DILG-7 partners with UNDP for Typhoon Odette recovery

In efforts to help communities rise from the devastation of Typhoon Odette, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) forged a government-CSO partnership that focuses on post-disaster recovery.

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DILG-7 personnel and UNDP visited greatly affected areas and conducted an assessment from January 31 to February 3.

UNDP discussed the implementation of Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change (SHIELD) program in Argao, Alegria, Moalboal, Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City.

Participants during the said assessment were the local chief executives, LGUs’ Odette Task Force, and civil society organizations (CSOs) representatives. Also present were DILG Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero, Cebu City Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, LGOO VI John Michael Monillas of DILG Lapulapu City and C/MLGOOs.

The team also conducted an onsite visit to areas that were badly hit during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette for them to assess and identify appropriate short and long-term interventions to enhance and sustain community resilience.

Typhoon Odette hit Central Visayas and Mindanao on December 16 left a trail of destruction to infrastructure and property to thousands of people who are already battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bautista, Malaya lead distribution of cash aid in Cebu

Officials from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) visited the Province of Cebu on February 2 to lead and check on the status of financial assistance distribution to families affected by typhoon Odette.

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First part of the activity was the dialogue at Maayo Hotel in Argao wherein DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya together with DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova answered the queries and concerns of the Local Chief Executives in Cebu regarding the distribution of cash aid.

One of the questions raised was the concern on whether or not the beneficiaries who already received cash assistance from LGU or other national government agencies are barred from receiving the cash aid under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 4, which provides P1,000 assistance per affected individual with a maximum amount of P5,000 per family.

Relova said these affected families are not barred from receiving multiple cash aids from various government offices. However, she said the LGUs are encouraged to prioritize the giving of cash assistance from the national government to those families who have not received any assistance yet.

Another concern was the insufficiency of funds received by LGUs in relation to the total number of families affected by the typhoon.

As a response, Malaya said the mayors have full discretion as to the prioritization of beneficiaries that shall correspond to the total number of beneficiaries allocated to them.

He reminded the mayors that DILG Secretary Eduardo Año already issued a memorandum regarding the possible issuance of show cause order to LGUs for the undue delay in the distribution of financial assistance to those affected by the typhoon.

As of February 2, there were two LGUs, the Municipalities of Liloan and Cordova, in the province that completed the distribution of cash assistance to affected families, while 5 LGUs such as Argao, Asturias, Balamban, Moalboal, and Samboan have started the distribution.

The mayors expressed their apprehensions to start the distribution of the cash aid considering that they have no enough funds to distribute to all families who were affected by the typhoon, adding that rushing the distribution will only cause complaints and discontent from their constituents.

With this, Malaya yielded to their request and gave them until February 11 to start the distribution of cash aid.

He urged the mayors to begin the distribution of financial assistance especially to those severely affected families.

After the dialogue, the officials from DILG and DSWD together with DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero, Office of Civil Defense-7 Director Marlou Salazar, DSWD-7 Director Rebecca Geamala, DILG Cebu cluster heads and other personnel witnessed the distribution of cash assistance to families affected by typhoon in the municipalities of Argao and Balamban.

DILG-7 provides free water, opens charging stations to Typhoon Odette victims

Large part of Cebu suffered from water and electricity shortage after Typhoon Odette slammed into the province on Thursday evening, December 16, 2021.

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Days after its landfall, the situation in Cebu was devastating: power was out, shortage of water and telecommunications were down. People were seen on the streets with their containers and plastics bottles with the hope to find water for their families.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 regional office located in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City was not spared by the wrath of the typhoon, which brought a packed maximum sustained wind of 175 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour when it made landfall in Carcar City, southern Cebu.

The regional office sustained damages, but luckily, there was water and electricity, thanks to its generator set and deep well, which was constructed when Director Leocadio Trovela arrived in Cebu.

Trovela opened the doors of the DILG-7 office to the nearby community by sharing potable water and setting up a charging station in front of the DILG-7 regional office gate.

People flocked to the regional office with a daily average of 150 individuals fetching water, and an average of 120 people availing of free charging.

This was DILG-7’s little way of helping the community during the time of crisis.

Tina, a resident in Sudlon, Lahug, said that the free water and charging station was a huge help for them, they were able to charge their mobile phones and emergency lights.

DILG personnel receive assistance from Sec. Año

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año sent care kits/food packs to DILG-7 personnel who are under quarantine due to Covid-19.

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DILG-7 personnel, who are currently isolated at home or at isolation centers, received grocery items that contained homecare and hygiene products, vitamins, alcohol, air disinfectant, digital thermometer, oximeter, fresh milk, fruit juices, among others.

Regional Director Leocadio Trovela also sent a fruit basket to Covid-19 positive employees to help boost their immune systems.

The gesture lifted the hearts and spirits of the DILG-7 personnel.

Thank you, Sec Año!

DILG-7 kicks off 2022 with a convocation

DILG-7 started the year with a mantra to rise up amid adversity as personnel gather for the year’s first Convocation discussing plans and activities for CY 2022 via Cisco Webex.

