To extend public service to localities and improve citizen participation, Mindanao State University -General Santos and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 collaborated on Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) project. On June 25, 2023, the two parties formalized their agreement at the Conference Hall, Y-Building, marking the commencement of a five-year community project that encompasses the entire Region 12.
The CSIS was developed as a data-gathering tool to assess citizen satisfaction with regard to the economic and human development agenda-setting of Local Government Units (LGUs). This project aims to enable citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively participate in local governance and demand accountability from local authorities.
DILG-Gensan Director Rimlin H. Sandoval provided the rationale for the project during the event. “DILG envisions LGUs that are self-reliant, development-centered, safe, peaceful, socially protective, business-friendly, environmentally protective, as well as transparent, accountable, and participative,” she remarked. She further stated that LGUs should have the capacity to respond to the needs of their citizens. CSIS will serve as a tool to collect relevant data and empower LGUs to align their policies and administrations in response to societal demands.
DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III delivered an opening message to the attendees of the MOA signing. “The CSIS is a set of data tools designed to collect and generate relevant citizen feedback on the local government service delivery performance and on the citizens’ general satisfaction,” she remarked. She also highlighted the project’s aims to increase participation in local governance where citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) are made capable of extracting accountability from the authority on service delivery performance.
Chancellor JD. Usman D. Aragasi, MPA in his message, underscored the importance of partnership and collaboration between the university and local government agencies. “The government now is trying to involve every citizen in the decision making, and in fact, the part of the university is by doing this [partnership]. If there is an institution of the government that will serve as a model in transparency participatory, in molding the stakeholders, it should be the university,” he remarked.
Also in attendance during the event were VC for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mishell D. Lawas, VC for Research, Extension, and Innovation Dr. Jaime A. Namocatcat, VC for Planning and Development, Prof. Sheila J. Loable, VC for Admin and Finance Ms. Nurleila G. Canacan, MPA, Extension Director, Dr. Keno Jay M. Balogbog, Research Director, Dr. Christine Dawn G. Obemio, Office of International Affairs Director, Prof. Beverly T. Garcia, University Registrar, Prof. Tersa I. Castillo, Project Manager, Prof. Berlita Disca, LGMED Chief, LGOO VII Musarapha A. Alim, Asst. Regional Director Lailyn A. Ortiz, CESO V, other staff from the DILG, and the rest of the faculty and staff from MSU-General Santos.
Moving forward, local governments will be monitored using both qualitative and quantitative data tools for interpretation. “We hope to see a fruitful partnership in the next few years,” Regional Director Cabrido-Leysa remarked, seeing hope for this new partnership.
