TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - While waiting for their approved Devolution Transition Plans, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in region 2 encouraged all national government agencies to start orienting the local government units regionwide on full devolution of certain functions of the Executive Branch.  

Regional Director Francis Bautista said pursuant to Executive Order No. 138, NGAs with devolved functions and services to the LGUs shall prepare their respective DTPs to ensure the smooth implementation of the said EO.

Bautista said of the 20 NGAs that submitted their DTPs, only the joint Department of Health-National Nutrition Council and the Commission on Population and Development got DBM’s approval.

“Other national agencies are still under in-depth evaluation as of June 2022,” Bautista said, adding that NGAs concerned must review their respective thrusts, priorities, strategic plans, mandates, and functions to reflect the progressive operationalization of the full devolution of basic services and facilities.

Meanwhile, during the recent meeting of the Regional Committee on Devolution chaired by Bautista, he sought the support of the Philippine Information Agency to lead the advocacy efforts in the promotion of all the devolved programs and services of the concerned NGAs to the LGUs.

The PIA, in return, committed to draft a Communication Plan on Devolution which will consist of various activities which include the participation of the different media entities regionwide and Information Officers or IO-Designates of the Regional Line Agencies and LGUs with the end in view of intensifying awareness among LGU-constituents and other stakeholders on full devolution. (ALM/PIA Region 2)