Philippines, April 23, 10 participants, Organizer: Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF)

The Focus Group Discussion served as an auspicious time take a good look at decentralization and the state of local democracy in the country.  The reflections of each confirmed there’s a lot more to be done and that the stakeholders should be able to engage the policymakers more so that further needed reforms are really given serious attention.  The questionnaire raised fundamental questions and even led the resource persons to take a good look at the methodology so that future similar initiatives could be adequately bench-marked. Overall, the activity surely will contribute to the enrichment of the country’s democracy and governance.

– Aubrey Bahala, LOGODEF