Tags: General News, NGOs and foundations, Poverty
By Anna Valmero
TABACO CITY, ALBAY— Residents here now have access to a “citizen feedback” mechanism to demand from the local government the delivery of social services to meet United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals.
Dubbed Tingog 2015 (tingog in Bicolano means “voice”), the project is supported by the Social Watch Philippines and the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC). A similar system was piloted in in India last August and was called Samadhan, the Hindi word for “solution”.
In essence, the system allows Filipinos to use technology to report on delivery of basic services. The feedback will also be used by local government units to ensure sound development planning.
“That is exactly what this system does – it gives you a ‘voice’ in local development planning. The number 2015, which is the number for reporting feedback, symbolizes the target year for the achievement of the MDGs (Millenium Development Goals),” said Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, country representative for the World Health Organization and representative of UN Philippines.
The citizen feedback initiative was a product of the MDG Summit in New York last year, when global leaders agreed that accelerating achievement of the MDGs required transparency and accountability, and citizen involvement in social development.
The MDGs are time-bound, concrete and specific goals that 189 world leaders committed to achieving by 2015 at the United Nations Summit in September 2000.
In Tabaco pilot, Tingog 2015 will focus on delivery of services related to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat HIV/AIDS.
The other five MDGs aim to end extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.
Social Watch Philippines’ Jessica Cantos urges locals to use the feedback system and support House Bill 3773, which institutionalizes people’s participation in budget processes in all levels of government.”
After the Tabaco City pilot, the initiative is intended to be rolled out across the Philippines to empower citizens all over the country to participate in local governance, social development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Technology—in this case, the use of mobile phones—is just a tool. For this tool to be successful, you need a local government that is responsive, one that understands the importance of your voice, your tingog, and endeavours to provide you with the entitlements that are yours,” said Dr. Soe.
“But responsibility does not rest with public servants alone. It is a two-way street. As your development partner, your government can benefit from your constructive feedback on services, and your thoughts on how service delivery can be improved. If something is working with efficiency, report it also so that it can serve as a model,” he added.
(Photos from Social Watch Philippines)
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