Bayanihan, open public dialogue at forefront of ‘Dagyaw 2020’

Government officials along with experts on labor and employment, OFWs, and agriculture also held dialogues with the public in three other sessions. (PNA Photo)

MANILA – In the spirit of bayanihan, free and meaningful discussions between the government and Filipino people continue under the “Dagyaw 2020” virtual town hall meetings.

“Dagyaw” virtual dialogues kicked-off on Oct. 8, where discussions on issues of the education sector were held with experts from the Department of Education, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Civil Society Network for Education Reforms (E-NET Philippines).

Government officials along with experts on labor and employment, OFWs, and agriculture also held dialogues with the public  in three other sessions.

More “Dagyaw” virtual dialogues are scheduled to be held on Nov. 12 dubbed “uSAPang Ayuda: Mga Programa, Resulta, at Pagtataya.”

Topics include the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) that will be discussed with experts from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Social Watch Philippines.

“Usapang Stimulus: Bayanihan para sa ReCHARGE, Pilipinas!” will be held on Nov. 19, where economic recovery programs, plans, and strategies will be tackled with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), University of the Philippines (UP) School of Economics, and Action for Economic Reforms (AER).

Other “Dagyaw” sessions are scheduled like “Usapang National ID” on Nov. 26 and, “Usapang PPE at Test Kits” on Dec. 3.

In response to the strong call coming from and private sector labor unions, Dagyaw 2020 will be launching a second session for “Usapang Trabaho” on December 10, 2020.

“Dagyaw” primarily aims to strengthen the public’s trust in the government through open and public dialogues co-designed with civil society and with a focus on relevant and emerging issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is an avenue for the people to voice their questions, complaints, and recommendations in an organized forum for constructive engagement.

This program brings together government officials, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the academe, think-tanks, and international organizations to share their knowledge, recommendations, and their programs and projects for their respective sectors.

The “Dagyaw” series of virtual dialogues are made possible through the combined efforts of various government agencies led by the  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), in close cooperation with the Caucus of Development Network NGOs and Right to Know Right Now! Coalition.

The Filipino public is invited to watch the live stream of “Dagyaw 2020” on the official Facebook pages of the different government agencies including the Philippine Open Government Partnership, DILG, DBM, and the PCOO, alongside the pages of Caucus of Development NGO Networks, Right to Know Right Now Coalition from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on the said dates.

To join the scheduled “Dagyaw”, and for further information, please visit the Philippine Open Government Partnership and social media pages of the DILG, DBM, and PCOO.