CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –Some 38 civil society organizations from all over the region converged in this capital city of Northern Mindanao last 14 November to collate the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) agenda to the national government for the remaining two years of President Benigno Aquino III’s term.
Leaders of the six regional convenors of the Northern Mindanao Koalisyon ng mga Mamayan Para sa Reporma (KOMPRe) put their heads, hearts and hands together in reading the Unity Statement to put the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) agenda with the national government. (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
“It was attended by over 225 advocates of Civil Society Organizations representing all of Northern Mindanao’s provinces and cities including Lanao del Sur and the ARMM,” said Francisco “Jun” Mabaso, chairman of the Northern Mindanao People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR)/Change Politics Movement (CPM). “The workshop was well participated resulting to rich outputs presented to national government agencies (NGAs) representatives who also responded with frank but realistic statements.”
Mabaso said the groups placed the people’s participation in government to include local governments and how CSOs maximize opportunities in the bottom up budgeting process among their highest priorities.
“Most of our CSOs participated in the city/municipal CSO assemblies done in 93 LGUs,” he added.
“Aside from KOMPRe’s role as bantay to make sure government resources are put to the right use, i.e., poverty alleviation)it is also campaigning for the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the Budget Reform Bill of Rep. Lenie Robredo,” Mabaso said.
The KOMPRe National Secretariat has committed to us that regional issues not resolved at our level can be elevated to the national level through the regular meetings of the KOMPRe and Cabinet secretaries, he added.
KOMPRe, (Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma) is a broad-based coalition of civil society groups, people’s organizations, political parties, social movements and reform-minded individuals committed to sustaining the momentum of reform that the Filipino people have started during the last four years. It aims to ensure that positive gains made under the Aquino Administration are continued beyond 2016 through the institutionalizing, broadening and deepening of reform processes within government.
KOMPRe Convenors is headed by Karina Constantino-David, Chairperson, People Power Volunteers for Reform; with Sixto Donato Macasaet, Executive Committee Member, Change Politics Movement; Teddy Lopez, Executive Committee Member, Mamamayang Liberal (ML); Leah Navarro, Co- Convenor, Black and White Movement (BnW); Jose Morales.National Convenor, Urban Poor Alliance Co-Convenor; Alberto Lim, Co-Convenor, Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma; Raquel Garcia, Co-Convenor, Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma; Ernes Ramel, Jr., Secretary-General, Aksyon Demokratiko; and Marie Chris Cabreros, Vice President, Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party.
“The original national KOMPRe convenors have now expanded to include Gising Barangay Movement, UBAS, GROUP Inc,, KEDRN, ECOWEB, Palag-Mindanao, Pilipina and others, “Mabaso disclosed.
One of the most important outputs of the workshop was the organization of the KOMPRe Northern Mindanao Regional Secretariat with office address at 3rd Floor, Celebration International, Corner Archbishop Santiago Hayes, SJ. And 12th Street Nazareth, in Cagayan de Oro City. Its first meeting set for Monday, 17 November 2014 at the said venue.
KOMPRe intends to renew its commitment to walk the “tuwid na daan” and actively participate in national development during the remaining two years of the Aquino administration, and beyond.
It will focus discussions on, among other issues, sustaining reforms in good governance and anti-corruption such as the Freedom of Information (FOI) law and budget reforms, job creation, peace and security, human development, preservation of the environment and inclusive growth.
“KOMPRe is committed to rebuilding our institutions, being proactive and law abiding citizens working hand in hand with our government,”Mabaso said. “We invite all Filipinos to be part of this movement to create and sustain positive reforms.”
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