Advantages of decentralization

Decentralization (or decentralisation) is the process of redistributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or
things away from a central location or authority.

Decentralization policies are part of vigorous initiatives to support rural development. In its most basic definition,
decentralization is the transfer of part of the powers of the central government to regional or local authorities.

Decentralization has kept its promise as far as the strengthening of democracy at the national level is concerned,
as well as the central government's commitment in favor of rural development. It has thus contributed toward
moving away from the bias toward urban areas in matters of development; to better management of the
coordination of integrated rural development projects, and ensuring their sustainability.

Decentralization has also reduced poverty which results from regional disparities, in paying more attention to the
attendant socio-economic factors, in facilitating the gradual increase in development efforts, and the promotion of
cooperation between the government and NGOs, while increasing transparency, accountability, and the response
capacity of institutions

decentralized approach to development, especially so with the strong democratic processes in vogue, and the
demands of new organizations of civil society that they participate in decision-making. the gradual appearing of a
new distribution of responsibilities among the national, regional and local levels of government through the
process of deconcentration (an initial and limited form of decentralization)

Decentralization in any area is a response to the problems of centralized systems. Decentralization in government,
the topic most studied, has been seen as a solution to problems like economic decline, government inability to
fund services and their general decline in performance of overloaded services, the demands of minorities for a
greater say in local governance, the general weakening legitimacy of the public sector and global and international
pressure on countries with inefficient, undemocratic, overly centralized systems.


decentralization can play important roles in broadening participation in political, economic and social activities in
developing countries. Where it works effectively, decentralization helps alleviate the bottlenecks in decision
making that are often caused by central government planning and control of important economic and social
activities.

Decentralization can help cut complex bureaucratic procedures and it can increase government officials' sensitivity
to local conditions and needs

Decentralization may lead to more creative, innovative and responsive programs by
allowing local "experimentation." It can also increase political stability and national
unity by allowing citizens to better control public programs at the local level.



decentralization can help national government ministries reach larger numbers of
local areas with services; allow greater political representation for diverse political,
ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in decision-making; and relieve top managers in
central ministries of "routine" tasks to concentrate on policy.


Ever since the arrival of the Spaniards in 1521, the phillippine islands have always been ruled from the national
capital, Manila to a point that because of the excessive centralization, it has been derisively referred imperial
manila. Almost five hundred years later, the vestiges of centralization remain due largely to the inertia brought
about by deeply rooted centralized administrative and bureaucratic procedures, hierahical and organizational
arrangements, exacerbated by a culture predisposed to dependency and mindsets that look condescendingly upon
local level institutions. It certain that its in our tradition