Public Service and Administrative Decentralization: A Perspective Arising from the State of Emergency Declared Amid the Pandemic in Colombia

Through the constitutional foundations of public service and administrative decentralization, it is essential to understand that the activities carried out by the State, according to Article 209 of the Constitution, must revolve around the fulfillment of the general interests of the community. In this sense, the central objective of this study seeks to analyze the challenges faced by the current constitutionalism in Colombia amid the covid-19 pandemic. This is addressed through various decisions of the national government, which may eventually collide with the autonomy enjoyed by decentralized entities. To address the stated objective, a qualitative method with a hermeneutical approach is used, based on the analysis and study of regulations and jurisprudence. Among the conclusions, it is important to note that the potential imbalance of powers has been addressed. Through the principle of coordination, dialogue scenarios have been strengthened among different sectors and levels of public administration, thus promoting the implementation of a bottom-up approach, whereby, thanks to dialogue and conversation with communities, a deeper understanding of social reality can be achieved, enabling informed decision-making based on updated information. This approach allows anticipation of the future within a governance model.