ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 27 (PIA) -- With the intent to sustain actions toward social responsibility, Local Government Functionaries and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) members joined together at Zamboanga Peninsula Dagyaw Town Hall Meeting 2022. 

“There is power in numbers. Kapag mas marami ang nagsasama-sama, mas matibay, mas malakas ang boses,” Jennifer de Belen from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Office said in her presentation of the Situationer on the Participation of the Civil Society on Local Governance. (When more people come together, the voice becomes stronger and louder.)

Belen added that Civil Society Organizations (CSO) are vital partners as they complement the services provided by government offices. As part of the whole government approach and a way of expanding and strengthening CSO participation, she encouraged them to get themselves accredited in their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and join CSO conferences. CSO conference serves as an information-raising activity so that CSOs will be aware of the process of accreditation, participatory governance, and engaging LGUs for a partnership, to unify efforts and resources, facilitate the exchange of information, and have an effective vehicle for lobbying services to the community.

Meanwhile, as a model of community engagement, Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Inc (ZABIDA) Executive Director Esperancita Hupida shares about their advocacies. This includes their quest in building a culture of peace as a part of social responsibility, Youth Alliance to empower the out-of-school youth, advocacy on environment and climate change, the campaign to end violence against women and children (VAWC), and alliance grassroots civil society organization to reduce poverty.

DILG-9 Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, in his message, vowed to continue to intensify their efforts in pursuit of good local governance with the support of the different government agencies.

Dagyaw 2022 forms part of the 31st Local Government Unit Month Celebration. It is done in a hybrid face-to-face and virtual setting, with the goal of building mutual trust between the government and the people. (NBE/CCP/PIA9)