The Department of the Interior and Local Government National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), with the Support for the Local Governance Program – Regional Core Team (SLGP-RCT), bolstered the partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) and sectoral group representatives in the culmination of Pasig City CSO Academy (PCCA) on December 11, 2024, at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP). A total of 63 CSO representatives have completed the comprehensive training from the PCCA for CY 2024.

The graduation coincided with the launching of a knowledge resource center for CSOs that aims to establish and develop educational materials for CSOs. This is to further enhance CSO’s capabilities by utilizing emerging technologies toward sustainability and effective organizational management.

Championing people’s participation and promoting a people-centered strategy of governance, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV lauded the active participation of CSOs in joining the government’s efforts in formulating action and development plans through local special bodies. Despite challenges, ARD Baltazar-Cortez said that she is confident that the participation of CSOs in the co-creation and co-monitoring of local development plans will lead to a more transparent, responsive, accountable, and inclusive governance.

As bearers of transformative leadership, DILG-Pasig City Director Visitacion C. Martinez, CESO V, urged the PCCA graduates to continue forging a strong partnership with the Pasig City LGU to help in the development and progress of the city.

The culmination was attended by Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto and Vice Mayor Robert Vincent Jude B. Jaworski, Jr., and officials from the Advocacies in Praxis for Leadership and Community Development Inc., Rizal Technological University (RTU), PLP, the DILG-NCR, and DILG-Pasig City Field Office.

The DILG-NCR, through its programs and initiatives, remains steadfast in maintaining an inclusive and collaborative approach, particularly in promoting open government partnerships through advocating an enabling environment in the region for CSOs and LGUs toward equitable development.