To ensure the smooth implementation of the NEO program, the Local Government Academy (LGA) conducted a training for online facilitators on June 28, 2017. The training aimed at enhancing capacities of the facilitators on the NEO online course by using the Webinar as a mode of delivery.

The use of Webinar will help LGU-enrollees save time and cost in organizing physical events. This will also increase both the reach and impact of the NEO program.

Various DILG Assistant Regional Directors from all over the country took part in this training in their capacity as regional managers for the Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC). Also present were the Regional IT Officers in their capacity as NEO focal persons.

The Newly-elected Officials (NEO) Program aimed at capacitating local government units by helping the NEOs effectively discharge their duties and responsibilities and be able to define their development roadmap. Additionally, this will equip NEOs with knowledge on the intricacies and latest development trends in local governance.

The NEO online course offers both fundamental (mandatory) and elective modules. Specifically, the fundamental modules include Development Agenda of the New Administration, Decentralization, and the Basics of Strategic Management.

After finishing the aforesaid pre-requisite fundamental courses, LGUs can eventually enroll in a number of elective online courses like Urban Governance, Health Governance, Gender and Development, Local Economic Development, Regulatory Simplification for Local Development, Environmental Management, Water Governance, Indigenous People’s Governance, Education Governance, Financing Local Development, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management, and Drug Abuse Prevention.

DILG IX’s Assistant Regional Director Pedro G. Cuevas, Jr. and Regional IT Officer Ard C. Catalino were among the many coaches who were trained in Metro Manila.