The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) held its Third Regional Team Conference held on May 21, 2025 at Park Inn by Radisson SM North.

As part of the mandate of the Department to continuously capacitate Local Government Units, the Regional Top Management focused their discussion on the implementation of the Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Plus +++ Program from June to August 2025. The NEO Plus+++ is the enhanced version of the NEO program of the Local Government Academy, designed to equip local officials with the tools and strategies they need to effectively respond to the evolving challenges of local governance and community development.

In her message, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III also underscored the importance of promoting transparency and efficiency of public service, emphasizing the adherence of the Regional Office to the standards of efficient service delivery under the Anti-Red Tape Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

“The upcoming NEO Plus is more than just a ceremonial onboarding. It’s an opportunity to instill the values of participatory governance, ethical leadership, and results-based management. The upcoming NEO sessions are ensured to be well-structured, relevant, and aligned with our national thrusts, especially under the directives of the President under the Bagong Pilipinas,” RD Agustin mentioned.

Taking off from implementing maximum standards for service delivery, the conference also centered on the launching of Legal Complaints Analysis, Resolution and Enforcement System or Legal CARES system which aims to streamline the monitoring of complaints to ensure timely response to clients.

More than transparency and efficiency of service, in its commitment to remain inclusive with its programs, the accomplishments of the region for Gender and Development were lauded during the conference. To sustain its efforts, the top regional management reaffirmed its commitment to Gender and Development as part of the Regional GAD Focal Point System.

Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn. R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, facilitated the open forum of the meeting while the Division Chiefs and other key focal persons responded to the issues and concerns raised by the City Directors and MLGOO.

The team conference marks a renewed commitment by the Department to uphold public trust through unified goals and responsive service, reinforcing the DILG’s role as stewards of good governance and partners in nation-building.