LGUs, CSOs urged: Support open government partnership program

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has urged local government units and local civil society organizations nationwide to support and participate in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local program.

The OGP Local is an onboarding program where new members with existing Open Government initiatives will develop and implement local OGP action plans through a multi-stakeholder co-creation process which further contributes to a more open, accountable, and responsive government.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr. said that OGP in itself mirrors the whole-of-nation approach the current government is espousing.

He said that LGUs, CSOs and other stakeholders, as critical actors towards achieving innovative and improved local governance, can benefit from the OGP Local initiative.

The DILG chief said that the OGP initiative opens opportunities for government and non-government stakeholders leading towards transparency, empowerment of the citizenry.

It is also envisioned to fight against corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen and advance governance down at the local level.

Abalos pointed out that the DILG is an advocate of Open Government and shall remain committed to continue, strengthen and support the PH-OGP advocacies.

The PH-OGP which was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, was aimed at strengthening and expanding the avenue of dialogues and partnership between the government and civil society groups. — (FREEMAN)