BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government - Cordillera (DILG-CAR) together with its partner agencies and civil society organizations staged the 2023 Cordillera Regional Dagyaw Episode 1 at the University of the Cordilleras Theater on Friday (June 23).

With  the theme, "Building a Better Government - Citizen Engagement; Quality Public Participation and Dialogue", the Dagyaw Open Government Town Hall Meeting first episode tackled mental health concerns and interventions as the  chosen topic  by the majority who took part in an  online poll.  

"This episode wishes to send a message of hope, a message that help is here, and that help is available. And hopefully, it resonates with all of you," said Atty. Noemi Humilde who  represented  Department of Budget and Management - Cordillera Regional Director Irene Gahid.

Discussing mental health concerns and interventions is very crucial especially with the reports in the recent months concerning the mental health status of the youth, she said.

Department of Health Cordillera data from 2019 to the first quarter of 2023 shows that there were 508 reported suicide cases in the region of which, Baguio City logged the highest with 219, followed by Benguet with 122 and Mountain Province with 84.

"We heard the news and stories in recent months regarding the mental health status of our students so we deem it important to bring this matter closer to you, our youth," Humilde added. 

Discussants in the town hall meeting include representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Education, and civil society organizations advocating mental health and wellness, and catering to individuals with mental health concerns.

Participants in the town hall meeting were also given the chance to ask questions, and provide feedback and inputs during the discussion.

For her part, DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose, in her message delivered by ARD Ruperto Maribbay, Jr., stressed the importance of citizen participation in good governance.

"This is exactly why we have the Dagyaw Open Government Townhall Meeting. It is an opportunity for our citizens to take up spaces that is intended for them by the government. More than being just a townhall meeting, the Dagyaw is a celebration of inclusivity and citizen participation," San Jose said.

She also expressed gratitude to all the regional line agencies and CSOs for their untiring participation in the planning, decision-making, and implementation of the program that aims for people-oriented and service-oriented local governance.

By providing a safe and open space for dialogue, we can push for improved local service delivery and demand-driven programs and services. Let this be a starting point for collaboration and co-creation as we collectively strive to push for people-oriented and service-oriented local governance, she added.

Dagyaw, Hiligaynon term for 'bayanihan', is one of the platforms of involving the CSOs in planning and advocating participatory governance. It is also the centerpiece of the DILG's commitment in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, pushing for deepened citizen participation in local governance. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)