The Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) formally launched the National Capital Region Local Infrastructure Learning Hub (LILHub) through a ceremonial signing with Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and academic institutions, marking a significant step toward strengthening infrastructure governance, technical capacity, and disaster resilience across the region at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City on August 24, 2026.

The partnership seeks to institutionalize a collaborative platform where government agencies, local government units (LGUs), civil society, and the academe can share technical expertise, strengthen local capacities, and develop evidence-based approaches to infrastructure monitoring and assessment.

This initiative recognizes that while national policies and programs provide the framework for infrastructure governance, LGUs remain at the forefront of protecting communities and ensuring the safety of public infrastructure. Effective infrastructure assessment, however, requires specialized civil and structural engineering expertise, continuous field mentoring, targeted capacity development, and reliable vulnerability data.

“Taos-puso kong pinaniniwalaan na bagamat mahalaga ang kakayahan ng bawat isa, limitado ang tagumpay na maaari nating maabot nang nag-iisa. Subalit sa ating pagbubuklod, walang pangarap na masyadong malayo at walang hamon na hindi natin kayang lampasan. Mas malayo at mas matatag ang ating mararating kapag tayo ay sama-sama,” DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III emphasized, underscoring the importance of convergence in building resilient communities.

The ceremonial signing brought together leaders and representatives from key government agencies, the academe, civil society, and development organizations who share a common commitment to disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure.

Among the distinguished LILHub partners who signed were MMDA Deputy Chairperson Frisco S. San Juan Jr. and Atty. Crisanto C. Saruca Jr., Director IV and Head of the Metropolitan Public Safety Office; DOST-NCR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Support Services Ms. Bianca Claudette R. Canlas; NCRPO Regional Director PBGen Arnold Thomas Ibay; BFP-NCR Assistant Regional Director FSSUPT Crossib C. Cante; BJMP-NCR Regional Director JCSUPT Baby Noel P. Montalvo; Catholic Relief Services Country Representative Jonas H. Tetangco; Quezon City University President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza; and Colegio de Muntinlupa College President Dr. Teresita C. Fortuna, CESO III. Their participation reflects the shared recognition that resilient infrastructure is a collective responsibility requiring sustained cooperation across sectors. DILG-NCR Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) Assistant Chief Dennis R. De Paz and Project Development and Management Unit-National Capital Region (PDMU-NCR) Chief Ronald R. Portales served as the ceremony’s witnesses.

The establishment of the LILHub marks a timely and strategic step in DILG-NCR’s continuing efforts to strengthen local infrastructure governance and enhance project monitoring across the National Capital Region. Building on this commitment to promote compliance, institutional accountability, and continuous improvement, DILG-NCR, through the Project Development and Management Unit-National Capital Region (PDMU-NCR), recently conducted the Capacity Building Training on Infrastructure Audit and Facility Safety Assessment. The training equipped engineers, technical personnel, and concerned officers from various agencies with the essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively apply the harmonized infrastructure audit tools across the region. This initiative further advances the objectives of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-071, which encourages Regional Offices to establish Local Infrastructure Learning Hubs as dynamic platforms for sustained technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous capacity development.

The LILHub will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, technical mentoring, capacity building, data generation, and collaborative problem-solving, enabling partners to contribute their respective expertise toward a common regional infrastructure resilience agenda.

Through the LILHub, DILG-NCR envisions a stronger and more coordinated approach to infrastructure monitoring where technical standards are harmonized, infrastructure risks are better understood, and LGUs are equipped to make informed decisions that protect lives and communities.

The ceremonial signing thus represents more than a formal commitment among institutions. It signals a collective pledge to transform expertise into action, data into preparedness, and partnerships into lasting resilience. Together, DILG-NCR and its LILHub partners reaffirm their commitment to building a safer, stronger, and more disaster-resilient National Capital Region.