Twenty students in the second batch of the CSO Academy South Cotabato finished 
Component II: Local Governance (Part 2) on February 10–14, 2025. The 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Dose helped them with 
this. 

This phase of the training focused on capacity building in Comprehensive 
Development Plan (CDP) formulation and the critical roles of CSOs in the local 
planning process. The scholars took part in all parts of the CDP process through a 
series of hands-on workshops. They did everything from looking at the ecological 
profile to deciding which Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) to include in 
their Local Government Units' (LGUs') Local Development Investment Program 
(LDIP) and Annual Investment Program (AIP). 

The CSO Development Agenda, an initiative of DILG Dose designed to identify and 
address the needs and priorities of CSOs across the region, was also presented. 

In her message, Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE, DILG Dose Regional 
Director, emphasized the invaluable role of CSOs in the CDP process, stating, “By 
bringing grassroots perspectives into planning processes, CSOs help LGUs design 
programs that are equitable, sustainable, and aligned with the actual needs of their 
constituents.” 

As a pioneering initiative, the CSO Academy SOCCSKSARGEN aims to empower 
more CSOs in the region, strengthen their representation, and advance excellence 
in local governance.