The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with Fundación de Religiosos para la Salud (FRS) and the Religiosas Siervas de Jesús de la Caridad, and in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Pili, Synergy-Pilipinas, and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), conducted a one-day seminar on Citizen Participation in Local Development, Good Governance, and Climate Action on November 19, 2025, at the CBSUA Atrium.
The activity carried the theme “Strengthening People’s Cooperation towards Invigorating Local Development in Sustainable Agriculture and Social Enterprises, Environmental Management, and Good Governance.” The seminar aimed to reinforce the relationship between citizen participation and institutional accountability to improve the quality, responsiveness, and sustainability of civil society engagement.
University leaders, headed by Dr. Alberto N. Naperi, together with Hon. Marivic B. Solano, Municipal Mayor of LGU-Pili, and Mr. Alfonso C. Nuñez, Country Coordinator of FRS, emphasized the importance of shared responsibility and active citizenship in promoting transparent, participatory, and sustainable governance.
Key discussions covered the legal foundations of citizen participation (DILG), the role of women in development (GAD-CBSUA), disaster risk reduction and management (BFP), natural resource conservation (PENRO), and climate justice (PMCJ). The afternoon sessions showcased best practices from the Naga City People’s Council (NPC), as well as collaborative initiatives in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and cooperative-led economic programs (CDA).
Open forum provided participants with the opportunity to raise community concerns and share insights, fostering dialogue between citizens and institutions. The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants and resource speakers.
Overall, the event reaffirmed CBSUA’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance and empowering communities, consistent with its mission to build future-ready and sustainable societies. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘴. 𝘈𝘣𝘣𝘺 𝘝. 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘰, 𝘌𝘚𝘋 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳
