Forum on Federalism
Government, Academe and Business Sector in Quezon Province Discuss Federalism
Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder
HSF
The more than 750 participants in attendance comprised national and local government officials, members of the academe, members of the business chambers and representatives of non-governmental organizations.
As discussant, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder of the Political Science Department of the Friedrich-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany explained some economic effects of federalism and decentralisation with reference to the Philippines’ government set up and development goals, contextualising his presentation in the country’s setting. He shared how some federalised countries have achieved growth under a federal system of government and concluded with the common factors that may contribute to such successes. Fellow reactor Gov. Suarez, who joined Prof. Heinemann-Grüder in the panel during the open forum, made references to Former Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel’s proposal for the Philippines’ adoption of a federal system of government. Provincial Board Member Isaias B. Ubana II moderated the discussion.
Mr. Götz Heinicke
HSF
Meant to help the participants gain a clear basic understanding of federalism, the forum provided the necessary background information on the topic and served to help facilitate the continued discussion thereof at the local level. As underlined by HSF’s Resident Representative, Mr. Götz Heinicke, this is integral to the Foundation’s support for the dialogue on federalism by the Filipino public who, he added, are the ones who will make the decision as to whether or not the country will adopt a federal system of government when the time for the plebiscite comes.
Governor David C. Suarez of the Province of Quezon
HSF
In line with the partnership between the PILG and the HSF towards the raising of the awareness on the federal system of government in the country, the HSF invited Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder to the Philippines from 06-10 March 2017 to speak on topics related to federalism that are of particular relevance to the Philippine public. The PILG and the HSF jointly organized a series of activities in the National Capital Region, in the Southern Tagalog Region and in Northern Mindanao in collaboration with local partners. The lone activity held in the Quezon Province during the professor’s visit to the country, the forum was the second major information activity organised by the Office of the Governor of the Province of Quezon on the topic of federalism.