BALER-Aurora. To enhance the awareness and understanding of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the importance of civil society participation and to increase their capacity to effectively engage in local governance, DILG Aurora spearheaded the conduct of CSO Conference on August 6, 2019 at the 2nd Flr., Conference Room, DILG Aurora Provincial Office.
Atty. Ofelio A. Tactac, Jr., CESO V, acknowledged the active participation of the CSO members. He said in his message, “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong aktibong partisipasyon bilang miyembro ng CSO dito sa ating lalawigan. Isang malaking tungkulin po ang inyong ginagampanan lalo na sa pagbibigay seguridad na natutugunan ng ating pamahalaan ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng mga programa at proyekto sa ating komunidad. Kaugnay nito, hinihikayat po namin kayo na maging katuwang sa masusing pagmamatyag at pagbabantay para sa malinis na implementasyon ng mga lokal at nasyonal na programa sa ating pamayanan.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Gerardo A. Noveras, Governor of Aurora Province, called for the CSO members to be vigilant partners in the implementation and monitoring of government programs, projects, and activities (PPAs). This will ensure that the PPAs are free from corruption and are implemented according to plans. He also said that honorarium for CSO members who are also members of the Local Special Bodies might be given to them, provided it will not entail legal impediments.
The topics that were discussed during the conference include the following: Relevance of Participatory Governance; Guidelines on LGU Accreditation of CSOs and Reconstitution of LSBs; Avenues of CSO Participation as Provided in RA 7160; Formation of Local CSO Network; CSO Role in SUBAYBAYAN and DEVLIVE System.
The activity was conducted pursuant to Article 62, Rule XII of the IRR of the Local Government Code of 1991 which mandates the LGUS to promote the establishment and operation of people's organization, non-governmental organizations and private sector, to make them active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy and to directly involve them in the plans, projects, programs and activities in local government units.
The event was attended by DILG Provincial Office personnel, participants from the Provincial Government of Aurora, and members of the different CSOs in the province namely: Adventist Community Services (ACS), Baler, Aurora; Aurora Bikers Association; Baler Aurora Ngayon Angkan at Kasaysayan (BANAK), Inc.; Baler Aurora Provincial Day Care Workers Federation, Inc.; Compassionate and Concerned Marian Volunteers, Inc.; DALUHAY Daloy ng Buhay; Federation of Senior Citizen Association of the Philippines – Aurora Chapter; Kabalikat Civicom – Aurora Chapter; Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.; Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Baler, Aurora; Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC), Dipaculao, Aurora; and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas – Aurora (SBP-Aurora) United Referee, Inc.
