By: Joy Aceron
Sectoral bodies are participatory institutions that are unique in the Philippines. The creation of sectoral bodies through laws demonstrates how Philippine institutional-legal framework values people’s participation and sectoral representation. Sectoral bodies institutionalize representation of marginalized sectors in governance, providing sectors formal access to decision-making to ensure sectoral concerns and issues are addressed. It is a mechanism for inclusion that directly addresses political disenfranchisement and inequality.
Some of the key sectoral bodies created through law are the National Youth Commission (NYC), National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) sectoral assemblies and councils, and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
On October 4-6, 2017 in Puerto Princesa City, a number of new potential cadre recruits will undergo the G-Watch's Citizen Action for Accountability Training that the G-Watch Center is currently developing. Part of the training is the pilot run of a budget tracking of the Community Development Fund (CDF) of barangays deemed critical to be engaged by the Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (BSCT) leaders, who are the lead constituencies of G-Watch-Puerto Princesa.