On June 16, 2021, Partnership for Transparency Asia (PTFA) conducted a project orientation with civil society organizations (CSOs) in Iriga City, Camarines Sur under the Masarig na Irigueño! Project.
A total of thirty-four CSO representatives and thirteen CSOs participated in the event, which aimed to introduce the Masarig na Irigueño! Project among key stakeholders, and secure the commitment of CSOs to participate in the project. Representatives from Lifebank Microfinance Foundation (LBMF) and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iriga City—City Planning and Development Office also attended the project orientation.
Project Team:
Masarig na Irigueño! is a project funded by the LBMF that aims to improve local governance in the Philippines using multi-faceted community-led approaches that reinforce and broaden the practice of Co-Creation, a global approach that establishes collaboration and engagement among stakeholders to offer a broad range of resources and to pursue innovation and strengthens the community’s voice. The project promotes transparent and accountable public services by using social accountability mechanisms. The project started its inception last October 2020.
Ways Forward in Co-Creating a better Iriga
Through the orientation, PTFA and participating CSOs were able to collaboratively identify the next steps for the project, which will take place in the third quarter of 2021. To help the LGU identify other CSOs and people’s organizations (POs) in the city, the CSO representatives present at the event planned to invite other CSOs and POs from their communities to the monthly meeting which took place in August 2021 and agreed upon by the group. The LGU also invited CSOs to submit proposals in August 2021 to be included in the 2022 Annual Investment Plan. The partner academic institution of the project, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, will conduct the training on CSO Participation in the LGU Budgeting Processes, which began in July 2021.
The Project Orientation with CSOs introduced the Masarig na Irigueno! project to CSOs, discussed the project approaches, and secured the commitment of CSOs to participate in the project.
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