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Regional Director Leocadio Trovela addressed the regional and sub-regional offices personnel with an encouraging message on Monday, January 10, 2022, three weeks after Typhoon Odette ravaged Central Visayas.

“There are learning and lessons that we learned in 2021, we will use that as we gear up for 2022,” said Dir. Trovela, adding that amid adversities last year there were still many things to thank for. “With Odette, we showed that we can stand any adversity,” he added.

Attending the blended meeting were Assistant Regional Director Maria Loisella Lucino, provincial directors, city directors, division chiefs, field officers and personnel.

Headed by division chiefs, the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), Office of the Regional Director (ORD), and Finance and Administrative Division (FAD)each presented their updates on programs and reminders on submissions for CY 2022.

Presented were the status and reporting of the monitoring on the distribution of financial assistance to cities and municipalities severely affected by Typhoon Odette, National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan under the DILG Vaccination Monitoring System, Barangay Road Clearing Operations, Seal of Good Local Governance, Implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, among others.

In her welcome message, Assistant Regional Director Lucino commended DILG-7 personnel for their dedication to public service and urged the public servants to face the new year with more enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the regional office personnel presented a recorded rendition of The Journey and Walang Hanggang Paalam to brighten up the mood of the participants. DILG Cebu City, Cebu Province and Siquijor also shared their recorded intermission numbers.

Dagyaw 2021 strengthens multi-sectoral collaboration on full devolution

Sectoral partners from civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Central Visayas participated in the USAPANG LOKAL V.2.0: Dagyaw 2021 Region 7 Virtual Town Hall meetings today.

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This year’s episode centers on the changes in the local governance landscape following the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court ruling and full devolution under Executive Order No. 138.

The session was led by DILG-7, along with other Participatory Governance cluster members, Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-7 and Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-7, to serve as an avenue for the private sectors to get involved in the discussion, and foster an inclusive and healthy exchange of viewpoints on various national policies and programs among stakeholders.

Resource persons were DBM-7 Officer-in-Charge and Chief Budget and Management Specialist Carlo Maraat, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Felix Taguiam, and Kaabag sa Sugbo Foundation Executive Director Catherine Ruiz.

Director Leocadio Trovela, in his message, expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders for their active participation, and emphasized the importance of providing an avenue for the public to raise their respective concerns amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Thank you so much for your attendance. This will be a very productive engagement between regional line agencies, sectoral partners, and our local and field officers,” he said.

“The beauty of blended activity such as this is we can have multitude of participants coming together and talk about the important concerns affecting local governance in a cost-effective manner,” he added.

Other highlights of the activity was the discussion on the propositions from the business community and the crucial roles of CSOs and NGOs in the successful implementation of the full devolution in the region.

Dir. Trovela graces RTC-7 Class 2021-01 culmination ceremony

DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela graced the culmination ceremony of the Public Safety Junior Leadership Course of Regional Training Center-7 Class 2021-01 Alpha to Echo at the Regional Training Camp-7 covered court in Barangay Jugan, Consolacion, Cebu today.

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Dir. Trovela served as a keynote speaker during the graduation of 247 policemen after completing a four-and-a-half-month course designed to equip junior non-commissioned officers with fundamental attitudes, skills and knowledge required for team-building assignments, and to prepare them for higher responsibilities as they go up in the rank within the PNP organization.

In his speech, Trovela reminded the graduates of the importance of integrity and professionalism and to keep soaring.

“I have high hopes and I am confident that this course has equipped and honed all of your leadership potentials and has prepared you to assume higher responsibilities within the organization,” he said.

“You were trained to strengthen your core, as you were taught the fundamental knowledge, skills and attitude required for team-leading and building assignments,” he added.

The PSJLC RTC7 Class 2021-01 Alpha to Echo was composed of PNP personnel with ranks of Police Corporal and Police Staff Sergeant. Officials present during the activity were PCol. Marlon Quimno, the chief of RTC-7; PLT Crisanto Benigay, assistant chief RTC-7; and PLT Jec Seares, chief of Non-Academic Section.

“As you continue this journey in public service, let me encourage RTC 7 Class 2021-01 Alpha to Echo to press on, strive for effective leadership and public influence. With greater vision and finer spirit, you are more than ready to take on your sacred obligation to serve and protect our country and its people,” said Dir. Trovela.

DILG-7 personnel convene for convocation

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 personnel converged anew to discuss the accomplishments and continuing targets for Calendar Year (CY) 2021 in the October Convocation via Cisco Webex today, October 25.

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Regional Director Leocadio Trovela spearheaded the Convocation. He was joined by Assistant Regional Director Maria Loisella Lucino, Provincial Directors, City Directors, Division Chiefs, and DILG-7 personnel. In his message, Dir. Trovela gave instructions to provincial and city directors, division chiefs, field officers and focal persons on the deliverables and focus programs for the remainder of the year.

Dir. Trovela underscored the importance of teamwork to achieve a more efficient work output and productivity.

“If we are together we can perform better,” he said.

