The Negros Oriental Network of non-government and people’s organizations has denied that militant left-leaning groups have penetrated their ranks.

At its 17th anniversary press conference Monday, Bert Aquino of NEGORNET said that, in fact, they have been closely linked to the provincial government as partners in the promotion of good and effective governance and development.

Some groups identified with the left had initially signed up for membership with the umbrella network, NEGORNET, but did not last long enough and initially just dropped out of the roster, Aquino said.

There are at least 25 NGOs and POs that are active members of NEGORNET and are involved in various collaborations with the provincial government, NEGORNET president, Msgr. Merlin Logronio, said.

Established in 1992, the NEGORNET aims to forge a closer working relation between NGOs and POs and local government units, Logronio said.

It is through NEGORNET that the voices of the different sectors and the civilian populace can be represented and heard, he added.

One of its landmark activities started three or four years ago is the annual Timbayayong Awards, given to projects that reflect the limelight of cooperation between an NGO/PO and a local government unit on development projects.

“The cooperation of the private sector and the strong voice of civil society can influence the decision and governance of public officials,” Logronio said.

It is also through NEGORNET that we can make these sectors visible in local development councils to push for and effect significant change, he added.*JFP

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