Advocates consulted the Development and Reform Agenda (DRA) with key Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who are specialists in respective themes of the DRA. The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) with the support of the Participate Project, conducted 3 online validation workshops on April 11, 18 and 19, 2022 that cover the four pillars of the DRA.

The first workshop focused on Reducing Poverty and Inequities. The DRA proposes programs and policies to the government to address concerns of the marginalized, such as service delivery of health, education, housing and shelter, as well as concerns on land reform, fisheries reform, and agricultural development. The participants delved on education reforms and updated the issues affecting the  fisheries sector and agrarian reform. There was general agreement that Pillar 1: Ensuring Empowerment, Democratization and Good Governance is important in the work of CSOs.

The second workshop highlighted Peace and Human Rights.  As the DRA proposes policies that advocate for human rights victims and promote peace in conflict-affected areas, the participants added other policies and programs for the agenda to consider. The strengthening of institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and advocating for the Human Rights Defenders Act became important discussion points. Peace talks between the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front should also be pursued. A framework of governance such as the PANTHER principles (Participation, Accountability, Non-discrimination, Transparency, Human Dignity, Empowerment and Rule of Law) was also posed as a reminder for advocates to live up to as well.

The third workshop discussed Sustainable Development and Recovery. This pillar covers both sustainable development for the environment and economic reforms. One suggestion was for the government to intensify efforts in effective tax collection especially on the long-overdue taxes of big-time tax evaders such as the Marcoses. The participants revisited Pillar 2: Reducing Poverty and Inequities and shared their insights on mental health and just compensation for barangay health workers.

Building, validating, and expressing the DRA is one way to build a constituency of reformers and increase  effective political participation of Filipino citizens and CSOs. 

The DRA will be advocated to key government agencies and to the new set of elected and appointed officials at the Legislative and Executive branches of government. CODE-NGO, together with CSO partners who support the DRA, will remain steadfast in monitoring these reforms.