DAVAO CITY (November 6)– The Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism has been formed to develop strategies to raise public awareness on federalism and constitutional reform.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the creation of the task force through Memorandum Circular No. 52, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on October 31 and released to the media on Monday, November 5.
The task force is expected to “integrate, harmonize and coordinate” efforts toward federalism and constitutional reforms. “The conduct of a public information drive and advocacy campaign at the grassroots level is necessary to raise public awareness on Federalism and constitutional reform as well as to ensure widest public participation in the ongoing initiatives to amend or revise the fundamental law of the land,” Duterte said.
The President also underscored the importance of consultation not only with the different sectors but also with the former members of the consultative committee tasked to review the 1987 constitution, government agencies and the private sector.
“Constant consultations with all sectors of society is essential in every stage of the process of constitutional reform so that all such efforts towards reform will embody the sovereign will and reflect the ideals and aspirations of our people,” Duterte added.
Funding for the the operations of the IATF shall be incorporated in the budget proposal of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which will lead the task force. Initial funds however will be sourced out from “appropriate funding sources that the Department of Budget and Management may identify, subject to relevant law, rules and regulations.”- Jiann Padillo/ NewsLine
