DAGYAW 2019. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar delivers a speech during the Dagyaw 2019: Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Town Hall Meeting in Pasay City on Tuesday (July 30, 2019). Andanar highlighted the importance of bringing the government closer to the people to clarify and further strengthen government programs that affect local communities. (Photo courtesy of PCOO)
PASAY CITY -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday opened the fifth leg of the cooperative open government dialogues as part of the Duterte administration’s continuing efforts to bring government services closer to the people.
“One of the most effective means of communication is face-to-face conversation. Actual contact with people for the delivery and presentation of ideas is forceful, immediate, and clarifying. Statements are simplified and the essence of their meanings is never subliminal,” Andanar said in his message during the Manila leg of the Dagyaw 2019: Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Town Hall Meeting at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Dagyaw 2019: Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Dialogues encourages participation in dialogues between government agencies, the public, and other stakeholders.
This initiative likewise aims to solicit ideas and stories that would help not only in crafting new landmark reforms but also in further strengthening existing measures.
The Manila leg marks the 5th Dagyaw town hall meeting since July 2 this year, following the Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, and Koronadal City caravans.
The PCOO will continue to bring open government dialogues to regions outside Metro Manila until September.
"We, in government, bring to the people through town-hall meetings such as this, relevant information and data that are needed for the people’s personal and public lives," Andanar said.
He stressed that the open government dialogues “is the rationality of democracy itself.”
“These public discussions, therefore, is the ultimate application of participatory democracy. They are critical for the operations of government itself. They serve as expressions of the executive functions of the state,” the PCOO chief added.
The word “Dagyaw” is a Hiligaynon term for “Bayanihan,” which exemplifies the concept of “togetherness.” It is envisioned to be one of the main government campaigns that will provide avenues for productive, valuable, sincere, and visible engagement between government and the people at the local level.
“They are the arena of discussions, debate, and the resolution of doubts. They open the administration itself to that vast expense of public questions, public understanding, and public participation,” Andanar said.
“Be heard once again during this town hall gathering; and may the Duterte Legacy of a more comfortable and well-meaning life be the reality of our time,” Andanar said.
Andanar also urged the participants of the town hall meeting to support the government in pushing for the institutionalization of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program.
“If you really want a 100 percent transparent government, I implore our Congress and Senate to make it into law. So what can we do as members of the civil society? As members of the LGU (local government unit)? As members of the organizations? You must write to your congressmen and senators, and tell them that the FOI should be acted upon right now,” Andanar added.
He said the PCOO’s FOI program, implemented by Executive Order 2, shows the Duterte administration’s priority in fighting corruption.
“FOI is one of the cornerstones to fight corruption in the land. And it's there, EO 2. The President means that we should fight corruption through and through, and it is through his actions that we see his sincerity by making it Executive Order No. 2, making the entire executive branch transparent. It should be a law. It should be legislated by the Congress and the Senate and signed by the President,” Andanar said.
Among topics discussed in the dialogue between the government and stakeholders include the Duterte administration’s drug rehabilitation program, Manila Bay rehabilitation, and employment.
Also present in the event were Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officer-in-charge Secretary Janet Abuel, DBM Undersecretary Herman Jumilla, Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Deputy Director-General Gregorio Pimentel, PCOO Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan, PCOO Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Rafael, DILG NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin, Department of Labor and Employment NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena Mirasol, and DBM NCR Regional Director Ruby Muro. (PR)
