DILG-8 holds planning workshop to promote corporate governance among LGUs

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
April 24, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Forty-five (45) field officers and regional personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-8) recently participated in a three-day workshop on budget and program planning, with the goal of encouraging greater use among local government units (LGUs) of their corporate powers.

The workshop, held from April 18-20, 2006 at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City was conceptualized by DILG-8 Regional Director William C. Paler in response to the call by Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno for a paradigm shift of the Department’s programs towards promotion of corporate governance.

Corporate governance in local governments refers to the exercise of an LGU’s proprietary or corporate functions as enshrined in R.A. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). This includes the right to enter into contracts, access credit financing, and engage in entrepreneurial interests, among others.

“In the future, our Department’s programs will be geared more towards corporate governance to enable provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays to be more self-reliant, and less dependent on IRA and national government assistance”, said RD Paler.

He noted that 15 years since the enactment of the Local Government Code, many LGUs have yet to maximize their corporate powers. Others find it hard to avail of alternative financing methods due to lack of technical knowledge.

The Regional Director believes that DILG, as the agency mandated with general supervision over LGUs, could provide assistance in project identification and preparation of feasibility study, among others.

The workshop resulted in several proposed programs to be submitted to DILG Central Office for consideration and refinement. The proposals detailed implementation steps, roles of LGUs, different levels of the Department, concerned stakeholders, and the required funding.

Dir. Paler expressed optimism that this new thrust, together with the continued implementation of other capacity-building programs, would enable the Department to significantly contribute to an increase of self-reliant and progressive communities in the country.