NAGA CITY — The LGU here has established a desk that shall work to ensure that its people-centered governance is sustainably implemented and working appropriately, and its governance processes effectively pursued.
Mayor Nelson Legacion issued Executive Order 2021-003 that creates the Civil Society Organization desk under the Community Relations Office. The desk shall function in close coordination with the Naga City People’s Council and Jesse M. Robredo Good Governance Center.
As far back as 1995, the LGU has been recognized as trailblazer in terms of implementing people-centered governance. It has engaged the participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in its governance processes by virtue of Ordinance No. 95-092 which recognizes the Naga City People’s Council (NCPC) as umbrella organization of all CSOs and NGOs.
NCPC since then has continued to institutionalize various systems for partnership between the city government and the private sector.
The establishment of the desk, which shall cause the organization of federation or coalition of sectoral civil society groups from barangay level to the city level, was mandated by Memorandum Circular 2021-012 issued on January 11, this year, by the Department of Interior and Local Government. It enjoins all government units to establish CSO desk that will handle all CSO-related concerns in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Regarded the measure as a tool to further promote the LGU’s best practices, Mayor Nelson Legacion, upon signing his executive order, said that it is included in the mandate of the desk to ensure and monitor the city government’s compliance with the Naga City People Empowerment Ordinance.
Other mandated tasks of the desk, include: ensure and monitor compliance of barangays with Ordinance No. 2015-032 (Barangay Empowerment Ordinance of Naga City; mobilize and ensure participation of accredited and recognized Civil Society Organizations in various processes and activities of the local government, particularly in planning, budgeting, monitoring, and other service delivery areas;
Hold regular meetings, consultations, and other relevant activities of Civil Society Organizations; monitor through the Naga City People’s Council, CSO participation in programs, projects, and activities of the City of Naga;
Assist CSOs in the application for accreditation and endorse the same to the Sangguniang Panlungsod upon completion of all requirements, as provided in City Ordinance 1995-092; maintain and update the Civil Society Organization directory and database;
Collaborate and submit annual reports to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga and DILG field officers on matters relating to the programs, projects, and activities of Civil Society Organizations and to further improve the mandates provided in City Ordinance 1995-092; and perform relevant functions as may be required by higher authorities.
The “funding” provision of the executive order said that in order to carry out the smooth implementation of measure, the necessary funding shall be provided for the operation and maintenance of the CSO Desk under the General Fund.
