CUA: Service-Oriented LGUs to Lead the Future of Local Governance
Manila, PHILIPPINES - The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) participated in the UGNAYAN Lecture Series organized by the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) in collaboration with ULAP. The UGNAYAN Lecture Series, held on 30 June 2023 and organized by CLRG in collaboration with ULAP, aims to address the challenges of decentralization and promote a people-centered approach to local governance. Through meaningful discussions and policy reforms, the series seeks to enhance the connection between LGUs and their constituents, leading to sustainable solutions for the benefit of all.
Governor Dax Cua of ULAP served as the resource person during the webinar. In his insightful speech, he emphasized the need for service-oriented local government units (LGUs) and explored the challenges and opportunities in the state of decentralization.
Governor Cua acknowledged the significant role played by the Local Government Code (LGC) in empowering LGUs over the past 32 years. The LGC has granted them autonomy and authority to address unique challenges and foster democratic participation, decentralization, and equitable resource distribution. However, he highlighted that the current decentralization framework has not fully enabled LGUs to realize their fullest potential.
The governor delved into the intricate complexities and emerging trends shaping the future trajectory of local governance in the Philippines. He highlighted the impact of digitalization, climate action, and the need for enhanced disaster response and resilience. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of internalization, globalization, and public-private partnerships for LGUs to become able partners in nation-building.
Governor Cua shared ULAP's proposal for a paradigm shift in decentralization, empowering local authorities as agents of change, amplifying citizen participation, and paving the way for inclusive governance that serves the needs of communities. He advocated for a needs-based, data-driven, and scientific approach to identify essential services and improve service delivery at the local level.
“ULAP's proposal for decentralization transcends mere power transfer; it's a paradigm shift that empowers local authorities as agents of change, amplifies citizen participation, and paves the way for inclusive governance that truly serves the needs of our communities,” Cua said.
The webinar provided a platform to foster dialogue among stakeholders, including national government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, policy centers, and policy experts. Governor CUA invited all participants to collaborate with ULAP in realizing the vision of service-oriented LGUs.
The UGNAYAN Lecture Series featured a diverse panel of esteemed experts who added substantial insights to the discussion namely Usec. Marlo L. Iringan, the Undersecretary for Local Government at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Dr. Aekapol Chongvilaivan, a Senior Economist specializing in Public Finance at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Dr. Reginald G. Ugaddan, the Director of the UP Center for Local and Regional Governance. The panelists, with their unique perspectives and expertise, played a crucial role in adding depth and substance to the webinar's discussion. Their valuable insights and recommendations enriched the dialogue, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and paving the way for effective policy reforms in local governance.
ULAP expresses its gratitude to CLRG for organizing this significant webinar series and extends appreciation to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for their participation. ULAP looks forward to continued collaboration with all stakeholders in shaping the future of local governance in the Philippines.
ULAP Conducts 100th National Executive Board Meeting
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) held its 100th National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting to discuss vital policy, administrative, and operational matters on Thursday, June 29, at the Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City.
"We are delighted to have all the NEB members join us for this momentous 100th meeting. Local governments across the Philippines are now playing a more active role in driving development at both the local and national levels. ULAP stands ready to support and empower LGUs as they work tirelessly to serve their constituents and build vibrant communities," said ULAP Chairman and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo.
"The holding of our 100th NEB meeting comes at a critical juncture, as the role of local governments as a partner in national development and recovery after the pandemic comes under greater focus. We are glad that our meeting is well-attended," ULAP President and Quirino Governor Dax Cua meanwhile said.
During the meeting's morning session, the NEB conducted essential discussions on various matters surrounding the organization and strategic planning.
Various guests and institutional partners meanwhile shared insights on local government and development in the after session.
The guests included Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia; Atty. Engelbert Caronan Jr., President and CEO of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP); Executive Director Georgina Hernandez-Yang of the Galing Pook Foundation; and Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, Medical Director of Gene Lab PH and former Secretary of Health.
