Nationwide federalism drive begins
The DILG secretary says the department is tying up with Penamfed in the nationwide campaign in order to better explain to LGUs and the public the overall benefits of federalism to the country
EVEN before President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to launch an information drive on federalism, the agency has already Started its information campaign with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the People’s National Movement for Federalism (Penamfed), a private sector which advocates the shift to a federal form of government.
The signatories to the MOA are DILG Secretary Mike D. Sueno and Penamfed president Dante V. Liban.
In signing the MOA, Sueno said the DILG, which has a general supervision mandate over local government units, shall take the lead in promoting public awareness and understanding on the salient features and principles of a federal form of government.
The DILG secretary said the department is tying up with Penamfed in this effort in order to better explain to LGUs and the public the overall benefits of federalism to our country.
“We share and support the President’s vision of a federal system of government. We are therefore working with Penamfed in this campaign to encourage the support of LGUs and the public as a whole on this key issue that will bring about a more responsive government that is at- tuned to the developmental needs of the people,” said Sueno.
In the MOA, the DILG shall encourage LGUs to make available resources in support of the conduct of the nationwide information campaign of the Penamfed for federalism.
The DILG, in coordination with the local police of the LGU concerned, shall ensure the safety of the personnel of Penamfed participating in the information campaign within their territorial jurisdiction from going to and from of the selected venue where the event is to be conducted.
Moreover, the DILG will coordinate with the local press of the LGU concerned to ensure full information dissemination of the relevant information of the campaign by mandatory coverage of whatever activities done or to be done by the Penamfed in connection to its project.
LGUs to be visited by Penamfed shall submit to the DILG national office a report within 15 days, stating in detail its assistance extended to Penamfed in the conduct of this undertaking. Likewise, the Penamfed is required to report to the DILG on the status of this project from time to time.
Further, the DILG shall provide the Philippine National Police (PNP) and all the barangays, cities, municipalities, provinces and highly urbanized cities a copy of the DILG-Penamfed MOA on federalism campaign and shall enjoin units to support this undertaking.
Penamfed head Liban said, “Federalism is the key to unity and peace.”