“How do CSOs (civil society organizations) in the Bicol Region engage the LGU (local government unit) and other agencies? Is there a change in the system and opportunity for the CSOs to participate in this new administration? How do CSOs adopt to and/or surpass any challenges?“. These are among the questions that Mr. Elmar Noe of MISEREOR asked the members of Provincial Alliance of NGOs and POs for Development, Inc. (PANGOPOD) during his visit to Sorsogon Province as assisted by the Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD) Strengthening-Decentralized Governance (S-DG) Project staff Mr. Ronel Obar and Ms. Jesica Capricho, with Ms. Aurora Chavez of PANGOPOD and Mr. Sandino Soliman of CODE-NGO last May 12, 2017.

With all excitement, the team started the day paying visit to the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Sorsogon including the office of the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG), Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and the Office of the Provincial Governor. The team got the chance to meet the unit heads of these offices and they had the same insights that CSOs are effective development partner in the Province of Sorsogon. They all said that it’s evident by the actual CSO engagements in the various planning activities, improving the program implementation and monitoring of projects in the province. Valuable contributions of the CSOs are being acknowledged and there was a special mention on the participation of PANGOPOD as their recognized aggrupation of civil society in Sorsogon and a dynamic partner of the PLGU.

On the same day, the team proceeded to visit LIKAS, an active member base organization of PANGOPOD. It was timely then that LIKAS was the host of “Lakbay-Buhay” activity that accommodated the marchers traveling from Cagayan de Oro to Senate to oppose the passage of Death Penalty Bill.

The team witnessed the brief program and tribute to the “Lakbay-Buhay” marchers. Elmar shared his few words of wisdom in the gathering by expressing his full support on the CSO advocacy– to defend life as a basic Human Right!  Elmar did not waste any single minute of his time as he engaged the CSO leaders on a very meaningful and fruitful discussion about social issues in the country.

Elmar, with CBD and CODE-NGO staff, joined the CSO members of PANGOPOD and the Lakbay Buhay marchers for a sumptuous dinner and small talk. Swimming in warm spring water at Mt. Bulusan wrapped the day that ended at almost 10:30 in the evening.

It was really a tight schedule for Elmar and the team who joined the visit to PANGOPOD, but we still found the visit a fulfilling learning activity knowing that CSOs are collectively doing their part to contribute to the development of the provinces despite the challenge for them to engage in the current Administration.

Active engagement of CSOs in development processes and continuous advocacies to influence policy reforms in the government were among the highlights of Elmar’s recommendations to the members of PANGOPOD. It served as encouragement and challenge to all the leaders present during the visit.

Padayon mga CSOs sa Bicol!

Jesica Capricho is the Regional Project Coordinator of the S-DG Project-CBD.