The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga said that it has conducted various activities to facilitate the promotion of non-government organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organization (CSO) as effective and critical partners of the government in pursuing the development of good governance.

“Now, more than ever, with the advent of the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling, where greater demand for accountability and transparency is expected from the local governments with more funds going in their coffers, CSOs should be able to fully and meaningfully participate,’’ the DILG said.

DILG-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Donald A. Seronay emphasized that the department has opened spaces for CSOs to participate in the planning, implementing and evaluating its initiated programs, projects and activities.

Earlier, a regional training for the CSO desk officers was conducted to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively perform their roles and responsibilities as well as enable them to facilitate the establishment of an accountable, responsive, and efficient Local People's Council.

It also aimed at assisting the CSOs raise their engagement in local governance processes as the training sessions were highlighted by the discussion of DILG MC No. 2021-054 entitled “Establishment of Civil Society Organization Desk and Institutionalization of People’s Council in the Local Government Units (LGUs)” and the sharing of experiences of Butuan and Cabadbaran Cities in coming up with the ordinances and the budgetary support for their respective People’s Councils.

Richard L. Villacorte, Program Manager II – Support to Local Governance Program Management Office of the DILG-Central Office discussed the department’s initiatives for the year as part of its “sweeping empowerment” strategy aimed at enhancing opportunities for civil society participation and underscored that the CSO desk officers have a big role to play in realizing such strategy. (Chito A. Chavez)