DILG to hold federalism roadshow in GenSan, SoCot

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will hold a series of advocacy activities on federalism here next week and in nearby South Cotabato province as part of its nationwide roadshow.

Members of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked to draft the proposed federal constitution, federalism experts, and top DILG officials will lead several public forums to further raise awareness on federalism.

Lawyer Michelle Anne Viejo, chief of staff of the DILG-12, said in a briefing on Thursday afternoon they are targeting to gather some 5,000 to 7,000 local leaders and stakeholders for the advocacy activities, which are set on Oct. 29-30.

Viejo said it will start with a media forum here on Monday afternoon that will be joined by ConCom members Susan Ordinario, Randolph Parcasio and Eddie Alih.

Also expected to attend are DILG assistant secretaries Jonathan Malaya and Rico Judge Echeverri, and federalism experts Lawyer Ferdinand Bocobo, Prof. Eric de Torres and Secretary Gary Olivar of the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform.

On Tuesday, Viejo said the activities will kick off with a live guesting at a local television program and will be followed by a town hall meeting at Esma Restaurant in Polomolok town, South Cotabato.

She said the town hall meeting will be joined by South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, the media, basic sectors and DILG-12 personnel.

A federalism convention and rally is scheduled in the afternoon at the Polomolok municipal gymnasium, she said.

DILG-12 invited local chief executives, local government officials, barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan officials, members of their partner civil society organizations, national government agency personnel, students and other stakeholders from parts of Region 12 or Soccsksargen to join the event.

"Our goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and properly educate them about federalism and the proposed shift to federal form of government," Viejo said. (PNA)