The 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting convened government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers from across the region, alongside global and regional partners, to exchange best practices and discuss the progress of open government initiatives. Held from February 5-7, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, the event provided a dynamic platform to foster dialogue on key governance issues. Among the distinguished participants were Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay- Sero, CESE; South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr.; and General Santos City Planning and Development Officer Dennis Fel T. Matutina, EnP.
During the opening plenary, Governor Tamayo underscored the significant role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in project monitoring and evaluation, emphasizing how their active involvement ensures the effective implementation of government initiatives. A key highlight of his speech was the ongoing implementation of the CSO Academy SOCCSKSARGEN, an initiative designed to enhance the capacities of CSO leaders by strengthening their internal governance and empowering them to take on a more proactive role in local governance. South Cotabato’s pioneering participation in the OGP Local Program since 2018 has laid the foundation for sustained citizen engagement and government transparency in the region.
The discussions at the regional meeting aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has continuously advocated for strengthened participatory governance, transparency, and accountability. In line with Executive Order No. 24, which institutionalizes participatory governance through the Participatory Governance Cluster (PGC), the administration reinforces the inclusion of CSOs in decision-making processes to ensure more responsive and people centered governance. Additionally, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 2028 highlights the importance of inclusive governance and the role of multi stakeholder partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.
The 2025 OGP Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting reaffirms South Cotabato’s commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration between government and civil society, setting a model for open governance not just in the Philippines but across the region.
