The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3, through the Support for the Local Governance Program – Project Management Office (SLGP-PMO), successfully conducted a training program titled "Partners in Progress: Empowering Civil Society Organization Desk Officers at the Local Governance Frontier" on June 25–26, 2025, at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel. The activity gathered CSO Desk Officers from across the region.

The two-day training aimed to equip 137 CSO Desk Officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively fulfill their roles and responsibilities. It also emphasized the importance of participatory governance and introduced various platforms that enable CSOs to actively engage in local governance.
Moreover, the program oriented participants on relevant DILG policies, particularly Memorandum Circular No. 2021-054 and the updated MC No. 2025-060. Discussions focused on the roles of CSO Desk Officers in CSO accreditation, the selection of CSO representatives to Local Special Bodies, and the institutionalization of People's Councils in local government units.
As part of the activity, participants engaged in workshop exercises where they shared insights and recommendations for improving their performance and strengthening the operations of the CSO Desk in addressing CSO-related concerns.
The trained CSO Desk Officers are expected to spearhead the conduct of CSO conferences in preparation for the reconstitution of Local Special Bodies by the fourth quarter of 2025.