CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reminded local government units (LGUs) to regularly conduct quarterly town hall meetings where their constituents can voice out opinions and suggest actions to improve the delivery of public service.
The agency noted of its Memorandum Circular 56 issued on April 15 that mandates all LGUs, including provincial, city and municipal governments, to conduct the meetings that will serve as platform in informing citizens on the state of local governance.
Residents are also advised to actively join in their respective public address and pitch in their feedback to improve government programs, particularly on thwarting major concerns such as illegal drugs, corruption and insurgency.
"We are wide open to listen to you and receive your suggestions for the continuous progress of our country," DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told attendees of the first leg of Dagyaw 2019: Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Dialogues held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
He said that as much as it is the right of the people to live in a prosperous nation, they also have a duty to help the government in running the country, such as helping in President Rodrigo Duterte's fight against insurgency.
Barangay officials in Pampanga, meanwhile, cited the benefits of conducting the regular quarterly meeting in municipal level in improving their delivery of public service, and providing venue to bridge the citizens to the government agencies far from the barangay.
Bucad said his constituents are concerned on drainage system, PhilHealth coverage for indigent residents, and benefits for senior citizens, to name a few.
"We barangay officials feel the grunt of the people because we are directly in front of them. If we have this meeting at the municipality, we can easily confer these concerns to the national government," he said.
Dagyaw 2019 encourages participation in dialogues between government agencies, the public, and other stakeholders.
This initiative likewise aims to solicit ideas and stories that would help not only in crafting new landmark reforms, but also in further strengthening existing measures.
The event was organized by DILG, Department of Budget and Management and Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Topics discussed during the leg include the Universal Healthcare Act, Rice Trade Liberalization Law, and the Build, Build, Build program.