Successfully launched in 2025, the Philippine Agenda for Localization of the Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP Localization) marked a significant milestone in advancing open government reforms at the local level. The initiative is led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), civil society organization (CSOs), academic institutions, and other stakeholders, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local governance.
Following a rigorous and merit-based selection process, the first cohort of Local Government Units (LGUs) was identified based on their demonstrated commitment to open government principles. These LGUs have taken concrete steps to embed open government values into their structures, systems, and operational processes. Their commitment was formally affirmed through the passage of Sanggunian Resolutions, signifying strong institutional backing for the localization of open government reforms.
Across the country, a total of 152 LGUs from 17 regions have been selected as OGP Cohort LGUs. Of these, 10 LGUs are from the MIMAROPA Region, namely:
- The Municipalities of Boac and Torrijos in Marinduque;
- The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro and the Municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro;
- The Municipality of Naujan in Oriental Mindoro;
- The Municipality of Narra in Palawan; and
- The Municipalities of Odiongan, Romblon, San Agustin, and San Fernando in Romblon.
As PH-OGP Localization transitions to full implementation in 2026, a series of orientation and onboarding activities were conducted to ensure that key stakeholders are aligned, well-informed, and share a common understanding of the initiative’s objectives, roles, processes, and timelines. These activities aim to provide participating institutions with the clarity, tools, and guidance necessary to effectively carry out their responsibilities under the program.
The first activity, a Pre-Onboarding Session for Cohort LGUs in MIMAROPA, was held online on January 21, 2026, with a total of 44 participants. Provincial representation included: Marinduque (7 participants from 2 LGUs), Occidental Mindoro (6 participants from 2 LGUs), Oriental Mindoro (7 participants from 1 LGU), Palawan (5 participants from 1 LGU), and Romblon (15 participants from 4 LGUs).
An Organizational Meeting for DILG Regional Offices was subsequently conducted online on January 23, 2026, to clarify roles, structures, coordination mechanisms, and expectations at both the national and subnational levels. The meeting was attended by 100 participants, including Regional Directors and Assistant Regional Directors, Division Chiefs, designated Focal Persons, and members of the SLGP–Regional Coordinating Teams (RCTs) from all regions, except BARMM.
The meeting emphasized the roles and responsibilities of the DILG Regional Offices, which serve, among others, as the regional secretariat for the PH-OGP Localization Program. In this capacity, they ensure strategic alignment, sustained participation, and the timely implementation of onboarding and co-creation activities across regional and local levels.
A Pre-Onboarding Session for the Regional Technical Team (RTT) in MIMAROPA was conducted online on January 30, 2026, with the participation of ten (10) members: three (3) representatives from DILG MIMAROPA, two (2) representatives from DBM MIMAROPA, and five (5) representatives from CSOs. The composition of the RTT reflects balanced and co-equal representation between government and non-government stakeholders, reinforcing the program’s collaborative governance framework.
The RTT Orientation across all regions was conducted online on February 4, 2026. The session outlined the roles and responsibilities of the RTT, including its technical advisory, coordination, and facilitation functions in supporting LGUs throughout the co-creation and implementation process.
Finally, the National Orientation for Cohort LGUs was held online on February 13, 2026. This activity equipped cohort LGUs with the foundational knowledge, policy guidance, and operational framework necessary to proceed with the co-creation and implementation of their flagship open government initiatives under PH-OGP Localization.Top of Form
All of the above activities included a comprehensive orientation on the Three-Year Phases for advancing the PH-OGP Localization Program (shown below), ensuring that stakeholders clearly understand the program’s strategic direction, implementation timeline, and expected milestones.
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The Main Activities for 2026 include the following:
- Onboarding – refers to the process of introducing an individual or group to a new environment, role, or system, ensuring they understand how things operate and are properly equipped for success. The onboarding process in this context includes:
- Designation of a Point of Contact (POC) or OGP Focal at the LGU level by the Local Chief Executive (LCE);
- Formation of the Interim Team by the LCE and the POC, composed of relevant stakeholders; and
- Establishment of the Local Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee by the Interim Team and the POC.
Based on the Activities and Timelines outlined below, this will take place on January to May 2026.
- Co-creation – After they’ve been onboarded, the local Steering Committee is expected to have the central role in the co-creation of the LGU’s Flagship Program. To accomplish this, they must continuously engage with various stakeholders and hold regular multistakeholder consultation meetings to ensure alignment and collaboration of local government and non-government partners. The Flagship Program Actions shall be adopted through Sanggunian Resolution. This co-creation process will take place on June to September 2026.
- Implementation – A maximum of 2 years will be allocated for the implementation of the Flagship Program. The LGU may commit to longer-term project but there should be a clear milestone or phase that is accomplished during the Flagship Program’s implementation phase.
WHAT’S NEXT?
LGUs and other stakeholders may refer to the OGP Handbook and Playbook, which are accessible through the following link: https://bit.ly/3YvJSdo
For more information on OGP, you may contact DMO IV SUSAN MAY F. GRANADA or DMO III NYKEN D. BASI at dilgmimaropa.lgcdd@gmail.com.