Council strengthens grassroots participation through CSO and PO accreditation

DURING the 3rd Regular Session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, the 21^st City Council adopted Resolution No. 15425-2025, calling for the accreditation and re-accreditation of all Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and People’s Organizations (POs) in Cagayan de Oro City.

The resolution, sponsored by the committee on planning, research and innovation, and people’s organization accreditation chaired by Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez, is aligned with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-060, Article 64, Rule XIII of the IRR of the 1991 Local Government Code, and Ordinance No. 14334-2022, which mandate the inclusion of accredited CSOs in the Committee on People’s Organizations under the City Development Council (CDC).

Councilor Rodriguez earlier convened the committee to deliberate on the proposed resolution that aims to empower grassroots organizations by granting them a voice in local governance and policymaking. Discussions also centered on streamlining the accreditation process to make it more accessible for community-based groups to engage in development planning and decision-making.

“We believe that strengthening CSO and PO participation is essential to inclusive and transparent governance,” said Councilor Rodriguez. (JDO/SP)