Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in Central Luzon graced DILG R-3’s Forum on LGU Best Practices and Disaster Preparedness on October 15, 2014 at Fontana Convention Center, Clarkfield Mabalacat City. This is part of the celebration of the 23rd Local Government Code Anniversary.
LCEs in identified provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays in the region shared their best practices and the strategies they carried out in order to excel in specific areas of governance. Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. presented the province’ Livelihood Employment Project. The Provincial Government provides job for those indigents who come to them for financial support and medical assistance. According to Gov Ebdane, he takes pride in giving them an opportunity to earn through their own efforts.
Punong Barangay Ramiro Tigas of Cataning, Balanga City shared how their Barangay consistently stand out in Lupong Tagapamayapa. On the other hand, Olongapo City Mayor Rollen Paulino highlighted the City’s recent experience on the devastating effects of Typhoon Odette and leptospirosis outbreak and how they managed to survive, overcome and innovate disaster preparedness activities.
On e-Governance, San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Leonora Wong gave emphasis on the municipality’s electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System and how it benefited not only the LGU but the people as well. Likewise, Capas, Tarlac Mayor Antonio Rodriguez tackled Indigenous People Mandatory Representation (IPMR) in Local Sanggunian. He mentioned that Capas was the first municipality in Central Luzon that gave recognition to indigenous people by having an IP representative in the local sanggunian.
A topic on the Implementation of Locally-Funded Projects was presented by Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Mayor Ronaldo Flores who thanked the DILG for assisting the municipality in completing their program under the Salintubig Project which is certainly of big help to the residents. Also, CPDO Regina Delos Reyes who represented City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Reynaldo San Pedro shared subject on Informal Settler Families (ISF). They embraced the ISF as part of their constituents in building a progressive community.
Regional Director Florida Dijan in her opening message stated that the LGUs are the Department’s partners in attaining good local governance. She appreciated the LCEs who have best practices on the different areas of governance and said that indeed “Ang LGUng Magaling, May Nararating”, referring to the theme of the 23rd Local Government Code celebration.
During the forum, the maiden issue of Grassroots Participatory Process (GPP) Newsletter was launched. Likewise, cheques for the implementation of projects under GPP 2014 were distributed to ten LGUs namely: Baler, Casiguran and Dilasag, Aurora; Morong, Bataan; Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan; Laur, Licab and Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija; and Lubao and Mexico, Pampanga. The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) AVP was presented.
Towards the end of the forum, OIC ARD Abraham Pascua thanked all participants and gave a brief synthesis on all the activities conducted.
