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3 new Ilocos Norte mayors complete DILG course on local governance

THREE newly elected Ilocos Norte municipal mayors have successfully completed the Newly-Elected Officials (NEO) Program Online Orientation Course being administered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

They are Marcos Mayor Arsenio Agustin, Carasi Mayor Rene Gaspar, and San Nicolas Mayor Melanie Grace Valdez.

The online course, which is the first component of the NEO Program, is a pioneering venture of the Department through the Local Government Academy (LGA) in its tireless effort to capacitate local government units and their officials through online training modules.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas awarded the certificates of completion to the 22 newly-elected officials, who are mostly neophytes, during the Grand Graduation Ceremony held May 28 at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

Binabati ko ang ating mga mayor na nagsilahok at nakatapos ng kursong ito dahil sa ipinamalas ninyong pagsisikap at pagpupursigi na maging mas epektibo at mabuting lingkod-bayan,” said Mr. Roxas.

Lagi nating naririnig ang mga salitang ‘Tuwid na Daan’. Now, your challenge is to operationalize ‘Tuwid na Daan’ in local governance. Ito na ang pagkakataon nating manilbihan nang matapat at mahusay sa tinatawag ni PNoy na tunay nating mga Boss, ang taumbayan,” he added.

The DILG Secretary explained that the mayors have fulfilled the requirements of the program by completing the two basic modules and three elective modules/online executive sessions. The said officials also crafted their 1st 100 Days in Office, Social Contract and their own Re-Entry Action Plan.

Eight of the course finishers are from the Ilocos region; six are from Western Visayas; two each from Central Luzon and Central Visayas; and one each from Cagayan Valley and CALABARZON.

Other newly elected mayors who completed the DILG course are: Ericson Singson of Candon City, Ilocos Sur; Ryan Mencias of Alcala, Rebecca Saldivar of San Nicolas, Timoteo Villar of Sto. Tomas, Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto of Bani, all in Pangasinan; Asela Sacramed of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan; Estela Antipolo of San Antono, Zambales; Ambrocio Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan; Shierre Ann Portes-Palicpic of Pagbilao, Quezon; Galicano Atup of Ubay, Bohol; Alfonso Gubatina of Madalag and James Solanoy of Nabas, both in Aklan; Arthur John Bias of Sapian, Capiz; Augusto Diaz Corro of Daanbantayan, Cebu; and Ronilo Caspe of Cabatuan, Macario Napulan of Miagao, Mamerto Pelopero III of Dueas, John Tarrosa of Zarraga, and Serafin Villa, Jr. of Badiangan, all in Iloilo.

For the first module of the course, the participants were indulged with recorded video discussions of Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog, and Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Jun Pacalioga. They were also tasked to watch President P-Noy describe his own social contract to guide them in formulating their own Social Contract to their constituents.

For the second orientation module, the participants were asked to watch video recordings of local governance practitioners to help them understand the concept of decentralization and governance and apply it to their own leadership style.

The local government practitioners who shared their insights thru video are: former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.; Mindoro Oriental Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr.; Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto; former San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez; Upi, Maguindanao Mayor Ramon Piang; and Quezon City administrator Victor Endriga.


LGA Executive Director Marivel Sacendoncillo said the initial success of the program is “a positive step forward in the continuous efforts of the DILG and LGA to better cater to the needs of local government units nationwide in practical and innovative ways.” (MTE)

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