01/06/2026
𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐑𝐏𝐌𝐂-𝐂𝐀𝐑 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌&𝐄 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦
LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — The Cordillera Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC-CAR), through the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DEPDev-CAR), conducted the 2026 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Forum on May 21-22, 2026 at the Agricultural Training Institute, BSU Compound, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The two-day forum gathered project monitoring officers of the different implementing agencies, local government units, state universities and colleges, and oversight agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) in the Cordillera. RPMES is a government system used to monitor the progress of programs and projects, identify issues early, and help ensure that public funds are properly used for the benefit of communities.
The activity aimed to improve the capacity of project implementers and monitoring officers in checking project performance, understanding implementation requirements, and addressing common concerns encountered in government projects. It also served as a venue for agencies and local government units to share experiences and recommend ways to improve project monitoring and reporting.
Director Apollo Edwin S. Pagano, Chairperson of RPMC-CAR and Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development–CAR (DEPDev-CAR) opened the forum stating that project monitoring goes beyond compliance and report preparation. He underscored that monitoring plays a vital role in ensuring that public resources are used properly, projects are implemented as intended, and issues are identified early while corrective actions are still practical. He also highlighted the importance of the RPMES in strengthening project monitoring in the region, promoting accountability, and improving project implementation. Director Pagano encouraged the participants to actively engage in the discussions, share their field experiences, and use the forum as a venue for learning and collaboration toward more transparent, accountable, and results-oriented project implementation in the Cordillera. An overview of the activity was presented by Mr. Gerald D. Segundo of DEPDev-CAR, while Mr. Victor Eugene S. Caccam discussed the priority programs, projects, and activities for monitoring under the RPMES.
To strengthen accountability in project implementation, Ms. Nikki D. Awilan, State Auditor IV of the Commission on Audit-CAR, emphasized the importance of project monitoring in preventing irregularities and ensuring that projects are implemented in accordance with laws, approved contracts, and plans, while observing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Infrastructure quality monitoring was highlighted during the forum. Engr. Roly A. Delos Reyes and Engr. Christopher Jay E. Tugas of the Department of Public Works and Highways-CAR (DPWH-CAR) discussed key inspection considerations for project monitors, stressing that quality assessment should be based not only on visible accomplishments but also on plans, specifications, measurements, test results, and proper documentation.
For the legal aspect of infrastructure implementation, Atty. Gunther U. Tomas of DPWH-CAR presented the Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act under Republic Act No. 12289, which seeks to make right-of-way acquisition faster, fairer, and more transparent while ensuring just compensation for affected property owners.
On the second day, Ms. Joan Marcos-Segundo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CAR discussed social and environmental safeguards in project implementation. The session highlighted the importance of protecting ecosystems, respecting human rights, consulting affected communities, and managing environmental and social risks in project implementation.
The forum also included a presentation by Mr. Bob Lyndon B. Daroya of DEPDev-CAR on the eRPMES User Experience Sharing and Identification of Areas for System Improvement, where participants shared their experiences and suggestions to improve the electronic reporting system.
Further, Mr. Gerald D. Segundo presented the guidelines for the Search for Outstanding Project Monitor. The search aims to recognize agencies and local government units that actively support RPMES through timely submission of reports, complete forms, accurate data, and verifiable information backed by documents and evidence.
The forum concluded with a closing message delivered by Assistant Regional Director Noemi P. Humilde of DBM-CAR on behalf of Director Marie Christine D. Andaya, Co-Chairperson of RPMC-CAR and Regional Director of DBM-CAR. Through the forum, RPMC-CAR emphasized that monitoring is more than the submission of reports or the conduct of site visits. It is a practical tool to help ensure that projects are implemented properly; concerns are acted expeditiously, and subsequently, communities receiving the project intended benefits on time.
The conduct of the 2026 M&E Forum forms part of RPMC-CAR and DEPDev-CAR’s continuing efforts to strengthen coordination among monitoring partners, improve the quality of project implementation, promote accountability, and support evidence-based decision-making in the Cordillera.
𝐵𝑦 𝐺𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑑 𝐷. 𝑆𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑜, 𝐷𝐸𝑃𝐷𝑒𝑣-𝐶𝐴𝑅 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑓𝑓
