The MIMAROPA Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC), in its pursuit to enable the local governments in the Region and achieve excellence in local governance and people empowerment, reorganized its regional Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Committee (MSAC) through a  ceremonial Virtual MOA Signing on July 23, 2021.

The ceremonial activity held via Zoom aimed to rebuild regional linkages through the MSAC and provide a mechanism where the region’s local government stakeholders could converge and harmonize their programs for local governments in preparation for the implementation of the full devolution.

The momentous activity was participated by 17 regional line agencies which included the Department of Budget and Management; Department of Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance; Department of Health; National Economic and Development Authority; Department of Social Welfare and Development; Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of Agriculture; Department of Tourism; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Information and Communications Technology; Office of Civil Defense; Philippine Statistics Authority; Technical Education And Skills Development Authority; Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Police Regional Office; and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Among the participating partners from the national and provincial academic institutions were the UP Center for Local and Regional Governance, the Development Academy of the Philippines Center for Governance, Marinduque State College, Palawan State University, Western Philippines University, and Romblon State University. Occidental Mindoro State College and Mindoro State University also signified their willingness to sign the MSAC MOA.

In addition, the Forest Foundation Philippines and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, represented by their Executive Directors, and the provincial governments of Palawan and Marinduque, represented by their Provincial Planning and Development Office, also participated in the pact signing. 

In a message, DILG MIMAROPA Regional Director Wilhelm Suyko, CESO IV, emphasized the value of collaboration and linkages by comparing the MIMAROPA MSAC to the formation of the Avengers.

“We are no superheroes, but the Local Government Resource Center also believes in the significance of establishing a network that fosters unity, with multi-stakeholdership as one of its abiding principles”, said RD Suyko.

Angelina Layugan, Human Resource Development Division Chief of the Local Government Academy discussed the CapDev Agenda Framework and introduced the CapDev Online Market System (OCDMS). The OCDMS would serve as a platform for the MSAC members to offer their programs and services to the LGUs.

The activity officially came to a close with a message from DILG MIMAROPA’s Assistant Regional Director and LGRC Manager Rey Maranan, CESO V. He emphasized the significant milestone in advancing the aims of the LGRC and the vital role of the MSAC in capacitating the LGUs for the full devolution implementation.

Prior to the ceremonial MOA signing, a Meeting Orientation for MIMAROPA LGRC MSAC was held on June 21, 2021 via Zoom. Presented in the said meeting are the Introduction to LGRC and MSAC and the Salient Features of and DILG Updates on the EO 138: Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments, Creation of a Committee on Devolution, and For Other Purposes.

“Re-organizing the MIMAROPA MSAC has never been more timely and relevant than now. Our ceremonial MOA signing is a significant milestone in ensuring that our collaborative efforts will be of value to the historical transition”, said ARD Rey Maranan. ##

By: LGOO III Chelsea Tamayo