The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Luzon, in partnership with the Office of the Project Development Services (OPDS), successfully conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Infrastructure Audit on June 16–21, 2025, at Widus Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone. The five-day learning event equipped participants with technical knowledge and tools necessary to assess the structural integrity of public and private buildings—aiming to enhance disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience at the local level.

Strengthening Technical Capacity for Safer Infrastructure

The program officially opened on June 17, 2025, with Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, CESO III, Regional Director of DILG Central Luzon, delivering the Welcome Remarks, and Dir. Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., CESO IV, OPDS Director, giving the Opening Message.

Participants from various DILG regional offices, local government units (LGUs), field implementers from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and academic partners from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, MIMAROPA, and VIII attended the intensive training sessions.

Throughout the program, participants were introduced to the DILG’s Infrastructure Audit (IA) framework, the rationale behind the IA Program, and its legal foundations—including Republic Act No. 6541 (National Building Code) and the National Structural Code of the Philippines. The sessions highlighted the key role of LGUs in implementing infrastructure audits within their jurisdictions.

Resource speakers Engr. Wilfredo Lopez and Engr. Cesar Pabalan from the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) delivered in-depth lectures on vulnerability indicators and inspection methodologies for concrete, steel, and masonry structures.

Additionally, the OPDS team facilitated sessions on the use of the Infrastructure Audit Tool, including forms for Prioritization, Rapid Visual Screening, Detailed Building Inspection, and report generation.

Immersive Field Exercises in Angeles and Mabalacat City

A key component of the training was the onsite field exercises, where participants conducted simulated infrastructure audits in real-world settings across Angeles City and Mabalacat City.

In Mabalacat City, participants inspected the TechnoHub Building, SMX, and Park Inn Hotel. Meanwhile, in Angeles City, audit simulations were held at AC La Grande Residence Realty Development Inc., One Euphoria by Owen Macalino, and the ENTEC 2 Building.

These field activities enabled participants to apply their learnings in practical environments, assess structural conditions, and generate sample audit reports using the IA Tool.

Ways Forward: Cascading Knowledge Across LGUs

The final day featured action planning and a workshop on cascading the IA methodology to other local government units. Participants presented strategies to mainstream infrastructure audit processes within their respective areas, ensuring that the knowledge gained will be shared and institutionalized at the grassroots level.

The event concluded with a Closing Message from Assistant Director Rene V. Valera of OPDS, who emphasized the importance of continuity in building local technical capacities to support disaster-resilient infrastructure development.

A National Step Toward Local Resilience

Through this Training of Trainers, the DILG has taken a significant step in institutionalizing infrastructure audit processes at the local level. The Department remains committed to supporting LGUs in enhancing public safety, reducing disaster risks, and ensuring that infrastructure development adheres to national standards and aligns with climate resilience goals.