The City of Mandaluyong, through the DILG Mandaluyong Field Office, headed by City Director John Patrick D. Megia, CESO V, hosted the DILG-NCR Regional Team Conference (RTC) last August 7, 2023 at the Westside Grill, Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong City.

The RTC is a regularly held meeting that serves as a platform for executives of the regional office to discuss concerns and to share updates regarding the implementation of various programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), ongoing or planned. It is also a venue where the DILG-NCR Division Chiefs briefly discussed the accomplishments from the 1st semester and the targets for the 2nd semester of 2023.

Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Sr. and Vice Mayor Carmelita Abalos welcomed the conferees and expounded on the rationale behind the development of the Garden of Life Park, a highly successful attempt to simultaneously fill a public need, generate additional income for the city and create a green public space that people can enjoy.

Made part of the RTC’s program of activities is a tour of the Garden of Life, touted as one of the host city’s projects that exemplify best practices in the use of local government resources for a public good. Mr. Leandro Natividad, Officer-in-Charge of the City of Life Park welcomed the RTC contingents, where they saw firsthand the Garden of Life project, a cemetery, columbarium, crematorium, and chapel, all built in one contiguous location.

Architect Abraham Raposon of the City Planning & Development Department and City Licensed Embalmer and Garden of Life Focal Person Christopher Aquino led the tour of the park, explaining its various features and plans for further development in the future.

In the area of tourism governance, Mr. Nolan V. Angeles, Head of the City Cultural Affairs & Tourism Department, provided an overview of the Mandaluyong Tourism and Cultural Development Plan, which contains the plans and programs to promote tourism in the city, mainly by improving tourist-oriented facilities and enhancing the overall tourism experience.

Former Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Atty. Jesse Cruz also joined the RTC and forwarded the idea of involving leagues such as the Vice Mayor’s League to further expand and strengthen civil society organization and stakeholder participation in local government affairs.

Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, expressed her gratitude to Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Sr., Vice Mayor Carmelita Abalos, and the DILG Mandaluyong Field Office staff for hosting and organizing the conduct of the RTC. The RTC ended with a summation of the discussions held during the RTC, which include the overview of second semester plans and targets for 2023, to be further discussed with the designated planning officers of the DILG Field Offices.