THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recently issued a memorandum reiterating its previous instructions to the local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs) to ensure that the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) or People's Organizations (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) must be involved as active partners in the devolution.
The memorandum, citing Sections 34 and 35 of Local Government Code of 1991, Article 62 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the section 38 of the IRR of E.O.138 of 2021 or known as Full Devolution of Certain Executive Functions to the LGUs per the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling, called on the NGAs and LGUs to recognize the important role of CSOs, POs and NGOs in advancing participatory governance, and strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance, and specifically in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of LGUs Devolution Transition Plan (DTP).
The CSOs, POs and NGOs' roles are wide ranging, to include the monitoring and giving feedbacks on the programs, projects and activities of the LGUs, plan and initiate various local advocacy programs, assist in formulation of LGUs policies, plans and programs, projects, and help plan the capacity development programs for LGUs as well as CSOs, POs and NGOs. CSOs, POs and NGOs must not ignore or belittle this thus, they must take active part in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the LGUs' Devolution Transition Plan or DTP as well as its implementation and monitoring.
The DILG also clarified once more that the CSOs, POs and NGOs to be involved are not limited to the ones accredited by the NGAs and the LGUs, but all established citizens organizations, to include farmers, workers, vendors, women, youth, OFWs, PWDs, senior citizens, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), media institutions and faith-based organizations.
The DILG reminded and encouraged the CSOs, POs and NGOs to report the LGUs or certain local chief executives and their people who refused to acknowledge CSOs participation in the devolution process, or worse, discriminate against those not accredited by the LGUs and NGAs.
Justin Mapile, Program Development Officer (PDO) of DILG Bantay Korapsyon Program under the Office of Undersecretary for Operations Epimaco Densing III, and also the President of DILG's advocacy CSOs coalition partner People's Council for Change (PCC) warned the LGUs and NGAs that any attempt to bar the CSOs participation or discriminate them from participation is tantamount to graft and corruption that undermines transparency, accountability and good governance.
In all, the DILG despite lots of criticisms against its performance past and present especially towards managing LGUs is now steering a landmark initiative in institutionalizing the CSOs empowerment in governance beyond the limitations of LGC 1991 and other codal foundations.
On the other hand, the suspicion and fears of CSOs, POs and NGOs that they are just being used by LGUs and the local politicians are not without historical basis, but now they are given the conditions to play their cards well if they were to advance their empowerment and development agenda.
This is exactly one of the conditions they have been demanding for a long time; this time, why not maximize it to their advantage while helping the LGUs become truly functional for the people, especially those marginalized and vulnerable.
Bacolod City government to date, under the leadership of its Mayor Bing Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, is leading nationwide by the DILG and LGC 1991 standards in so far as commitment and actual support to CSOs, POs and NGOs are concerned.
Kudos to the DILG, responsive LGUs and NGAs and the fighting CSOs, Pos and NGOs! May you can do more to transform communities and change lives to one in prosperity with dignity and freedom.