In pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 63, s. 1992, the month of October of every year is declared as the Local Government Month which commemorates the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991. In line with this year’s theme, “Strengthening Good Local Governance towards Sustainable and Resilient Filipino Communities”, the Local Government Academy in partnership with the Local Governance Training and Research Institutes-Philippine Network (LoGoTRI-PhilNET) gather several academe professionals to share their expertise on how Research, Technology, and Partnerships Empower Great Cities for Philippine Local Governance Forum 2020.
The forum which was held on October 27, 2020 via ZOOM Cloud Meetings. The Ateneo de Naga University-Center for Local Governance as an active member of the LoGoTRI-PhilNET was represented by its Director who is also the Vice-President for Luzon of the network, Dr. Malu C. Barcillano who shared on ‘The Town and Gown Approach to Local Development and Governance through Service Learning’.
The forum aims to inform the participants about the different innovative practices of Local Government Units-Local Resource Institutes (LGU-LRI) Partnership through the help of the invited resource speakers: Dr. Jose Chen of the Tunghai University presented Taichung City’s policies on free public transport, real-time face mask storage system and student labor service program. He emphasized how the academe helped the local government for the improvement of the quality of life of people. Dr. Malu Barcillano of Ateneo de Naga University accentuated that the academe and the LGUs can create a win-win arrangement for the benefit and profit of the students, faculty, and the local governments. Dr. Zoleta Nantes of Southern Luzon University shared that the development of campaign materials will contribute to people’s participation in the development of projects and their decision to replicate. She also put emphasis that a braced and solid collaboration of LGUs and SUCs play a big role in furthering DRR and CCA approaches. Dr. Joy Mirasol of Bukidnon State University informed the participants about the innovative partnership for the conservation and sustainable development of Mindanao protected areas and highlighted that “Local knowledge best suits local conditions”. Mr. Jason G. Tuang-tuang of Palompon Institute of Technology discussed how their collaboration affected the management, protection, and conservation of marine resources to attain sustainability and food security. Lastly, Mr. Mark Velasco of ACERT advocated that local governments need not look outside their areas because they can tap the LRIs as to collaborate is to invoke a mutually beneficial exchange.
The 3 hour long session was joined by panel members RD Marlo Iringan of DILG CAR and RD Arnel Agabe of DILG Region 10 who also share their views and perspective on the matter and further elaborate how LGU-LRI partnership greatly affects the best both for the community and governance development. ARD Yvette Sunga of DILG Region 10 hosted the forum alongside Mr. Marlo DL. Era of LoGoTRI-Philnet, who moderated the session.
The forum ended in a good note where the participants despite of engaging in an online activity experience a session that is conducive both for professional and personal growth and development.
To watch the full coverage, please refer to this link: https://www.facebook.com/lgaphilippines/videos/371292127351726
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By: Laizel Joy A. Rodulfo
