On July 29, 2024, Brgy. Tapacon in Bingawan, Iloilo, buzzed with a sense of purpose. The 34th Pamangkutanon sang Banwa (Citizen’s Query) was underway, and this wasn’t just any town hall—this was democracy in action, where the voices of the people were not only heard but taken seriously. Visited by Solution Ecosystems Activators (SEA), Inc., the event was as much a celebration of transparency as it was a call to action. We were greeted warmly by the LGU leaders and Department Heads of Bingawan, setting the stage for an event that promised accountability, not just lip service.
The Pamangkutanon sang Banwa is a living testament to what real governance looks like when it’s open to the people it serves. This program, which began back in 2004, has grown into a robust platform where citizens can directly question their leaders, voice concerns, and suggest improvements. It’s no surprise that this initiative won a $1 million project grant from USAID’s Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) Project, implemented by The Asia Foundation.
The premise is simple: community members jot down their questions or concerns on pieces of paper, drop them in a box, and the issues are then screened and presented to the panelists for discussion. It’s a no-frills, straightforward way of keeping the local government on its toes. Mayor Mark Palabrica, clearly proud of the event, welcomed all the guests and expressed his hopes for continued success in future Pamangkutanons. Mr. Emmanuel Areño echoed this sentiment, remarking on the program’s continuous improvement and its growing impact.
Mr. Wilferdo Labaro, another speaker at the event, aptly summed up the day by saying, “We are happy to be invited to this event with the CSOs alongside us. This is a remarkable activity with best practices in local governance.” As we look to the future, the continued evolution of the Pamangkutanon sang Banwa is both a necessity and an opportunity.
In a world where public trust in government is often fragile, this program offers a model of transparency that could be replicated in other municipalities. The future of the Pamangkutanon lies in its ability to adapt and respond to the changing needs of the community while maintaining its core mission: holding power accountable, one question at a time. The next steps include expanding the reach of the program to more barangays, increasing citizen engagement, and ensuring that the feedback gathered translates into actionable outcomes. The ultimate goal? A community where governance is not just by the people, but with the people, making Bingawan a beacon of participatory democracy in the region.
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