This is an official statement from Assy Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, RLA Chair on Education, Arts, Culture and Sports Development on the conduct of the ARMM LOCAL GOVERNANCE SUMMIT, today June 19, 2012, in Davao City
The whole ARMM can be likened to a TREE, when the roots and branches, the local governments grow and bloom, the whole TREE is strengthened. This tree if not watered would wrinkle and so let us water the TREE of reform with initiative from the LGUs.
The seeds of reform starts with the local governments. No gigantic amount of our talking in the Assembly will replace the amount invested by LGUs in making development felt by our constituents. Their burden is closer to the people being WITH the people in LIVING with the people. If we are able to inspire our citizens to pay their taxes, these revenue collections can be used to put up more water systems for our mothers to provide clean water for their kids. If we are able to put our national wealth share in LANAO to putting up fish or tree nurseries, and development projects for host communities in Lake Lanao province of Lanao del Sur, then 40 years of National Power Corporation would have mattered.
I join my RLA colleague, Assemblyman JUNI ILIMININ (Chair of Local Governments) in asserting that the IRA is not to be seen as personal property. It should be treated as an AMANAH (trust) and be delivered and reported to the people.
And so I celebrate the importance of local governments in pursuing the REFORM AGENDA. As a legislator impelled by the urgency of racing with time in seeing reform come in fruition in less than a year before the May 2013 elections, may I propose recommendations for our LGUs to consider:
- In preparing for (and during) registration period this July, all must be work on campaigning for electoral reform; The message (Streamer) of One person, one vote, should cascade from the barangay, municipal and provincial level;
- Promote open governance by exposing information about their projects and programs; LGUs should banner their projects in information, education and communication (IEC) mechanisms;
- LGUS should organize their Local Special Bodies (LSBs) ie Peace and Order Councils, Local Health Boards, Local School Boards;
- Award barangays and schools that observe environment and sanitation laws on Solid Waste Management Act (recycling, reusing, reducing).
May I take this opportunity to campaign for LGUs to implement the Gender and Development (GAD) Code that urges LGUs to appropriate 5 percent of their development funds to GAD programs that empower women . When we take care of the women, we take care of the Bangsamoro society for they are the managers of the household which is the homeplace and face of Islam.
May I also congratulate the best efforts of ARMM LGUs that have obtained recognition ie Lamitan (Civil Service Excellence Awardee), Upi and even Wao, Ganassi, Kapatagan and Wato/Balinding in my province of Lanao del Sur for their pro-active work in good governance and eco-tourism.
Mabuhay ang Bangsamoro, Mabuhay ang mamamayan. Takbir!
