KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — To turn citizen participation into actual community development, 17 civil society leaders are stepping into the corridors of local policy-making through a intensive governance fellowship under the South Cotabato CSO Academy Batch 3, running from September 7 to 11, 2026.
Board Member Nilda B. Almencion, Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives, emphasized that civil society organizations (CSOs) are not merely observers, but indispensable partners in driving transparent, responsive, and community-led governance across the province.
” Sa pamamagitan ng mas matibay na kooperasyon at partisipasyon ng bawat sektor, mas natitiyak natin na walang naiiwan sa ating mga planong pangkauunlaran,” Board Member Almencion highlighted, commending the new batch for stepping up to bridge government programs with grassroots needs.
The five-day training covers development planning, budgeting, investment programming, policymaking, parliamentary procedures, and monitoring and evaluation.
The program aims to equip scholars with practical knowledge and skills to participate effectively in local decision-making and promote responsive, accountable, and participatory governance.
Meanwhile, Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, DILG XII Regional Director, emphasized the importance of empowering CSOs to engage meaningfully in local governance and community development.
“We are very grateful and proud that South Cotabato Province is now on its Batch 3,” Mahinay-Sero said, recognizing the province’s continued commitment to strengthening its civil society partners.
She noted that the CSO Academy goes beyond training by helping CSO leaders understand government processes and find meaningful ways to participate in governance.
As part of the program’s continuing impact, 41 CSO Academy alumni also shared how the Introduction to Local Governance training strengthened their understanding of government processes and participatory governance.
The alumni are expected to share their learnings with their respective organizations, promoting grassroots engagement, citizen participation, and stronger CSO involvement in local governance.
Through the CSO Academy, CSOs are encouraged to become active partners in governance, promote social accountability, and contribute to more inclusive and participatory decision-making in their communities.
