Distinguished stakeholders and members of various national agencies assembled to attend the sixth session of AGSIKAP 2025 with the theme “Executive Briefing on the Proposed Establishment of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee in the National Capital Region,” held on July 31, 2025, at Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery Collection, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila.

Spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), the session focused on amplifying stakeholder understanding and support to the establishment of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) for a more effective and collaborative monitoring and evaluation system in the region.

DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, formally began the morning session with her welcoming remarks, emphasizing the critical role of the RPMC to bridge the institutional gap of overseeing project implementation in the region. She affirms that the RPMC will result in systematic change that will foster inter-agency collaboration and support on local government projects in Metro Manila.

“Through the RPMC, magkakaroon tayo ng mas sistematikong ugnayan, mas bukas na pagbabahagi ng impormasyon, at mas matibay na suporta sa bawat yugto ng proyekto—mula sa planning hanggang completion,” ARD Baltazar-Cortez stated.

A message of support was delivered by DILG Office of Project Development Services (OPDS) Director Alfonso A. Maralli Jr., CESO IV, underscoring RPMC as a strategic and transformative mechanism that will safeguard project goals and opportunities in the region.

In her keynote address, DILG Assistant Secretary for International Relations Lilian M. de Leon recognized the executive meeting as a timely undertaking to formalize RPMC, given the ongoing complexity of infrastructure initiatives in NCR. This was followed by a keynote address as well by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Ret. P/COL. Procopio G. Lipana, where he highlighted the sustained efforts to operationalize the RPMC through collaborative review of existing guidelines and provision of technical capacity-building programs.

Setting the background of the session, DILG Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) Acting Chief Luigi D.C. Pilarta outlined the current project monitoring and evaluation landscape in the region. He expressed the strong commitment of local government units (LGUs) in integrating Local Project Monitoring Committee (LPMC) structures within their systems, showcasing their readiness for the eventual establishment of RPMC in Metro Manila.

The session moved to the discussion of key RPMC guidelines, led by OIC Chief Raymond Paul G. Pineda of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDEV)—Transport Infrastructure Sector Division, outlining the foundational framework that supports its integration in Metro Manila. Subsequently, DILG-OPDS Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Cheryl C. Agustin-Flores showcased the best practices and key lessons of RPMC implementation from other regions.

LGOO IV John Marvin R. Olid of the DILG Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) tackled the vital functions of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as participative members of the RPMC, along with their programs that empower citizens to be engaged in local government processes.

The session advanced its discussion to the LPMCs, where Quezon City LPMC representative Claudine Enduma, En.P., shared the ongoing strategies and key challenges encountered in their project monitoring and evaluation efforts. Similarly, Muntinlupa City LPMC representative Engr. Edmarc P. Arnigo also presented the best practices of monitoring and evaluating infrastructure projects in their city, along with the notable challenges and proposed ways forward.

Wrapping up the discussion, DILG-NCR Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) Chief Dennis R. de Paz facilitated the open conversation between the stakeholders on their takeaways of the session—synthesizing the challenges and future actions to be taken in pursuit of establishing RPMC in NCR.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, concluded the session with her closing message, expressing her gratitude to the stakeholders and organizations who participated in the productive discussion of formalizing RPMC for more organized, transparent, and accountable project monitoring practices in the region.

“Ang inyong makabuluhang paglahok sa araw na ito ay nagsisilbing matibay na pundasyon para sa mga susunod pang pagtutulungan at lalo pang nagpapatibay sa ugnayan sa pagitan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan at mga ahensya ng gobyerno,” added RD Agustin.

The Apprising Government Employees’ Skills on Infrastructure Projects and Knowledge on Monitoring and Evaluation and Performance, also known as AGSIKAP, is a monthly capacity-building platform of PDMU-NCR that serves to strengthen the capabilities of LGUs in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating local projects. Presently in its sixth session, the initiative bolsters the Department’s pursuit towards more effective and collaborative project monitoring and evaluation practices in NCR.