Koronadal City, Philippines | August 18, 2025 – The newly elected officers of the South Cotabato Provincial People’s Council (SCPPC) took their oath before Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., committing to their roles within the organization.
The establishment of the People’s Council is in response to a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for all Local Government Units (LGUs) to institutionalize People’s Councils and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Desks nationwide. The SCPPC was specifically created under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-54.
The council is composed of accredited CSOs representing all eleven local government units in the province, each selected for its capacity to advance public interests. With a well-defined leadership and membership structure, the council ensures accountability, inclusivity, and legitimacy. The creation of the SCPPC also addresses existing gaps in the Local Government Code by providing a formal mechanism for CSOs to participate in local governance.
Marlon C. Serilo, Provincial Cooperatives Development Office Assistant Head, said the provincial people’s council was formed to protect the public’s best interest, guided by the strong leadership and active member involvement.
“Our new set of officers will take part in shaping local policies, processes, and decisions here in the province.” Serilo added.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) are heavily represented in the province’s governance structures. A significant number of CSOs from across South Cotabato’s 11 local government units compose the newly formed council.
This builds on an existing precedent, as civil society already holds a 48% representation within the Provincial Development Council (PDC), a key planning and policymaking body for the entire province. This high level of participation underscores the provincial government’s commitment to inclusive governance and ensuring citizen voices are central to the development process.
