Under the leadership of Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG–NCR) proactively went “meta” in its approach to reform, taking a deliberate step back to critically examine, realign, and future-proof its procurement systems in accordance with the New Government Procurement Act or RA 12009. Anchored on this commitment, the DILG–NCR personnel convened its Procurement Roadmap Aligning Policies with the RA 12009 (NGPA) Meta in Baguio City on January 29–31, 2026. 

More than a compliance exercise, the activity served as a strategic planning platform where procurement personnel and key decision-makers revisited existing structures, workflows, and controls to ensure that every stage of the procurement cycle reflects the spirit and standards of the new law. Present in the activity were the regional and field contingents of the DILG National Capital Region.

The “meta” approach underscores a higher level of governance thinking which is moving beyond routine transactions to a systems-level evaluation of how procurement policies are designed, implemented, monitored, and continuously improved. It recognizes that procurement is not merely administrative; it is a governance tool that directly impacts service delivery, institutional credibility, and public trust.

By aligning its roadmap with RA 12009, DILG–NCR is reinforcing transparency, strengthening internal controls, and professionalizing procurement practice within the Region. This transition signals a deliberate cultural shift which is geared toward greater accountability, enhanced competency of procurement practitioners, data-driven decision-making, and streamlined processes that reduce risks and inefficiencies.

Through this strategic recalibration, DILG–NCR ensures that its procurement framework remains responsive to evolving standards, adaptive to reform, and firmly anchored in the public interest. Ultimately, the initiative positions the Regional Office not only as compliant with the New Government Procurement Act, but as a model of forward-looking governance, demonstrating that true reform begins with the courage to reassess, realign, and elevate institutional systems for the benefit of the communities it serves.