DILG Pampanga continued to empower the province’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Parent Leaders through the conduct of CSO BUB Fora for 15 municipalities at the Benigno Hall, Capitol Compound, CSFP last April 5 and 7, and at the Arayat Multi-Purpose Hall, Arayat, Pampanga last April 6, 2016.
DILG Pampanga Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia headed the series of activities which were instrumental in ensuring good local governance through continued citizen empowerment especially in the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) and 4Ps programs.
“Hindi na tayo katulad ng dati. Kasama na kayo [CSOs and 4Ps Parent Leaders] ngayon sa mga proseso lalo na sa paggastos at pagmamasid ng budget, kasama na kayo sa pagguhit ng kapalaran ng inyong LGUs.” PD Fabia underscored to the fora attendees.
The fora were conducted in coordination with DILG Community Mobilizers Amelito Vitug, Nicanor Soriano, and Alejandro Sotto, and also with the respective DSWD Municipal Links. Together with the DILG Pampanga team, they facilitated the presentations and workshops focused on the upcoming Barangay BUB (BBuB) and the 4Ps.
According to CM Vitug, the CSOs play an important part in the success of the BBuB. “Sa Barangay BUB, ang bawat batch ng barangay na handa ay tatanggap ng P1Million. Kalahok ang mga CSOs sa pagbubuo ng plano at pagtukoy sa proyektong popondohan ng bawat barangay” he added.
The activities also served as venues to unite the participants’ unanimous clamor to enact laws institutionalizing both the BUB and 4Ps, thereby securing the implementation of the programs regardless of possible future leadership changes.
Each forum was participated by CSOs and parent leaders of 5 municipalities. Participants from Lubao, Sasmuan, Guagua, Floridablanca, and Sta. Rita attended the April 5 forum. The succeeding ones consisted of attendees from Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, San Luis, Sta. Ana, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Bacolor, Mexico, and Porac.
An earlier forum for the City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Apalit, Macabebe, Masantol, and San Simon was already conducted last March 21, 2016.
