OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)--In an effort to prioritize and harmonize the government's delivery of basic services and promote inclusion of diverse sections of urban society in development undertakings, DILG Misamis Occidental launched Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development (CUCPD) Program held at Naomi’s Botanical Garden, Ozamiz City.

Cluster Head Sanivier G. Patoc discussed on the key features of the CUCPD Program and its operational methodology, as well as a workshop on identifying sectoral concerns and mainstreaming them into the target LGUs' existing local plans.

DILG Provincial Director Pablio L. Benitez, Jr. highlighted the crucial role of the LGUs considering that the CUCPD Framework demands upon them to be at the forefront in the identification and implementation of programs, projects and activities intended to resolve the pressing issues reminiscent of the plight of the youth and students, labor, urban poor, and women in urban communities.

“Although the Program is fundamentally LGU-driven, it shall serve as a platform for convergence and collaboration among national government agencies and stakeholders alike to ensure the adoption and operationalization of a sector-based strategy that will address the developmental gaps and primary issues of the identified vulnerable sectors in urban communities through the institutionalization of the CUCPD framework and processes in the updating of the existing local development plans,” the director said.

The activity was attended by the local functionaries from the provincial government and target component cities and municipality; Oroquieta City, Ozamiz City and Clarin town. They were composed of the Planning and Development Officers, Federation Presidents of Sangguniang Kabataan, Public Employment Services Officers (PESOs), representatives from the Community Relations Unit of the PNP, Liga ng mga Barangay Presidents, representatives from the Administrator’s office, and DILG City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers. (DILG Misamis Occidental/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)