VISION
To empower local leaders to govern openly and effectively through quality Christian education in local governance, thereby strengthening their Christian values and moral character as they serve God and the community.
As the lead advocate of the University on indigenous peoples’ (IPs) concerns, it envisions to bring IPs into the mainstream of society through discussions, publications, research and development with a Christian perspective.
MISSION OF CLGIPS
To initiate and facilitate programs and projects for the empowerment of local government units and indigenous peoples in Panay.
To carry out activities that would enhance the participation of the local government units and other sectors in promoting transparent and accountable governance, and conduct activities that would empower the IP’s in Panay so as to promote and preserve their unique cultural beliefs and practices.
Historical Background of CLGIPS
Last February 23, 2015, Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City launched the Center for Local Governance and Indigenous Peoples Studies (CLGIPS). This Center is the official arm of the University to carry out programs and projects concerning local governance and indigenous peoples. Services included are training, consultancy, research, development of short term programs both online and offline, and publications. Prior to the establishment of CLGIPS, CPU has been involved in local governance and indigenous peoples programs and projects. Several partners including, among others, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Transparency and Accountability Network, the World Bank through the Knowledge for Development Community, and CityNet-Yokohama. The institutionalization of the Center wasmade possible through a grant from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (United Board).
Further, the Center is now a partner of the Western Visayas Network of NGO’s. Such partnership aims to strengthen the linkage between civil society organizations and the academe in delivering services to the people in the community, specifically on its goal to create a disaster hub that can provide immediate response to people during calamities.
Currently, the CLGIPS and the Knowledge for Development Community has an on – going engagement with the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance of De La Salle University in implementing the project “Universities and Knowledge Partnerships for Open Government” supported by Hivos, Institute of Development Studies at University of Sussex and Global Integrity under the “Making All Voices Count” Program.
The Center is also a recipient of a bamboo grant of the United Board for a project on Promoting Innovative Barangay Level Programs through Service Learning within July 2017 to May 2018.