1,000 newly-elected officials to attend DILG governance course

July 5, 2019

Around 1,000 newly-elected local chief executives will undergo 3-day orientation course on good local governance this month.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya in a press briefing on Friday said the program aims to enhance the competencies of the newly-elected officials “in carrying out their new tasks as leaders in community development while promoting peace and resilience towards community development.”

He said the new officials are provincial governors, city and municipal mayors;

Sangguniang members and the ARMM ( Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) governor or chief minister are directed to participate in the various capacity development initiatives under the NEO program.

"This is a mandatory requirement of the DILG," said Malaya.

He said the first set for the orientation are 81 provincial governors on July 8 to 10.

"They are expected to craft their First 100 Days Plan and the Executive Agenda," said Malaya.

The course is composed of five modules: local governance and the evolving role of local leaders, building resilient local governments, leadership for peace and development, localizing the Philippine anti-illegal drugs strategy, solution-seeking sessions on key governance issues, and setting your governance in motion. 

Among the topics to be discussed are duties, responsibilities and accountabilities of elected officials; disaster preparedness protocols for LGUs; role of leaders in building peaceful, secure and developed communities, and in advancing the anti-illegal drugs strategy; retooled community support program; wielding technology for the enhancement of local governance; and strategic management.

Malaya said officials who will fail to attend the event will be asked to explain through a show cause order and may face administrative charges if the DILG is not satisfied with their reason.

“If a local chief executive wants to receive the DILG Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for his LGU, the best way to start is to actively participate in the 2019 NEO Program,” said Malaya.

The schedule of the orientation course is as follows: July 8 to 10 for all provincial governors in Metro Manila; July 10 to 12 for all city mayors in Metro Manila; July 16 to18 for Luzon municipal mayors of Regions I, III, and IV-A in Metro Manila; July 17 to 19 for municipal mayors in Regions II, CAR, MIMAROPA, and V in Metro Manila; July 24 to 26 for Mindanao municipal mayors in Davao City; and July 29 to 31 for Visayas municipal mayors in Cebu City.

Malaya said this program will not stop once the officials attend the orientation.

"This will be a continuing program of the DILG because we want to instill good governance," said Malaya.

The DILG urged all local officials to attend

"There is no reason for them to come here in Manila. There are funds available to cover their accommodation and transportation. I hope they take this seriously as this will be for their constituents," he said.  Ella Dionisio/DMS