Promoting an Empowered Participatory Government: the Case of Selected Gawad Galing Pook Awardees

Abstract

Many believed that development simply means the process of economic growth of country. Nevertheless, discussion of development would be meaningless unless this is viewed in the context of the lives, experiences, and aspirations of the great masses of the people. It is the people's participation in the governmental activities that is greatly needed for the development of a country. Thirteen years ago, a group of local governance advocates shared the vision of sustainable development through the empowerment of local communities. At that time, the Local Government Code of 1991 granting autonomy to local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines had been passed. They called their institution as the <4Gawad Galing Pook". Gawad Galing Pook was launched in the year 1993 to recognize local government units which demonstrate excellence in local governance. One of the criteria in choosing the winners of Gawad Galing Pook was people empowerment To answer the question whether Gawad Galing Pook and its selected awardees have promoted empowered participatory government, the researcher conducted several interviews as well as survey. However, after all the data gathering, it was unfortunate to found out that the selected awarded local government units (Marikina and Bulacan) and Gawad Galing Pook failed to promote citizen empowerment. It was found out that there is indeed lack of proper information dissemination. The citizens weren't able to recognize the awarded programs (Barangay Talyer for Marikina and Constituent-Responsive Governance for Bulacan) as well the institution itself (the Gawad Galing Pook). The researcher recommended that both Gawad Galing Pook and the local government unit should improve their promotion strategies. They should assure that the people see their program as venues for participation. People's participation in governance helps democratize the political base for the exercise of power so that government may in fact able to act more decisively in the pursuit of the greater collective interest. A more effective people's participation in governance is therefore a key ingredient for transforming the government into a more decisive and yet democratic institution. This means that government will have to actively harness the people's initiative and enthusiasm to neutralize and ultimately undermine traditional control and influence of entrenched political and economic clans in the country. Thus, our society will improve for the betterment of all.