KORONADAL, SOUTH COTABATO — the Provincial Government of South Cotabato officially opened the 3rd Batch of its Civil Society Organization (CSO) Academy on March 19, 2026. Marking a historic first for the program, the province held a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing to officially onboard a powerful coalition of partners to support the incoming cohort of 17 scholars.

This landmark MOA brings together the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII, MFI, PLGU South Cotabato, and League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – South Cotabato Chapter. A major highlight of this year’s launch is the unprecedented financial and institutional support from the municipalities. For the first time, several scholars have been directly sponsored by their respective LGUs, chosen from among duly accredited local CSOs.

In her message of support, Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESO III, Regional Director of DILG XII, commended the province’s progressive approach to inclusive development and the expanding role of civil society. She emphasized that the DILG recognizes CSOs as indispensable partners in advancing transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment. Considering the growing responsibilities placed on civil society, the necessity for sustained capacity building has never been more apparent.

During the launch, the DILG XII OIC-Assistant Regional Director Samuel A. Camaganacan, CE led a comprehensive orientation, walking the new scholars through the specific objectives and the strategic flow of Component II, preparing them for direct engagement with their local governments.

The CSO Academy is a pioneering initiative of Region XII aimed at fully capacitating civil society organizations by strengthening their internal frameworks and enhancing their active participation in local governance.

The DILG Region XII expressed its full support for South Cotabato in strengthening and institutionalizing the CSO Academy.