CBCP eyes partnership with gov’t agencies, groups to boost accountability to the marginalized

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is looking to partner with government agencies and civil society groups to improve services for the marginalized.

“We will really try to come up with a partnership with each of them (government agencies) so that, first of all, the services that are intended for the people will be delivered to the kinauukulan at ma-monitor natin ‘yun (to them and we can monitor it),” San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said in a press conference on Monday.

“It's about helping each other to be more accountable and to make sure that we really, truly serve the poorest of the poor and those most in need. Maging responsive yung mga programs (So that program would be responsive to the needs of the people),” he added.

Alminaza, who is also Caritas Philippines president, shared that the CBCP's social action arm will hold its National Social Action General Assembly (NASAGA) 2026 in February, where government officials are invited to engage in a dialogue.

The event also gathers clergy, religious, and social action workers from dioceses nationwide to reflect on the “Church’s mission for social justice, peace, and transformative action amid current social challenges.”

Meanwhile, CBCP president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa said he is open to meeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and discussing efforts “that would be good, especially for the Filipino people.”

CBCP earlier denounced corruption in flood control projects and demanded that the money that had been stolen from taxpayers be returned. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News