The DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. gets the opportunity to have a meeting with the Local Chief Executives and District representatives, accompanied by USEC Marlo L. Iringan, DILG Region IX Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, Police Regional Office Director PBGEN Franco P. Simborio, BJMP IX Regional Director J/S Supt Baby Noel Montalvo, TLPE and NAPOLCOM IX Regional Director, Monday R. Samson  This meeting is to discuss issues and address concerns in their areas on August 12, 2022, at Pavilion Hall, Dao, Pagadian City.

The DILG Secretary expresses his gratitude and thanksgiving to the respective LCEs and district representatives. Secretary takes advantage of these events to have a dialogue with the local executives, raise issues, and answer some of the questions from the local executives. He wanted to have a venue in coordination with the other agencies to address these concerns adequately and to talk about the issues and concerns from the national office to have recommendations and solutions from the different agencies on how to resolve these issues from the field.

The DILG Secretary emphasizes the upcoming opening of face-to-face classes to reiterate the giving of booster shots of vaccines to hasten the implementation, most especially to the students, teachers, and direct contacts with the face-to-face classes.

The SILG also reiterates the fight against illegal drugs; he mentioned that there should be a quality of cases and convictions for those who are proven Guilty. The barangay representatives should also proactively fight and intensify the testing of drugs within their local barangays.

He also mentions the Mandanas Law; The Mandanas Law is derived from Executive Order 138 and is the full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to local government and the creation of a committee on devolution. He addresses that the department should proactively capacitate Local Government Units, to prosper as more progressive local government units.

SILG said “pag usapan na natin ito dahil magkakaroon talaga tayo ng pag uusap sa mandanas law.” stressing that the mandanas law has to be talked and be emphasized to the local government unit, Since the DILG is spearheading the monitoring of Local Government Units.

Further, he added “lahat ng devolved functions ng local government units, ay ibabato na ngayon sa local government units.” Adding to his statement that the local government units has devolved its function. “sasalamantahin ko na itong pagkakataon na ito, para makipag ugnayan sa inyo.” He added that he is taking his chances to reach out the local executives to have thorough discussions on the problems and to discuss ways of improving the municipalities.

In closing, he added that the 4th and 6th class municipalities should be properly aided. He emphasizes that the least municipalities will not be taken for granted, and it should equitable for every municipalities.