𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄
Cebu Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are welcome to engage and work with the current administration of the Cebu Provincial Government.
This is the message of Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces to CSOs who gathered at Bai Hotel today (June 26, 2026) for the pre-event activity of the July 14, 2026’s “People’s Summit”, or the “Understanding Choices Series 3: People’s Participation in Governance and Development”.
He said CSOs are essential members of society and plays an important role in good governance.
“Dili gyud ni mahimo kung si Gov (Pamela S. Baricuatro) lang, kung ang SP (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) lang…I think you know nga moingon gyud na si Gov nga ‘Ato ang Sugbo’ kay we are part of governance,’ Empaces said. “If you want a government that is for you, you should be part of government.”
He asked the CSOs to “work together” with the Provincial Government “to create accountability and transparency”, including in budget planning, monitoring, and audit.
He likewise announced that now with the administration of Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro, the number of Cebu Provincial Government’s accredited CSOs have grown to over 100, all because they are very much welcome to assist the Capitol.
Provincial Board Member Kerrie Keane G. Shimura, on the other hand, lauded the CSOs’ role on good governance, as they provide “check and balance”, and assured that they have the full support of the governor. She informed those gathered that she has an upcoming ordinance creating a “People’s Council”
In the same event, the CSOs were also informed of the newly-launched “Cebu Infrastructure Project Management Monitoring System”, which provides for an online portal that the public can access and get relevant information about the Cebu Provincial Government’s infrastructure projects (www.sugbosys.cebu.gov.ph/projects).
Regional offices of National Government Agencies (NGAs) also presented their menu of services that CSOs could avail of during the same activity. In particular, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it is on the process of digitalizing its processes so there would be no need to submit hard copies of documents.
Those present were the SEC, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippine Statistics Agency, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Services, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The NGAs likewise engaged the audience in a moderated discussion, answering questions posed by the CSO representatives.
The CSOs and the NGAs are set to cross paths again on July 14 during the “People’s Summit”, as the CSOs are invited to join the activity while the NGAs will set up booths during the entire event.
CSOs are encouraged to register to confirm their attendance to the “People’s Summit” via this link: https://sugbosys.cebu.gov.ph/projects. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝑷𝑫𝑶
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