Republic of the Philippines

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday (November 23) reminded local chief executives to ensure they are not “missing in action” during calamities and emergency situations such as what were currently happening in several Samar provinces. The call was made during the visit of President Ferdinand R.  Marcos, Jr. in Tacloban City with Cabinet members. They were briefed on the effects of the shear line and the low-pressure area that triggered massive flooding in Northern Samar and nearby provinces. Abalos said that the physical presence of local executives is very important during these challenging situations as they are expected to implement and oversee the conduct of appropriate disaster response measures in their respective localities. “This is enshrined in the DILG’s Operation L!sto Manual, LCEs must be present before, during and after any disaster,” he said. “Sundin po natin ito upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” Abalos continued. President Marcos and Abalos arrived in Tacloban on Thursday morning, along with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian. They later attended a hybrid briefing along with local officials, and representatives from regional offices of different government agencies. The top national officials were later briefed on the situation on the ground especially on the immediate needs of the affected residents in the provinces of Northern and Eastern Samar, Samar, and Leyte. Damages in the agriculture sector, fisheries, and infrastructure were also reported by the local officials. President Marcos ordered all concerned agencies  to continue providing food packs to affected families, even as the National Housing Authority (NHA) vowed to provide shelter subsidy of P10,000 per household. The provinces of Northern and Eastern Samar are currently both under the state of calamity. ###

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday described the anti-drug abuse councils (ADACs) at the provincial, city, and municipal levels as “heroes” of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Abalos underscored that the war against illegal drugs is at the local government level, and the ADACs are at the forefront of this war. “Ang giyerang ito will always be fought at the grassroots, ang laban ay sa lokal. At sino ang  unang lalaban dito, kayo po yun —ang ADACs,” he said. “Kayo ang bayani ng ating bansa pagdating sa laban sa droga,” he added during the 2023 ADAC Performance Awards held at the Crowne Plaza in Quezon City. Abalos explained that ADACs play a key role in the whole-of-nation and holistic approach against illegal drugs under the Department’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA program which is now on its first year. “This is a war we are fighting for our children, our future and our country. Tuloy-tuloy lang tayo, marami tayong gagawin. Mabuhay ang mga champions ng ADAC!,” he said. ADAC is a multi-sectoral council responsible for the formulation of plans, and the implementation of local anti-drug abuse programs, projects and activities in a particular locality. During the same event, Abalos told reporters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now in the process of selecting the best possible replacement for Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. who is set to retire next week. “Halos lahat naman magagaling, but of course, prerogative ito lahat ng ating Pangulo.  But in terms of character na hinahanap, the number 1 standard should be output and performance.”  “Ibig sabihin, bumababa ang criminality, tumataas ang huli sa droga – yun ang hinahanap ng tao, at yun ang kailangan natin. Talagang performer on the ground,” he stressed. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who was also a special guest speaker, said that they are now in the process of making amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the passage of the ADAC Bill, which will formally institutionalize the local drug abuse councils. ###

With the mandatory training for newly-minted Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) nearing 100% completion, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos today reminded the incoming youth leaders to ‘walk the talk’ by exemplifying good governance even at a young age. “Along with the key skills and responsibilities that you’ve learned during the training, pinakaimportante ang pagtupad sa mga ipinangako ninyo noong kayo ay nangangampanya. You have to walk the talk,” Abalos said. He issued the call even as the National Youth Commission (NYC) was about to wrap up the mandatory training of SK officials. Abalos said that the lessons that the SK officials learned during the training must inspire them to lean towards good governance as they build the bedrock of our country’s future. “The quality of our young leaders today shall determine the kind of leaders that they will be tomorrow. Habang maaga, piliin ninyo ang maayos at tapat na klase ng pamamahala,” he added. The SK mandatory training, pursuant to Section 28 of Republic Act 11768, serves as a comprehensive knowledge and skill orientation for newly elected SK officials and jointly administered by the DILG and NYC. The training encompasses five key sessions, covering topics such as Decentralization and Local Governance, SK History and Salient Features, Meetings and Resolutions, Planning and Budgeting, and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards. Incumbent SK officials shall also attend the continuing training programs prepared by the NYC and its partner agencies, which will offer more comprehensive training and capacity development activities to build competencies necessary for effective SK leadership. Under the same provision, Abalos said that failure to comply in either mandatory or continuing training programs shall constitute sufficient grounds to disqualify the derelict SK officials or subject them to disciplinary actions. Abalos likewise commended the NYC for expeditiously fulfilling its mandate in ensuring full compliance from the elective youth officials of cities and municipalities all over the country. “Closing in on almost a hundred percent within just 2 weeks after the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is truly a remarkable achievement,” he said. Following full completion, a separate mandatory bookkeeping training is being developed to be administered by TESDA to SK-appointed treasurers, in compliance with the new guidelines set for the qualifications of SK secretaries and treasurers.###

