Negros Occidental has formed the Provincial People’s Council (PPC) to better engage the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in local governance.
Sandy Saluria of Murcia was elected president during the organizational assembly held at the Negros Museum in Bacolod City on Wednesday, April 8.
“We are the first to form the PPC in the Negros Island Region (NIR),” Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) officer-in-charge Anna Marie Lucasan said Thursday.
The PPDO facilitated the briefing and election in collaboration with the Provincial Board and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Negros Occidental.
Led by Saluria, the officers, who come from various city and municipal people’s councils, will formulate action plans to be implemented during their term until 2028.
Joining Saluria are Vice President Ma. Resha Abalde (Bago City), Secretary Ardinel Candari (Candoni), Treasurer Donesa Empase (Calatrava), Auditor Edwin Balajadia (Victorias City), and Public Information Officer Roberto Bocado (Sipalay City).
District coordinators include Rommel Maloloy-on (Don Salvador Benedicto), first district; Ninfa Sayo (Cadiz City), second district; Ramel Ondon (E.B. Magalona), third district; Othelo del Rosario (Bago City), fourth district; Benjamin Libo-on (Hinigaran), fifth district; and Imeglenn Villanueva (Ilog), sixth district.
Lucasan said the Provincial Board will confirm Saluria’s election as PPC president. He will then sit as the 16th CSO member in the Provincial Development Council (PDC).
DILG Memorandum Circular 2021-054 mandates local government units to engage the active participation of CSOs in governance.
DILG-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay commended the provincial government for initiating the council’s formation.
“This is not just compliance with the circular, but a platform where CSOs are provided with opportunities to better serve the public through active participation in development planning, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation,” said Sumagaysay, who concurrently serves as the DILG-NIR assistant regional director.*PNA
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