ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 6 encouraged local government units (LGUs) to be smart and creative during the recent Development Talk (DevTalk) 2022 in a hybrid set-up.

DevTalk is a flagship knowledge-sharing activity of the DILG 6 through its Local Government Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) in line with the 31st anniversary of the Local Government Code.

With the theme "Lakas ng Lokal: Trailblazing Innovation and Collaboration in Local Governance," DevTalk for this year focused on the Smart and Creative LGUs as part of the preparation for the implementation of the full devolution.

discussion on the current local governance trends, specifically on the concepts of smart city, urban regeneration, and local economic development.

“We deemed it necessary this year that in its 13th year, the development that we bring in terms of the talk part will cover those exciting ideas right now, specifically on smart cities and creative economies,” he said.

As part of the one-day activity, DILG 6 tapped resource speakers including Dr. Jung Won Sonn, a University College London associate professor, who discussed Creative Economy, and Dr. Park Joon, an associate professor at the University of Seoul for the Smart City topic.

In addition, Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher V.P. De Venecia talked about the Creative Industry and Local Economic Development.

Also, Sonia Fontanilla-Pimentel of the Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA) provided commentaries and insights on behalf of Lizan Perante-Calina, Dean and Senior Vice President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and President of the PSPA.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 63, series of 1992, the month of October is declared as the Local Government Month to commemorate the signing into law of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code and to recognize LGUs as partners of the national government in the attainment of national goals. (JBG/FRG/PIA6)