Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Forum Workshop Conference on “Empowering People for Good Governance”
Greetings! Democracy as defined is a government of the people, for the people and by the people. On paper our 1987 Philippine Constitution defines our government as a Democracy but in truth and in practice we are not. This maybe the reason President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently said that our constitution “is just a piece of paper”.
Democracy is best understood and manifested when people are empowered and provided the condition to direct participation in all aspects in human life, particularly in the political order where decision-making is a significant expression of participation. It is in the area of politics that greater involvement of people in decision-making must be provided so the people will be responsible of their democratic/social life.
Democracy is not just the right to vote and elect good and competent servant leaders but it is also the empowerment of the people by providing the means to engage the government through active people’s participation. This will have great political and economic gains, such as correct prioritization of projects responsive to the needs of the community most specially for the least and the last, determining directions of social transformation, deciding appropriate policies for the common good but it will also inculcate accountability and transparency among those we elect into office. The people when heard in governance become responsible and take ownership of government’s policies, programs and projects.
Towards this end, the Peoples’ Choice Movement together with other faith-based organizations would like to invite you to a
People Choice Forum Workshop with the theme “Empowering people for good governance.”
On Nov. 6, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the AMOSUP ( Associated Marine Officer’s Seamen Union of the Phils ), Cabildo cor. San Jose St., Intramuros, Manila.
Proposed program for the Conference
Discussion on the National Situation
Inspirational Message: “Challenges to the Philippine Church and call to principled partisanship to the Filipino laity”
Sharing of best practices
+Effectivity of People’s Council: the Naga Experience – Office of the Vice President
+Effectivity of PO’s from a sociological point of view – Mary Racelis, Ph.D.
+Grassroots empowerment on practical level- Ms. Ruth Callanta of Center for Community Transformation
+Provisions for People’s Participation on Local Government Unites – Faila Diola, Ph.D. of UP NCPAG
Lunch
Press Conference
Inspirational Message: “The challenges our country faces today”
