By PR | 02:34 PM September 26, 2023
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) all over the province convened as part of the annual celebration giving tribute to civil societies’ role in provincial development.
The CSO week kicked off with the opening program on Sept. 25 at the Bohol Cultural Center attended by CSOs, NGOs, businesses, and cooperatives accredited by the provincial government.
The celebration is in line with Provincial Resolution No. 380 Series of 2013 proclaiming the last week of September as the Civil Society Organizations’ Week all over Bohol and is spearheaded by the Bohol People’s Council, assisted by the Provincial CSO Desk Office.
Attendees witnessed various cultural presentations performed by CSOs and a presentation of the flow of activities for the week-long presentation by the Provincial Cooperative Development Office head Maricar Fuentes.
Special guests for the event included Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite and Oscar Valles, provincial government chief-of-staff, who represented Gov. Aris Aumentado at the event.
Both shared messages on the importance of unity among CSO members and the practice of transparency within their groups.
A forum on CSO engagement in good governance was held in the afternoon where attendees were briefed on best practices on digitalization, an orientation on the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark and the role of CSOs in maintaining its designation, and good governance on culture and arts.
The celebration is set for Sept. 25-29 where CSO members will take part in various activities.
On the second day, the provincial government and partnered CSOs will conduct a mobile clinic on maternal care, with pap smears, IUDs, PSI Implants, and free vaccinations.
The BPC will hold a CSO general assembly the next day where 118 accredited organizations are expected to convene.
On the penultimate day, a forum on the rights of nature will take place at the Panda Tea Garden Suites in Tagbilaran City and a mangrove tree-growing activity at Basdacu, Loon.
To wrap up the celebration, CSOs will participate in a team building activity which will culminate the week-long celebration. (PIMO/GMC)
