The shift to federalism is premised on the need to speed up development and progress in the countryside. But the draft federal charter submitted by the Consultative Committee to President Rodrigo Duterte recently has raised economic, political and social concerns by various sectors.

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that “almost 7 out of 10 Filipinos, or 69 percent, have at best a low level of knowledge about the federal system of government being proposed by charter change advocates.”

To promote general awareness on the proposed federal shift, the Angel C. Palanca Peace Program Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Center for Transformative Education, is holding the forum “Facing the Future… Is Federalism/Charter the Way?” on Oct. 10, 1-4 p.m., at the PNU Auditorium, Taft Avenue, and Ayala Boulevard, Manila.

Former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus will moderate the discussion by Rosario G. Manasan of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies; Gene Lacza Pilapil from the University of the Philippines; and Edmundo G. Garcia, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

Forum is open to the general public on a first come, first served basis. Call ACP3FI at 8494181, or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.acppeaceprogram.com.