PIDS Calls For ‘Intelligent’ Discourse On Federalism
Policymakers should see merit in examining whether federalism can indeed address the sociopolitical and economic problems that hamper the country’s growth.
This was the message of Dr. Gilberto Llanto, president of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), as he opened the Third Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC). With the theme, “Critical Perspectives on Federalism for Regional Development”, this year’s APPC focused on the major issues surrounding the proposal for the country’s shift to a federal form of government.
Through the said event, Llanto said PIDS endeavors to contribute to an “intelligent policy discourse” on federalism crucial to help the public and policymakers make an informed decision.
The conference covered key issues on federalism, such as its political feasibility in the Philippines, the form and fiscal design of a federal government, as well as the implications of federalism given the country’s political, economic, social, and historical contexts.
PIDS urges policymakers to carefully study federalism proposal
State think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in its Third Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) on Tuesday (September 19), urged policymakers to pursue a comprehensive study of the proposed shift to a federal form of government.This year’s APPC, which has the theme “Critical Perspectives on Federalism for Regional Development”, aims to gather different analyses and insights on federalism from the country’s most prominent scholars and experts of political science, public administration, governance, and public finance.
“It is worth recalling our history to remind us why we are all here today. Since the Spanish period, Manila has served as the country’s seat of economic and political power. Some Filipinos, especially those living in the Visayas and Mindanao, have blamed such concentration of power as the main driver of the uneven development in the country today, and have called for a more even sharing of power, resources and governmental responsibilities,” said PIDS President Gilberto Llanto in his opening remarks.
Llanto stressed that it is important for the Philippines to carefully examine the possible implications of shifting to federalism using a multidisciplinary lens and to take into account the country’s political, economic, social, and historical context.
Political process on federalism must be impartial—PIDS
Zamboanga City – As debates on federalism intensify, state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) cautions advocates and critics alike to have a careful deliberation before deciding on this major agenda.
“While federalism will eventually be a political process, it should first be anchored on a non-partisan, objective, and scientific study to achieve its goals and desired outcomes,” said PIDS Vice President Marife Ballesteros, who represented President Gilberto Llanto during the recently concluded 3rd Mindanao Policy Research Forum held in Zamboanga City.
Ballesteros expressed the need for the Philippine government to design its own decentralized form of government.
“We (can) learn lessons from other federal systems but we cannot just copy from them. The design has to be creative, contextual, and uniquely Filipino,” she urged.
Meanwhile, Secretary Datu Abul Hj. Khayr Alonto of the Mindanao Development Authority recommended the immediate adoption of federalism to resolve conflict in Mindanao.
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