Central Visayas Chiefs Convene For Better Implementation Of LGC

The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the umbrella organization of all the leagues and elected officials in the country, convened the governors and heads of the leagues in regions Central Visayas and Negros Region, for the Regional Dialogues of the “#ParaSaBayan: Pagtataguyod ng Makabuluhang Adhikain ng Pamamahalang Lokal” advocacy at the Quest Hotel, Cebu City last Dec. 11, 2015.

The dialogue was attended by governors and heads representing the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) with the objective to push for better implementation of policies and program advocacies gearing up national and local action in realizing the principles of the Local Government Code.

The thrust of the #ParaSaBayan advocacy, pushes for the principle of performance measurements coupled with incentives and capacity-building; local fiscal reforms in key service delivery areas such as health, education, local economic development, and evidence-based policy making through technologies; and participatory governance (LGC).

Present during the dialogue are Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. of Oriental Mindoro, president of ULAP; Governor Edgar Chatto of Bohol; Governor Ruel Degamo of Negros Oriental; Governor Zaldy Villa of Siquijor; Mayor Mei Ling Quezon of LMP Siquijor, Siquijor; Mayor Dean Villa of LMP Larena, Siquijor; Mayor Bentham Dela Cruz, LMP president of Negros Oriental; Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, LNB president of Bohol; Engr. Ernie Mapa (representing Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr. of Negros Occidental) and Benigno Christopher Lucero (representing Governor Hilario P. Davide III of Cebu).

Also present are ULAP Executive Director Czarina Medina-Guce, Assistant Secretary Maxine Tanya Hamada and Director for Meaningful Devolution Karen Villanueva of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7, and George Parilla, Public Sector Lead of Microsoft Philippines.

The dialogue and consultation was followed by a ceremonial signing of the commitment done by the governors and participants to the #ParaSaBayan advocacy.

“Next year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Local Government Code and the launching of this dialogue is a good step towards bringing in the messages of unity, as well as the message of collaboration as we also strengthen the capacities of the local governments, in due time more programs and projects will be implemented in the local level, “said Chatto at the press conference.

“We would like to thank ULAP for really pushing for a meaning devolution. Without ULAP, the local governments will not have a voice, so definitely all the stakeholders will support and commit to come up with this meaningful devolution,” Villa said.

The dialogue is the second of a series of consultations covering all regions in the country.

by Heart Rizarri