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday strongly urged local government units (LGUs) and local civil society organizations (CSOs) nationwide to support and participate in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local program. The OGP Local is an onboarding program where new members with existing Open Government initiatives will develop and implement local OGP action plans through a multi-stakeholder co-creation process which further contributes to a more open, accountable, and responsive government. “OGP in itself mirrors the whole-of-nation approach the current government espouses. The LGUs, CSOs and other stakeholders as critical actors towards achieving innovative and improved local governance can benefit from the OGP Local initiative,” Abalos said. He underscored that LGUs and CSOs collaborating under the OGP initiative opens opportunities for government and non-government stakeholders leading towards transparency, empowerment of the citizenry. It is also envisioned to fight against corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen and advance governance down at the local level. Abalos pointed out that the DILG is an advocate of Open Government and shall remain committed to continue, strengthen and support the PH-OGP advocacies. This, as the Mindanao leg of OGPinas was held recently in Cagayan de Oro City and was attended by some 200 representatives from various government and private offices. DILG Assistant Secretary Ester A. Aldana who represented Abalos reiterated the latter’s call for committed, continuing, strengthening, and supporting the PH-OGP advocacies and activities. The PH-OGP which was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, was aimed at strengthening and expanding the avenue of dialogues and partnership between the government and civil society groups.###

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Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos urged newly-elected barangay officials to retain capable barangay personnel especially health workers, nutrition scholars, and tanods, among others, for the continuity of community programs and services. “I am pleading sa ating mga bagong punong barangay ngayon na hangga’t maaari sana ay yakapin natin lahat [barangay personnel] including the continuity of good programs and projects. To do this, of course, you need good people to continue these services,” Abalos said during his recent visit in Cagayan de Oro. This, as he called on Punong Barangays to discard political retribution in the appointment of barangay personnel and retain those who have been serving the community well stressing that “a true leader always inspires and unites people”. “Hindi po ito panahon ng gantihan.” He acknowledged that based on a previous DILG legal opinion, Punong Barangays (PBs) and their Sanggunian have a hand in the appointment of barangay workers, but urged them to retain those who were already serving since they have already undergone different capacity development interventions.Abalos pointed out that retaining barangay health workers, nutrition scholars and tanods entails both technical and institutional knowledge and expertise mustered through years of public service in the community. The DILG Secretary likewise emphasized that barangay health workers and nutrition scholars play a key role in addressing stunting and malnutrition among children in the barangays. Sharing his experience during his time as local chief executive of Mandaluyong City, he said that with the help of capable BHWs and BNS, they were able to assist pregnant women and fight malnutrition among infants and young children in the city. “Through our program in Mandaluyong City and the assistance of BHWs and BNS, we garnered the highest honor in nutrition. So it can be done, but the secret is not only the system but always the BHW and BNS. Tandaan niyo yan,” he explained. Presidential Decree No. 1569 mandates the deployment of one BNS in every barangay in the country to monitor the nutritional status of children and other nutritionally at-risk groups and link them with nutrition-related service providers. ###

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