DILG MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning Office of the Training and Extension Services (UP SURP OTES), successfully conducted the NEO PLUS +++ Specialized Course: Local Development Planning for Local Legislators (Pilot Run) on November 17-21, 2025 at the Madison 101 Hotel + Tower, Quezon City.
The course aimed to empower the local legislators as the lead actors for local development planning. It featured eight (8 ) sessions delivered by local development planning experts which included Prof. Ernesto M. Serote, EnP, regarded as the Guru of Local Planning in the Philippines and the author of the Rationalized Planning System.
Regional Director Karl Caesar R. Rimando delivered the welcome message while a special message was delivered by UP SURP Dean Dina C. Magnaye, PhD, EnP during the opening program. Both emphasized the role of local legislators, which goes beyond crafting ordinances and resolutions, but as development enablers who shape the vision and direction of the localities through sound and evidence-based planning.
The following were the LGU beneficiaries of the pilot run:
Torrijos, Marinduque
Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro
Looc, Occidental Mindoro
Bansud, Oriental Mindoro
Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro
Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
Roxas, Oriental Mindoro
Victoria, Oriental Mindoro
Agutaya, Palawan
San Vicente, Palawan
Calatrava, Romblon
Odiongan, Romblon
San Fernando, Romblon
The participants were the Vice Mayors, and the Sanggunian Chairpersons for Appropriations, Environmental/ Land Use Concerns, and Social Concerns.
The course was developed through the results of a region-wide training needs assessment on local development planning conducted and processed by the UP SURP OTES. The topics were also identified based on the NEO Orientation outputs of the local officials and the results of the MIMAROPA CapDev Analytics 2024.
The upcoming modules to be co-created and co-implemented with UP SURP for 2026 include courses for MIMAROPA LGU planners, non-planners, and DILG MIMAROPA technical personnel.