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Simultaneous activities (forum, radio-hopping, exhibit, fund-raising, concert, pageant, sportsfest) in different sites of G-Watch all over the country that will create awareness on the importance of transparency, participation and accountability, especially given today’s context. The events will also kick off the various monitoring initiatives of G-Watch in different localities and it action research on key poverty reduction programs.
Why is G-Watch conducting an Awareness-Raising Campaign?
1. Because we are G-Watch, and G-Watch exists to promote transparency, participation and accountability (TPA): to hold government to account, to access information to check government performance, to demand good services and uphold/ advance rights.
Bilang G-Watch, itinataguyod natin ang transparency (pagiging bukas), participation (pakikilahok), at accountability (pananagutan) o TPA – ang mapanagot ang pamahalaan, ang maka-access ng impormasyon para malaman ang pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno, ang masigurong sapat at maayos ang mga serbisyo, at maisulong an gating mga karapatan.
2. Because we believe that TPA is important.
* TPA helps prevent corruption.
* TPA helps citizens get the kind of public services that they deserve.
Naniniwala tayo na mahalaga ang TPA. Ang TPA ay nakapipigil ng korupsyon. Ang TPA ay nakatutulong na makuha ng mga mamayan ang nararapat na mga serbisyo.
3. Because recent actions of the government that could undermine accountability concern us.
* Action 1: the government refuses to provide the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) information on alleged cases of extrajudicial killings under the so-called "War on Drugs."
* Action 2: the SALNs of Cabinet members have been shaded with black marker to ensure their "right to privacy."
* Action 3: Pres. Duterte signed EO No. 34 last 17 July 2017 stating that government procurement worth Php500 million and above no longer need the approval of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB).
* Action 4. The move of the government to once again undermine the procurement law by employing a new method (the Swiss Challenge) that is not subjected to public scrutiny and without clear accountability measures.
* G-Watch is here to push TPA back to the center of national discourse.
Ang mga ginagawa ngayon ng gobyerno na nagpapahina sa pananagutan o accountability ay nakababahala. Una, umaayaw ito na magbigay ng impormasyon sa Commission on Human Rights tungkol sa mga kaso ng patayan (EJKs) sa ilalim ng War on Drugs. Nariyan din ang pagtatago ng mahahalagang impormasyon sa SALN ng mga opisyal ng gabinete. Nakababahala rin ang EO 34 na inilabas noong July 2017 na tinatanggal ang approval ng Government Procurement Policy Board sa mga procurement na 500 milyon pataas. Paggamit ng bagong paraan ng procurement na hindi nasuri ng publiko at walang klaron pananagutan. Layunin ng G-Watch na ibalik sa sentro ng pag-uusap ang TPA.
4. Because TPA tools and mechanisms are now in danger of being used, not to empower people, but to protect public officials or to strengthen the coercive arm of the government.
* Example 1: The President signed EO No. 2 or the Freedom of Information Order; but apart from its nine (9) exemptions, the EO does not also cover the legislative and judicial branches.
* Example 2: The government has set up an e-FOI but very little information can be accessed through this portal.
* Example 3: DILG initially proposed to set up Masa Masid drop-boxes in all barangays where residents can anonymously report suspected criminals and drug users in their communities.
Mayroong panganib ngayon na ang mga mekanismo ng TPA ay gamitin hindi para sa pagpapalakas ng mga mamamayan, kundi para mapagtakpan ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno at mapatindi pa ang panggigipit ng pamahalaan. Halimbawa, ang EO 2, o ang Freedom of Information order na mahina pa rin naman dahil hindi nito masasaklaw ang legislative at judicial branches ng gobyerno, at mayroon itong siyam (9) na exemptions. Isa pang halimbawa ang e-FOI na itinayo para sana mas medaling maka-access ng impormasyon, pero kakarampot lang na impormasyon ang nakukuha sa pamamagitan ng portal na ito. Nariyan din ang panukala ng DILG na Masa Masid drop box sa mga barangay na daan para anonymous na mai-report ang mga pinaghihinalaang adik at kriminal sa komunidad.
5. Because we want to encourage more people to promote TPA, join us in our monitoring activities and use of knowledge outputs.
Gusto nating makahikayat pa ng marami na isulong ang TPA, sumali sa ating monitoring, at gamitin ang ating mga nabuong knowledge outputs.
* Check www.g-watch.org.
* Like Facebook: @g-watch.ph
* Follow Twitter: @gwatch_ph
* Upcoming: State of TPA Report, Local Monitoring Activities, Knowledge outputs on study of poverty reduction programs
6. Today more than ever, citizens must act to protect and reaffirm basic democratic principles and processes, including right to information, freedom of expression, right to participate and public office as public trust.
Sa panahong ito higit na kinakailangan ang aksyon ng mga mamamayan para protektahan at pagtibaying muli ang mga prinsipyo ng demokrasya, kasali na ang right to information, freedom of expression, right to participate, at ang public office as public trust.