Ilocos Norte launches Federalism Summit

By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco/PIA1-Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY, Dec 28 (PIA) – In the pursuit of implementing a federal government system, Ilocos Norte recently launched a summit to discuss its advantages at Provincial Centennial Arena, this city.
As the lead agency in the creating awareness on federalism, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Ilocos Norte convened more than 300 participants composed of local officials, movement groups, and student leaders.

Among the basic information discussed during the campaign advocacy include an orientation that the federal system divides powers of the government between national and local states government. These powers include decisions, policies, and programs.

Under this system, there is sovereignty among the local government units in imposing local developments on industries, health, safety, education, transportation, and culture.

Although the framework of federalism is still on the works, the summit aims to gather the pulse of the people in helping them build up the federal government.

“We want to bring down information on this federal system of government to the communities for them to be aware of this. We also want to get information from them for us to collate suggestions on a well-designed federal system,” DILG Provincial Director Reggie Colisao said.

During the summit, one of the concerns that was raised was whether or not the federal government is the best way to alleviate the rampant cases of graft and corruption.

“Given that there is still no design for this government system, we will assure that under federalism there will be a lesser case of corruption inside the government. You will be our watchdog. The federal system will bring the government closer to the people,” said DILG-Laoag City Local Government Operations Officer Ogie Daquiaog.

With this, the DILG hopes that the local officials will provide suggestions for the final framework of the federal government.

Aside from this summit, the DILG has been conducting fora in barangays for a wider dissemination on federalism. (Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco/PIA1-Ilocos Norte)