The DILG Field Officers’ Convention 2024 for the Luzon Cluster was held on September 18, 2024 at the SMX Convention in SM City Clark Complex, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Spearheading the convention was the DILG Secretary himself, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” S. Abalos, Jr. who was warmly received by the DILG Field Officers from all regions of the Luzon Cluster. Heading the DILG National Capital Region was Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III and was joined by the Cluster Heads of the 17 NCR Field Offices.
In the said convention, Secretary Abalos commended the DILG family for their continuous dedication to serving the public. He mentioned how the DILG has consistently lived up to becoming the most trusted agency in the nation, especially during the present administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.
“Hindi po madali ang trabaho natin sa DILG, kailangan ng buong puso sa serbisyo. Dahil sa dedikasyon ninyong mga DILG officers, naging most trusted ang DILG. Kayo ang dahilan ng tagumpay ng Departamentong ito. Nagawa natin ang lahat dahil sa ating pagsisikap at patuloy na pagtupad sa ating sinumpaang tungkulin,” Secretary Abalos mentioned.
SILG Abalos continued his speech by highlighting the accomplishments of the DILG, putting emphasis on the rising number of Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) passers with 493 passers in the latest roll out in 2023, the highest-ever since the SGLG’s first conferment in 2015. He also presented the outstanding efforts against illegal drugs that the Department has achieved, which had led to the government seizing approximately Php 33 billion in the first two years, marking a 700% increase from previous years. Other accomplishments that the SILG underscored were the reforms in the Streamlined Guidelines for the Issuance of Permits, Licenses, and Certificates on Construction of Passive Telecommunication Tower Infrastructures (PTTI) and the increasing advancements in the creation of e-LGUs and e-Reports, which showed signs of growth as more local government units moved towards automation and faster transactions and report generation.
Towards the end of the program, the SILG, together with the Department’s Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Regional Directors and Field Officers raised a toast for the unwavering success of the DILG in service delivery.
The DILG Field Officers’ Convention is a biennial activity that celebrates the milestones of the DILG personnel and recognizes the contributions of the Department’s workforce as they perform their duties and responsibilities as public servants.