In a landmark moment for local monitoring and governance, the Regional Development Council – NCR, represented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), and the Department of Public Works and Highways – National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR), formalized a strategic partnership to establish the LPMC Learning Society—a collaborative platform that brings together National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Project Monitoring Committees (LPMCs) to strengthen technical knowledge and skills toward enhancing project monitoring and evaluation across the region. 

Unveiled during a ceremonial signing held on October 1, 2026, at the DILG-NCR Regional Office, this pioneering platform marks a bold leap forward in regional governance. Led by the Project Development Management Unit (PDMU) of the DILG-NCR, the initiative was shaped through a series of consultations and dialogues with partner agencies, bringing together regional development institutions and local project monitoring stewards toward a shared vision of stronger, more coordinated, and sustainable capacity development.

Through the formal execution of a comprehensive Partnership Agreement and Regional Joint Memorandum Circular (RJMC), the partnership aims to empower LPMCs across Metro Manila by equipping them with the specialized tools, institutional support, and technical knowledge required to drive effective and transparent local project execution.

Presenting the strategic roadmap, PDMU Chief Ronald R. Portales emphasized how the initiative came to life and highlighted how bridging inter-agency expertise will convert traditional monitoring into an active mechanism for regional progress.

Inspiring the audience during her Call to Partnership address, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, underscored that by bringing together the expertise and institutional strengths of partner agencies, the initiative can help ensure that LPMCs become more than monitoring bodies but vibrant champions of responsive and accountable local project monitoring in their respective communities. 

Reinforcing this shared commitment, Director III Shiela Gail Satura-Quingco, Metropolitan Development and Planning Service – Office of the Assistant General Manager for Planning and Head of RDC-NCR Technical Secretariat, and Assistant Regional Director Sherwin I. Galleros of the DPWH-NCR expressed their strong support for the initiative. Their commitment reflects a shared recognition that effective project monitoring requires not only established mechanisms, but also sustained capacity development, knowledge exchange, and meaningful collaboration among local stakeholders. 

Following the Ceremonial Partnership and RJMC Signing, the LPMC Learning Society moves swiftly from agreement to execution, with its Regional Rollout scheduled on October 5-6 and October 20, 2026. This initiative marks a humble yet significant step forward for the National Capital Region, turning shared commitments into practical, ground-level support for local project monitoring.