The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) has successfully completed the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Localization Program: Documentation of Open Government Practices in Local Governments across the seventeen (17) Local Government Units (LGUs) in Metro Manila from July 29 to August 18, 2025. The OGP Localization Program seeks to support and empower LGUs to move beyond foundational standards and to strategically position themselves as globally competitive champions of open governance. 

With the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) as the spearhead, and in  partnership with the Institute of Politics and Governance, Inc, this initiative became possible. Through focus group discussions (FGDs) in all NCR LGUs, the program gathered representatives from the LGUs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the corresponding Field Office to capture, highlight, and showcase existing open government practices that uphold the core values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. 

This effort is in line with the Executive Order No. 31, series of 2023, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., which institutionalizes the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) to oversee and implement the country’s commitments to the OGP. It also supports DILG Memorandum Circular 2025-065, which enjoins LGUs to take the lead in promoting open government and ensuring that open government values are embedded in government policies and programs. 

The findings from this documentation shall serve as a valuable reference for DILG-NCR and other concerned agencies in crafting targeted interventions and support mechanisms that further strengthen LGUs’ capacity to advance open governance. Beyond strengthening institutional capacity, the program also encourages LGUs to scale up practices that effectively engage citizens, build trust, and improve service delivery. 

Moreover, the OGP Localization Program is expected to serve as a benchmark for LGUs and regions across the country. This initiative maps and consolidates best practices across LGUs to provide a framework for adopting local initiatives that align with both national commitments and international standards on open governance.