In a significant step toward enhanced transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3 formalized its partnership with civil society organizations through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing on July 8, 2025. The agreement marks the official launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Localization – Third Party Monitoring for Transparency, Accountability, and Citizen Participation (TPM-TACP) initiative in Central Luzon.

The signing ceremony, held at the DILG Regional Office 3, brought together key figures committed to good governance. Representing the DILG were DILG Region 3 Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose, CESO III, and Assistant Regional Director Jay E. Timbreza, CESO IV. Underscoring the crucial role of civil society in this endeavor were Mr. Sandino Soliman, Executive Director of the Caucus of Development NGO (CODE-NGO) Network, Inc., and Ms. Rosie Romines, Membership Development Officer of the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA).

The signing ceremony, held at the DILG Regional Office 3, brought together key figures committed to good governance. Representing the DILG were DILG Region 3 Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose, CESO III, and Assistant Regional Director Jay E. Timbreza, CESO IV. Underscoring the crucial role of civil society in this endeavor were Mr. Sandino Soliman, Executive Director of the Caucus of Development NGO (CODE-NGO) Network, Inc., and Ms. Rosie Romines, Membership Development Officer of the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA).

The TPM-TACP aims to offer independent and objective documentation of the DILG's localization process for the Open Government Partnership. This partnership ensures that, through third-party monitoring by civil society organizations, commitments to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation are not only upheld but also translated into meaningful improvements at the local level.

Regional Director San Jose emphasized the DILG's commitment to the principles of open government: “This MOA signing is a testament to our dedication to fostering a more transparent and accountable government, with the active involvement of our citizens. The insights and oversight provided by our civil society partners through TPM-TACP will be invaluable in achieving our shared goals.”

The OGP Localization, strengthened by the solid partnership with TPM-TACP, aims to increase public trust, enhance the efficiency of local government units, and empower citizens to actively engage in decision-making processes. With the MOA now in force, DILG Region 3 and its civil society partners are poised to embark on a collective journey toward a more open, accountable, and participatory government in Central Luzon.