Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, together with city directors Emmanuel D. Borromeo, CESO V of Quezon City, Atty. Rolynne A. Javier, CESO V of Caloocan, and Adrian J. Lopez, CESE of San Juan, as well as other key regional and field personnel from the DILG National Capital Region joined key policymakers and governance experts in a high-level discussion on local governance reforms on February 27 at L.S. Virata Hall, DAP Building in Pasig City. 

Titled “Local Governance Today and Beyond,” the forum was organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines – Graduate School of Public and Development Management (DAP-GSPDM) to tackle pressing governance issues and potential amendments to the Local Government Code. 

Panel discussions between the participants tackled key issues such as unfunded mandates, capacity-building gaps, and intensifying the role of citizen participation. Former DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento underscored the need for strong political will in amending the Local Government Code, emphasizing that local governance requires flexibility, inter-local cooperation, and innovation to effectively meet community needs. DILG-NCR highlighted the challenges faced by Metro Manila local government units and how these issues could be addressed in potential reforms. 

“This gathering represents a crucial step toward reimagining local governance for the future,” said DAP-GSPDM Dean Dr. Lizan Perante-Calina. “By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to craft policy recommendations that respond to the evolving needs of our communities,” she added.

The forum featured distinguished speakers, including governance experts Dr. Alex Brillantes, Dr. Masao Kikuchi of Meiji University, DILG NBOO Director Dennis Villaseñor, CESO III, and ULAP Executive Director Aileen Leycano. 

The event is part of DAP-GSPDM’s Revisiting the Local Government Code (LGC): Enhancing Good Local Governance project, a year-long initiative aimed at identifying and addressing governance challenges through thematic discussions and policy recommendations.