Abstract
This paper describes the efforts of the NGO coalition, Kaabag, to push forward the concerns of the urban poor in the local governance processes of Cebu City in the Philippines. In the 12 years since it was established, Kaabag has engaged and collaborated with city government on a range of issues, including housing, livelihoods, governance, children and women. The paper outlines the strategies, issues and progress in each of these areas, detailing the contribution of specific NGOs. It offers an analysis of the outcomes of this engagement, and concludes with a discussion of the challenges and lessons learned over the decade.