To ensure a fully compliant and timely devolution of basic services and facilities to LGUs in 2022, the DILG-NCR rolled out the Devolution Transition Plans (DTP) Quality Assessment Tool (QAT) to its Field Offices on January 20, 2022, via Zoom Teleconferencing.

The DTP QAT is the initial mechanism of the Department to assess the quality and completeness of LGU DTPs. As the primary instrument in operationalizing transition to full devolution, the LGUs must ensure that their respective DTPs adhere to the mandated process as measured by the QAT during assessments. Through discussions and simulations, participants from all 17 LGUs in NCR learned the guidelines in utilizing the tool and conducting the quality assessment.

City Directors, MLGOOs, Cluster Heads as well as their respective DTP Focal Persons attended the activity which guarantees a pool of technical experts that will carry out the assessment of barangay DTPs and continue to provide support to LGUs. In turn, the DILG Regional Office will evaluate the DTPs submitted by the cities and municipalities of NCR.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin highlighted the significance of the DTP QAT in validating the completeness, compliance and effectiveness of the DTPs submitted by the LGUs, and set into motion the transition to full devolution.

“This topic is crucial in our effort to ensure that the devolution process will proceed with alignment to both the national and local development agenda, and a dedication to delivering quality government service to the people,” she said.

Division Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), Helen Verzosa, acquainted the Field Offices on the guidelines of the DTP QAT – placing emphasis in the parameters of assessment in order to efficiently determine and verify the LGU DTPs’ completeness of required information, adherence to the processes and alignment to national plans and strategies.

For an effective assimilation of the DTP QAT, DMO IV Leonides Frago Jr. provided a walk through on the assessment forms and consolidated report sheet. The results of these assessments will serve as the basis for formulating guidelines and improving the quality of DTPs and thereby smoothen the path towards full devolution starting this 2022.

DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn Baltazar-Cortez closed the event by encouraging all field officers in the conduct of the assessment while assuring them of the Regional Management’s support.

“The fundamental goal of the QAT is to assess the quality and compliance of the LGU DTPs, which will consequently lay the groundwork in further enhancing the DTPs. In boosting the capacity of the LGUs, we move one step closer in achieving our goal of full devolution this year.” ## DMO III Ma. Pamela G. Ferino