POLANGUI, Albay — Albay town mayors, led by Mayor Raymond Adrian E. Salceda of this municipality, support the popular call to amend the 1987 Constitution by way of People’s Initiative.
Salceda, Albay Chapter president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), said that during the league’s chapter meeting on January 8, majority of their members have expressed support to the ongoing signature drive to petition for Charter amendments.
People’s Initiative is among the three modes of Charter change. The two others are Constituent Assembly and Constitutional Convention.
“The People’s Initiative is a call to action for all Filipinos to actively participate in shaping the laws and policies that govern our nation. As local government leaders, we are deeply aware of the legislative deadlocks that have hindered national progress. This initiative presents a vital opportunity to overcome these barriers, ensuring that the will of the people is directly reflected in our constitution,” Mayor Salceda (pictured above) explained.
“We pledged to help gather as much signatures in support of charter amendments, especially after learning from experts how the Constitution’s restrictive provisions hamper our progress as a nation,” the mayor stressed.
“Local government leaders, by the very nature of our roles, are intimately connected to the daily lives and aspirations of our constituents. We are at the forefront of understanding their needs, challenges, and hopes. This unique position has inspired us to take a proactive stance in the People’s Initiative, recognizing the urgent need for constitutional amendments that reflect the evolving dynamics of our society,” added Salceda, the son of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda.
“Our collective support for this initiative stems from a shared belief in the power of local voices and the importance of grassroots involvement in national decision-making. By joining hands in this signature campaign, we are not just advocating for a change in the constitutional process; we are reinforcing our commitment to a governance structure that is more responsive, inclusive, and representative of the Filipino people,” he explained.
The local LMP chapter president said Albay municipal mayors have vowed to extend all assistance to civic leaders, people’s organizations, and individuals who are prime movers of the signature campaign needed for the People’s Initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez last month said the country’s lawmakers would make “another pitch for constitutional amendments next year, focusing on economic provisions deemed very prohibitive” at present.
