The Development Academy of the Philippines’ Center for Governance (DAP-CFG) completed the last two courses of the Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Training Program for local chief executives of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in October 2018.  The last two courses that represented the third and fourth course of the program were held in Pasig City and were participated in by delegates from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

The third course, “Local Fiscal Administration and Sustainability Management,” which was attended by 24 participants from 14 ARMM municipalities and the Department of Interior and Local Government-ARMM Regional Office, focused on local fiscal management, public-private partnership, and procurement law.

The participants visited the City Government of Valenzuela to see an example of a local government unit with the best practices and innovations in using modern technology to deliver efficient and effective services.  The city implements 3S Plus in Public Service, an anti-graft and corruption platform that guarantees transparency and good governance.  This practice shows how technological advancements created a win-win situation for the city, its employees and people.

Meanwhile, the fourth course, “Strategic Management for Local Government Units,” provided 22 participants from 17 ARMM municipalities and the DILG-ARMM Regional Office with a good grasp of the strategic planning processes to strengthen their capacity in setting the organization’s directions.

To apply the overall learning of the participants, the Mayors participating in the courses were instructed to draft a strategic plan to manage their LGU’s fiscal gap with the aim of generating additional revenues and mobilizing more local resources.  The plans also indicated strategies that they would implement for each step or activity, along with the corresponding personnel, measures and indicators as well as estimated cost.

The participating Mayors are also expected to attend a learning exchange activity in February 2019 to be implemented by the DAP in partnership with JICA and the DILG-ARMM.