By Atty. Howie Calleja
As we are poised to postpone the Barangay and SK Polls, we must be equally prepared to strengthen these political institutions. Nation building, authentic democracy, people participation must begin in the grassroots. The barangay is the grassroots. It is the first and immediate place where ordinary people living in that place experience a sense of belonging, a sense of being cared for and being safe in the concreteness of daily life.
It is here that connectivity with government must be on the seeing, hearing, touching level. A connectivity that is reciprocal between the people and those whom they have chosen, through their votes, to govern them wisely and well. The Sangguniang Kabataan is likewise the first and immediate space where young people begin to understand and appreciate that an election is not a business but a mission.
The main philosophy behind the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) rests on the concept of devolution. Devolution is the mandatory process whereby there is transfer of powers and responsibilities (delivery of basic services and exercise of regulatory powers), personnel, assets and resources from the national government to the local government units.
Why devolution? To promote our country’s development. How does devolution make that possible? (a) It enables maximum participation of the people in decision making, resulting in decisions more responsive to the people’s needs; (b) It promotes greater self-reliance among Local Government Units (LGUs); (c) It reduces red tape and bureaucracy, hastening decision-making processes; and (d) It relieves central government of functions which can be handled more efficiently at lower levels.
Experience has likewise shown disadvantages of centralization of government powers, which is the concentration of development only in urban centers, particularly Metro Manila, and the neglect of the rural areas where 60% of the Filipinos live.
The Development Philosophy behind the LGC: Local officials are viewed as area development mangers rather than mere administrators of national development programs. As such, they are tasked to ensure the balanced, holistic and sustainable development of their own communities. Consequently, the LGC has expanded these officials’ powers and responsibilities.
Genuine Democracy in the Context of Devolution means that: (1) We need to deepen and strengthen democratic processes and institutions that will ensure Good Governance (transparency, accountability, meaningful people’s participation and responsive governance); (2) We need to continue our call for reforms through non-violence and active participation; (3) We need to listen to and uphold the “voice of the people”; (4) We need to provide effective and efficient basic services; and (5) We need to promote an equitable wealth distribution and to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor
The key in achieving this vision of genuine democracy rooted in the ideology of devolution is thus in our capacity to once again “choose” individuals who are “people oriented” and not “personality oriented”.