Besides Tamayo and Cua, the rest of the NEB also attended, including Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, Executive Vice President; Laguna Vice Governor Atty. Katherine C. Agapay, Vice Chairman; Aklan Vice Governor Reynaldo M. Quimpo, 2nd Vice President - Visayas; Laoag Councilor Handy T. Lao, Secretary General; Iloilo Vice Governor Christine S. Garin, Assistant Secretary General; Caoayan Mayor Germelina Singson-Goulart, Auditor; Taguig City Councilor Jorge Daniel S. Bocobo, Assistant Auditor; San Mariano, Isabela Vice Mayor Dean Anthony G. Domalanta, Liaison Officer; Malabon City Vice Mayor Bernard Dela Cruz, 3rd Vice President-Mindanao; Valenzuela City Councilor Marlon Alejandrino, Assistant Treasurer; Ilocos Norte Board Member Saul Paulo Lazo, Assistant PRO; Pampanga Board Member Ananias L. Canlas, Jr., Legal Counsel; Muntinlupa City Councilor Raul Corro, Chairman for Advocacy and Policy; and Tacloban City Councilor Eden C. Pineda, Chairman for Gender and Development.
Among the LGU observers were Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr., Dinagat Island Gov. Nilo Demerey, Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano, Mayor Arlene Arcillas from Santa Rosa City, Laguna, and Mayor Baby Armi Alvarez from Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, BM Ericson Singson from Ilocos Sur, and Atty. Mia Zyra Lumasac from Aurora. Also present were President Emeritus Cecilia Santos, Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI) and National Youth Commission Chairperson Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema and Executive Director Leah T. Villalon.
"The meeting is a testament to our commitment to empowering local government officials in effectively serving our constituents," said Cua.
According to Tamayo, the ULAP NEB Meeting concluded with "a renewed collective determination to advance the interests of local government units across the Philippines."
"The event provided a valuable platform for fostering cooperation, sharing best practices, and shaping policies," he added.
Cua meanwhile underscored ULAP's dedication to empowering LGUs and championing their vital role in driving inclusive and sustainable development nationwide.
"We will continue to help each other out so that we can achieve a kind of progress where no one gets left behind," he said. ###
PNP and ULAP Hold Internal Meeting to Enhance Safety and Security of Communities and Local Government Officials
Manila Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) convened on 7 March 2023, at Camp Crame for an internal meeting presided by the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, Hon. Benjamin D.C. Abalos, Jr. to discuss the safety and security of communities and local government officials following the recent attacks made on various local government officials in the country.
Members of ULAP, the umbrella organization of leagues of local government units, and its member leagues have been extremely concerned over the safety of local authorities in view of these attacks and have repeatedly called for swift and effective actions to bring the perpetrators to justice and to institute security measures for local government officials. “It is undeniable that the sizeable number of killings of local government officials and the brazenness of this recent spate of deaths, combine to send a chilling message to our people, hindering the democratic process and threatening the stability of the nation,” ULAP National President Dakila Cua said.
During the meeting, the PNP provided updates on the current security situation in different areas of the country and discussed ongoing investigations on the recent attacks on local government officials. ULAP representatives shared their observations and feedback, providing a comprehensive picture of the situation in their respective localities including their personal experiences in the face of threats and danger.
The PNP recognized the need for more localized intelligence gathering and collaboration with local authorities to determine imminent threats to local authorities. The SILG emphasized the need to work closely with ULAP to continue the dialogue between local authorities and the PNP to institute systematic updating and communication and further improve the safety and security of local chief executives. Furthermore, Secretary Abalos highlighted the power of the local chief executives of cities and municipalities to exercise operational supervision and control the PNP units in their respective jurisdictions pursuant to Section 51of Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
Meanwhile, ULAP representatives emphasized the need for greater police visibility at the local level and for the institutionalization of security force multipliers through protection agents. Said representatives also called for the strict implementation of the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which prohibits the unlawful acquisition or possession of ammunition and penalizes non-compliance thereto and coordinating with concerned agencies to improve measures with regard to the disposition of old vehicles and their respective plates. More so, a need to reactivate the Peace and Order Councils (POCs) in the regional, provincial and city/municipal level is deemed necessary to improve and enhance peace and order and public safety in their respective areas of responsibility.
