participation?

Examples include voting, volunteering,

participating in group activities, and community
gardening. Some are individual activities that
benefit society (e.g., voting) or group activities
that benefit either the group members (e.g.,
recreational soccer teams) or society (e.g.,
volunteer organizations)

TREY
research
HOW PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNANCE in the Philippines

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.

TREY
research
Voting is one important way that we can participate in our
democracy. The Constitution established the Philippines as a
democratic republic. It is democratic because the people govern
themselves, and it is a republic because the government’s
power is derived from its people. This means that our
government – national and local – is elected by the citizens.
Citizens vote for their government officials and these officials
represent the concerns and ideas of the citizens in government.

TREY
research
Democratic Governments
The people are in charge of the government because they can
VOTE
Puts the power of the government in the citizens of the country
• All citizens have the opportunity to be a leader, and all citizens have the
opportunity to vote for leaders and laws
• All citizens are involved in the decision-making process of the government,
and all groups are represented
Can be slow to make decisions because all people must discuss &
vote on the issues

TREY
research
In a Democracy….
Individual freedom and equality is valued
Free elections are held
Decisions are based on majority rule
All candidates can express their views freely
Citizens vote by secret ballot

TREY
research
Autocratic Governments
 Has a single ruler with unlimited power
 Citizens have no ability to participate in the selection of the ruler or in the creation of laws
 One benefit of this type of government is that decisions for a country can be made quickly
 However, the needs of the people may be ignored or unheard
 The leader may make poor or selfish decisions that hurt the people
 
Autocracy
 Generally the power to rule is inherited or by military force
 There two main types: dictatorship & absolute monarchy.
1. Dictatorship - The leader has not been elected and uses force to control all aspects of
social and economic life.
2. Absolute Monarchy - A monarchy has a king, queen, emperor or empress. The power is
usually inherited or passed down from family members. The monarch has absolute
power meaning they can make all decisions without consulting anyone.

TREY
research
Oligarchic Governments
 “rule by a few” = country is ruled by a small group of people
 An advantage is that decisions can be made relatively quickly
 Compared to an autocratic system, oligarchies have more heads to think
through problems and should make better choices
 However, the citizen do not participate in the government

Oligarchy
 A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have
power
 The group gets their power from either military, wealth, religion, or social
status
 Examples- Communist countries such as China and Cuba
 Leaders in the party and armed forces control government.
TREY
research
TREY
research
What is the Difference between Citizen Engagement and
Participation?

Both concepts might seem similar, but they have differing

views of the role that citizens should play. The key difference is
that citizen engagement requires an active, intentional dialogue
between citizens and public decision makers whereas citizen
participation can come from citizens only.

TREY
research
Citizen Engagement versus Citizen Participation

TREY
research
The legal framework in the Philippines is conducive to citizen
participation in governance. The country is host to thousands of
non-government organizations that are already engaging with the
government at the national and local level, in different phases of
the governance cycle. Articles II, X, and XIII of the 1987
Constitution put emphasis to the promotion and protection of the
rights of the people and civil society organizations and platforms
for "effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social,
political and economic decision-making."

TREY
research
The Local Government Code of 1991 and the annual General
Appropriations Act also supports and highlights the need to
provide spaces and appropriate policies for citizen
engagement in governance at the local level.

TREY
research
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

PRINCIPLES
• Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the
people and all government authority emanates from them.
• Section 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the
generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres
to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.
• Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of
the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

TREY
research
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

PRINCIPLES
• Section 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof,
all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal,
military or civil service.
• Section 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the
people of the blessings of democracy.
• Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

TREY
research
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

 ARTICLE X – LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 ARTICLE XIII – INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
* SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
* LABOR
* AGRARIAN AND NATURAL RESOURCES REFORM
* URBAN LAND REFORM AND HOUSING
* HEALTH
* WOMEN
* ROLE AND RIGHTS OF PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS
* HUMAN RIGHTS

TREY
research