Written by: Meredel Fe P. Fullo

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) IX hosted a pivotal Coffee Monday session on February 10, 2025, at the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) IX Hall. The event, led by the Performance Assessment Facility, brought to light critical issues and innovative solutions aimed at improving the assessment and evaluation processes for local government units (LGUs) and internal operations.

The session highlighted several persistent issues, including the inconsistent interpretation of assessment standards among evaluators, the overburdening of LGUs with numerous audits, and the need to balance increasing pass rates with maintaining the integrity of assessments. Participants also pointed out the necessity of shifting the mindset of LGUs, which often view audits as compliance exercises rather than opportunities for performance improvement.

The session also emphasized the importance of integrating exit conferences after every audit to ensure that findings are effectively communicated to LGUs. Advocacy campaigns will be launched to shift LGU perspectives, encouraging them to view audits as tools for performance enhancement rather than mere compliance.

The Coffee Monday session marked a significant step toward improving assessment processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within DILG Region IX. With these innovations, the region is poised to set a new standard for local governance and performance evaluation, ensuring a brighter future for communities across the region.