The Ifugao State University (IFSU) through the Department of Planning and Information Management (DPIM) conducted a capacity-building training for 17 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Lamut on Local Governance participation, Policy Formulation & Project Proposal Making, and Legislative Skills Development & Program Investment Planning from October 19, 2021-January 19, 2022.

IFSU, being an implementer of the Community Satisfaction Index System in 2017 for Lamut and 2018 for Banaue, paved the way for the University to submit a project proposal and availed of the Department of Interior Local Government Technical Assistance Project (DILG TA projects for LRIs) for CY 2021.

With the University’s commitment to sustain extension and community engagement of members of the society, IFSU as an eligible LRI rolled out the project titled, “Empowering CSOs for Local Governance Participation in Lamut, Ifugao” which focused on capacity-building for identified CSOs in October 2021.

The identified 17 CSOs consisting of 42 leaders and members from Barangays Bimpal, Nayon, Hapid, Poblacion West, and Lawig underwent trainings and workshops on a)Local Governance Participation; CSO Roles, Rights, and Privileges; Crafting of Constitution and by-laws; Local Special Bodies; Accreditation of CSOs; b)Policy Formulation & Project Proposal Making; Writing of Resolution & Ordinance; Project Proposal making & Lobbying; Budgeting (Program Investment Plan) and; c)Legislative Skills Development & Program Investment Planning; Parliamentary Procedure; Organization management; Planning.

On January 19, 2022, IFSU together with the partner agencies, the DILG, and the Local Government Unit of Lamut acknowledged the empowered 42 CSOs leaders and members for completing and participating in the capacity-building project. The CSOs leaders and members also received certificates of participation and completion.

The University expects that the implementation of the project motivates the leaders and members of the civil society to share genuine participation in contributing ideas and knowledge to address the community’s needs and problems.

The capacity building for CSOs is spearheaded by Project Management Team leader and Director of DPIM, Dr. Generose S. Ognayon, and co-leader Director of GADRRC Dr. Joyce A. Bodah.