Over 126 barangay officials attended the one-day activity titled “FEDERALISMO ATING ALAMIN: Support Towards Informed and Responsive (STIR) Federalism” on November 15, 2017 at DISADECO Conference Hall, Andres Bonifacio, Diffun, Quirino spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Quirino with the primary purpose of increasing people’s awareness on the proposed federal system of government.
Provincial Governor Junie E. Cua said in his opening message that with most of the barangays duly represented, it is hoped that the advocacy becomes clearer and that at end of the activity, they would have something to ponder on and evaluate as to how this would deliver change that the whole country needs.
DILG Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr, who served as the main Resource Speaker, said such activity was necessary to prepare the 132 barangays of Quirino Province should the proposed change in government push through. “If this is legislated, a plebiscite or a referendum will decide. We don’t want that day to come without the barangays knowing what federalism is all about,” he said.
Ive B. Saludez, DILG Regional Focal Person on Federalism, clarified that the DILG is not specifically advocating for federalism but is only providing avenues where it can be discussed. “The role of the DILG is to stir up discussions, thus the title of the activity,” she added. She likewise urged the participants, being the local leaders, to echo to their constituents what they have learned from the activity.
The activity dwelled on the basic concepts, principles, structure and merits of federalism. An open forum was held where issues on the division of power, political set-up, financial and administrative matters, among others, were raised and addressed accordingly.
OIC Provincial Director Salvacion Z. Baccay concluded the activity by saying that federalism is one thing that everyone should be able to hear about for them to understand how it will be instrumental in bringing change that will make people’s lives better.#
