Mayor thanks, praises partnership with CSOs

NOW ON her third and last term, Mayor Beng Climaco thanked the various civil society organizations in Zamboanga City and cited the strong partnership her administration had with them throughout her term.

 

Mayor Beng Climaco speaking to members of the various civil society organizations in Zamboanga City during the annual assembly of the local Federation of Civil Society Organizations held recently in Barangay Malagutay. (Images: City Govt.)

“We are optimistic that our feats in mainstreaming CSOs in the local government bureaucracy can be sustained,” Climaco said during the annual assembly of the local Federation of Civil Society Organizations held recently in Barangay Malagutay. 

Climaco, who is now running for congresswoman in District 1, vowed her unwavering support and partnership with the CSOs, saying her administration had really focused in promoting people participation that largely benefited the Zamboangueño people. 

She also praised the active participation of the ZABIDA led by its Executive Director Esperancita Hupida; the Zamboanga City Federation of Civil Society Organizations through its president Juliet Tigo; and the Reach Out to Other Foundations led by its president, Dr. Grace Rebollos. 

Hupida said Climaco emphasized the importance of organized CSOs and their voice in representing Sectoral issues to the local government.

A photo released by the ZABIDA shows Mayor Beng Climaco during the annual assembly of the local Federation of Civil Society Organizations.

ZABIDA is a consortium of four nongovernmental organizations namely the Katilingban sa Kalambuan, Inc.; Peace Advocates Zamboanga; Reach Out to Others Foundation; and Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. which are all committed to uplift the quality of life of disadvantaged sectors in Zamboanga City and Basilan. 

Climaco said the strong partnership between her administration and CSOs is made possible by the Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator under Engineer Rodrigo Sicat through Jessie Lapinid. 

In 2016, the Climaco administration had implemented the Empowerment Program for Basic Sectors, a series of training intended to increase capacity of CSOs in investment programming, planning, project development and management, project monitoring, preparation of proposal, meeting minutes and budgeting. 

And in 2017, the ZABIDA and other CSOs partnered with the local government in the implementation of the first-ever Community Based Monitoring System in Zamboanga City. 

The next year, the local government also launched the Community Engagement Program for Basic Sector which was instituted by the Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator to capacitate CSOs in the local government bureaucracy. 

And last July, Climaco signed Executive Order 668 creating the CSO Desk which institutionalizes the promotion of people participation. (Zamboanga Post)