Support for the Local Governance Program

𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆, 𝐃𝐁𝐌, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐋𝐆𝐏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐆𝐏 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐗𝐈𝐈

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and key partners, convened a roundtable discussion on February 3, 2026 at the Dole Kalsangi Club House to strengthen the implementation of the Support to Local Government Program (SLGP) and advance Open Government Partnership (OGP) localization efforts in Region XII.

The discussion was led by Asec. Ester A. Aldana, DILG Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership, together with Mr. Richard L. Villacorte, Project Manager of the Support to Local Government Program–Project Management Office.

Also taking part in the dialogue were Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESO III, Regional Director of DILG Region XII; Akmad J. Usman, CESO III, Regional Director of the Department of Budget and Management Region XII; and Roel Ian P. Blanker, Operations Officer of Mahintana Foundation Inc.

The roundtable focused on aligning national support mechanisms with local realities, particularly in assisting the nine Cohort Local Government Units (LGUs) of Region XII under the OGP localization track. Participants discussed strategies to better complement DILG and DBM-PH-OGP programs, and civil society initiatives to enable LGUs to implement reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and meaningful citizen participation.

Regional Director Mahinay-Sero underscored the importance of building LGUs as reform leaders, capable of translating open government principles into concrete local governance practices. She emphasized that empowering LGUs through streamlined systems and participatory platforms strengthens local autonomy and accelerates service delivery—key pillars of the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.

For his part, DBM Regional Director Usman highlighted the need for coherence between planning, budgeting, and implementation to ensure that governance reforms are adequately funded and sustained. Meanwhile, Mahintana Foundation shared insights on the role of civil society in deepening citizen engagement and supporting LGUs in institutionalizing participatory mechanisms.

A key outcome of the discussion was the agreement to further strategize on program complementation, with the aim of supporting the Region XII Cohort LGUs to emerge as models not only in OGP localization but also in overall good local governance. The participants committed to sustained collaboration to help LGUs move from policy commitments to measurable governance outcomes.

𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗚 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗛-𝗢𝗚𝗣 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Caraga conducted the Regional Pre-Onboarding Session for the Philippine Agenda for Localization of the Open Government Partnership via Zoom on January 21, 2026.

The activity gathered local chief executives, LGU points of contact, CSO desk officers, civil society partners, and DBM representatives to ensure Caraga’s readiness for PH-OGP onboarding and co-creation.

DILG Caraga spearheaded the session as part of the Regional Technical Team, in partnership with DBM Caraga and a civil society organization partner.

In his opening message, Assistant Regional Director Donald A. Seronay emphasized that PH-OGP Localization is a collaborative journey anchored on transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
He highlighted that the initiative aligns with DILG’s governance mantra of Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahan.

LGCDD Chief Milariza L. Beniga presented an overview of the Open Government Partnership, underscoring the Philippines’ role as a founding member and the value of localizing open government reforms.

Project Development Officer IV Third M. Salang of the DILG SLGP-PMO discussed the PH-OGP Localization framework and clarified the roles of LGUs, regional teams, and civil society partners.

The session recognized Caraga’s pioneering LGUs, including Tubay, Province of Agusan del Sur, Prosperidad, Tubajon, Surigao City, Tubod, Tandag City, Cagwait, San Miguel, and Butuan City.

DBM Caraga officials, Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc., and Regional Coordination and Technical Team members were also acknowledged for their active participation and support.

In her closing message, Beniga stressed that transparency serves as a bridge connecting government and citizens toward collaboration, accountability, and sustainable local development.
With 10 pioneering LGUs on board, DILG Caraga continues to advance open, participatory, and people-centered governance through PH-OGP Localization.

Are our Local Development Councils truly participatory? 🤔🇵🇭

A 2025 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) dives deep into the state of participation in LGUs. While Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are active, the study finds their involvement is often limited to "invited" spaces rather than meaningful autonomy.

Check out the full paper to learn about the new Participatory Governance Metrics and how we can push for more substantive engagement in local development. 👇

https://tinyurl.com/slgppidspgm

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄: 𝐒𝐋𝐆𝐏 𝟑.𝟎

The SLGP Team successfully conducted an engaging SLGP Dialogue with the DILG IV-A Regional, Provincial, and Field Officers.

This activity served as a valuable platform for sharing updates, clarifying program processes, and strengthening coordination across all levels of implementation.

Together, we continue to build stronger partnerships and ensure that SLGP initiatives create meaningful, lasting impact in the communities we serve.

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖 | 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐰 2025
Theme: 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳: 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘐𝘓𝘎 𝘋𝘰𝘴𝘦’𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘍𝘠 2026 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥

The DILG Dose Sharpening the Saw 2025 opens with renewed energy and purpose at the London Beach Resort Events Hall, General Santos City.
Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE set the tone with a reminder that shaped the program’s conversation: “We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.”

This three-day retooling gathers regional and field personnel to revisit the Support to Local Governance Program Roadmap, strengthen competencies, and deepen collaboration—working as one strong learning community in service of empowered and autonomous LGUs.

Like a kite rising against the wind, the program embraces challenges as fuel for growth, inspiring participants to turn insights into action and action into better local governance.

𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓"
𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Department of the Interior and Local Government - Regional Office I, led by Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen Jr., CESO III, gathered its partner agencies, institutions, and organizations for this year’s Regional Institutional Development Support (RIDS) Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation and Lessons Learned Session—an event that brought renewed energy and shared commitment toward better-performing LGUs in the Ilocos Region—held on November 25–26, 2025 at Patio by Balai Norte in Panicsican, San Juan, La Union

Guided by the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) under Division Chief Rhodora G. Soriano, the consultation aimed to strengthen collaboration among the many stakeholders working to help local governments meet the standards of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). Representatives from regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, civil society groups, and DILG provincial offices joined the two-day activity, making it a diverse gathering of public service partners.

