BALER-Aurora. To enhance the awareness and understanding of 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 Civil Society Organization (CSO) Conference on August 6, 2019 at DILG Aurora Provincial Office.

DILG Aurora Provincial Director Atty. Ofelio A. Tactac, Jr. acknowledged the active participation of the CSO members. 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", he said.

Meanwhile, Aurora Governor Hon. Gerardo A. Noveras called for the CSO members to be vigilant partners in the implementation and monitoring of government programs, projects, and activities so as to eliminate corruption and ensure implementation of projects as planned. He also said that honorarium for CSO members who are also members of the Local Special Bodies may be given, provided it will not entail legal impediments.

The topics discussed during the conference include 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; and 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.