Democracy is often romanticized as a right—but its real power is revealed when it becomes a practice. In New Lucena and Santa Barbara, Iloilo, participation has moved beyond consultation and courtesy meetings. It has crossed the threshold into policy, structure, and shared responsibility. And at the heart of this shift is Solution Ecosystems Activator (SEA) Inc., working hand in hand with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), business groups, and local government units (LGUs).

The passage of the People’s Council Ordinance in the Sangguniang Bayan of New Lucena is more than a legislative milestone—it is a statement of intent. It tells citizens, institutions, and future leaders that governance is no longer a closed room discussion.

While New Lucena now awaits full implementation, Santa Barbara has already taken the next step, formally welcoming SEA Inc. as part of its People’s Council. One town is preparing the ground; the other is already cultivating it.

This is what progress looks like when participation is taken seriously.

Why the People’s Council Is a Game Changer

A People’s Council is not an additional layer of bureaucracy—it is a bridge. It connects lived realities with policy decisions, community wisdom with political authority. By institutionalizing the role of CSOs, business groups, and civic partners, LGUs signal that development is not just something done for the people, but with them.

SEA Inc.’s role is particularly crucial. As an organization rooted in systems thinking and collaborative governance, SEA does not simply occupy a seat at the table—it helps redesign the table itself. Through facilitation, capacity building, and ecosystem mapping, SEA ensures that participation is meaningful, informed, and solutions-oriented.

This is especially vital in an era where public trust is fragile. When people see that their voices are embedded in formal decision-making bodies, legitimacy grows—and with it, cooperation.

Strengthening IPAT-SIAD: From Theory to Practice

The IPAT-SIAD Program thrives on one core principle: inclusive, participatory, and accountable governance leads to sustainable development. The People’s Council is the program’s philosophy made tangible.

Through the ordinance in New Lucena and active participation in Santa Barbara, SEA Inc. helps operationalize IPAT-SIAD by:

• Institutionalizing citizen participation, ensuring it survives beyond political terms and personalities
• Aligning CSO initiatives with LGU priorities, reducing duplication and maximizing impact
• Creating feedback loops, where policies are continuously improved through community insight
• Building shared ownership, turning development programs into collective commitments rather than top-down directives

In short, the People’s Council becomes the living laboratory where IPAT-SIAD’s ideals are tested, refined, and proven effective.

Why This Boosts LGU–SEA Partnerships

For LGUs, partnering with SEA Inc. through the People’s Council is not just good governance—it is smart governance.

It enhances:

• Credibility, by demonstrating openness and transparency
• Efficiency, by tapping into existing CSO and business networks
• Sustainability, by grounding programs in community realities
• Innovation, by welcoming diverse perspectives and solutions

For SEA Inc., the partnership validates its mission: activating ecosystems where government, civil society, and the private sector move not in silos, but in synergy.

The Bigger Picture

New Lucena and Santa Barbara are quietly sending a powerful message to other LGUs: participation is not a risk—it is an asset. When ordinances reflect people’s voices and councils reflect community diversity, governance becomes resilient.

The People’s Council is not the end goal; it is the starting line. With SEA Inc. as a catalyst, and with CSOs, business groups, and LGUs walking together, the future of local governance looks less hierarchical—and more human.

And that, perhaps, is the most radical reform of all.