BALER, Aurora — In the coastal town of Baler, a two-day Eligibility Assessment Workshop held on February 4–5, 2026 at AMCO Beach Resort brought together environmental defenders and grassroots leaders to strengthen the foundations of community-based organizations in the province.
The initiative, led by Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) and Aurora State College of Technology - Institute of Environmental Governance (ASCOT-IEG), aimed to equip current SGP-7 grantees and prospective partners with the legal and administrative tools needed for long-term sustainability. Legal experts guided participants through registration requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including ESPARC navigation, drafting Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and completing key notarized documents.
Financial transparency was also emphasized as a cornerstone of environmental stewardship. Sessions on preparing Audited Financial Reports and submitting the General Information Sheet (GIS) underscored the importance of compliance, accountability, and maintaining stakeholder trust.
Designed as a hands-on workshop rather than a lecture series, facilitators worked directly with participants in completing forms and uploading documents to the SEC portal. Each organization left with a clear action plan and timeline, marking a shift from readiness to tangible results. With strengthened legal and administrative foundations, Aurora’s environmental groups are now better positioned to deliver lasting conservation impact across the province.
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