The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya assures the people of SOCCSKSARGEN Region that the Duterte Administration will pursue its plan for constitutional reforms despite its non-mention during the Executive’s recently-delivered State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Usec. Malaya gave the announcement during the Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Town Hall Meetings in the Region, dubbed as Dagyaw, held at EMR Famville in Koronadal City last July 25, where he was the keynote speaker.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism is set to complete their draft this end of August which will be submitted to the Office of the President on the first week of September.

They aim to open current restrictive economic provisions and extend the term limits of local officials to four years through economic and political reforms, among others.

“We are open to anything. We understand that if we propose for a complete overhaul of the constitution, it would be difficult,” said Malaya during an interview.

Meanwhile, Malaya hopes to follow 'Dagyaw' in its campaign for constitutional reform.

“Should the DILG’s plan to campaign for a constitutional reform push through, I plan to do Dagyaw in our campaigns to the provinces. We will bring government services also when we do our provincial activities,” he said.

The DILG official said 'Dagyaw' would help convey the government's plan on constitutional reform and "give a sneak peek of how the government might operate under a federal system of government."

'Dagyaw' is the government’s platform to bring public services closer to the people and disseminate the on-going projects and accomplishments of the Duterte Administration through regional town hall meetings. It also serves as an avenue for people to engage with senior government officials.