To improve citizen participation and engage more citizens in the decision-making process of the City Government, the local government unit launched its Digital Democracy Program (DDP) through an Opening Assembly held in the People’s Hall, City Hall on August 5, 2024.

The City Government invited its stakeholders from various sector groups, including the local media, to the Opening Assembly and introduced the DDP as an initiative of the City Government to maximize the use of online platforms to engage citizens in the decision-making process and for the government to use digital tools in improving citizen feedback, ease of doing business, transparency, civil discourse, and policy-making.

During the Opening Assembly, City Vice Mayor Hon. Alfredo Pablo “Alf” R. Ortega, MNSA highlighted in his remarks the benefits of using the digital platforms in having discourse with the constituents. Vice Mayor Alf also recognized the advantage of going online on staying updated with relevant news and cross-checking information to avoid fake news.

In addition, City Mayor Hermenegildo “Dong” A. Gualberto emphasized in his message that we can do so much with digitalization and one of its positive benefits is utilizing it as a feedback mechanism. Mayor Dong also encouraged everyone to use our digital resources to help the City Government enhance its services and to continuously support the DDP.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Anthony D. Latoja, Public Information Officer and Lead of the Digital Democracy Council, provided an overview of the DDP and how would this Program manifest citizen participation and engagement with the City Government.

The DDP is an initiative introduced to the City Government by the Makati Business Club through our linkage with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to introduce digital collaboration tools to the government and its partners, improving citizen participation in the democratic process.

Kakabsat, the City Government looks forward to your support in the implementation of this initiative to improve the participative government of the #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo.