In pursuit of its commitment to professional development and organizational excellence, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) officially launched the 2026 Human Resource Development: Local Governance Enhancement and Administrative Development Series (HRD LEADS) toward Technical Excellence and Transformative Governance Program during the Regional Flag Raising Ceremony held on June 1, 2026, at the DILG-NCR Regional Office, North Avenue, Quezon City.

Spearheaded by the Capacity Development Facility of the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) and the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), the HRD LEADS Program was designed to strengthen the legal foundations of Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs) through regular, modular, and practice-oriented learning sessions on key provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

In her keynote message, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III underscored the need for public servants to be adaptive, well-equipped, and legally grounded in responding to the increasingly complex and evolving landscape of urban governance.

“As frontliners across the 17 NCR LGUs, our LGOOs play a vital role in bridging national policies with local realities. Effectively carrying out this responsibility requires a deep understanding of the Local Government Code, which serves as our guiding framework in field operations,” RD Agustin emphasized.

To ensure meaningful engagement and effective instruction, only 23 Regional and Field Officers were accommodated for the program’s first batch of face-to-face trainees. Participants are likewise subject to a certification process for possible inclusion in the DILG-NCR Pool of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on local governance.

The sessions are also accessible via Zoom Teleconference, providing administrative and contract of service personnel with an opportunity to broaden their appreciation of LGU operations and gain a deeper understanding of the Department’s mandate.

“Nawa’y manatili tayong bukas sa pagkatuto, matatag sa ating paninindigan, at tapat sa ating tungkuling gabayan ang ating mga lokal na pamahalaan tungo sa pamamahalang may integridad, kahusayan, at malasakit para sa mamamayan,” RD Agustin said in closing.

Slated to run until October 2026, the HRD LEADS Program serves as a significant milestone in DILG-NCR’s continuing efforts to build a highly competent workforce in support of its vision of becoming a highly trusted Department and partner in local governance and national development.