The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) welcomed a courtesy call and meeting with Mr. Daniel Bercasio, Executive Director of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GKCDFI), together with his team of representatives, on April 7, 2026, at the Matino Room, DILG-NCR. Alongside the DILG NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, Assistant Division Chief  of the Local Government Capability Development Division Maria Jasmin D. Diaz, and PDMU Chief Dennis R. de Paz.

The activity served as a strategic platform to strengthen partnerships and foster meaningful dialogue on potential areas for future collaboration. Central to the discussion was the current flagship program, BeAHero, an initiative that mobilizes GKCDFI teams to travel across the country to deliver people-centered programs, inspire civic engagement, strengthen participatory governance and ignite a culture of volunteerism among communities.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged insights and best practices on expanding collaborative efforts to reach more communities and create a lasting, sustainable impact. The discussion underscored the importance of stakeholder convergence in addressing grassroots needs, particularly in disaster resiliency and literacy, while aligning these efforts with the shared goal of ending poverty. It also highlighted how initiatives like ‘BeAHero’ can complement government programs by empowering citizens to take a more active role in nation-building.

The engagement also paved the way for identifying areas of cooperation, particularly in supporting community development efforts led by the organization, alongside the Department’s continued mandate to assist and capacitate Local Government Units (LGUs). The Department and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. expressed optimism in forging a stronger partnership anchored on collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision of inclusive and empowered communities across the country.