TITLE:
E-Participation of Selected Professional Students in the Governance of Cabanatuan City in the Philippines
AUTHORS:
Ofelia M. Bawan, Maria Isidra P. Marcos, Arneil G. Gabriel
KEYWORDS:
Information and Communications Technologies, E-Democracy, E-Participation, Graduate Students, Local Governance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.5 No.12,
December
19,
2017
ABSTRACT: The strength of democracy is measured through citizens’ participation in governance. To check the applicability of this theory in local context, the study determined the actual observance of a purposively selected group of professionals pursuing post graduate degree in Public Administration in the Philippines. Using Arnstein Measure of Community Participation, the paper found that there is low level of e-participation among participants as shown by their frequency of access and level of awareness on the city website. Strict adherence to the principle of e-democracy in actual practice is necessary. The paper concluded that electronic participation in governance is both a responsibility and a privilege. There is a need to improve citizens’ willingness to participate in local governance via electronic means. E democracy cannot stand in isolation from citizens’ participation. The study recommended that the Local Government Unit (LGU) should look for ways to bolster citizens’ use of the city website as a vehicle for democratic reforms and participation.