Reaction Paper On

Federalism

Submitted by: Kurt Melvin A. Javier

LLb 1-2

Submitted to: Atty. Anita Chauhan

 In compliance with our Human rights subject requirement we three 1st year
students of John Wesley School of Law and Governance with the supervision of
our professor Atty. Chauhan, were given the privilege to integrate the basic rights
of the child in the campaign for Federalism headed by the MRRD-NECC. We were
fortunate that the resource speaker for the campaign was our professor for she gave
us the opportunity to advocate child rights in front of government officials. The
event was held in the backyard of former Barangay captain and former Vice Mayor
Jerry Geronimo. 103 officials and citizens from different places in Nueva Ecija
attended the event in support of Federalism and to gain knowledge on how it will
affect the Government administration.

Among the civic leaders and supporters who attended include Kiwanis
International former Lt. Governor Sonny Antonio, Engr. Gavino, Engr. Calling,
Associate Sec. Boy Nieto and the Under Sec. of DILG, Emily Padilla.

Atty. Chauhan comprehensively discussed Federalism by explaining its core

components and its main effect to our Government system. She also discussed the
great advantages of Federalism compared to a Unitarian government. At first, the
audience was unresponsive but after a while, they began to respond lively to our
professor. After she discussed her main points on Federalism we were called to
discuss the 4 basic child rights which are survival, protection, development and
participation. We were tasked with linking it on Federalism and on how it will
affect children's right, we also discussed some of the laws enacted to protect and
implement these rights.

After our lecture, some of the leaders also shared their views on Federalism
and on how it will bring change to our government, among them is Engr. Gavino
who is one of the leaders of the MRRD-NECC, he is very enthusiastic in regards to
Federalism for he believes that it is the solution to our countries long forgotten
problems. The other main speaker was Under Sec. Emily Padilla, she is regarded
as the forefront advocate of Federalism and supporter of the President. She also
believes that Federalism will solve our countries problems and catapult us towards
prosperity, independence, and development. Among the problems, she shared with
us was the deficiency of employment opportunities in the country which forces
citizens to look for a job abroad just to support their families. She said that with
Federalism more job opportunities will be available thus working abroad would
only be an option and not a necessity.

In my opinion, Federalism can really bring change to our country, the only
part which is not clear for me is on how it will affect us as a law student and on
how it will affect other government employees whose department is in trouble of
being dissolved. But nonetheless, I am also in support of Federalism.