ARD Lucino echoed the sentiment of RD Trovela when it comes to working ethic as a team.

“We’re confident that we can accomplish all our targets CY 2021 before the 2021 ends,” she said, “As what Karen Casey says ‘One part at a time, one day at a time, we can accomplish any goal we set for ourselves.’”

LGCDD Chief Maria Thelya Oporto, FAD Chief Atty. Ferdinand R. Albaño, LGMED Chief and DILG Cebu City Director Atty Ian Kenneth Lucero, and LGOO V/Planning Officer designate Frislie Gay Virador of ORD presented accomplishments and updates on the programs of their respective divisions.

For LGMED, Atty. Lucero shared updates on National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, road clearing accomplishment report, implementation of Safety Seal Certification program, Bantay Korapsyon, LTIA recognition ceremony, ELCAC monthly monitoring report, BADAC Functionality Audit, BPOC Functionality Audit, among others.

Oporto, meanwhile, shared the programs, training and activities facilitated or participated by LGCDD thru an AVP.

Among the activities were Orientation on the LGU Devolution Plan, ELCAC, Pre-Execom meeting, Regional CBMS dialogue, iBPLS training, Pre-disaster risk management, Dagyawan sa Barangay, Resbakuna townhall and RTF recovery cluster.

Atty. Albaño shared the updates on the procurement of the construction of DILG provincial offices.

FAD, which covers the personnel, budget, accounting, records, and general services unit, also presented their accomplishments via AVP. This month’s Convocation is hosted by the Office of the Regional Director (ORD).

Community-based and catch-up routine immunization kicks off

DILG-7 joined the Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development during today’s Community-Based and Catch-Up routine Immunization Kick-Off at Robinsons Galleria.

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On behalf of DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, DILG Cebu City Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero expressed the Department’s full support to the program.

“While we are still continuously fighting against COVID-19, let us not forget that we have other diseases like the Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) that we’re also aiming to prevent its impending outbreak,” Lucero said.

“We cannot afford an outbreak. Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines are available. Vaccinces are free. Proteksyonan nato ang atong mga bata ug kabatan-onan,” he added.

Acknowledging their crucial roles in the implementation of the program, DILG-7 also urged local government units in Central Visayas to support the program and assist the agencies in the implementation of the campaign in their respective jurisdictions.

DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas, Department of Education-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez, Cebu City Department OIC Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, and other sectors attended the program.

Highlighting the program were the ceremonial vaccination and signing of the pledge of commitment signifying the attendees’ full support to the program

DILG-7 bares outstanding Lupons in the region

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 recognized the best Lupong Tagapamayapa in Central Visayas with exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots level in the CY 2021 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) Regional Recognition Ceremony on Friday, October 15, 2021, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

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Four barangays from Cebu and Bohol were feted as regional winners and pocketed P50,000 cash prize following a thorough deliberation from the LTIA Regional Awards Committee. Barangay Budla-an, Cebu City was hailed regional winner in the Highly-Urbanized Cities (HUC) category while Barangay Taloto, Tagbilaran City Bohol was named regional winner in the Component Cities category.

Both the lupons from Budla-an and Taloto are included in the shortlist of the National Finalist in the LTIA after undergoing national validation conducted by the National Board of Judges last September 21 to 23.

Brgy. Nasipit, Barili, Cebu won the 1st to 3rd Class Municipality category and Brgy. Nahawan, Clarin, Bohol topped the 4th to 6th Class Municipality class. In his message, DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela lauded the contribution of the Lupong Tagapamayapa in reliving court dockets that enables the government to save billions.

“The government saves billions of pesos since most of the cases have already been resolved as early as in the barangay level,” he said. “Each case that the Lupon is able to settle saves the government P9,500 which is the estimated adjudication cost.”

The event’s guest of honor is no less than DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño, who acknowledged the sacrifice of the Lupons especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

Completing this year’s list of winners were Brgy Tabok, Mandaue City and Brgy Agus, Lapu-Lapu City which won first and second runner-up honors in the HUC category.

Brgy. Uling, City of Naga and Barangay Motong, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental were the runners-up in the Component City, while Brgy. Can-upao, Jagna, Bohol and Brgy. Poblacion, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental rounded up the top barangays in 1st to 3rd Class Municipality.

In the 4th to 6th Class Municipality, brgys. Sandugan, Larena, Siquijor; Villahermosa, Tudela, Cebu; and Cambaloctot, San Jose, Negros Oriental settled for first to third runner-up honors. The runners-up in four categories won P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

CSO partner and the Dean of USJ-R School of Law Atty. Jonathan P. Capanas closed the program with an inspirational remark to the Lupons.

“To all our winners, I hope that you will not stop, I hope that you will continue what you are doing and I hope that you will continue improving,” said Atty. Capanas. “Remember that what you are doing in your respective barangay is so noble, you are touching so many lives,”

Meanwhile, the DILG sub-regional offices thru the leadership of provincial and city directors, the C/MLGOOs and regional awards committee were also recognized during the activity.