CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) IN PANABO CITY: A BASELINE STUDY

This study explores the participation and empowerment of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Panabo City, Philippines. Using a qualitative approach, the research examines the ways in which CSOs participate in local government, their degree of empowerment, and the difficulties they encounter. The study, which used focus group discussions and interviews with important stakeholders, discovers that although CSOs actively participate in community development, their ability to influence policy-making is still constrained by a lack of funding, political backing, and robust networking systems. The research proposes several recommendations for improving the effectiveness and empowerment of CSOs in Panabo City.