SIQUIJOR, Siquijor (PIA) — The Province of Siquijor will host the regional Dagyaw Town Hall Meeting on June 27 at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo, Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor with the theme, “Hayag nga Kaugmaon ug Kalambuan sa Tanan: Kulokabildo sa Kuryente ug Internet” (Bright Future and Inclusive Development: Dialogue on Electricity and Internet).
From the Hiligaynon word “bayanihan,” dagyaw is an “open space” platform that will serve as a bridge between the government and the Filipino public to discuss government projects, programs or pressing issues.
The activity also aims to foster public trust in the government through dialogue, said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Dennis Quiñones during the Kukabildo/Kapihan sa PIA on June 24 conducted by the Philippine Information Agency here.
“Dagyaw is an offshoot of the open governance. Bayanihan ni siya, sa local nato nga dialect, timbayayong, between the government and the Filipino people,” said Quiñones.
(We call this Bayanihan. In the local dialect, “timbayayong” (working together) between the government and the people.)
Quiñones said the town hall meetings were launched to give residents an opportunity to seek clarification on the main issues in the province that need action by the concerned government agencies, such as electricity and internet connection in province.
He said the concerned government agencies have been invited to the event to tackle the power outages and slow internet connection in the island.
In view of this, DILG has invited the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications (NTC), Siquijor Power Corporation (SIPCOR), Siquijor Province Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO), and the telecommunication companies.
“On June 27, we will be there to discuss why nahitabo ni siya ug unsay atong solusyon so that ang atong probinsya dili na ni maka-experience ani at the same time we will be moving forward na pud ta,” Quiñones added.
(On June 27, we will be there to discuss why these issues are happening and what are the solutions, and at the same time we will be moving forward from there.)
Quinones said the province has a growing tourism industry that would be affected by the power and connectivity issues.
“Kay tourism industry man atong economic driver diri, sila pud naconcern pud ani. It is but timely, ato nang turn karon. We might as well resolve the issue on lack and/or shortage of power and internet activity especially that our province is tourism-driven,” he said.
(Tourism is one of our province’s economic drivers, so the tourism industry is also concerned over this. It is timely that it is our turn to host this.)
During the activity, there will also be a ceremonial turnover of Public Wifi in six local government units (LGUs).
The provincial government here will also conduct a Caravan and Kadiwa sa Pangulo together with various national government agencies to help farmers, fishermen, and micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs to sell and promote their products.
Quiñones said around 500 Siquijodnons are expected to participate in the event.
Dagyaw is facilitated by the Technical Working Group composed of DILG, Department of Budget and Management, PIA, and civil society organizations. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)
