Valenzuela City-based Civil Society Organizations (CSO) have been carefully selected to participate in the development processes of the local government on October 11.

The 7^th City Council, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Valenzuela, collaborated to identify the groups that are bound to form part of the Local Special Bodies (LSB) for representation at the City Development Council and the Peace and Order Council.

Accreditation Committee Chairman and City Councilor Tyson Sy led the selection process of the CSOs.

A total of 49 CSOs were accredited by the city council to represent LSB.

The elected CSOs which have been chosen to be part of the Local City Development Council are: (1) Valenzuela Person with Disabilities Federation, (2) Alliance of Senior Citizens, (3) Balikatan Women’s Movement, (4) PESAPAKAVA District I, (5) PESAPAKAVA District II, (6) Valenzuela City Federation of Homeowners and Neighborhood Association, Inc., (7) Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valenzuela, (8) Valenzuela United Lions Club, (9) Kapisanan Anak Dalita, (10) Kiwanis Club of Valenzuela, (11) Holy Cross Savings and Credit Cooperative, (12) Tanghalang Banyuhay, Inc., and the  (13) Knights of Columbus.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club, the Valenzuela Business Club and the Junior Chamber International have been selected for the Peace and Order Council.

The NGOs in these special bodies are deemed highly able and knowledgeable to provide real feedback from the ground since they are mostly operating in the grassroots. Likewise, these organizations serve as conduits to the programs that will be implemented in the city, not only in development projects but also in social services.

To ensure that the guidelines set for CSOs in Local Special Bodies are strictly followed and observed, the city government formed a monitoring and reporting committee with their respective DILG field directors as head, together with the head of CPDO and the Council Secretariat.

The selection was pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2016-97 which reiterated the "Procedures and Guidelines for Selection of Representatives of People’s Organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations, or the Private Sector in Local Special Bodies" or Article 64 of the Local Government Code of 1991.  According to the existing memo circular, CSOs should be able to present their credentials and requirements: (1) registration with the governing agencies under their jurisdiction; (2) their organization purposes and objectives; organization accomplishment report and track record of at least one (1) year; (3) annual reports and conduction of annual meetings duly certified by the board secretary of the organization and (4) other necessary documents deemed necessary by the evaluating office. 

DILG OIC-City Director Mary Jane Nacario said that one of the primary roles of CSOs is to help the city promote transparency and good governance. She added, “Generally, the development of the city is a shared responsibility of both the local government and the NGOs working closely with the constituents.”