Citizens’ Participation and Governance

       When we hear Phillipine politics and governance, I’m pretty sure that most people have the words corruption, bias, injustice and the like on top of their heads. Only little realizes that they are also what they describe. Most Filipinos are complaining for every mistake they hear or see in the government. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong in complaining as long as they do not contribute to the cause of the problem. But if you look at the citizens of this county, you will see that people contribute to the problem little by little. They disobey simple laws like “no jaywalking”, “no smoking”, “do not use mobile phones while driving” and etc. They practice corruption in their houses --for example, taking money from their siblings’ or parents’ wallets without permission. They are injustice and bias when they explain their mistake but editing the story for their favor. I believe what they do inside their house is what they carry when they go out.

         My concern is the Filipinos’ character, including both the citizens and the officials. How can they expect a progressive country if they do not participate in that progress? How can they expect that the president can solve all the problems in the country in just one snap if they do not follow the laws? Laws are made to maintain order in a country. It must be followed. A country will not progress if laws are just treated as suggestions. Citizens’ participation is important in governance because relationship is needed in it. Processes done in the government should also involve the decisions of the citizens because they are the ones that will be affected in whatever project the government will come up to. There are many ways a citizen can participate in the government. First, it could be through joining public interest groups or non-governmental organizations. In this manner, the citizens could participate in democratic debates and public discourse to address issues of public concern. Second is through joining private associations in which people can associate with other like-minded people to pursue a particular conception of common good. Third is through building or being a working professional in corporations and markets. This will make the people productive both for them and for the country. This will make them more financially stable and will enable them to pay right amount of taxes.

            Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If we want this country to rise again as it did decades ago, we should not put all the responsibilities to the president himself because this country is also our responsibility. We are a democratic country meaning our government is of the people, for the people and by the people. But nowadays, we see democracy as a government “for” the people only. We forget that we should also take part in the government. If we will be more responsible with ourselves, then we might deserve a better government.  As citizens we should study hard, work hard, be disciplined and follow laws in order for this country to have 90 million productive people. A single effort would not make much change but the effort of more than 90 million people will do much than what is expected.