Federalism campaign gets boost from Chavit-led PCL

The Duterte administration’s bid to promote federalism gained tremendous headway as the 17,500 strong Philippine Councilors League (PCL) led by former Ilocos Sur governor and now PCL national president Luis Chavit Singson expressed overwhelming support for the move.

Singson and PCL National chairman Danilo Dayanghirang inked a memorandum of understanding with Department of the Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Eduardo Año and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya yesterday to show full support in the shift to federal form of government.

Other personalities who witnessed the MOU signing include Benito Brizuela, PCL national executive president, and Elmer Datuin, national vice chairman.

Año cited the PCL for joining the “federalism wagon” which he termed as simply for the country and not for the interest of the several few.

“While most of the congressmen who are opposed to the shift of government do not know yet much of federalism, it is good to hear positive words from the PCL, an association of all elected, appointed and ex-officio members of local legislative councils in cities and municipalities,” the DILG Chief said.

President Duterte mandated the DILG to be the lead agency of the national government’s public awareness initiative on federalism.

Under the agreement, the PCL shall sponsor local laws or ordinances that will promote federalism to communities in support to the policy thrust of the President which is the transition from unitary to a federal form of government.

Aside from assisting the DILG in propagating its mandate on federalism campaign, the PCL also will perform other functions as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties to ensure the success of the Federalism Advocacy Campaign.

Both the DILG and PCL through its concerned units shall closely coordinate with each other through regular meetings or discussions while all disagreements or disputes shall be settled amicably by the parties.

For his part, Singson said that he decided to support federalism in full belief that it is much better and beneficial for the local governments.