To promote and advance practices of participatory governance, representatives of the City Government and civil society organizations (CSOs) underwent Introduction to Safe Space in Governance: Trust Building, Coalition Building and Management, and Consensus Building Training with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the city’s CSO Desk Unit at the City Library on August 15, 2024.

Mr. Jedel Ervin Tabamo and Mr. Adonis Corales, City Governance Coordinator and City Coordinator of the USAID CHANGE Project, respectively, shared knowledge and skills on the basics of safe space with the participants through the following training sessions:

Session 1: Safe Space as an Approach to Participatory Governance and Trust Building in Governance

Session 2: Coalition Building and Management

Session 3: Consensus Building

Session 4: Promoting Safe Space in Governance

Aside from the training, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Dr. Joseph M. De Guzman provided an overview of the newly approved City Ordinance No. 2024-17 or the City of San Fernando Citizen Empowerment Ordinance. A copy of the ordinance was then turned over to Mr. Mario Anacleto M. Zamoranos, Chairperson of the City of San Fernando, La Union (CSFLU) Local People’s Council.

City Councilors Hon. Arnel A. Almazan, Hon. Janwell E. Pacio, and Hon. Quintin L. Balcita, Jr. authored the said ordinance to initiate a system of partnership in local governance between the City Government and the people of CSFLU.

Safe space in governance promotes diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility among the citizens and all stakeholders. It further provides opportunity to the people to express and communicate freely with the local government.

Kakabsat, having inclusivity as one of the core values of the City Government, we will strengthen our participative governance and together, we will foster a safer #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo.