South Cotabato, Philippines | January 20, 2026 – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., continues to reinforce the CSO Academy as a flagship initiative aimed at equipping Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the knowledge and competencies needed to actively participate in governance and decision-making processes within Local Government Units (LGUs).
According to Governor Tamayo, the provincial government remains proactive in identifying and securing funding to ensure the sustained implementation of the CSO Academy.
“We are making ways to find funds for them so that we can continuously provide them with the right knowledge, enabling them to effectively represent their sectors in the special bodies of local government units,” the Governor said.
In October 2025, Governor Tamayo represented Open Government Partnership (OGP) member local government units as one of the pioneers OGP members in the Philippines during the OGP Global Summit held in Spain, highlighting the province’s commitment to inclusive and participatory governance.
With this, CSOs are actively encouraged to enroll in the CSO Academy through the Office of the Provincial Cooperative Development Officer.
Governor Tamayo emphasized that CSOs introduced or endorsed by their respective LGUs are immediately accepted to ensure timely training and capacity-building.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato has officially approved resolutions accrediting 32 civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and cooperatives for the administrative term 2025–2028.
Moreover, the initiative aims to provide CSOs with the appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively represent their sectors in various special bodies of the LGUs.
Furthermore, plans are underway to expand the CSO Academy beyond South Cotabato to other provinces as part of a broader effort to strengthen the voice and participation of civil society in local governance.
Through the CSO Academy, CSOs are expected to become more prepared, informed, and proactive partners in promoting good governance and implementing meaningful community-based programs.
