By Wilson J. Hormeguera

Xavier University – Governance and Leadership Institute (XU-GLI), in partnership with the local government of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, held a competency training workshop for the leaders of the civic society organizations (CSOs) of Talacogon on November 5-7.

The participating CSO leaders were representing the barangay health workers, church-based groups, credit cooperatives, day care workers, drivers’ associations, farmers’ groups, indigenous people’s groups, people’s organizations and youth groups.

The training began with a personal accountability workshop, highlighting leadership experience as inner drive of service to humanity.  

Jumpstarting on the poverty incidence analysis, the second session focused on social accountability of CSOs and their roles of influencing the local government in the delivery of basic goods and services to the people, especially for the poor and marginalized. They were also oriented of their roles in the public finance process to make sure that people’s money is well accounted for.   

The third session guided the participants in the creation of the development agenda for sustainable development and the conducts to lobby them in policy making and implementation. Participants were also engaged in community building activities strengthening their collaboration and teamwork.

Dr Dixon Yasay, XU-GLI director, served as main trainer while Engr Gail de la Rita, assistant to vice-president for Research and Social Outreach (RSO) was the community-building facilitator during the workshop.

GLI continues to engage in the development of community participation in local governance as part of the governance agenda under the RSO cluster of XU.