OFFICE of Participatory Governance (OPG) Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco has urged the people in the Cordillera to strengthen its participation in governance to widen the services of the government.
During the launching of "Biyaya ng Pagbabago" held at Benguet State University Evasco said citizens should strengthen this by leading people's organization especially from the marginalized sectors in the country.
"We cannot expect people to participate even if they know that they need services from government because they are pissed off with the way things are being done by government," Evasco said.
President Rodrigo Duterte, under Executive Order (EO) 9, tasked Evasco to supervise the OPG and the Strategic Action and Response (Star) Office.
Section 2 of the EO provides the OPG should promote "active citizenship, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in governance."
"We are trying to manage government and responsive to the needs so people will no longer hesitate to participate in governance because for them, they still believe there is a chance but the real issue here is for change. We change the bureaucracy from being silent, from being in deferent to being pro-active in giving the needs of our people," Evasco explained.
The OPG is also tasked to initiate programs and projects that will facilitate citizen empowerment and participation in governance at the national, regional and local levels.
Part of Evasco's mandate is to ensure various stakeholders has direct participation in the crafting and formulation of policies and programs to address concerns at the grassroots level.
"We have to change the attitude of the people towards government because of how they perceive government as corrupt. But you know, the President is really making heaven and earth moving the bureaucracy to respond to the needs of our people. So there are no barriers for our citizens to access for the people to access services," Evasco added.
