ROXAS CITY, Capiz --- A Cabinet official said aside from the push for federalism, there is also a need for the public to see the "content" of the proposed form of government.
Secretary Francis Tolentino, presidential adviser for political affairs, who spoke at the 9th Founding Anniversary celebration of Task Force Kasanag (TFK) at MVW Hotel and Restaurant here, said while the push continues, it is important to look and understand what the draft contains.
"Thus, there is going to be a massive information campaign on what is really the content of the drafted federal form of government being pushed in the country," he stressed.
Tolentino said former chief justice Reynato Puno, head of the Constitutional Commission, is set to turnover the draft of the federal constitution before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 23.
It's almost done, he said, confirming that there will be 18 federal states including Negros Island Region (NIR).
"It will then be submitted to Congress for its deliberation. After which, if approved, there will be a plebiscite," the Cabinet official also said.
Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, in a briefing and consultation on federalism held in Dumaguete City last month, earlier confirmed that Negros Federal Region (NFR), including Siquijor, is included in the draft amendments.
NFR has a strong support in the Congress which is a big factor for its realization, Malaya added.
Locally, Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor, a staunch supporter of federalism, agreed on the need to further strengthen the information education campaign particularly on the content of the proposed Constitutional amendments.
Malabor, who was also present at the activity, said after the federalism roadshows in Isabela, Dumaguete and Baguio, the same activity will also be conducted in cities of Legaspi, Tacloban and Butuan this month.
There will also be a National Federation Convention in Davao City on July 9 to 11.
"There are still 15 regions to hold the federalism roadshows which include media forum and consultations with different sectors focusing on the benefit and the kind of federal government that we are pushing," he added.
The Negros Occidental town mayor further said they are launching this month the Youth for Federalism in the province.
Malabor said the initiative targets the youth, this time, to also help spearhead the push for federalism in their respective community.
"We are upbeat that federalism in the Philippines will be realized after the 2019 elections but still within the term of President Duterte," the mayor said, as he urged other local chief executives to also pass a resolution supporting federalism.