The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU), successfully carried out the Training on the Conduct of the Infrastructure Audit for NCR LGUs – Batch 2, engaged and collaborated by key representatives from DILG Central Office, Field Offices, Local Government Units (LGUs), City Colleges and Universities across the region.

Held from October 8-10, 2025, at Sotogrande Hotel Katipunan, Quezon City, the three-day training equipped LGUs with the technical capacity to evaluate the safety and seismic resilience of government-owned buildings and facilities. By focusing on critical infrastructure, the training aimed to inform strategic planning, rationalize resource allocation, and enable LGUs to implement more effective risk reduction measures. To streamline regional efforts, the training introduced updated inspection guidelines and harmonized the Infrastructure Audit (IA) Tool to standardize processes across NCR LGUs.

The session began with an urgent call for inclusive disaster preparedness from the DILG Office of Project Development Services (OPDS) Director Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., CESO IV. “Disaster recognizes no political boundaries—that’s why all cities and municipalities in Metro Manila must undergo this training,” he expressed. Citing the recent earthquake in Cebu, Director Maralli reminded participants of the country’s continuing vulnerability to natural calamities, particularly in densely populated areas, and emphasized the need to capacitate LGUs as frontliners in disaster response. He urged collective action and shared accountability among all stakeholders in mitigating risks and protecting communities.

Expressing DILG-NCR’s steadfast support,  Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV commended participants for their strengthened commitment and resilience. “This activity forms part of our shared commitment to build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. It reflects the DILG’s continuing effort to strengthen the technical capacities of our LGUs, ensuring that they are equipped with competence to use the harmonized infrastructure audit tool”. Developed through inter-agency collaboration, the tool aimed to provide a unified approach to infrastructure audits. ARD Baltazar-Cortez underscored the program’s role in promoting good governance not just through project completion, but by ensuring infrastructure safety and sustainability for communities.

On the first day of the training, the legal bases, codes, standards, and responsibilities of LGUs were introduced. The preceding modules covered a discussion of different structures, steel, concrete, and masonry, including the general process and simulation using the Harmonized IA Tool. The following day, a core feature of the training was dedicated to a site visit and actual fieldwork, allowing participants to apply the harmonized IA tool. The final day focused on the presentation of Infrastructure Audit results, action planning, and strategic discussions on the way forward following the training.

Coincidentally, on the final day of the training, a Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Davao City, prompting tsunami warnings in nearby provinces. This unforeseen event served as a stark reminder of the critical relevance of the said training. It highlighted the vital role of preparedness in safeguarding communities from natural hazards.

In closing the three-day training, DILG-NCR Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) Acting Chief Luigi D.C. Pilarta reflected on the intensified urgency prompted by the country’s recent seismic events. He underscored the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, stressing, “It is more resounding to do something about how we can prepare our LGUs, and most importantly, how we can prepare and even protect the communities that we are serving.” He commended the participants for their commitment to local disaster preparedness and resilience.

The Department upholds its core mandate to ensure safe and resilient communities across the region. Equipping LGUs with the necessary IA tools and technical capacity translates to safeguarding public welfare and upholding the structural integrity of all public infrastructures.