Participatory Governance

Summary

The video script emphasizes the importance of participatory governance, where citizens have the power to participate in decision-making processes, shaping community needs and government programs. It highlights the role of people's organizations in local development councils, school boards, health boards, and peace and order councils, ensuring that the community's voice is central to government initiatives. The script calls for active citizen involvement to foster a responsive and inclusive government that values the input of all citizens, promoting a more democratic and effective administration.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Participatory governance is a system where ordinary citizens have the ability to participate in decision-making processes, identifying community needs, planning government-funded programs, and monitoring their implementation.
• 🌐 It aims to make government services appropriate and effective, ensuring better use of public funds and providing opportunities for all citizens to contribute to development in areas such as education, health, economy, infrastructure, and government services.
• 📜 The concept of participatory governance is not new; it is encouraged by the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates the government to support the establishment of non-governmental and community-based organizations.
• 🏛️ The Local Government Code of 1991 expects local government units (LGUs) to promote and maintain people's organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), recognizing their role in local autonomy.
• 👥 The active participation of citizens is crucial, and individuals can contribute by voicing their opinions, making recommendations, and being represented in decision-making bodies.
• 🏢 Civil society organizations (CSOs), NGOs, and people's organizations have a significant role in participatory governance, with representatives often being part of local development councils, school boards, health boards, and peace and order councils.
• 🏫 The Local Development Council is responsible for formulating, monitoring, and implementing local government plans, programs, and policies, including the budget.
• 🏥 Local Health Boards oversee the operation and maintenance of health facilities and services, providing advice on health-related matters to the council.
• 🏛️ Local Peace and Order Councils ensure safety and orderly governance, with participation from various sectors, including CSOs, to maintain peace and security.
• 🌱 Participatory governance also extends to protecting natural resources, where fishermen and farmers can be involved in local government efforts, and women's groups can lead initiatives to improve women's conditions.
• 🏡 Simple participation, such as attending town hall meetings, can significantly contribute to a responsive and open government that is ready to engage with its citizens.

Q & A

What is Participatory Governance?

Participatory Governance is a process where ordinary citizens have the ability to participate in decision-making on various issues, identifying community needs, planning government programs or projects, and monitoring the implementation and use of public funds.

How does Participatory Governance aim to improve government services?

Participatory Governance aims to make government services more appropriate and effective by ensuring that they are designed and implemented with the direct input of citizens, thus better addressing community needs and utilizing public funds efficiently.

What role do people's organizations play in Participatory Governance?

People's organizations play a crucial role in Participatory Governance by representing the voices and interests of citizens, participating in decision-making processes, and ensuring that the needs of the community are considered in government programs and policies.

How is Participatory Governance encouraged under the 1987 Philippine Constitution?

The 1987 Philippine Constitution encourages Participatory Governance by promoting the establishment of non-governmental, community-based, and other organizations, and by recognizing and respecting the important role of people's organizations in all aspects of political, economic, and social discourse.

What is the significance of the Local Government Code of 1991 in Participatory Governance?

The Local Government Code of 1991 is significant in Participatory Governance as it mandates local government units (LGUs) to promote the establishment and maintenance of people's organizations, NGOs, and private institutions, which are key players in active citizen participation and local autonomy.

What is the role of the Local Development Council in Participatory Governance?

The Local Development Council plays a role in Participatory Governance by formulating and monitoring the implementation of local government plans, programs, and policies, including the budget or spending plan before it is presented to the legislative council of a city or municipality.

How can civil society organizations contribute to local school boards in Participatory Governance?

Civil society organizations can contribute to local school boards by providing advice on educational matters, representing various sectors, and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of the community are considered in educational planning and policy-making.

What is the function of the Local Health Board in Participatory Governance?

The Local Health Board functions in Participatory Governance by advising the council on health-related matters, overseeing the operation and maintenance of local health facilities and services, and promoting health reforms.

How do Local Peace and Order Councils contribute to Participatory Governance?

Local Peace and Order Councils contribute to Participatory Governance by ensuring safety and orderly governance, and by involving various sectors, including civil society organizations, in maintaining peace and security within the community.

What is the importance of citizen participation in Participatory Governance?

Citizen participation is crucial in Participatory Governance as it ensures that the government is responsive and open to the needs of the community, fostering a more democratic and effective administration that is accountable to the public.

How can individuals contribute to Participatory Governance?

Individuals can contribute to Participatory Governance by voicing their opinions and recommendations, participating in decision-making processes, and engaging in various community organizations and local government bodies to influence policies and programs.