By Wilson J Hormeguera
Civil society organizations, federation of urban poor housing associations, media, business groups, cooperatives, and people’s organizations gathered for a forum on Citizens Governance Engagement organized by Xavier University on September 22 at the Philtown Hotel.
Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma addressed the congregation, the majority of which were members of the Cagayan de Oro People’s Council, a caucus of CSOs in the city which takes an active role in formulating the city’s development agenda together with the city government.
XU’s Research and Social Outreach (RSO) cluster serves as secretariat and organizer of the Cagayan de Oro People’s Council. XU-RSO considers the promotion of good governance and peace as among its thrusts.
“I am humbled,” said Moreno, who acknowledged the CSOs desire to engage with the local government.
“I wish you to become a ‘bridge’ of the executive and the legislative departments of the city,” continued Moreno citing the Naga experience where citizens are actively involved in governance.
Moreno elaborated on the challenges he has faced in his administration and highlighted lessons on balancing politics and management, the indomitable spirit of the Kagay-anons, and the opportunities to start anew.
His challenge to the CSOs is to “involve as a true participant.”
In a similar way, Archbp Ledesma prompted CSOs to always be mindful of safeguarding and promoting cultural values.
According to him, CSOs should shift their political advocacies from non-partisan to transpartisan, whereby candidates are chosen and evaluated not according to their political affiliation but based on their values, lifestyle, performance, electoral behavior, reputation and education.
Ledesma encouraged CSOs to “listen to the other side,” emphasizing the need for dialogues to realize common values and reach common goals. He invited CSOs to engage in the protection and management of Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Solid Waste Management and advocacies for Social Ecology.
The city government’s action to reach out to the public did not go unrecognized at the forum.
Roger Bolanon, president of the federation of urban housing associations of the city, acknowledged the city’s efforts in creating venues for dialogues.
“If the city’s projects and programs are for us, we want to be heard,” said Bolanon.