Representatives from various local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region participated in the breakout session on Infrastructure Governance under the 2025 NEO PLUS Urban Governance Course, held on August 27, 2025, at Novotel Manila, Araneta City, Quezon City. The session served as a platform to help newly elected officials shape the development agenda in their localities, providing a comprehensive overview of the key principles and disciplines involved in infrastructure governance.

The session formally opened with a presentation by Information Technology Officer Jennifer B. Canlas of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), who discussed Leveraging ICT and Smart Tech Solutions for Local Governance. She highlighted how digital innovations are transforming the way the government functions and delivers services. Canlas introduced the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), a system designed to ensure the secure electronic transfer of information across various activities. She emphasized its role in safeguarding documents and outlined key benefits, including authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and cost savings through reduced reliance on paper and physical resources.

This was followed by Architect Chona E. Ponce, PhD, FUAP, National Executive Vice President of the United Architects of the Philippines. Ar. Ponce underscored the importance of infrastructure readiness, stressing that evolving standards must be adopted in response to climate change. She highlighted the need for sustainable projects that integrate both environmental and social factors in their design. Her call to action included developing long-term plans for generational impact, investing in systems rather than just physical structures, and fostering leadership through collaboration and synergy. She concluded with a resonant reminder: “Your decisions today will shape the NCR your children will inherit.”

Continuing the discussion, Girlie C. Lopez, Country Program Manager of Build Change Philippines, delivered a presentation on Building Smart and Resilient Housing and Schools through a Risk-Based Approach. She redefined resilience as more than structural capacity—encompassing disaster resistance, health and security, affordability, sustainability, adaptability, local appropriateness, scalability, and value as a financial asset. Lopez also introduced Build Change’s digital home strengthening application, a tool designed to assess housing structures and identify areas for improvement. 

The session concluded with a presentation from Atty. Violetta Somera-Seva, Consultant for Build Change Philippines, who discussed the Policy Review on Public Financing for Preventive House Strengthening (PHS) in the Philippines. She began by asking participants to reflect on the potential impact of “The Big One” and explained how PHS can be integrated with other initiatives to strengthen housing upgrades. She emphasized that PHS can play a key role in addressing housing gaps in the region while enhancing disaster preparedness.

Through the session, DILG-NCR laid the groundwork for a deeper appreciation and understanding of infrastructure planning—underscoring its commitment to fostering the development of safe, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure across the region.