NATIONAL CSO CONFERENCE 2024
On September 18, 2024, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted the first-ever National CSO Conference at the Royce Premium Hotel in Clark, Pampanga. This was attended by more than 2,000 CSOs from all 17 regions of the Philippines where:
- A platform was provided for engagement, partnership, and peer learning from among Local People’s Council (LPC) representatives, Local Development Council (LDC) members, national CSOs, and distinguished speakers from the development sector;
- Testimonials were shared by selected local, national and international LGU/CSO representatives, providing different perspectives on CSO Participation and giving an understanding on how adopting open and participatory governance principles would lead to better local governance processes and public service delivery; and
- Recognition of CSO initiatives that led the way in enhancing citizen participation in governance that included pioneer LPCs and CSO Academies, accredited CSOs of DILG, and existing implementing partners of DILG bureaus.
The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) ATTY. BENJAMIN ABALOS JR. graced the occasion and gave an Inspirational Message which recognized civil society organizations (CSOs) and their vital role in governance.
In MIMAROPA, the event was participated by RD Karl Caesar R. Rimando, ARD Rey S. Maranan, LGCDD Assistant Division Chief Jackelyn C. Manalon, and DMO IV Susan May F. Granada, together with CSOs (Local People’s Council officials and members) from Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City, and Romblon.
After the National CSO Conference 2024, CSOs from MIMAROPA participated in a Reflections on CSO Network Strengthening Workshop facilitated by the USAID. Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) is a USAID-funded 5-year project to strengthen democratic governance in the Philippines by making local governance more responsive.It is premised on the belief that local government and civil society collaborations bring democratic governance closer to the people.
CSOs from MIMAROPA joined the CSOs from project sites of USAID-Change Projects, namely: Bais City (Negros Oriental), Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Himamaylan City (Negros Occidental), Iloilo City, Legazpi City, Masbate City, Puerto Princesa City (participated by Dr. Romeo Valdez, Local People’s Council President of Puerto Princesa City), San Fernando City in La Union, Tacloban City, Tagbilaran City, Tagum City, Tanjay City (Negros Oriental), Victorias City (Negros Occidental), Zamboanga City, and Cagayan De Oro City.
