As part of its continuing efforts to drive citizen’s participation in local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted the National CSO Conference 2024 on September 18, 2024 at the Royce Hotel, Clark, Pampanga.
Spearheaded by the DILG Secretary, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr., the event gathered more than 1,000 representatives from the national and local civil society organizations (CSOs), key national government agencies, and development partners.
The National CSO Conference 2024 aimed to strengthen CSOs’ capacity in effectively engaging with their localities towards a more participatory and responsive governance in the country, as well as to recognize pioneer CSOs/LGUs which embodied the spirit of collaboration for community development.
In his keynote speech, Sec. Abalos emphasized the essence of CSOs and people’s participation, “Kailangan namin ang grassroots organizations ng civil society for a more effective and efficient kind of governance dahil importante ang transparency. We need to touch base with all of you […] to make sure na ang civil society participation and the kind of governance that we have in our country would surely be always enhanced. We have to benchmark kung saan na tayo, anong kakulangan, at ano ang kailangan – that is why we have this meeting.”
He further highlighted the accomplishments of the Department in terms of supporting CSOs and LGUs towards increasing the involvement of the citizens in governance.
Among the 1,000+ attendees, several awards were given to CSOs and LGUs which played key roles in fostering citizen participation in local governance especially in their pioneering initiative to form local people’s councils, capacitating organizations through CSO academies, and deepening efforts in Open Government Partnership.
DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III led the roll of CSO and LGU awardees and plaque of recognition recipients from the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly:
- People’s Council of Quezon City – Pioneer Local People’s Councils with 15 years of service
- Pasig City CSO Academy, with partners from Advocacies in Praxis for Leadership & Community Development, Rizal Technological University, and Local Government of Pasig City – Pioneer CSO Academies
- Local Government of Quezon City – Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local Program 2024, New Member
Participants nationwide were able to join focus group discussions to share their best practices and explore ways to resolve issues and concerns within their localities. They also witnessed testimonials from the Naga City People’s Council, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., United National Development Programme, and the City Mayor of Tagbilaran City, Hon. Jane C. Yap.
Also providing key sessions in strengthening CSO participation are Synergeia Foundation (Education Governance), Zuellig Family Foundation & Association of Foundations (Health Governance), and Galing Pook (Promoting and Incentivizing Participatory Governance in LGUs).
Joining the DILG Secretary were Undersecretary for Local Government, USec. Marlo L. Iringan, Assistant Secretary for Community Participation, ASec. Elizabeth N. Lopez, Director for the Bureau of Local Government Supervision, Dir. Debie T. Torres, Support to Local Governance Program (SLGP) Program Manager II Mr. Richard L. Villacorte, and DILG regional and field officers.