In a continued effort to promote data-driven governance and responsive public service, West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VI signed a Memorandum of Agreement on June 13, 2025, for the implementation of the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS)—a performance-based tool designed to gather citizen feedback and strengthen local government accountability.
The event was led by Dr. Celina C. Gellada, Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences of WVSU, and Maria Calpiza J. Sardua, CESO IV, Assistant Regional Director of DILG Region VI.
Dr. Alexander Balsomo, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), welcomed the guests and emphasized the significance of the initiative in enhancing public service.
“Today marks yet another milestone in the long-standing partnership between WVSU and the DILG—one built on mutual trust, shared vision, and an enduring commitment to responsive and evidence-based governance. In the past years, our collaborative efforts have yielded valuable insights into citizen satisfaction and public service delivery, and we look forward to continuing this vital work with renewed energy and purpose”, Dr. Balsomo said.
The CSIS, a flagship project under the DILG’s CSO/PPPP initiatives, is a performance management tool designed to gather relevant data on citizens’ satisfaction with their local government’s service delivery. Guided by DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-041, the 2023–2028 CSIS aims to empower local governments through data-informed agenda-setting, ultimately making LGUs more attuned to the needs of their constituents.
WVSU’s involvement in CSIS aligns with its track record of excellence in research and community engagement. The university was recognized with the DILG-LGA CapDev Game Changer Award in December 2023 for its outstanding contributions to capacity development in governance and public service.
The signing ceremony was attended by key officials from both institutions, including DC Medel Espinosa, Division Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division; PM Karen Joy Mansuelo, CSIS Program Manager; local government operations officers from DILG Region VI and DILG Iloilo City; Prof. Shim Lester de Pio, Faculty Regent of the WVSU Board of Regents; Dr. Reymund B. Flores, Director of the University Planning and Development Office; and faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences.
The event concluded with a shared affirmation of the vital role that academic-government partnerships play in building a more transparent, accountable, and citizen-centered public service.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
