“Steering” LGUs Towards Full Devolution
With the clock ticking for National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) to prepare for the full devolution prompted by the signing of the Executive Order No. 138 series of 2021 by Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office 1 headed by Regional Director Julie J. Daquioag, Ph.D., CESO III and Assistant Regional Director Agnes A. De Leon, CESO V took the first step in “steering” the LGUs of Region 1 towards full devolution by conducting a one-day regional orientation on the preparation of Local Government Unit Devolution Transition Plan (LGU-DTP) via zoom video conference on August 10, 2021.
The purpose of the activity was to apprise the provincial, city, and municipal participants on the prescribed components, processes, and mechanisms in preparation of LGU DTPs, as well as in filling-out the necessary forms; and capacitate City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs) in providing coaching assistance in the formulation of LGU DTPs.
“The Executive Order No. 138 is a huge and new milestone for all of us,” RD Daquioag said during her opening message. She expressed her gratitude to all of the participants for joining the orientation. She encouraged the LGUs to clarify matters in order to have a common understanding in the preparation of their LGU DTPs.
The regional orientation was divided into three (3) sessions. Session 1 focused on the following topics: 1) Overview of the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling and EO No. 138 series of 2021; 2) Communications Plan Strategy: Key Messaging and Branding; 3) Capacity Development (CapDev) Agenda Process. Session 2 covered the Guidelines in the preparation of LGU DTPs and the Components of the LGU DTP . Resource speakers during the 1st and 2nd session came from DILG Region 1 and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Region 1.
During the last session, representatives from the National Government Agencies (NGAs) in Region 1 presented their draft DTPs to give LGUs heads up on the possible functions, services, and facilities that will be devolved to them.
Among the NGA representatives who presented their respective draft DTPs are Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 1, Department of Health (DOH) Region 1, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 1, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The regional orientation was participated by DILG Provincial Offices, DILG Field Officers, concerned NGAs, and LGUs.
By: LGOO II Jeslen B. Tesoro
