Participatory Governance Dialogue Held in Downtown Campus

Photo by Eloise Yuson Diaz

The University of San Carlos- Supreme Student Council (USC-SSC) in partnership with the Central Visayas Network of NGO’s (CENVISNET), held the first day of the 11^th CENVISNET General Assembly last April 27, 2017, at the Gansewinkel Hall, USC Downtown Campus. The event was co-authored by councilors, Hon. Jamil Faisal Adiong and Hon. Jill Sabarre.

The 11^th CENVISNET General Assembly with the theme “Valuing Civil Society Organization Engagement with Government” is a two-day event where a Civil Society Organization (CSO) dialogue and discussion and a regional consultation on the status and future of the Philippine Democracy on the first and second day, respectively. This event aims to create spaces for constructive engagement and to shed value on participatory governance.

“We have to work together to bring the country forward,” said Efren Carreon, the regional director of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VII.

He explicitly discussed on the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 – 2022 with the title, Ambisyon Natin 2040. It is a plan anchored on the national long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay in the next 25 years. He further discussed its salient features and the role of Civil Society Organizations in this development plan.

Carreon was followed by Richard Villacorte, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) National Head of Program Management. “Dapat kasama ni LGU si CSO [LGU should work together with CSO],” stressed Villacorte. He emphasized the importance of civil society organization as partners of the local government.

Villacorte also discussed DILG’s initiatives for CSO empowerment namely: community-based anti-crime and anti-illegal drugs campaign; advocacy efforts on disaster risk reduction, and; local planning and budgeting.

Moreover, Felix Soronio, Senior Budget and Management Specialist of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Region VII, talked about participatory budgeting in the LGUs. He elaborated on the legal basis, importance, benefits of participatory budgeting. Lastly, he discussed the current state of CSO’s participation and involvement in the local budget process.

The last speaker, Renil Oliva, CO supervisor, discussed on their contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for more resilient communities. He also discussed on basic social services and formation of PO-based emergency response teams.

An open forum and awarding of the certificate to the speaker followed after each talk. To close the first day, Aldwin Joseph Empaces, Regional Coordinator of CENVISNET gave the closing remarks. “Let’s continue building the blocks for a better tomorrow,” said Empaces.