On September 9, 2025, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Vigan City together with the City CSO Desk Office and the Sangguniang Panlungsod Office, conducted the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Conference and Selection of CSO Representatives to the Local Special Bodies (LSBs) at the Vigan Culture and Trade Center (VCTC).

The event was attended by City Mayor Randy Singson, represented by SPM Ramil Arce, Chairperson of the Committee on Good Local Governance, together with City Vice Mayor Atty. Glendale Benzon, SPM Kisses Marquisse Agdamag-Lim, Chairperson of the Committee on Rules, SPM Joy Benette Orio, and SPM Karen Baquiran. Also present were DILG Ilocos Sur LGOO Amer Jerel De Castro, CSO Focal Person; CLGOO Cesarieta Pestano; City Planning and Development Officer Ma. Roxane Villanueva, represented by Mr. Desiderius Martinez; and Vigan City CSO Desk Officer Franco Que.

A total of 46 organizations participated in the activity, which provided an overview of the important role of CSOs in strengthening participatory governance. Discussions also included the guidelines for accreditation and the process of selecting representatives to the LSBs, as well as other avenues for CSO engagement. The sectoral committees likewise presented the outputs of their workshops.

During the conference, CSO representatives were selected to sit in various local bodies such as the Local Health Board (LHB), Local Development Council (LDC), Local School Board (LSB), City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), and the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC).

One of the highlights of the activity was the election of the Local People’s Council (LPC) officers for 2025–2028. Elected officers include Former Mayor and Balikatan President Eva Marie S. Medina as the President, Ms. Ocarna Figuerres of the Vigan Accommodation Entrepreneurs Association as Vice President, Ms. Celestina Chan of Metro Vigan Zumba Dancers Alliance Inc. as Secretary, Mr. Benjie Buen of the Rotary Club of Vigan as Treasurer, Ms. Susan Ancheta of the Retired City Employees of Vigan Association Inc. as Auditor, Mr. Jay Leonard Roldan of Maris ti Ayat Inc. as Public Relations Officer, Arch. Nico Pilotin from the United Architects of the Philippines as Business Manager, and Joseph Lu of PRAISE Vigan Chapter as Sergeant-at-Arms.

The activity highlighted the continuing collaboration between the City and civil society in ensuring that policies, programs, and projects of Vigan City remain inclusive, transparent, and participatory.