BAGUIO CITY (PIA) –Three institutions in the Cordillera region were among the finalists in the 2023 Capacity Development Awards for Catalysts of Excellence (CapDev ACE) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy.
The Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera Regional Office and the University of the Cordilleras shone in the CapDev Game Changer Awards category, while the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values excelled in the CapDev Accelerator Awards in Local Governance and the NextGen CapDev Accelerator Award in the Local Governance categories.
PIA-CAR Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, UC Research Services Office Executive Director Nathaniel Lubrica, and CRFV National Director Nathaniel Saquiban proudly received the plaques during the 8th Capacity Development Awards Gabi ng Pasasalamat at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night, December 12, 2023.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. served as guest of honor and speaker during the ceremony.
In recognition of the vital role of partners in addressing the needs of local government units and achieving local governance excellence, the DILG through the LGA acknowledges the valuable contributions of local governance partners and stakeholders in accelerating the realization of its goals and achieving excellence in local governance thru the CapDev Awards.
Aligned to LGA’s Partnership Framework for Local Governance Capacity Development, the program strengthens partnerships among stakeholders in local governance capacity development.
Abalos lauded the outstanding development partners and collaborators for their invaluable contribution to advancing local governance capacity development.
The DILG-LGA highlighted PIA-CAR’s role in bridging communication gaps, emphasizing the importance of aligning information and technology. It plays a key role by providing capacity building for government communicators, ensuring they possess proficient technology skills for effective information dissemination.
Notable initiatives introduced by PIA-CAR include packaged video reports/features like “In the Loop”, “Anya Ngay”, the ILI stories (Inspiring Lives, Informative Stories); CCWIT (Cordillera Convergence Winning Against Insurgency and Terrorism) highlighting best practices; Kapihan sessions; Community Radio Programs; translation and localization of IEC materials; IEC using traditional, interpersonal and digital media platforms.
The CRFV, meanwhile, embodies the shared values of “matino, mahusay and maasahan” leadership. Since 2019, CRFV has engaged in projects for DILG-CAR to foster ethical value formation for transformative and value-based development in ethical governance. CRFV’s commitment ensures consistent participation in auditing and makes it a crucial member of the Cordillera Regional Resource Center’s Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Council.
The UC and the DILG collaborated and developed the “Helping Empower and Lead Through Outreach and Networking (Program HELEN), a holistic capacity-building program that focuses on promoting excellence in local governance and community development.
Specifically centered in Tublay, the project actively collaborates with UC to offer guidance, support and official recognition for various program activities. The beneficiaries of this project gained knowledge and skills in governance capacity, service delivery, and community engagement. They have become actively involved in decision-making processes and local development initiatives. This comprehensive approach promotes excellence in local governance.
DILG CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose and Assistant RD Ruperto B. Maribbay Jr. join the CAR CapDev Award finalists during the 8th Capacity Development Awards Gabi ng Pasasalamat on Dec. 12, 2023 at the Manila Hotel.
In his message, Abalos stressed that building the nation is a whole-of-society effort with partners that serve as force multipliers and co-implementers. The DILG is fortunate to have numerous partners from diverse sectors to contribute, collaborate, and help in the attainment of its goals.
“Our efforts are not ours alone, it belongs to the community and to our partners – be it in beating illegal drugs, keeping our communities safe from crime and insurgency, helping promote a healthier community or enabling exemplar governance,” Abalos said.
He said that they are proud to say that for the DILG, there is strength in numbers beyond their own thru the partners that serve as experts that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of DILG efforts and help capacitate local government units to deliver their mandates.
“Truly, partners are integral to all the aspects of capacity development and services delivery of the Department,” he said. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
