Written by: April Mae S. Balasabas

Zoom Teleconference – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX successfully conducted a two-day virtual training titled “Strengthening the CSO Desk Officer” via Zoom Teleconference from May 7 to 8, 2025.

The online activity aimed to enhance the capacity of CSO Desk Officers in promoting participatory governance and institutionalizing civil society engagement within local government units (LGUs). Attended by 25 CSO Desk Officers and focal persons, the training focused on aligning local efforts with national mandates for inclusive governance.

The virtual sessions featured presentations and interactive workshops covering topics such as CSO 101, legal avenues for participation under the Local Government Code, implementation of Memorandum Circular 2021-054, and the establishment and operationalization of Local People’s Councils. Participants also explored essential soft skills to strengthen their engagement strategies.

Despite the remote setup, participants actively engaged in discussions and open forums, sharing insights, best practices, and challenges related to CSO Desk operations and community involvement.

This virtual initiative reflects the DILG’s continued commitment to building a knowledge-driven, participatory governance framework across the region. The outputs from the training will contribute to future initiatives and the ongoing improvement of local governance systems in Region IX.