Employees and personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government XII joined various local government units across the country in celebrating the annual Local Government Month this October.
The DILG Regional Office XII officially kick-started its month-long celebration on October 12 with the unveiling of its Local Government Code booth located at the DILG Regional Office lobby, Prime Regional Government Center, Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III spearheaded the activity launching, which was aired through Facebook Live and Zoom virtual conference.
This year’s fete celebrates the 29th year since the Code was enacted in 1991 with the theme, “Strengthening Good Local Governance towards Sustainable and Resilient Filipino Communities,” which acknowledges the importance of local government units in developing progressive communities through devolved government functions and local autonomy granted by the Local Government Code.
“Fast forward to 2020, after 29 years of its enactment, we look at how LGUs play an unprecedented role in the way it deal with various crisis situations. After all, 2020 will go down in history as one of the most difficult days for all of us,” Regional Director Leysa said in a statement during the activity’s Opening Program.
The country has been continuously battling with the coronavirus disease since March this year, pushing local leaders to be more innovative and resilient as the pandemic puts a strain on the government’s limited resources.
“Our local government units, manned by our executives, have their stories, too, as they managed to ‘weather the storms’ literally. As difficulties, challenges, and unusual situations came, they were prompted to act in a way that showcased their resilience and their determination to sustain their right actions,” the Regional Director said.
“We hope you will continue, fellow workers in the government, to be stalwarts of resilience, adaptability, and preparedness. In our shoulders lie the burden that is heavy to bear, but once distributed to [all] others who share the load, we could carry things through, despite the COVID-19 scenario,” she further added.
The Local Government Code, or Republic Act No. 7160, was enacted on October 10, 1991, which transferred the control and responsibility of delivering basic services to local government units, and to enhance the provision of basic services to the grassroots level, improve the efficiency in resource allocation, and encourage stakeholders’ participation in the local level.
A year later, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 63, series of 1992 declaring the month of October as the Local Government Month, its second week as the Local Government week, and its 10th day October as the Local Government Day.
Starting this week, DILG XII will also host a digital poster making contest, which will be open to all residents of Region XII. Those interested may visit the Department’s official Facebook Page, DILG Region XII, for the complete contest guidelines.
