Twenty-one (21) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) leaders in South Cotabato concluded their training journey and received their certificates of completion in the CSO Academy SOCCSKSARGEN Graduation Ceremony on May 27, 2025, in Koronadal City.
The second batch of the CSO Academy began in June 2024, starting with Component I in partnership with the Association of Foundations Philippines, Inc. through their Lead to Serve Program. The Academy ran for a full year, with Component II launching in November 2024. The two components were strategically designed with Component I focusing on the enhancement of internal governance within CSOs, and Component II prioritizing the advancement of their participation in local governance processes.
In her message, DILG XII Regional Director, Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE congratulated the graduates and left a message of challenge to serve as mentors and mobilizers, especially for grassroots and emerging organizations. She emphasized that the lessons from the Academy come with the responsibility to stay rooted in community realities and to champion inclusive, people-centered development. Even small, courageous actions, she noted, can create lasting change when guided by genuine intention, wisdom, and mutual respect and support.
The CSO Academy SOCCSKSARGEN is one of Region XII’s initiatives to build the capacity of accredited Civil Society Organizations, empowering them to actively participate as members of their respective Local Special Bodies and serve as key partners in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Local Government Unit programs and policies.
The ceremony was attended by officials from the Province of South Cotabato, partner agencies including DBM XII and DEPDev XII, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Association of Foundations Philippines, Inc. and Coalition of Social Development Organizations-South Cotabato, as well as the families and friends of the graduates.
South Cotabato is scheduled to screen a new batch of scholars in the last quarter of 2025, with the Academy slated to commence in 2026.
