22/07/2021
MALUNGON-MAASIM: "TAMBAYAYONG PARA SA KAUGMAON" DILG Malungon assists LGU Maasim in reimagining Local Governance under Full Devolution
MAASIM, SARANGANI (July 22, 2021) - The initiative for devolution in the Philippines has already been established a couple of decades ago, mainly through RA 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991". LGUs are empowered as genuine movers of development through the promotion of Local Autonomy. Since then, LGUs have played a vital role in governance and service delivery.
However, as LGUs continue to assume more and more functions and responsibilities in local governance, the grave imbalance in allotted resources for LGUs vis-à-vis these functions, making it difficult for LGUs to consistently provide a comparative level of service as mandated to them.
There was a very timely spark that led to the reimagining of genuine devolution through the initiative of Full Devolution. Given the impending implementation of the Supreme Court Ruling on the much controversial Mandanas-Garcia Petition, Executive Order No. 138 s. 2021 has been issued as a mechanism that serves as a springboard in providing an enabling environment for LGUs to fully embrace the Full Devolution Initiative. As such, more and more LGUs began to take a proactive stance in preparing for the unprecedented changes brought about by Full Devolution.
By this initiative, DILG XII, led by RD Josephine C. Leysa, CESO III, proactively initiated a series of interventions and activities for LGUs under SOCCSKSARGEN to fully prepare for the implementation of the Full Devolution initiative. These activities involve orientations for both Municipalities and their respective Component Barangays, among others.
Delving deeper into Sarangani Province, orientations on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia Petition and the Full Devolution initiative has already been conducted to various component municipalities, particularly in Alabel and Malapatan, where LGOO apprentices from the LGOO Apprenticeship Program-53rd Batch of the DILG were assigned. However, some Municipalities in the Province have yet to receive targeted interventions regarding Full Devolution even though the impending implementation of Full Devolution draws near.
To address this concern, the DILG Sarangani Provincial Office, in close coordination with DILG XII Regional Office, began an initiative to tap Municipal DILG Teams to assist other component Municipalities by providing Technical Assistance on Full Devolution. The DILG Team of the Municipality of Malungon, consisting of a composite team of DILG staff and LGOO apprentices, under Malungon MLGOO Marife C. Tenorio's leadership and supervision went to LGU Maasim to provide Technical Assistance on Full Devolution.
The activity is entitled "LGU Maasim Reimagines with DILG Malungon Team on Local Governance under Full Devolution: Orientation on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia Petitions" and was held on July 21, 2021 (Wednesday) at the Maasim Municipal Conference Room. The activity generally serves as an orientation on SC Ruling and on Full Devolution, emphasizing the general provisions of EO 138 s. 2021, and the components required for LGUs to prepare for the impending Full Devolution. The activity involved 5 sessions, namely: Session 1: Background on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia Petition, as discussed by Engr. Riolyka Z. Manalaotao; Session 2: Salient Features of the EO No. 138, s. 2021, by Jan Marlon L. Eroles; Session 3: Guidelines on the Preparation of Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs), by Kristine Carmen D. Diones, EnP; Session 4: Guidelines on the Preparation of the Capacity Development Agenda, by Jacqueline A. Calimlim; and lastly, Session 5: Implementation Strategies of the LGU DTPs, by Malungon MLGOO Marife C. Tenorio.
Maasim MLGOO Melencio R. Balanag, Jr. spearheaded the start of the activity, which was attended by the Mayor of Maasim, Hon. Zyrex C. Pacquiao; Municipal Vice-Mayor Visitacion Nambatac; Members of the Sangguniang Bayan; Department Heads and technical staff. Further, guests from DILG XII also graced the conduct of the activity – under the leadership of no less than RD Josephine Leysa. Accompanying RD Leysa is ARD Lailyn A. Ortiz and LGCDD Division Chief Jermie A. Erie-Yaeger, and Sarangani DILG Provincial Director Engr. Samuel A. Camaganacan.
Throughout the presentations and discussions, participants from LGU Maasim were aware of the essential concepts regarding the Full Devolution Initiative and the pertinent timelines and requirements necessary for preparation and submission to appropriate channels.
Following the unprecedented success of the said activity, the DILG XII also considers that the next leg for the activity will be conducted soon, this time rendering assistance for LGU Maitum. This aligns with the fulfillment of the DILG Sarangani Provincial Office's effort to assist all LGUs of the Province. (DILG SARANGANI PROVINCIAL LGRRC)
