CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Legal Officer Pilipinas “Pines” Baclayen recently oriented some community officials on the concepts of a federal government as a preparation for the “call for a federalist form of government.”
With barangay officials and representatives in the audience, Baclayen explained the significance of a federal system during a discussion dubbed as Federalism Express Forum held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
During her speech, Baclayen said Federalism allows shared government powers between the federal government and the regional governments.
She also stressed that a federal government allows regions to exercise right to self-determination such as to address their problems based on their own geographic, cultural, social and economic condition.
Under Federalism, more powers are decentralized and developed to local government, she added.
A Federal Government operates under a federal constitution with a single armed forces, central bank, monetary system and foreign policy.
Austria, Germany, Canada United States and Australia are among the few countries mentioned by Baclayen that have federal form of government.
Community officials are tasked to relay the awareness on federalism to their constituents in a barangay assembly that will be held this coming March 25, Saturday. –Ma. Reina Len Luna