The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX played host to the DILG delegates to the 11th Annual Convention for Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs) conducted last November 14-16, 2012 at Garden Orchid Convention Center, Zamboanga City.

The 3-day conference with the theme Going 4G! Good to Great Green Governance” was organized by the National Union of Career Executive Service Officers (NUCESO) in coordination with the Regional Executives Association of Western Mindanao (REAWESMIN). In  attendance were 685 members of the CES community, 54 of whom are CES Officers of the Department.

The opening program was graced by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso L. Lobregat with Secretary Mehol Sadain of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos as guest of honor and speaker. Likewise present were CESB Executive Director Ma. Antonette V. Allones, CESB Chairman Antonio Kalaw, among others.

One of the many highlights of the program was the Induction and Pinning of new CES eligibles which culminated in a testimonial dinner in honor of the 130 graduates of the Executive Leadership Program.

The occasion provided several innovative learning opportunities through plenary and learning sessions, open fora and other networking activities.

As part of the itinerary, DILG IX Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil made sure that DILG delegates get to experience the authentic Zamboangeño cuisines, its culture and historic and colorful past during the site visits to Fort Pillar Shrine, Paseo del Mar and Pasonanca Park.

“DILG Region IX was very happy to play host to our DILG CES Officers counterparts in the national and regional levels in a national event such as the CES Convention”, Director Abutazil said.

He further stressed that the objective of the DILG in the region was to make the stay of the guests in Zamboanga City as memorable and pleasant as possible, contrary to the image of Asia’s Latin City as projected in the media.

Relative to the conduct of the activity, the Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular No. 37 on September 11, 2012 authorizing participation of all CESOs / Career Executive Service (CES) Eligible and Career Executive (CSE) Eligibles in the 11th Annual CES Conference.