CAGAYAN DE ORO, October 27 – Aimed at establishing transparency and building mutual trust, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 provided a venue for dialogue on national and local issues among government and non-government stakeholders through the Dagyaw Town Hall Meeting.

In line with the celebration of Local Government  Month, the DILG 10 spearheaded the event with the goal of strengthening the programs and bringing the services effectively to the citizenry.

DILG 10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko, CESO IV, invited everyone to engage in discourse concerning the government’s programs and services, further emphasizing the importance of participatory governance in nation-building.

“We in the DILG, will ensure good participatory governance through the implementation of well-formulated and strong policies. Hence, through Dagyaw, let us build a better and stronger nation together,” said RD Suyko.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Recognizing the importance of involving the youth and providing them with a more creative way of promoting governance, several activities were pursued and conducted which were participated by representatives from various schools in the region. 

Three of which were the poster-making contest that highlighted Good Local Governance Practices, the Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) Contest that portrayed life-changing stories on Good Local Governance, and the song-writing composition that showcased and described exemplary local leaders.

Alongside the various activities, partner agencies from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), PagIbig, PhilHealth, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Social Security System (SSS), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) also opened their exhibits for the public to promote their programs and services in working towards government transparency and accountability.

‘𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻’ 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀

This year’s Dagyaw invited speakers and experts from DOH, DepEd, and DSWD, and provided the participants with a platform to promote and explain their initiatives and current services highlighting issues on health, education, and government services.

DOH 10 Public Health Doctor Steffi Grace H. Enon highlighted that the DOH is strengthening the enforcement of the Universal Health Care Act to give the people, especially the vulnerable sector, with proper care and attention.

“Ang gusto lang gyud namo (DOH) is that mas daghan ang tao nga maserbisyohan, mas daghan ang service na mahatag sa katawhan, ug mas dako ang financial protection nga mahatag (What we want in the Department is that more people will benefit from the act, more services will be delivered to the people, and bigger financial protection will be given),” said Dr. Enon.

Meanwhile, DepEd 10 presented the current status of the region’s education system and called for immediate action to effectively improve the learner’s skills and potential.

“With the low level of proficiency among primary students, this calls for immediate action to close learning gaps and ensure that all students have a smooth and continuous educational journey,” she said.

Further, DSWD 10 Regional Information Officer Charmaine Suzette Tadlas presented the priority programs and services offered by the Department, further reminding the citizens that the DSWD will continue to provide services and assistance to individuals in crisis situations.

Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon word for “bayanihan” or togetherness which aims to bring the government closer to the people.