ILIGAN CITY, Mar. 27 — To strengthen the provincial operations and come up with strategies and innovations to address capacity needs of our local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Lanao del Norte conducted its 3^rd fieldmen’s conference and discussed the results of the Capacity Development (CapDev) Analytics at Frosty Bites Garden Hall, Iligan City.

“We will finally know the results of the CapDev analytics. Let’s take this opportunity to check the capacity needs of our LGUs and to also know the level of technical assistance that we will provide them with,” said Program Manager Amina O. Satar on her opening message.

Assessing the capacity of our localities

On CY 2022, the Department tapped the expertise of our partner-Local Resource Institute (LRI), the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), to conduct a study determining the capacity status of the Province of Lanao del Norte and its twenty-two component municipalities based on their respective Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs).

Director for Center for Local Governance Studies, Prof. Abu Al-Rasheed T. Tanggol presented the analysis focusing on the following sectors: (a) agriculture, (b) environmental, (c) social welfare, (d) health, (e) tourism, (f) infrastructure and (g) disaster risk reduction and management.

With the result of the analysis, it was found that the LGUs have varying levels of capacity to assume the devolved functions set in Section 17 of the Local Government Code, and despite limitations, the data and insights produced from the study are a good starting point or baseline for subsequent research that interested parties may undertake.

The presentation of the CapDev Analytics was facilitated by LGOO V Cyd Charisse C. Pangan.

On evaluating overall performance

As part of the regular updating, reports compliance to both technical and administrative sections were presented. Progress on project implementation were also tackled.

“While we regularly update and follow-up on the compliance of our LGUs to various programs, projects, and reports through you, our Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), we also welcome your suggestions on how we can improve our performance as a province, thereby helping us come up with strategies and innovations that will elevate our work efficiency and productivity,” said Cluster Head Mary Jean Y. Quibranza.

Further, CH Quibranza also reminded all MLGOOs that all local officials must adhere to the Foreign Travel Authority guidelines set for officials traveling abroad, emphasizing that the provisions of said policy are that no local official will leave their locality without seeking authority and to further ensure unhampered delivery of services to the public. (DILG Lanao del Norte/ P.Monteron)