Written by Jenny Marsha Agtani ||
Four representatives from the University of Baguio—RIECO Director Dr. Donnavila Marie Panday-Herbster, RIECO staff member Ms. Michelle Chumayag, BA Political Science Program Chair Ms. Marianne Basoyang, and STELA faculty member Ms. Jenny Marsha Agtani, actively participated in the six-day Civicademy Seminar-Workshop, held on November 12–16 and November 24–26, 2025, at Plaza Lodge, Baguio City. The Civicademy program, spearheaded by DILG-CAR in partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local resource institutes (academe), seeks to empower CSOs to become effective governance partners of Local Government Units (LGUs) through education and capacity-building.
The first three days of the program were devoted to module development, during which participants were organized into three components. Component 1 centered on values formation and leadership, with modules developed by CSO representatives and selected DILG personnel. Component 2 focused on local legislation and governance, with modules crafted by DILG officers from various field offices across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The Component 3 modules focusing on strategic communication were prepared by members of academia, specifically from Benguet State University and the University of Baguio represented by Ms. Basoyang and Ms. Agtani..
The series of learning modules developed for the initiative integrates core leadership competencies with essential soft skills to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to operate as effective, responsive, and community-oriented institutions. By strengthening the knowledge and abilities of CSOs, the Civicademy initiative goes beyond internal organizational development and directly supports the advancement of key Sustainable Development Goals, most notably, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These goals emphasize building accountable institutions, fostering civic participation, and promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships that empower communities.
This strategic alignment with SDG 16 and SDG 17 is also one of the primary reasons the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program was tapped to participate in the project. The initiative resonates with the program’s core learning outcomes, which include nurturing responsible and engaged citizenship and providing extension services that support community development. Through these contributions, the program seeks to address interconnected human, social, and environmental challenges, ensuring that academic expertise meaningfully supports sustainable and inclusive societal progress. Once fully developed and implemented, the Civicademy is expected to provide not only Political Science instructors but UB faculty members with valuable opportunities for professional growth, including engagement in community-oriented research and extension activities. This initiative promises to expand both academic and practical avenues for faculty members working at the intersection of governance, civic engagement, and community development.
The final three days of the seminar were dedicated to the official launch of the Civicademy and the Training of Trainers program. During this phase, module developers presented their work for review, critique, and enhancement. The event culminated in the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, marking the collective commitment of partner organizations. Representatives from Baguio City People’s council (BCPC), various CSOs, including the Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative (PAC), Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV), UpLife Movement and Baguio City Association of Private Schools (BCAPS), joined institutional partners such as the DILG–CAR, the Local Government unit represented by Councilor Jose Molintas, and several local resource institutions, including Benguet State University, the University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Cordilleras.
With these partnerships in place, the Civicademy aspires to become the first CSO-centered educational initiative of its kind in Luzon, laying the groundwork for a more empowered and community-driven civil society sector.
