BUTUAN CITY – The members of the Regional Committee on Devolution (RCommDev) and local government units (LGUs) revisited the latest updates on the transition to full devolution and exchange insights and ideas about the subject matter, during the recently held Regional Fora on Full Devolution, at the Pavilion, Watergate Hotel, this city, and live streamed online via Zoom.
Intended as a platform for sharing knowledge about the transition, the activity further enabled the LGUs to maximize their preparations following the creation of their respective Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs). Likewise, the NGAs were able to share the various forms of assistance they could provide in lieu of the transition, especially in building the capacities of LGUs.
Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga, shared that 100% of the LGUs in the region complied with the creation of the DTPs. The challenge now lies with ensuring that the LGUs are equipped with the appropriate capacities to deliver the devolved functions, services, and facilities (FSFs).
LGUs validated the need for strengthened capacity development through the concerns they raised in the interactive question-and-answer part of the program. Local officials and functionaries shared that the anticipated decrease in the national tax allotment is a prime challenge in sustaining the demands of full devolution. In response, the DILG upheld the need for heightened capacity development and prioritization of devolved FSFs.
“As the harmonizer of the region’s capacity development interventions, the DILG highly encourages our partner agencies to share the menu of technical assistance they can provide so we can properly address our LGUs’ needs and match them to the appropriate CapDev market,” explained Annabel Yangson, Capability Development Division chief of DILG Caraga.
Similarly, the NGAs echoed the sentiment of the LGUs and assured them that they will keep on offering their support as the transition continues.
“We will always face the challenge of having ample resources to meet our demands, but we can overcome these hurdles when we face the future together and work as one,” affirmed Chief Economic Development Specialist Junjie Crisante of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga.
Meanwhile, DILG Caraga Assistant Regional Director Donald Seronay, closed the activity by citing the significance of properly guiding the LGUs to make sure that they can withstand the challenges, especially the anticipated reduction in the national tax allotment.
Moving forward, the members of the RCommDev earnestly committed to working with the DILG in shaping the capacities of the LGUs by enhancing the capacity development framework of the region vis-à-vis full devolution. (LGOO II Estela Marie M. Vallespin, DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
