LGA, DILG start training local officials in Eastern Visayas

By MYLES COLASITO
June 25, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Thirty-five (35) new mayors in the region attended the “First 100 Days” seminar of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted on June 21-22, 2010 at the Sabin Resort in Ormoc City.

The live-in, free seminar which is a part of the second component of the 2010 Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Program was held simultaneously with other regions throughout the country, to prepare the new mayors for their tasks even before they assume office on June 30.

Next month and up to August, DILG rolls out a different training for all mayors, vice-mayors, called “Knowing My LGU”. This is an on-site “utilization conference” to familiarize mayors, vice-mayors, and sanggunian members on their town's state of local governance, state of development and financial capacity based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) to help them prepare their respective term-based plans.

Executive Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo of the DILG-Local Government Academy which oversees all DILG training programs, urged the neophyte mayors to learn from their more seasoned colleagues, especially on resource mobilization.

DILG-8 Regional Director Francisco C. Jose for his part urged the mayors to provide clear, concise and realizable vision of their municipality, and to exercise prudent use of their corporate powers. Likewise, he encouraged mayors to be magnanimous victors, and tap all resources and sectors to increase productivity and achieve their goals.

Heads of government oversight agencies: DILG, Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, as well as Parole and Probation Administration offered insights on common problems in local governance and held a dialog with participants.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, DENR, DSWD, Department of Health, and Philhealth likewise presented their programs for possible partnerships with LGUs.

Much of the questions put forth by training participants centered on appointments, succession of vacancies, local discipline, sharing of the Internal Revenue Allotment, environment, and local government – national government relations.

On the first day, Mayor Melchor Nacario of Calbiga, Samar shared his thoughts on protecting the environment and Leonardo Ubalde of Galing Pook highlighted some characteristics of local best practices.

On the second day, Mayor Roque Tiu of Tanauan, Leyte discussed revenue generation and fostering a business-friendly LGU. Both mayors have received awards in the past for their exemplary programs.

Towards the end of the seminar the mayors crafted their draft agenda for the first 100 days of office.

Out of a total of 143 local chief executives (mayors and governors) In Eastern Visayas, there are 50 new municipal mayors, two (2) new city mayors, and four (4) new governors.  All of them are to undergo trainings and conferences by DILG together with the rest of the new set of local officials in preparation for their three year term.

The 2010 DILG Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Program has four components. Ensuring Smooth Transition mandates the creation of LGU transition teams to organize data, prepare transition documents, and develop briefing schedules to facilitate smooth transition in the LGU operations, as well as the conduct of a turnover ceremony between old and new officials.

The first track of Laying the Foundation component includes the First 100 Days and Knowing my LGU, while the second, Learning from the Experiences of My Peers involves mentoring and is led by the leagues of local officials.