DILG R1 holds basic orientation for LCEs

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 1 (DILG R1) held a basic orientation for 80 re- elected and 10 newly- minted Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of the Region last August 30- September 1, 2016.

The Basic Orientation is Part I of the second component of the Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Program of the Department which will introduce the NEOs to the organizational, political, and constitutional environment of public service at the local government level.

The Basic Orientation was originally intended for re-elected LCEs. Newly- minted LCEs who were unable to attend the Basic Orientation conducted by the Local Government Academy (LGA) last June were invited to ensure that all LCEs of the region are guided on their first crucial days.  

Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Basic Orientation aims to discuss the issues and challenges of decentralization and explain features of Federalism as critical next step for decentralization.

Through the orientation, NEOs had opportunities to dialogue with key agencies on disaster risk reduction and management and peace and order with key emphasis on the National Government’s Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, Role of Local Governments in Disaster Management, Utilization of Project Noah, Lambat Sibat Program of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Enhancing Institutional Relationships between the PNP and local government units (LGUs) through Deputization of Local Police with the National Police Commission.

Former and incumbent LCEs were also invited to share their vast experiences on Crisis Management, Local Economic Development, Fiscal Management and Leadership and Management to the NEOs. The LCE- sharers were Mayor Belen T. Fernandez of Dagupan City; Former Mayor Eddie G. Guillen of Piddig, Ilocos Norte; Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr. of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and Former Mayor Edgardo S. Cobangbang of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

A discussion on Strategic Management, highlighting the ASEAN Economic Integration and President Duterte’s SONA which will serve as input to the LCEs formulation of their respective Development Commitment: Executive- Legislative Agenda capped the basic orientation.

The NEO Program is a continuing program of the DILG implemented through the LGA and the Regional Offices. It aims to build strategic leaders out of newly- elected officials who would lead their governments in becoming competitive, efficient and responsive institutions for development.