PCCED Project Launched in Alburquerque

“Promoting Democratic Values in the Barangays of Alburquerque” is a project that aims to contribute to the promotion of democratic governance principles in the decentralized public policy areas of the Philippines.Specifically, the project aims to incorporate the democratic values in areas and processes of decision-making in the 11 barangays of Alburquerque and strengthen the exercise of responsible citizenship.   Project launch was on March 13, 2013 at the Alburquerque Gym attended by key LGU officials headed by Mayor Efren D. Tungol, representatives from the barangays headed by the barangay captains, guests from Tagbilaran and the PCCED Team.

During the said launch, Mayor Efren Tungol welcomed the participants and expressed his support on the project . Ms. RAiza Cusi gave the orientation on Philippine Center for Civic Education and its programs which are: (1) The Barangay Rule of Law program that seeks to promote democratic processes in the barangays by training the Lupong Tagapamayapa and other barangay officials charged in maintaining peace and harmony in the community; (2) The Civic Education Training program designed to provide teachers and other civic educators with updated improved and integrated materials and pedagogy , as well as the necessary training to use the materials effectively  in imparting key concepts and lessons in love of country, civic culture, democracy, human rights, rule of law and economic citizenship. (3) Project Citizen which is an approach for education in democracy. It trains high school students in seeking public policy interventions to solve community problems.

Mr. Mardonio Roxas, City Local Government Operations officer, Mrs.  Marina Salamanca shared their positive experiences during the 2-year program of PCCED in Tagbilaran City . Atty. Greg Austral, PCCED Board Member also gave a brief background on the BArangay Rule of Law and its activities. Vice Mayor Jet Ugdoracion, ABC president Rene Buates, MLGOO Evelia Salamanca expressed support to the project while Mr. Isabelito Tongco, represented Gov. Edgar Chatto in giving suppor to the project. Mr. Reynal Trillana , PCCED executive director ended the program with much optimism on the project’s  implementation.

The project which commenced in October 1, 2012, will run for 24 months or 2 years and will close on September 30, 2014. The lead organization in the implementation is the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy in partnership with Zabalketa, the Municipality of Alburquerque, Bohol , the Department of Education – Bohol Division and with support from DiputacionForal de Gipuzkoa (Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa)

The Key Result Areas of the project include the following:  Barangays Officials are motivated and competent to resolve conflicts in the local community. The intervention will focus on all the Lupon Members from the 11 barangays of the Municipality through the PCCED program, Barangay Rule of Law Seminar or the BRLS. Activities include the BRLS Training, BRLS mid-training and Coordination meetings which will focus on the peacekeeping function of the Barangays by empowering them with technical knowledge on the KatarungangPambarangay System as well as dispute resolution  skills.

Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy or PCCED is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to the effective promotion of good citizenship and participatory democracy through education. Zabalketa is a non-government organization founded in 1990 that works in awareness and education project in Spain and internationally in development cooperation projects. Its headquarters is located in Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain. It has a permanent delegation in San Sebastian (Gipuzkoa, Spain) and an extension office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia). Zabalketa has been working with PCCED since 2007 through small grants aid from the Local Government of Getxo, Spain which implemented various programs and project of the organization.