On August 27, 2025, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), under the 2025 Newly Elected Officials Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program, convened Metro Manila leaders for a focused discussion on economic development. The session featured presentations from experts highlighting inclusive leadership, tourism standards, and innovative approaches to local government partnerships.

Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) Leaders for Change Program Director Celso Santiago, Jr. emphasized women’s economic empowerment and inclusive leadership as vital drivers of stronger and more resilient communities. The discussion addressed unconscious bias and unfair hiring and promotion practices, while emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership in promoting gender equality. To maintain progress, cooperation, responsibility, and instruments like gender audits and scorecards were emphasized.

Subsequently, Department of Tourism – National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) Assistant Regional Director Ivannovich Dmitri T. Agote discussed the DOT Accreditation of Enterprises as a standard for strengthening tourism in local communities. With this, he stressed that businesses benefit from a simpler application process and a faster turnaround time now that accreditation is handled online. ARD Agote then emphasized its benefits, including free training, incentives, promotion, and technical support. He also mentioned the Department’s efforts to promote wellness and medical tourism, Muslim-friendly services, sustainability standards, and the Filipino brand of service excellence.

Finally, Public-Private Partnership and Local Governance Expert Atty. Alberto C. Agra provided a lecture on Public-Private Partnerships, Procurement, and Privatization, or the “3Ps,” adding a 4th “P” for People to emphasize that all projects must serve the public good. He clarified that PPPs work best when projects can generate income through private sector investment; privatization applies when assets are sold; and procurement works best when LGUs have funds available. According to Atty. Agra, PPPs have been extensively utilized in infrastructure projects, including housing, terminals, bridges, and traffic control systems. In order to overcome financial constraints and guarantee that communities gain immediate advantages from development projects, he urged LGUs to take these mechanisms into account.

Through this breakout session, NCR leaders gained strategic insights from experts on leveraging local economic development to address urban challenges and create long-term opportunities. The activity further reaffirms DILG-NCR’s commitment to equipping local leaders with the skills and resources necessary to advance good governance and build a future-ready NCR.