Koronadal City, South Cotabato | February 18, 2026 — The Office of the Provincial Cooperatives Development Office (OPCDO) of South Cotabato is currently conducting the screening and interview process for applicants to the CSO Academy Batch 3, as part of its leadership development initiatives for 2026.
Following the evaluation process, 17 scholars have been finalized for this year’s cohort. The scholars come from various municipalities across the province, reflecting strong collaboration between the Provincial Government and local stakeholders.
According to Julius Ceasar Maniego, Cooperative Development Specialist I and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Provincial Focal Person, the program continues to gain institutional support.
“Out of the 11 LGUs in South Cotabato, six LGUs committed to sponsor one CSO scholar each. This shows their strong support in building capable and empowered civil society leaders,” Maniego shared.
He further detailed that 10 scholars are sponsored by the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of South Cotabato, six from component LGUs, and one from private partner Mahintana Foundation, Inc.
As part of the preparation phase, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing with the scholars will be held on March 19 at Habi Hotel, formalizing the commitment between the scholars and the program partners.
The main training activity, titled “CSO Academy in South Cotabato – LEAD to Serve: Leading Self Module,” is scheduled on March 23–27, 2026, in Lake Sebu.
The module focuses on self-leadership, personal mastery, and values-based governance—key foundations for effective civic engagement and participatory development.
Through the CSO Academy, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato continues to strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations, ensuring that community leaders are equipped with the competencies necessary to actively contribute to local governance and sustainable development.
