THE Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago, (KPP) a group of Federalism advocates, is set to hold a two-day forum in Davao City on September 8-9.
The forum is expected to finalize and approve recommendations on the total number of regional states under the proposed Federal-Parliamentary Government of the Philippines.
KPP has been pushing for five regional states based on cultural features, geographic contiguity and economic potential.
Lawyers Aristeo Albay and Ruben Abarquez and Architect Florencio Chito Gavino III said Monday, August 29, the group is pushing for North Luzon (22 provinces), National Capital Region, Southern Luzon (19 provinces), Visayas (with 18 provinces) and Mindanao (with 26 provinces) as the five federal states.
Albay, a former Davao City councilor, said the federal system “is the most suited for an archipelagic and culturally diverse country like the Philippines, a most superior system to face the challenges of the 21st century.”
Abarquez added there are two ways of Federalization: Bottom-up and Top-bottom approach.
“The top-bottom approach will the Philippines’s approach to federalism,” Gavino said.
Gavino added the “No abolition of existing local government units and fragmentation of the nation” should be part of the criteria for the creation of states (or regions).
When asked on what models are recommended for a Federal-Parliamentary Government of the Philippines, the three conveners of the KPP underscored that Philippines must develop its very own unique model based on the diverse cultures, political experiences, physical make-up, and Filipinos idiosyncrasy, among others.
“For a Federal System of Government, our proposed models are the upgraded Bangsamoro Basic Law or Enabling Law and the Constitutions of Spain, Belgium and Pakistan,” the group said. (ASP)