Task force created to boost federalism information drive

An inter-agency task force has been created to implement an efficient information campaign on federalism and constitutional reform in a bid to raise public awareness.

But while the government is trying to boost its information drive, the Senate is in no hurry to pass the measure seeking a shift to federal system.

In Memorandum Circular No. 52, President Duterte designated the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to chair the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism (IATF) that will craft the “information dissemination and public communication plan” that includes holding public consultations.

“The conduct of public information drive and advocacy campaign at the grassroots level is necessary to raise public awareness on federalism and constitutional reform as well as to ensure widest public participation in the ongoing initiatives to amend or revise the fundamental law of the land,” the memo read.

It also acknowledged that constant public consultations were “essential” in every stage of the constitutional reform process to ensure such efforts would “embody the sovereign will and reflect the ideals and aspirations of our people.”

In the circular, the secretary of Justice will serve as vice chairperson of the new task force. The members include the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Presidential Management Staff, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Office of the Political Adviser, Commission on Higher Education, Development Academy of the Philippines, and University of the Philippines Law Center.

Under MC 52, the task force will have primary duty of “harmonizing and coordinating ongoing efforts towards Federalism and constitutional reform.”

Among the functions are to develop and implement activities to promote federalism campaign; prepare an information dissemination and communication plan; undertake consultations with former members of the Consultative Committee, government agencies, private sector and public; liaise with Congress to initiate the process and address roadblocks to constitutional reform.

Government agencies, including government corporations and state universities and colleges, have also been directed to coordinate with the task force before conducting any activity involving federalism and constitutional reform.

They must also render support to the IATF and participate in educational programs and orientation seminars on federals and constitutional reform.

The new task force has been directed to submit quarterly reports about its activities. Budget for the task force operations would be sourced from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The order, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President last October 31, takes effect immediately.

The creation of the task force came after the President directed authorities to get public feedback on the draft federal Constitution prepared by a consultative committee. The President wanted to consider the comments of the people and improve the draft before transmitting it to Congress.

Under the draft Charter, the federal republic will have 18 regions, including regions for the Bangsamoro, the Cordillera, and Negros Islands. These regions will have certain exclusive powers and get a 50-50 share in national wealth.

Despite the creation of the task force, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Upper Chamber still cannot entertain the planned shift to a federal system of government.

“Time constraint is the beach head,” Sotto told the Manila Bulletin in a text message, when asked to comment on the development.

Sotto said they could “most likely” entertain the matter during the 18th Congress.

In an interview early October, Sotto said the Senate could find time to discuss proposals on Cha-cha after the midterm elections.

“We’ll have time to consider anything that will be forwarded to the Senate after this (17th) Congress,” the Senate chief assured then.

It was recalled that the senators had put aside the administration's push for federal government as they agreed to wait for the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments which conducts public hearings on the matter. The committee is chaired by Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Currently on a break, the Senate is expected to continue its deliberations on the 13.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019 upon resumption of its session next week.

Aside from this, Sotto added that they had to finish tackling important pending bills before they adjourn ahead of the midterm elections.