Statement on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Dialogue with Civil Society Groups
Statement on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Dialogue with Civil Society Groups
August 20, 2008
Kapampangan Marangal. Inc.
In an attempt to bridge the widening gap between the Executive and Legislative branches of the Pampanga Provincial Government, leaders and members of various civil society groups held a dialogue yesterday (August 19, 2008 from 10:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) under the leadership of Vice-Governor Joseller 'Yeng' Guiao.
Representatives from the Kapampangan Coalition, Inc.(KCI), Kapampangan Marangal, Inc. (KMI), Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), Pampanga Anti-Gambling Council, Inc. and Couples for Christ engaged the SP in a dialogue over the following concerns: 1) Designation of Arnedo Park as a Freedom Park; 2) Inquiry on the Status of the Proposed Budget for BALAS and other pending supplemental budgets for approval; 3) Clarification on the Holding of the SP Special Sessions; and 4) Possible Areas of Cooperation between the Civil Society Sector and the SP in the realm of Good Governance (Pls. see attached letter submitted to the Office of the Vice-Governor).
Agreements reached during the dialogue include:
Re: Designation of Arnedo Park as a Freedom Park
The SP will check on the legal aspect of this request (e.g. whether it needs a resolution or an ordinance). In general, the members of the SP have verbally expressed their agreement to the proposal;
Re: Inquiry on the Status of the Proposed Budget for BALAS and other pending supplemental budgets for approval
After explaining their side on the issue, the SP challenged the civil society groups to:
1) Prepare and submit a study/proposal on the BALAS covering: a) a 6-month budget for BALAS, and b) system and mechanism for institutionalization of operations (whether to consider automated monitoring or improve the current system including compensation scheme for the workers);
2) Prepare and submit a study/proposal on the scholarship program covering: a design that will institutionalize the systematic delivery of a well-crafted scholarship program (to insulate it from patronage politics and steer it away from the dole-out label – e.g. create a screening committee with two representatives from the civil society instead of relying on recommendations/endorsements from elected officials; identify requirements, terms – e.g. direct payment to schools; and focus of assistance on specific areas of proficiency – e.g. science courses
Re: Clarification on the Holding of the SP Special Sessions
Following certain requirements, only the Governor can request for Special Sessions subject to the following conditions:
1) It is certified as urgent, not open-dated and should not have a far-reaching agenda;
2) It should be specific and have the element of urgency (e.g. during disasters)
Re: Possible Areas of Cooperation between the Civil Society Sector and the SP in the realm of Good Governance
The SP is open to the idea of cooperating with the civil society in areas that will breathe life to and promote the ideals of good governance (e.g. transparency, effective delivery of services, accountability, etc.).
The Bamboo Propagation Project which had an initial budget allocation of Php 5M last year was discussed. It was agreed that both parties will explore ways of responding to this development opportunity for Pampanga. The SP pledged additional funding support for it.
The civil society expressed concern about a container van full of hospital equipment (that has yet to be released by the Customs Bureau) intended for public hospitals in Pampanga. The SP committed to help facilitate the release of the said equipment.
While we have yet to see concrete results from this dialogue, we are confident that the SP will adhere to the agreements made, as clearly expressed by Vice-Gov. Yeng Guiao. We are hopeful that this will pave the way to unity and cooperation among Pampanga's leaders and the Kapampangan constituency. We want to make it clear that this move was intended to complement and not to duplicate the efforts of our duly-elected government officials. We, likewise, reiterate that this was initiated by the civil society in support of the good governance agenda of our Provincial Government. We hope that it will not in any way be misconstrued as taking sides on the perceived rift between the Executive and the Legislative branches of the Provincial Government.
Even as we offer ourselves to get involved in working for the development of Pampanga, we cite the following gains among many others made by the Panlilio administration with the aid of the Vice-Governor and the SP:
1) Increase in quarry collections and the immediate distribution of shares of the local government units;
2) Convening of the Provincial Development Council
3) Creation of Local Councils for the Indigenous People and the Youth and the reactivation of existing ones (e.g. Children, Persons with Disabilities, and senior Citizens)
4) Allocation and release of budget as mandated
We laud the efforts of our leaders to move on and continue exploring possible points of unity despite differences in political convictions. A lot of time has been wasted on fingerpointing and squabbling over non-issues. More than hurting our pride, the wounds of divisions have been hurting our beloved Pampanga by stifling its growth and progress.
Pampanga is now regarded by many Filipinos as a beacon of light and a wellspring of hope for genuine reforms in Philippine society. We can only continue being so if we set aside loyalty to personalities in favor of loyalty to the cause which is Pampanga's development through the exercise of good governance and responsible citizenship.