The 17th Visayas Geographical Conference of the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants (PhALGA), Inc. is set to take place from Oct. 2 to 4, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, with an expected attendance of around 7,000 pre-registered participants from across the Visayas Regions. The event promises to be a major gathering of key financial officers from Local Government Units (LGUs), Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and other stakeholders in local governance.

This Conference is a key event for PhALGA, an organization that is pivotal in enhancing local government accountants’ capabilities in the Philippines. The association works to ensure that financial officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to handle the complex financial and accounting requirements of local governance. As the Philippines continues its push toward decentralization and devolution, the role of local government accountants has become increasingly critical. This year’s conference will address the financial, legal, and governance challenges the Local Government Units, Barangays, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials face.

Their theme is focused on empowering financial officers and barangay officials with the knowledge and skills they need to manage public funds effectively. The discussions will cover several key areas, including implementing the devolution process as mandated by the Mandanas ruling, which has significantly impacted the financial structure and responsibilities of LGUs.

The conference aims to:

Strengthen financial accountability in local government units and barangays.

Educate participants on new financial guidelines, particularly those related to the SK and barangays.

Enhance disaster preparedness and fund utilization through in-depth discussions on Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds.

Motivate participants to grow professionally and personally, aligning with the conference’s leadership and personal development focus.

This year’s conference features an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields, such as Atty. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, Chief of the Public Attorney’s office (PAO), and yours truly, as the Senior Commissioner of the COA and as the incumbent National President of PICPA. In addition, the conference will host several other high-ranking officials from key government agencies, including Directors and Chiefs from the Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Department of Tourism (DOT). These experts will lead discussions on various topics critical to local governance, such as the: Salient Features of the Handbook on SK Financial Transaction and Irregular, Unnecessary, Extravagant, Excessive and Unconscionable Expenses for Barangays (which will discuss on the detailed guidelines on how SK officials should manage their finances, ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial transactions); Barangay Seal of Good Local Governance (which aims to recognize barangays that demonstrate exemplary performance in financial management, disaster preparedness, and overall governance, as the participants will learn how to qualify for the SGLG and the benefits it brings to their communities); The Budgeting Process in the Context of Devolution (which will delve into the budgeting process under devolution, offering insights into how local governments can maximize their resources and plan for the future in relation to the Mandanas ruling); Utilization of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (which will focus on how barangays can effectively utilize their disaster risk reduction and management funds to enhance their community’s resilience to natural and man-made disasters, as disasters become increasingly frequent and severe); and Topic on Leadership through Values, especially for the CPAs.

Beyond technical and legal discussions, the conference also aims to inspire and motivate participants through a session on “Growing and Glowing”, which focuses on personal and professional development. This segment is designed to encourage participants to pursue continuous career improvement while fostering a positive and growth-oriented mindset. This motivational discussion will fit the three-day event, inspiring participants to apply what they have learned in their respective local government units.

This PhALGA conference is set to be a landmark event. It will bring together financial officers, barangay officials, and SK officials to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing local governance today. With a stellar lineup of speakers and a comprehensive agenda covering both technical and motivational aspects, the conference is poised to impact local government accounting practices and overall governance.

Participants can look forward to the three days of insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and professional growth, all aimed at equipping them with the tools and knowledge to excel in their roles as public servants. As the country continues to navigate the challenges of devolution, this conference will serve as an essential platform for local government officials to collaborate, learn, and share best practices for a more accountable and effective local governance system. Kudos to PhALGA!

(Roland Café Pondoc is a Commissioner of COA)