BAGUIO CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government of the Cordillera (DILG-CAR) is urging all local government units and civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively rally behind and support the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP).
The OGP is based on the idea that an open government is more accessible, more responsive, and more accountable to citizens, and that improving the relationship between people and their government has long-term, exponential benefits for everyone.
“We are calling on our local governments to integrate the tenets of OGP into their governance structures. By doing this, we open the door for greater transparency and citizen participation, ensuring that the local government truly reflects the aspirations and needs of the communities it serves,” said Araceli San Jose, DILG-CAR Regional Director.
She also recognized the importance of CSOs and encouraged them to actively participate, share their perspectives, and collaborate as responsible partners in ensuring local governments are held accountable. “Their active participation is vital in fostering an environment where citizens contribute to decision-making processes,” she said.
She also underscored that the OGP, through the OGP Local, represents a significant stride towards transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric governance at the grassroots level. An invitation for us all to embrace a culture of openness, collaboration, and responsiveness in our local governance practices.
To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has institutionalized the PH-OGP by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 31, s. 2023 inked by Marcos on June 20, 2023, the PH-OGP has been institutionalized as a “multi-stakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country’s commitments to the OGP.”
“The Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) has evolved into a vital platform for introducing governance reforms through harnessing technology, creating synergy with CSOs (civil society organizations), and mainstreaming these innovations in various levels of government,” the EO read.
In a message delivered by DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan, DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin Abalos, Jr. reiterated the DILG’s commitment to actively promote the ideals of the PH-OGP. “You can count on the Department’s firm support in implementing both the OGPinas Campaign and the development of the 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan,” he said.
DILG Secretary Abalos also underscored that the OGPinas Campaign will serve as a vehicle for transformation. “It shall be the key to unlocking widespread awareness and understanding for people to learn about the Philippine Open Government Partnership and its transformative effect on local governance,” he said.
Adding, “Through OGPinas, we hope to bridge the gap and bring the PH-OGP closer to the hearts of every Filipino. We hope to ignite a passion for participation in government initiatives, processes, and efforts; fostering a sense of ownership in the pursuit of an improved and open government. We want our citizens to grasp the profound importance of Open Government in the process of improving the quality of public service delivery, thus, leading to better lives for all,” he said.
On November 7, 2023, the DILG-CAR, Department of Budget and Management, and the Philippine Information Agency organized the launch of OG Pinas in this mountain resort city. The event brought together representatives from the government, academe, civil society organizations, and other groups from Regions I, II, III, and CAR. By PMTG/DILG CAR
