Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. has called on the local officials in Northern Mindanao to be creative and explore ingenious methods in partnership with the private sector to improve the delivery of public service.
He pointed this out during an orientation course in Cagayan de Oro City for the newly elected officials (NEO) in Region 10 recently.
“As local chief executives (LCE) of their respective LGUs (local government units), governors and mayors should always think outside the box and explore ways and means on how to get things done with the help of the private sector and other stakeholders for the benefit of their constituents,” Abalos stressed.
During the event, DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe said the orientation sought to boost the NEOs’ leadership and management capacities towards better services and performance of their mandated duties.
“If we want to effectively deliver our platforms during the election period, we must ensure that in the first place, we enhance our capabilities in order to deliver our promises,” Agabe said in a statement Tuesday, August 16.
He noted that the NEO program provided harmonized and holistic capacity development interventions to help NEOs effectively navigate their first 100 days in office, and explore strategic and transformational actions to achieve development and realize self-reliant and productive communities.
The DILG-10 director assured that the department will support the officials during their terms by providing administrative and technical assistance.
Among the program participants were newly elected and re-elected local chief executives, vice governors, vice mayors, and members of the Sanggunian from Regions IX, X, and CARAGA.
Also present during the event were DILG regional directors of Region IX and CARAGA, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) officials, the Local Government Academy (LGA) officers, national government agency (NGA) regional directors, members of the press, and other participants.
The highlights of the NEO orientation course included a review of salient features of the Local Government Code and the duties, responsibilities, accountabilities and key attributes of good local governance; identification of new approaches and tools to improve adaptability and resilience, and revitalize the economy amidst Covid-19.
They also discussed the constantly changing times and the adaptation of a leadership skill set to advance transformational and strategic actions towards improving management systems, structures and processes for efficient and equitable delivery of public goods and services.
Part of the NEOs tasks was to formulate their first 100 days Action Plan and Executive Agenda to efficiently jumpstart the critical days of office and proactively enhance leadership and management capacities of LGU towards excellent performance.
The NEO Orientation Course was organized by the DILG, through the LGA, in partnership with the LMP, and the DILG Local Governance Resource Centers (LGRRC).