THE City Government of Tagbilaran continues to lead the way in deepening participatory governance, as it hosted a two-day Module and Training Design Formulation Writeshop for civil society organizations (CSOs) under the CSO CREED (Center for Responsive Citizen Engagement, Empowerment, and Development) Academy on July 21, 2025, at JJ’s Seafood Village. The second day of the training will be held on August 18, 2025.
The activity, organized by the City CSO Desk, is part of a series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of CSOs in local governance.
Participants were guided through intensive sessions on training design, module development, and practical applications led by facilitator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, CSO Desk Officer Kim Anub, and modular teams.
In her message, Mayor Jane Yap underscored the importance of civic involvement in building a more responsive and inclusive city.
“Our civil society partners are more than just stakeholders—they are co-creators of progress. The CREED Academy embodies our commitment to equipping CSOs with the tools, knowledge, and voice they need to shape a better Tagbilaran.”
Mayor Yap also proudly shared that with support from USAID-CHANGE, the City Government of Tagbilaran empowered its CSOs,
growing from just 34 accredited organizations in 2021 to a remarkable 343 by 2024.
This surge in civic participation led to the creation of the first-ever CSO Desk in Region 7, a groundbreaking step that institutionalized citizen voices in governance.
One of the most notable achievements was the conduct of the first-ever Open Budget Public Hearing and Consultation for the 2025 Annual Budget, held on October 15, 2024, in partnership with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council.
This landmark event allowed citizens to directly take part in shaping the city’s budget priorities.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government recognized Tagbilaran City as a pioneer in establishing both a Local People’s Council and a CSO Academy, raising the bar for participatory governance.
In recognition of the city’s achievements, Mayor Yap was invited to speak at the 2024 CSO National Conference, where she shared the Tagbilaran experience in empowering CSOs and strengthening citizen engagement.
The training writeshop also laid the foundation for future modules that will focus on CSO roles in climate action, livelihood, women empowerment, and local development planning.
Their outputs will serve as core materials in future community-based training conducted by CSO partners.
The CSO CREED Academy, through the City CSO Desk, continues to reflect Tagbilaran’s vision for collaborative, transparent, and inclusive governance.
