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Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Iloilo leaders push Cha-cha
ILOILO's local executives placed themselves at the forefront of the campaign for an immediate change in the Philippine system of government with the issuance here yesterday of a declaration calling for charter change.
Immediately following the conduct of a forum by the Advocacy Commission on Charter Change (AdCom) at Central Philippine University, City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas rallied participants to the forum with the issuance and signing of the two-pronged declaration avowing the pursuit of constitutional reform.
Citing that present political crisis and the "recurring reckless escalations of various conspiracies to bring down government through violent and unconstitutional means", the declaration states:
"The time to act is now. The nation's welfare must be paramount over personal and political interests.
"Thus we declare: 1) to pursue the establishment of a unicameral parliamentary form of government; and 2) to pursue the campaign for liberalization of the economy through constitutional reforms for a greater government efficiency and economic progress to our province, in particular, and to the Filipino people, in general."
The declaration also states that charter change must come "in the soonest possible time and in the most economical manner of amending the constitution for the common and general welfare of our country and people.
Trenas, also president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, reiterated LCP's stand in support of the shift to a parliamentary government saying that the change will make government more responsive, eliminate legislative gridlock, and give more focus to local governance.
Also among the signatories were Iloilo Vice Governor Roberto Armada, Guimbal Mayor Richard Garin, vice president of Iloilo's League of Municipalities, several Iloilo municipal mayors, an overwhelming majority of the this city's barangay officials, and sectoral leaders representing labor, jeepney drivers, urban poor, farmer, and fishermen's organizations.
The signing of the declaration capped a two-day sortie in Panay by AdCom Commissioners Rowena Bengzon, Raul Lambino, Dan Macarambong, and Alex Aguilar.
The Commissioners kicked off the grassroots-driven advocacy campaign for Charter change with a forum in Antique province Monday led by Antique Governor Sally Perez. A similar forum was held simultaneously yesterday in Kalibo, Aklan under the auspices of the Aklan provincial government led by Governor Carlito Marquez.
The commissioners, who have been touring the countryside since early this month to advocate constitutional reform through people's initiative, said there is an overwhelming clamor among the people for charter change.
(March 22, 2006 issue)
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