Quirino Governor Dakila Carlos E. Cua opined on the importance of Local Government Units (LGUs) as frontlines in driving progress in the Philippines in front of more than 3,000 local leaders, stakeholders and international partners at the Local Governance Summit 2024 held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last month.
The delegation included leaders from various local government leagues, such as Vice Mayors’ League President Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta; League of Municipalities of the Philippines Vice President for Mindanao Mayor Jason John Joyce; Philippine Councilor’s League President Councilor Handy Lao; Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines Vice President Board Member Dick Carmona; Liga ng Barangay National President Board Member Jessica Dy and League of Vice Governors of the Philippines President Vice Governor Katherine Agapay.
“By embracing smart, resilient and innovative governance, we are not just improving local communities; we are shaping the future of the entire country,” Cua said.
Cua is also the National President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).
ULAP co-organized the Summit together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and centered on the theme, “LGUs sa Bagong Pilipinas: Smart. Resilient. Driven.”
The collaboration between ULAP and DILG was crucial in the realization of the Summit’s objectives, which aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” or “New Philippines.”
It centered on the essential role of LGUs in national progress through smart governance, resilience, and innovation.
Cua’s opening remarks also described the Summit as a platform for collaboration and a call to action for LGUs to lead the nation toward a more sustainable and progressive future.
Among the key initiatives introduced during the summit were the Philippine Smart Local Government Network (PSLG) and the Developing Resilient, Innovative, Vibrant, and Efficient Smart Local Government Nationwide (DRIVEN) program. These programs, developed with the support of various government departments and international organizations, are aimed at promoting digital transformation and sustainable development within LGUs across the country.
One of the highlights of the Summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the PSLG with representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the World Bank affixing their signatures.
The two-day event focused on the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing LGUs. DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on local leaders to embrace the principles of smart, resilient, and driven governance to reinforce the role of LGUs in leading their communities toward a better future.
Climate resilience, environmental governance, public health and safety and the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance were likewise discussed during the Summit’s sessions.
ULAP’s active participation in organizing the LG Summit 2024 gave importance to its commitment to fostering collaboration and pushing forward the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda. By bringing together local and national leaders, ULAP and DILG set the stage for future innovations and partnerships that will significantly shape the governance landscape of the Philippines.
