Like the philosopher Socrates, men did not need to have a special inclination to politics to be part of the Athenian Council that represented the full-time government of the city.
The irony in a supposedly modern democracy like the Philippines is that participatory governance wanes outside of campaign and election periods.
We call on government units particularly the barangays to remedy this situation.
They have another chance to do so on national barangay assembly day, which the Department of Interior Government slated on March 29.
Correctly conducted, the barangay assembly can become a potent instrument for citizens and the government to work together for a better society.
In the March 29 assembly, officials are supposed to deliver the state of the barangay address.
Citizens can help by keeping the bar high in insisting that their captains and councilors show them an accomplishment report.
This should include a finance report with itemized monthly collections and disbursements and a summation of incomes and expenditures.
Those who join the assembly should have an idea of where their barangay government is headed and must in fact contribute in determining the direction on raging issues like waste segregation or anti-mendicancy.
Of course, barangay officials must take the initiative and tell their constituents that an assembly is coming up. Making an announcement using a banner, as barangay San Nicolas Proper in Cebu City has done is a good start.
Like voting or voters’ registration, attendance in a barangay assembly is a measure of a citizen’s sincerity in contributing to nation-building.
One must not be content to just bark over governance gone awry. One needs to be part of the solution by contributing great ideas for the good of all.
If government fails, it will always be in part because of the people’s abdication in effect of their role in it.