Tagbilaran launches Asenso-CSO and CREED Leadership Hub
As part of the CSO Week, Tagbilaran City launched its Asenso-CSO and Center for Responsive Citizen’s Engagement, Empowerment, and Development (CREED) Leadership Hub on August 29, 2024 at the Tagbilaran City Atrium. Featured also was the signing of significant Executive Orders by Mayor Jane Yap, establishing the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the CREED Leadership Hub and another TWG for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local-Tagbilaran. In photo (seated from left to right): Vice Mayor Adam Jala, Mayor Jane Yap, USAID CHANGE Senior Democracy Officer Gerry Porta. Others in photo (standing), are representatives from the City Government of Tagbilaran, elected officials, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Tagbilaran City took a significant step toward enhancing citizen engagement and local governance with the official launch of the Asenso-CSO and CREED Leadership Hub on August 29, 2024, at the City Hall Atrium.
This initiative, part of the inaugural Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Empowerment Week 2024, underscores the city’s commitment to fostering transparent, accountable, and participatory governance.
The event began with a warm welcome from Ms. Marietta Gasatan, President of the Tagbilaran City People’s Council (TCPS), who highlighted the importance of collaboration between the city government and civil society organizations.
The centerpiece of the launch was a detailed presentation on the Center for Responsive Citizen’s Engagement, Empowerment, and Development (CREED) Leadership Hub by CSO Desk Officer Mr. Alvin Luis Acuzar.
This hub is designed to facilitate leadership training, citizen empowerment, and community development, further strengthening the city’s commitment to inclusive governance.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of two significant Executive Orders by Mayor Jane Yap.
The first order established the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the CREED Leadership Hub, while the second created the TWG for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local-Tagbilaran.
City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha presented the objectives and framework of the OGP Local, emphasizing the importance of open and transparent governance.
In her solidarity message, Mayor Yap expressed her enthusiasm for these new initiatives, stating, “The launch of the Asenso-CSO and CREED Leadership Hub marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards more inclusive and effective governance. By empowering our citizens and strengthening our partnerships, we are paving the way for a more resilient and responsive local government. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a city where every voice is heard, and every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to our collective progress.”
The event also showcased the Grant Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) Project and Holy Name University (HNU).
Ms. Maria Paz Espiritu, HNU Research Director, presented the details of the grant agreement, which was subsequently formalized through a ceremonial signing. Following this, Mr. Gerardo Porta of USAID Philippines delivered a supportive message, underscoring the significance of the partnership and its potential impact on community development and governance
Vice Mayor Adam Jala concluded the ceremony with closing remarks, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration between local government, civil society, and international partners.
The Asenso-CSO and CREED Leadership Hub, along with the initiatives of TCPS and USAID CHANGE, highlights Tagbilaran City’s dedication to fostering a collaborative environment where governance and people engagement go hand in hand.
Tagbilaran holds workshop on Strengthening Intergovernmental Coordination
Photo shows Mayor Jane Yap standing on the podium, delivering a powerful message of support and gratitude to all the partners in progress who have contributed to shaping Tagbilaran City’s development. She emphasized the crucial roles of national government agencies and civil society organizations in driving the city’s overall progress.
The event took place on August 28, 2024 during the workshop on Strengthening Intergovernmental Coordination held at the Metro Centre Hotel.
To strengthen the collaboration between local government units and national government agencies, a workshop on “Streamlining Intergovernmental Relations for Good Governance” was held on August 28, 2024, at MetroCentre Hotel in Tagbilaran City.
Organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) Project, in partnership with the Tagbilaran City People’s Council, the event brought together department heads from the city government, leaders from various national government agencies and stakeholders.
Participants engaged in discussions aimed at developing a unified strategy to streamline and facilitate inter-local relations, creating more efficient mechanisms for collaboration that could lead to improved governance and public service delivery.
Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, City Governance Coordinator of the USAID CHANGE Project, spearheaded the event, guiding discussions and encouraging active participation. They underscored the importance of strong partnerships between government entities at all levels to ensure effective governance.
The workshop is part of the inaugural Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Empowerment Week 2024, which runs from August 27 to August 30, 2024. Themed “Celebrating Partnership: Advancing People’s Participation in Governance for a Stronger, More Resilient People’s Council,” the week-long event aims to highlight the vital role of civil society in promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
Mayor Jane Yap, in her message delivered at the event, expressed her strong support for the workshop’s objectives. “Tagbilaran City is committed to fostering strong partnerships with both local and national agencies to create a governance system that is not only efficient but also transparent and accountable,” said Mayor Yap.
“Our collaboration with the USAID CHANGE Project and the Tagbilaran City People’s Council reflects our dedication to continuous improvement in our governance practices. By strengthening intergovernmental relations and encouraging active citizen participation, we are building a more resilient and responsive government that truly serves the needs of our community.”
The workshop and the wider CSO Empowerment Week reflect Tagbilaran City’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive governance and enhancing the role of civil society in local decision-making. By strengthening intergovernmental relations and promoting active citizen participation, Tagbilaran City is paving the way for a more transparent, accountable, and resilient governance model.