Naga prepares civil society groups list

By Jason B. Neola

NAGA CITY --- In line with its governance principle, the city government here has recently approved and adopted as a policy a resolution that would capacitate civil society organizations as co-workers in the government.

Sponsored by Councilor Ghiel Rosales, Resolution 2021-064, which the city council has recently passed, mandates the city government to promote the establishment and operation of people’s organization, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the private sector so that they can become active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy.

The measure, which was approved by Mayor Nelson Legacion, seeks to directly involve them in the plans, programs, projects or activities of the city government as they are also encouraged to become members of the city government’s local special bodies and involve them in the delivery of basic services and facilities.

AS ORDINARY citizens organized as civil society organizations, the Nagueños are encouraged to be active partners of the city government in the judicious delivery of basic services. JASON B. NEOLA

Under Memorandum Circular No. 2019-72 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which provides the guidelines in the accreditation of civil society organizations (CSOs), each local government unit (LGU) is mandated to conduct inventory to generate their respective CSO directories or update their existing reference books on CSOs. The final updated directories shall serve as the source document for the issuance of notices of call for accreditation.

The resolution tasked the Jesse M. Robredo Center for Good Governance to conduct the inventory and drafting of the city-wide CSO directory. The center, as mandated by City Ordinance 2015-055, operates as a facility for knowledge-sharing that is geared towards the strengthening of capacities for good local governance. It also operates to secure the gains in good governance already achieved by the city.

City Ordinance 1995-092 declares the city government of Naga open to partnerships with CSOs in the conception, implementation, and evaluation of all government activities and functions.

Rosales said the passage and approval of the resolution was prompted by the need and urgency to improve the LGU’s efforts to be able to enhance the awareness and understanding of CSOs on the importance of civil society participation, and to increase their capacity to effectively engage in local governance.