Meanwhile, Secretary Abalos assured the local government officials present and the public that the PNP is focused on resolving high-profile killings against local officials and that the perpetrators of these crimes will be prosecuted with dispatch. He also added that they have sought the support of Congress for additional funds to strengthen the ranks of the police.
Additionally, the conduct of regular threat assessments to identify potential risks to government officials and take appropriate measures to mitigate them was also discussed.
Present in the meeting were League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) Members Aklan Governor Joen Miraflores, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr., Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III, Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal, Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Ann Hofer, League of the Cities of the Philippines (LCP) National President and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) National President and Cavite Board Member Ram Revilla, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) National Chairman and Pampanga Board Member Atty. Ananias Canlas, Jr., Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines (VMLP) National Chairman and Malabon City Vice Mayor Bernard Dela Cruz, and Executive Directors and representatives of the ULAP Member-Leagues.
By working together, both PNP and ULAP hope to create a safer environment, not just for locally elected officials, but for all Filipinos.
UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS MISSION ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
6 November 2022, SEOUL – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a delegation of Governors and officers from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) headed by Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province for a Study and Benchmarking Mission on Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea from 19 to 23 October 2022. Governor Cua also serves as the National President of ULAP. Joining him in the mission is Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque of Bukidnon, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Governor Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of Marinduque, Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte and Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac.
The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Philippine Agricultural Office, organized meetings and familiarization visits for the delegation with various agriculture agencies and organizations in the Republic of Korea such as the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea Agrimachinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO), and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and Farmers Cooperative. The study mission provided opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, as agriculture and food security is one of the main priorities of the Philippine government.
The delegation also attended the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) where fresh and fermented food products from various Philippine provinces like Tarlac and Quirino were displayed at the Philippine booth. Visitors likewise showed great interest in coffee from Bukidnon, okra from Tarlac, and bananas from Davao.
Prior to the agricultural study mission, Governor Cua attended the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress on “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One” in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. He participated in the UCLG Executive Bureau meeting on 10 October 2022, that discussed the membership application of ULAP in the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization.
During the mission, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of linking local governments to their counterparts abroad. She likewise expressed the Philippine Embassy in Korea’s commitment to supporting Philippine efforts to tackle food security in the country through smart farming techniques and agricultural mechanization in strengthening PH-ROK agricultural cooperation.
ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
ULAP delegates Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta of San Mariano, Isabela, and Board Member Atty. Ananias Canlas, Jr. of Pampanga join ASEAN local leaders during the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to contribute and share on this year’s theme ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together: “Strengthening ASEAN Collaboration through Accelerating the Implementation of Smart, Resilient, and Sustainable Cities for Transformative Urban Living in the New Normal.”
The forum brings together local chief executives, senior local government officials, and representatives of local government associations from all ASEAN member states and strategic partners from UN bodies and other multilateral organizations to strengthen the cooperation among ASEAN cities and local governments in building smart, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Board Member Canlas contributed to the discussion on “Sustainable Finance for Urban Development,” highlighting the best practices and existing legal, policy, and institutional frameworks of local government units in the Philippines in the areas of investment planning, budgeting, taxation, improving locally sourced revenues, public-private partnerships, and investing in people-centric programs particularly in health and education.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Domalanta contributed to the discussion on “Digital Governance: Accelerating Urban Transformation for the Engagement of Government and Citizen to Achieve Cities Digitalisation in ASEAN,” emphasizing the need for policies and reforms that are focused on improving connectivity, maintaining a network of stakeholders who can help achieve the goals of smart, resilient, and sustainable cities through financing, knowledge transfer or capacity development, and strengthening collaborative platforms where cities can work together towards the common goal of smart and sustainable urban development.
The 2022 AMF is hosted by the UCLG ASPAC in cooperation with the Phnom Penh Capital Administration.
Grand Launching of Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
Hon. Dakila Carlo Cua, ULAP National President, League of Provinces of the Philippines National Chairman and Governor of Quirino Province, leads the reading of Unity Statement during the Grand Launching of Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
