On May 20, 2026, esteemed members and representatives from the University of Baguio and the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR) exchanged civic discussions and ideas to strengthen the role of civil society organizations in local governance and community development. Forming a significant partnership through a formally signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish the Cordillera ‘CivicAdemy‘ initiative.
Having the first Civil Society Organization (CSO) Academy in Northern Luzon, the step toward improving civic education in the area gives the university (along with other esteemed institutional partners) the lead in major academic institutions supporting the program’s implementation. Intended to be a structured platform to provide CSO training, tools, and practical knowledge to better engage with local government units.
With the institution being among four academic institutions tapped for the program, alongside Saint Louis University (SLU), the University of the Cordilleras (UC), and Benguet State University (BSU)
Civic Partnerships for Accountable and Participatory Governance
Anchored on the principles of the Open Government Partnership, the signing was led by university president Dr. Javier Herminio D. Bautista and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan, with DILG-CAR represented by Mr. Christian Joseph Devera, development management officer IV. The collaboration was facilitated through the Linkages Office, led by Director Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro.
The University’s Research, Innovation, Extension and Community Outreach (RIECO) Office also played a key role in the initiative, with Director Dr. Donnavilla Marie Panday-Herbster and staff Ms. Michelle Chomayag and Mr. Mark Rommel Supsudin present during the signing.
Alt Text: Highlights from the MOA signing between the University of Baguio and DILG-CAR toward transparent, accountable, and participatory governance across the Cordilleras through the ‘Civicademy’ initiative and project
Four representatives were chosen by the university as part of the program rollout, with the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) Political Science program chair, Ms. Marianne Basoyang; staff member, Ms. Jenny Agtani; RIECO director, Dr. Donnavilla Panday-Herbster; and staff members Ms. Michelle Chomayag and Mr. Mark Rommel Supsupdin being among them.
Participating in a two-tier training workshop aimed at creating learning modules for CSOs, the future training sessions for recognized organizations in the Cordillera Administrative Region will make use of these modules, such as cultivating a new generation of civic leaders who can actively contribute to transparent, accountable, and participatory governance across the Cordilleras.
Expressing the academic gumption through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4, 6, 8, 11, 16, and 17, the initiative also brings together local government units and civil society groups such as the Baguio City People’s Council, Zero Waste Baguio, the UpLife Movement, and the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative, among others.
