ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is set to meet local chief executives in Western Visayas to discuss the agency’s thrust during his two-day visit in this city starting today, January 18.

Key national government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Information and Communications Technology were also invited to take part in the dialogue which will center on the agency’s thrust to improve economic strategies, social transformation, and peace and order of local government units.

He will also lead the ceremonial turnover of different DILG infrastructure projects under the Local Government Support Fund Programs - Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) and Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU).

The Secretary was also invited to speak at the Visayas Multistakeholder Forum which opened on January 18 here. The two-day forum, conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is being participated by more than 250 representatives from national and local governments, academic and scientific institutions, civil society, and the private sector.  

Abalos’ visit is part of the efforts of the agency to strengthen the national development roadmap through an intensified national and local government connections. This is also in line with the role of the DILG in setting the LGUs towards the thrusts of the Department in view of the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan. (JBG/DILG6/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)