Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Twelve leaders from the civil society organizations (CSOs) took their oath of office as new members of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) before Lanao del Norte Governor and PDC Chairman Khalid Dimaporo.


The oath-taking ceremony was held last May 4, 2011 at the Macapagal Training Center, Tubod, this province during the 7th PDC regular meeting.


Under the Local Government Code of 1991, non-government organizations and people’s organizations operating in a province shall constitute not less than one-fourth of the members of the fully organized local development council.


Through an executive order issued by Gov. Dimaporo reconstituting the Provincial Development Council of Lanao del Norte, the CSO officials were recognized by the provincial leadership as developmental partners of the provincial LGU.


During the meeting which was also attended by local town mayors, the CSO leaders re-affirmed their commitment to contribute to the continued progress of Lanao del Norte.


Among the organizations represented in the meeting were Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc., Ranao Women and Children’s Resource Center (RWCRC), Paglingkawas, Multi-purpose Cooperative, PAILIG Foundation, Inc., SERVIAMUS Foundation, Inc., Aurora Integrated Multi-purpose Cooperative (AIMCOOP), Kalimudan sa Ranao Foundation, Inc. (KRFI), Golden Arrow Vision of Life Foundation, Inc. (GAVOLFI), Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDC), Ranaw Integrated Assistance Program (RIAP), and LDN Barnabas Ministry for Mindanao and Beyond Vision Network.


“The CSOs have always been our dependable ally. We have proven this during the August 2008 incident. We hope that with their continued support we will be able to attain the goals of Vision 2020 for the future of our children”, Dimaporo expressed.  


Adopted during the recent PDC meeting are three priority programs of the provincial government: Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA), Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) and the Forest Land Use Plan.


The approved plans will be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for its corresponding approval. ARL/PPDO