Action. Reflection. Action.  These are the steps taken by the participants of the learning activity organized by CODE-NGO as they looked back in the recent actions they have taken as civil society organizations (CSOs) and practitioners and advocates of Participatory Local Governance (PLG), Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  In the two-day exchange of ideas, lessons, insights and reflections, the workshop culminated in a plan of action for each organization represented to advocate for PLG, BUB and the SDGs.

The Peer Learning Exchange (PLE) on PLG, BUB and the SDGs, took place last June 30 to July 1, 2016 at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.  The PLE was attended by the member-networks of CODE-NGO and partner organizations.  The activity aimed to identify and share ‘best practices’ in CSOs’ engagement in PLG (including BUB), learn about ‘best practices’ in localizing the MDGs and the recommendations for attaining the SDGs, and formulate and share initial plans for improving the CSO networks’ engagement in PLG and BUB and the advocacy for the SDGs.

The idea of participatory local governance crystallized in the Philippine context 25 years ago in the advent of the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC). Since then, and even before the LGC, CSOs (then called non-government organizations and people’s organizations) saw the value of participation of local community leaders in governance.  Engagements in local development councils, creation of people’s councils and the adaption of a sustainable integrated area development approach are some examples of PLG in the last two decades. This experience has enriched recent developments in local governance that were taken up in the PLE.

Experts and practitioners were invited on the first day to discuss the gains and lessons learned in engaging local government units (LGUs) and participating in government programs such as the BUB and Seal of Good Local Governance in a panel discussion.  After the panel discussion, participants were hosted in a “world café” stylized gallery walk to share insights on BUB, M&E and people’s participation.  Day 2 tackled the SDGs and the plans of the organizations to move forward with their take-aways.

In this day and age, there is a need to reflect on the engagements and challenges in PLG, as the participants did in the PLE. In an ideal situation, ordinary citizens or organized groups have a say in what government needs to plan, budget and implement to improve the community.  Sadly this is not the case for all LGUs, and this is shared in the experiences on PLG and BUB.  The next generation of practitioners present in the PLE were then eager to learn more from each other and take on the challenge of continuing and finding new best practices to overcome the problems of the past and of today.

Sandino Soliman is the Project Manager of the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) 383 Project and the Advocacy Officer of the DRRM Fund Watch Project.