The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region III concluded the three day Strategic Trainings for Excellence in Local Governance and other Learning Approaches Towards a Responsive DILG R3 (STELLAR) – Optimal Retooling and Continuing Legal Education (ORACLE) at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone held on September 5-7, 2022.

 The activity participated by the DILG R3 Provincial and City Directors, Cluster Team Leaders, Program Managers, City and Municipal Local Government Operation Officers was conducted to further improve field operations and public service delivery to the Department's clienteles especially in legal concerns of the LGUs.

Various resource speakers from different agencies, with their respective field of expertise equipped participants from the entire region. Private practitioner, Atty. John Stephen Humiwat differentiated RA 11313: Safe Spaces Act from RA 7877 Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995. Also, he discussed RA 9262: Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) and tackled Cybercrime Law along with the Data Privacy Act.

DILG Legal and Legislative Liaison Service Director, Atty. Romeo P. Benitez imparted his knowledge on The New Sangguniang Kabataan, Quasi-judicial Power of Sanggunians vis-avis Appellate Power of the Higher Sanggunians and/or Office of the President, Rules on Vacancy and Succession vis-à-vis Local Government Code and AO 15 s 2018, Recent Jurisprudence concerning LGUs, and Fact-finding Activity.

DILG Regional Legal Officer, Atty. Chairmaine Jacqueline I. Paulino provided a refresher on Katarungang Pambarangay Law while Assistant Regional Director Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu of PIA Region 3 shared tips about effective Technical Writing.

Meanwhile, Atty. Maria Melissa D. Cariño of Civil Service Commission Region 3 discussed the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACS) and LifeTalk for Workplace topic was given by volunteer partner of LifeRisks, Dr. Allen C. Mallari.

Furthermore, Central Luzon Expenditure and Allocation Reporting System (CLEARS) was launched and facilitated by SAO Maria Resa B. Pangilinan with ITO Melerie G. Pineda.

Also, graced by PhilHealth representatives, Ms. Anabelle B. Imana and Ms. Elizabeth B. Capuli enlightened participants on PhilHealth Konsulta Benefit Package.

After the series of lectures, the delegates underwent an examination to determine the Top 3 achievers of each province, who will then be accredited as a lecturer (basic level) for the modules discussed in the said activity. Among all the delegates, LGOO VI Melody Valdez of DILG Aurora garnered the highest score (82%).

All in all, this activity is part of capacity building initiatives of DILG Region III for field personnel and LGUs to further bolster their technical and legal expertise on all areas of local governance.