There is real possibility for a significant leap in the reform process in the Philippines after the 2010 elections. If, as seems likely at this time, Noynoy Aquino wins the presidency, a number of converging developments could produce the conditions necessary for change. The first is Noynoy himself, who has successfully embodied the political legacy of his mother Cory, and his father Ninoy. This, in turn, has introduced a new dimension of enthusiastic voluntarism to the election campaign. Finally, the people running Noynoy’s campaign constitute the leading core of an enlarged reform constituency.

The major typhoons that hit the Philippines towards the last quarter brought the worst flooding in the greater metropolitan Manila area in four decades. Wide, densely populated areas were inundated, damaging billions worth of infrastructure and affecting more than four million people. Many of those who were chased out of their homes by floodwaters have returned and started rebuilding or have relocated to new communities. But thousands remain in evacuation centers. They are the families of informal settlers living along major waterways that could no longer return to their homes even if floodwaters spawned by the typhoons have completely subsided.

There is a need to reform local-central government relations to enhance delivery of essential services for the poor and achieve fundamental development outcomes. In order to do this, there is a need to go back to the basics of genuine local autonomy. This is the consensus of local chief executives assembled at the AIM Conference Center for a two-day meeting to identify key local governance reforms called “Face to Face: 100 Local Government Champions vs. 4 Presidential Contenders.” Mainly mayors and governors, with a track record on political reform, the participants agreed on a reform agenda that they want the new president in 2010 will adopt to improve local governance.

Under the present system, addressing natural disasters is the primary responsibility of local governments with the NDCC serving principally as a coordination system for national agencies to support local governments. Should this be changed? When should the national government be principally responsible for natural disasters?