Lambayong LGU and CSOs benchmark institutionalization of CSO Desk in LGU Arakan

The EU-funded RESOURCEGov project facilitated a cross visit of 8 representatives from LGU Lambayong and 11 representatives from various civil society organizations to know more about the processes in institutionalizing a CSO Desk in the local government unit in aid of promoting good governance and providing efficient services in support to the CSOs, and in articulating the citizens’ interests in participatory governance. The Cross Visit was done on August 28, 2015 at the LGU of Arakan in North Cotabato whose institutionalization and functionality of its CSO Desk is well documented and considered a best practice in local governance.  LGU Arakan’s CSO Desk is manned by a Job Order staff, directly under the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, and provides technical assistance to the Federation of Civil Society Organizations , with 32 active members, all registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.