The program opened on the first day with a message from the Country Director of KAS Philippines, who shared the organization’s continued commitment to advancing good governance initiatives in the country. This was followed by a lively recap of Module 2, after which the mayor-fellows presented updates on their ongoing efforts to institutionalize their respective people’s councils as a follow-through to their pledges of commitment.

Day 1 also featured a talk about concepts, pillars, and practical applications of people empowerment. This was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from various non-government organizations, who shared how they advance their advocacies through partnerships with government institutions.

The second day was likewise filled with insightful talks, discussions, and workshops led by various organizations. It began with an engaging session on innovations in participatory governance and digital engagement, followed by a discussion on how citizen participation can be leveraged to prevent graft and corruption. The final set of speakers came from well-established foundations in the country, who shared how their organizations have supported local government units in institutionalizing people empowerment initiatives.

The module concluded with a term-planning session, during which the mayors outlined their next steps toward strengthening people empowerment and participation in their respective localities. This activity reinforced their shared commitment to building a future anchored on the values of matino, mahusay, at may puso.

We extend our sincere gratitude to KAS Philippines, our resource speakers, and most especially our mayor-fellows for their active participation and continued support.