The Cordillera Network of Development NGOs and POs, Inc. (CORDNET) celebrated its 24^th General Assembly LAST MAY 19,2023 at the Child and Family Services Phils Inc. in Baguio City. With the theme “Building Partnership: Pansigaden Tako,” 35 delegates representing 5 provinces from the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) gathered together to strengthen their resolve on better partnership building.

CORDNET President and Board of Trustee Coordinator Cristina Aban welcomed everyone saying, “That we came together today is a blessing. Some traveled more than 10 hours to arrive and we thank you for that. Our theme, ‘Building Partnerships: Pansigedan Tako’ collectively expresses our commitment to engage with NGAs, CSOs and private organizations through constructive collaboration.”

During the General Assembly, Board of Trustee Chairperson Dom-an Macagne highlighted three major goals of their 2023 Strategic Plan. Firstly, to have a dynamic and pro-active leadership and contributing members where identification, training, and mentorship of second-line leaders from the youth sector is one of the priorities. Then, to sustain and strengthen partnerships with the LGUs, RCs, NGAs, as well as Provincial networks, NGO networks, INGOs, and funding agencies through collaboration programs and projects. And lastly, to introduce and contribute innovations in the areas of socio-environment protection and inclusive participation for a better understanding of the distinctiveness of the Cordillera culture and uniqueness in its development approaches through the publication of their best practices. 

The event’s afternoon highlight was the having three speakers representing three different sectors: a representative from Armed Forces of the Philippines Task Group Baguio who talked about constructive collaboration and partnership building; the CODE-NGO (of which CORDNET is a member) Membership Program Officer who gave an orientation network membership and the need to have succession leaders, and a former NCIP Commissioner who is now an Associate Judge while being a certified Yoga instructor who conducted a Yoga exercise activity for Mental Wellness. 

“We may have different focus but we have a common goal. Just like the members of CORDNET, we may have different institutional activities but we look forward to arriving at the same destination. We are all part of whatever CORDNET has achieved this past year. ,” Ms. Aban concluded.

CORDNET is a network of Cordillera-based development-oriented non-government organizations and people’s organizations. Located in a region that is predominantly indigenous people, CORDNET’s core advocacy is to develop social enterprises and sustainable farming. Its vision is to be a model regional network that is sustainable, respects cultural diversity, and is proactive in the development of marginalized and underserved communities of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). And its mission is to facilitate the sustainable development of the CAR through culturally appropriate programs and projects with its dynamic members, in partnership with stakeholders. Currently, CORDNET has 62 member-based organizations, 6 NGOs, and 1 religious group.