Details

Dubbed as Time to Reconfigure: Decentralization in a Changing Environment, the conference will serve as an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders and institutional representatives to come together, not only to discuss persisting issues in decentralization and local governance reform, but also to identify and agree on the next steps to further their work for achieving good local governance.

The main objective of this national conference is to mainstream the urgent need to reform local governance in the country and to strengthen decentralization. Decentralization and devolution were introduced in the 1987 Constitution and made operational with the 1991 Local Government Code. After more than 20 long years of experience, there is really a need to introduce reforms and tailor the law to the needs of local governance.

Prior to the conference on the 12th, KAS and LOGODEF have invited Vice-President Jejomar Binay to deliver an inspirational message to formally welcome all distinguished guests, including Mr. Bernhard Kaster MP, Whip of the Christian Democratic Union Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament, who will be flying to the Philippines to attend the conference. The Welcome Dinner will be held on the evening of Wednesday, February 11, 7PM at the Garcia Villa Room of The Peninsula Manila.

Distinguished guests and personalities will attend the conference proper on the morning of the 12th, at The Conservatory of The Peninsula Manila, from various national and local government agencies, the international community and development work institutions, civil society organizations, academe, and private sector. Three sessions have been dedicated to discuss three important areas: (1) review of the state of decentralization; (2) future steps and needed reforms; and (3) the impact of ASEAN integration to decentralization.

Prominent figures in the field of governance have been invited as resource speakers for the three sessions, including Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., South Cotabato 1st District Representative Pedro Acharon, Jr., Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes, Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero, former National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Dr. Cielito Habito, Philippine Institute for Development Studies President Dr. Gilberto Llanto, Institute of Bangsamoro Studies Executive Director Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, and former Mayor of San Fernando City in La Union, Ms. Mary Jane Ortega.

Key officials from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Interior and the Local Government, and Trade and Industry will be attending the conference to serve as discussants, together with Dr. Habito.

The conference will be moderated by Ms. Cherie Mercado-Santos, anchor at TV5.