The first day opened with the warm remarks of LGMED Assistant Division Chief Leslie Carol L. Isip, setting an optimistic tone for the discussions ahead. SLGP PDO III Regina Pelandas then walked participants through the Emerging Agenda for RIDS Year 3—an exciting roadmap that signals new directions and opportunities for improving LGU performance. Provinces later shared updates on how they are implementing their RIDS-funded initiatives, while LGMED presented the progress of regional activities and highlighted how Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation is being integrated into RIDS processes to ensure that efforts translate to real, measurable outcomes.

The momentum continued on the second day as agencies and partners presented the accomplishments they achieved throughout the year. Their stories featured innovative practices, meaningful collaborations, and honest reflections on challenges encountered. More importantly, each partner—from PDEA and DHSUD to DICT, DOLE, DENR, PNP, DOT, NCIP, DEPDev, and CSO representative CRFV—offered concrete ways forward, demonstrating a shared sense of accountability in addressing emerging issues that affect communities across Region I.

To close the event, DILG Pangasinan Provincial Director Virgilio P. Sison, CESO V, expressed heartfelt appreciation to all partners. He emphasized that the success of RIDS is built on strong relationships and a shared vision for empowered, service-driven, and people-centered local governance.

With renewed collaboration and strengthened partnerships, DILG Region I and its stakeholders continue to move forward—united in ensuring that every LGU in the region is equipped, supported, and inspired to deliver better services for every Ilokano.

𝗗𝗮𝗴𝘆𝗮𝘄 2025 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Held last August 22 at the Tacurong Cultural Sports Center, Tacurong City, this regional leg of the Philippine Government’s participatory governance initiative brought citizens and government together to co-create solutions, build trust, and strengthen transparency.

Launched in 2019 by DILG, DBM, and PH-OGP, Dagyaw is anchored on the principles of bayanihan, open dialogue, shared leadership and inclusive reform. This year’s discussions tackled local service delivery, budget transparency, and citizen-led innovations.

Because governance works best when it listens. And leadership thrives when it includes.

Read More: http://www.region12.dilg.gov.ph/.../dagyaw-2025...

𝗗𝗮𝗴𝘆𝗮𝘄 2025 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Held last August 22 at the Tacurong Cultural Sports Center, Tacurong City, this regional leg of the Philippine Government’s participatory governance initiative brought citizens and government together to co-create solutions, build trust, and strengthen transparency.

Launched in 2019 by DILG, DBM, and PH-OGP, Dagyaw is anchored on the principles of bayanihan, open dialogue, shared leadership and inclusive reform. This year’s discussions tackled local service delivery, budget transparency, and citizen-led innovations.
Because governance works best when it listens. And leadership thrives when it includes.

Read More: http://www.region12.dilg.gov.ph/news-releases/dagyaw-2025-governance-listens-leadership-delivers

“𝑺𝒂 𝑩𝒖𝒌𝒂́𝒔 𝒏𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒂𝒏, 𝑲𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒌𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏”
𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐆 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐆𝐏 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Bilang kasapi ng Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee, isinusulong ng Kagawaran ng Interyor at Pamahalaang Lokal - Tanggapang Panrehiyon I (DILG R1), sa pamamagitan ng Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), ang lokalisasyon ng mga prinsipyong bukás na pamahalaan sa rehiyon.
Layon ng inisyatibang ito na higit pang maisabuhay ang transparency (pagiging bukás), accountability (pananagutan), at citizen participation (pakikilahok ng mamamayan) sa antas ng pamahalaang lokal.
Bilang paghahanda, pinangunahan ng DILG R1-LGMED ang serye ng pagpupulong at oryentasyon para sa mga service providers. Ang mga gawaing ito ay naglatag ng matibay na pundasyon upang masiguro na ang implementasyon ng OGP ay magiging organisado, magkakaugnay, at nakahanay sa lokal na konteksto.

Sa pangwakas na pagpupulong, inilahad ng Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) ang kanilang mga natuklasan at datos na naging batayan sa pagpili ng mga lokal na pamahalaan (LGU) na lalahok sa programa. Dumalo rin dito si DBM Region 1 Regional Director Ria V. Bansigan, CESO III, at Pastor John M. Martinez mula Pastors Fellowship Inc.
Mula sa 16 na naunang na-shortlist na LGU, 10 ang pormal na napili:

1. Lungsod ng San Fernando, La Union
2. Bayan ng Bacnotan, La Union
3. Lungsod ng Dagupan, Pangasinan
4. Bayan ng Asingan, Pangasinan
5. Lungsod ng Alaminos, Pangasinan
6. Lungsod ng Vigan, Ilocos Sur
7. Bayan ng Bantay, Ilocos Sur
8. Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng La Union
9. Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Ilocos Sur
10. Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Ilocos Norte

Ang mga LGU na ito ay sasailalim sa pagsasapamantayan at pagsasabuhay ng mga prinsipyong OGP upang higit pang mapahusay ang mga estruktura ng pamamahala. Layunin nitong maglatag ng mga mekanismo na nagsusulong ng bukás na proseso, mas mataas na pananagutan, at mas aktibong partisipasyon ng mamamayan.

Sa pamamagitan ng integrasyon ng OGP framework, hangad ng DILG R1 na patatagin ang tiwala ng publiko, palawakin ang partisipasyon ng mamamayan sa paggawa ng desisyon, at pagandahin ang serbisyo sa mga komunidad.

Sa aktibong pakikilahok ng mga napiling LGU, inaasahan na magiging huwaran ang Rehiyon I sa pagsusulong ng bukás, tapat, at makataong pamamahala sa buong bansa.