KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. commended the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Soccsksargen Region (DILG 12) for its initiatives that the Department is replicating for nationwide implementation.
Secretary Abalos expressed his praise of DILG Dose during the 2nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) in Koronadal City on September 30.
"Napakagaling ng DILG rito sa Region 12, kasi ginaya ng DILG ang innovation ng Region 12," Sec. Abalos said. He cited at least three programs of DILG Dose now being copied for other DILG regional offices to carry out in their respective jurisdictions.
These initiatives include two programs that the DILG Rehiyon Dose has recently launched, namely: Gender and Development (GAD) seal certification program and the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Academy for SOCCSKSARGEN and the soon-to-be introduced Seal Certification for Drug-Free Workplace.
DILG Dose is also the first regional office in the country "showcase the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF)," the secretary noted.
Pioneered by the Regional Gender and Development Committee XII, the GAD Seal Certification Program assesses regional line agencies and local government units for their compliance with GAD parameters such as utilization of at least 5% of the agency’s total budget for GAD, institutional GAD focal point system, establishment of GAD database, functional committee on decorum and investigation, breastfeeding station and child-minding station, GAD corner, and GAD-related initiatives or GAD best practices.
In June, DILG Dose, awarded GAD Seal Certificates to the first batch of regional line agencies that passed the evaluation, including the National Economic and Development Authority 12, DILG 12, Civil Service Commission 12, Police Regional Office 12, Mines and Geosciences Bureau 12, Department of Trade and Industry 12, Department of Science and Technology 12, Department of Energy-Mindanao Field Office, and Sultan Kudarat State University.
On October 10, DILG 12 will launch the GAD Seal Certification program for LGUs.
Meanwhile, the CSO Academy for SOCCSKSARGEN, which was launched on April 11, is the first learning institution in the country that capacitates civil society organization leaders as they engage with the government in development processes.
"The CSO Academy will offer capacity-building courses that will enhance their capacities and competencies in organizational development aimed to improve their internal governance and sustainability," DILG Dose Regional Director Josephine Leysa told Philippine Information during the launching.
For this initiative, DILG 12 collaborated with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 12 and non-government organization partners, the Association of Foundations (AF) and the Mahintana Foundation, Inc.
DILG Rehiyon Dose will inaugurate, during the opening ceremonies of the Local Government Month Anniversary on October 10, its latest initiative, the Seal Certification for Drug Free Workplace.
"Maraming ginawa ang family ng DILG Region 12 na in-adopt ng [DILG] national as good practices," Secretary Abalos said in an interview with Philippine Information Agency. "Magaling ang performance ng DILG regional director and all her staff here." (PIA XII)
