By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Seeking to move citizen participation beyond mere token representation, the Butuan City government has launched an academy aimed at turning civil society groups into active partners in crafting and policing public policy.
The city government on Monday unveiled the Balangay Center for Good Governance, known as the CSO Academy of Butuan, during ceremonies at City Hall.
Developed in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the initiative aims to train and empower grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) in local development planning, budget monitoring, and program implementation.
“We need a civil society that is equipped, and we need a civil society that is active,” City Mayor Lawrence Fortun said, stressing that public programs must mirror the actual demands of the community rather than just bureaucratic priorities.
To seal the institutional backing for the academy, city officials signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with key regional partners, including DILG-Caraga, Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), Caraga State University (CSU), Gawad Kalinga Institute for Sustainable Development, Inc. (GKISDI), and the CSO Network of Caraga, Inc. (CNCI).
Under the program, around 70 CSO leaders will undergo a five-session curriculum covering parliamentary rules and procedures, urban planning mechanisms, and statutory frameworks governing transparent, accountable, and participatory local governance.
City officials noted that equipping civic leaders with technical governance skills ensures they can engage local government boards, special bodies, and legislative hearings with meaningful oversight, ensuring public funds directly address the city’s critical needs.
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