By PETER A. BALOCNIT / PIA-CAR-Kalinga
www.nordis.net

TABUK, Kalinga — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) accredited two non-government organizations after they complied with all the requirements.

The SP unanimously approved recently twin resolutions after it concurred with the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Ethics chaired by Board Member Gelacio Bongngat.

The International Association for Transformation (IAT) and the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) were recognized in separate SP resolutions.

Foremost requirement before their accreditation is their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), constitution and by-laws, articles of incorporation, and membership profile.

The SP finds it necessary to accredit NGOs that operate in the province to ensure their existence is legitimate and determine if they could be of help in implementing programs and projects of the local government units (LGUs).

“As provided under the Local Government Code empowering LGUs to accredit NGOs, we see the urgency and the need to recognize IAT and CDPC since they have been operating for so many years and have been partners of the provincial LGU in development,” board member Gelacio Bongngat said in his defense of the move.

He said under the local government code, NGOs are also identified members of mandated councils, however, such NGOs must be duly accredited and recognized by the LGU legislative bodies first before it can represent the sector.

It can be recalled that IAT represented the NGOs in several committees of the province, the latest is its partnership in implementing the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project (CHARMP2) in 20 barangays of five municipalities in the province. # nordis.net