The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region IX convened a multi-stakeholders meeting composed of different national agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media, academe, and People’s Organization (POs) to talk about converging knowledge products to empower and assist local government units (LGUs).

Led by DILG IX Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, the members of the Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Committee (MSAC) meeting were attended by the representatives of different government agencies within the region such as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Department of Education (DEPED), Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Moreover, representatives from CSOs and academe also attended the meeting such as the Xavier Agriculture Extension Services Foundation Inc. (XAESFI), Saint Columban College (SCC), Southeast Asia Institute for Local Governance (SAILG).

DILG introduced to the members of the MSAC the different priority programs and projects of the department such as the Local Government Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) – a virtual facility that leverages Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools and techniques for capturing, creating, and sharing knowledge to promote knowledge sharing for local governance excellence; wherein agencies, CSOs, and the academe can established lines of convergence and can also share their knowledge products and information.

Programs on Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-CCA), advocacy on Federalism, and strengthening the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) were also presented during the meeting which gave the different members the scope of department’s programs and priorities.

Director Abutazil said the MSAC is a venue for the different agencies, members of the CSOs and academe to be aware of the different programs of the national agencies in improving and assisting local government units – likewise; it will also serve as a checking mechanism for agencies to avoid duplication of services and harmonized programs to enhance local governance performance.

The committee members plan to hold another meeting next quarter and will tackle priority programs of other national government agencies. #