To ensure the implementation of an effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system in its operations, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) conducted an orientation to enhance the capacity and skills of the Regional Office Program Focal Persons in utilizing the LGA Monitoring and Evaluation System (LGAMES) which is designed to report and monitor the Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) of the Local Government Academy (LGA).

A system for systematically tracking implementation and outputs of PPAs, the LGAMES plays a crucial role in measuring the effectiveness of the LGA PPAs being implemented, and when necessary, determining the corresponding interventions needed for improvement.

In her opening message, Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III articulated the necessity of having an effective and efficient M&E system in DILG-NCR through the LGAMES. “The failure to satisfactorily monitor and evaluate projects can result in major negative impacts on our ability to determine the viability and sustainability of public investment and measure its economic and financial rates of return and thereby justify its having been made in the first place,” RD Agustin said.

LGOO IV Christopher Llarenas of the LGA led a comprehensive discussion on the Guidelines on the Monitoring and Reporting of Accomplishments for LGA PPAs  — placing emphasis on the use of the LGAMES and detailing the different roles users play in the utilization of the system.

For an effective assimilation of the LGAMES, ISA III Dennis Munchua of the LGA provided a walkthrough of the system. The hands-on, immersive demonstration of the system provided an avenue for the Regional Office personnel to present their recommendations and ideas to the LGA in order to make the system more user-friendly.

As part of DILG-NCR’s commitment in enhancing and elevating its M&E mechanisms, LGOO III Mary Rose Mabato introduced DILG-NCR’s CapDev Registry. An initiative of the Office of the Regional Director (ORD) and the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), the CapDev Registry seeks to consolidate and streamline all the capacity development programs and activities of DILG-NCR into a single system. Still in its early stages of development, the CapDev Registry is expected to be launched and made fully functional by next semester.

Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn Baltazar-Cortez closed the event by reiterating the critical points raised throughout the discussions. “Today’s activity is crucial, as an effective M&E system will allow our organization to not only measure performance, but also implement improvements,” ARD Baltazar Cortez emphasized.