PB with KMI, KCI, CFC and ADCL

FYI
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Groups meet with PB on Capitol issues
By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Taking their advocacy for "good governance"to a whole new level, some disenchanted civil society group leaders met with theProvincial Board (PB) on Tuesday to discuss pressing issues in the Capitol. While the members of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) were holdingtheir rally in front of the Capitol grounds, some civil society groups werediscussing important issues with the PB at the session hall. Visit the Beijing Olympics 2008 blog Leaders and some members of Kapampangan Marangal Incorporated (KMI),Kapampangan Coalition Incorporated (KCI), Couples for Christ (CFC), and Advocacyfor the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) tried to thresh out pressing issuesin the Provincial Capitol that Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio has not yetsettled with the PB. The dialogue between the PB and civil society groups revolved around the issuesof the salaries of Balas employees, scholarship, and automation of quarry taxcollection. Items discussed included the designation of the Arnedo Park as a freedom park,supplemental budget for the salaries of Balas members, special session, and thepossible cooperation between the PB and civil society groups. Accomplishing what Panlilio seemed to have failed to accomplish with the PB,the civil society groups were able to create a partnership with the PB. Theyalso proposed the passage of the resolution for a six-month salary program forBalas and the automation of the quarry collection. "We would like to give the drafting of these resolutions to civil societyand we would consider them immediately as soon as they are accomplished,"PB presiding officer Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said. The PB and civil society groups also discussed major issues about theimprovement of funds and protocol in the provincial capitol. KMI's Averell Laquindanum, spokesperson of civil society groups, met with the PB to get a deeper understanding on the workings and problems at theCapitol. "Admittedly, there is a breakdown of communication between the twobranches (of the Provincial Government)," he said. Laquindanum clarified that they met with the PB to advance the advocacies ofgood governance and responsible citizenship. Some civil society group membersexpressed their dissatisfaction with Panlilio's performance by taking turnsin airing their concerns and grievances during the dialogue. Guaio, meanwhile, lauded the civil society groups for going to the PB sessionhall for the dialogue.