FRESH DIANNE P.

SILVOSA BEED-G-3

FEDERALISM REACTION PAPER

On January 27 2017, the social dimensions of education classes in partnership with the
Students Services Center, CJC-CSG, and ROAR DavSur Youth (RoDy) conducted a symposium
presenting the Kilusang Pederalismo para sa pagbabago which aims to inform and deepen
our understanding about the Federalism kind of government and be an agent of change in
our society.

President Rodrigo Duterte's highlight of his platforms is his promise to introduce federalism
to the Philippines. During the campaign period President Rodrigo Duterte said during an
interview about his views on the peoples thoughts about a possible shift in the Philippines
form of government, federalism would break what he said was the colonization of Mindanao
by the elite in Manila. And it made me think why did the Mayor terms it as colonization by
the elite Manila, and while listening on the speaker during the symposium, I learned that
the Philippines is currently under a unitary form of government - this means that the central
government is the highest governing power. It receives a large part of every region's income
and redistributes it, often disproportionately so. Our autonomous regions, provinces,
municipalities and barangays can only exercise powers and enact policies that the central
government chooses to delegate to them. Federalism is a type of government wherein
sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the national government and subdivisional
governments (such as states or provinces). Federalism divides the country into several
autonomous states with a national government. The autonomous states are even further
divided into local government units. They will have the main responsibility over developing
their local industries, public health and safety, education, transportation, and culture. These
states have more power over their finances, policies, development plans, and laws.

After the Philippines promulgated a new constitution in 1987, the country has faced a
number of proposals and attempts to change the country's form of government from a
unitary to federal form of government. None of these proposals have been successfully
passed or put into a national referendum. It is widely known that pockets in the political and social
arena have been active in proposing a federal structure of government in the Philippines. This call
has been more highlighted in todays administration.

Now is the time, as what the famous tag line after the campaign stated Change has come.
We should support todays administration in their goal. Examining the literature on
federalism, whether in the Philippines or abroad would show why federalism is, indeed,
needed for the country. Federalism would ensure better accountability, for elected officials
are closer to their districts and will better represent their interests. It can spur economic
growth as states determine ways that is applicable to local resources and strengths. Finally,
a federal government can ensure social and cultural development, as regional aspirations
and cultures can be protected and developed while still ensuring national unity. After
listening to the talks, I concluded that a federal form of government should be introduced in
the Philippines.