For the third time BAGAT Festival provides a space for sectors and organizations to converge (Bagat o Tagbo) and among themselves define specific, generic and common concerns with recommendations and collectively decides what to do next.
It was held last January 31, 2024 in the afternoon attended by not less than 50 individuals representing sectors and organizations.
The representative from the local government unit thru the Civil Society Organization Desk of the Office of the Municipal Mayor presented and emphasized how important for the people and the government people's participation is particularly in decision-making, policy and.program implementation, fiscal management and other aspects in the local governance. It was also emphasized that participation and representation is not only a right but an obligation as citizens and.builders of nation's future.
The office of the Vice Mayor also invited the civil society community to express their voices and be heard as an important factor in the local government's prioritization of programs and defining the direction and service delivery for the constituencies.
In a workshop, the leaders revisited their respective contexts and concerns including the concrete recommendations. The issues vary from infrastructure services for the agricultural sector to service delivery for health, education, elders, youth, women, nutrition and entrepreneurs. Religious leaders present also emphasized the call for unity among different denominations as the group's big step to unify the memberships for substantial contributions in social development.
The groups also defined Sustainable Development encompassing living faith, social, economic, political, cultural and ecological development. The group emphasizes God, people and creation-centered development and governance.
While the groups present are very highly spirited in engaging the local government and agencies, they are confronted with fragmentations, low capabilities and lack of know-how on several aspects of the pre-requisites in registration and accreditation processes. And as a Civili Society community on what's the roles they can play for the advancement of the mass population and grassroots sector must be enhanced also.
As mentioned by the CSO Desk Officer, from 300+ organizations in their list that have attended various CSO gatherings and previous summits, only 27 have accreditation records in the local legislative.
The big gap in the figure is both a challenge to the local government and the civil society community. Occasional invitations will surely not assure active participation. Maybe the organizations are not accredited but are active in the respective communities and field of interests. And poses another concern, is the civil society community ready now to converge and collectively work together? Work on what?
Civic organizations might have been in a challenging situation of capacitating themselves while maintaining independence in the LGU engagements. For several settings, organizations that are formed as a result of government programs and projects usually undergo an identity and conduct crisis - independent or government organized?
There was no debate on the concerns and recommendations presented by the groupings. All attendees agreed that all concerns presented were necessary and should be pushed and brought to the government's attention. On who shall work out the ground work? Must be the task of the CSOs themselves.
All agreed that there is a necessity to come together; strengthen the community's capabilities and its solidarity; define its dynamism; and deeply understand the mechanisms and platforms in the bureaucracy available. That was the focus of the discussion - on how to make the convergence work before and after annual summits and benefit from it.
Finally, the group until 6 in the early eve selected a new steering committee and set urgent action points learning from the previous ones that have not been able to meet even once. A brutal acceptance of the weakness and determined heart to pursue.
Though weak as a community, CSOs in different aspects and efforts continue to take part by collaborations or independently in socio-political and developmental spheres in the locality.
By the end of the year, it was envisioned that a more dynamic, active, empowered and strengthened civil society community will be felt in Sibagat. How? It's an opportunity but a challenge.
The People's Summit integrated in festive celebrations is a daring move by the local government and a commendable initiative. And it has become a regular feature of the Bagat Festival for three years. To make use of such a venue for concrete recommendations is another story. While it is an opportunity for both ends (LGU and CSO), the use of the output and to fulfill the expectations is a challenge to both too.
And they've got a steering committee with passionate old and young, male, female and LGBTQIA membership set to meet this month of the year.
Bagat Notes
4 February 2024
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