Reyes wants more training for local officials

Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes is pushing for the training of local government officials to help them manage their localities effectively.

Reyes said five training programs have been lined up for governors, mayors and other local government officials, all designed to help local executives become effective and efficient managers.

"Elected officials have different backgrounds and many of them do not have sufficient experience in local governance and administration, fiscal and budget management, or the skills needed for leaders to efficiently run a province, a city or municipality," Reyes added.

The Local Government Academy, which is continuously developing training modules geared toward transforming local government officials into effective and efficient managers and responsible politicians, will conduct the training.

Courses lined up by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are Resource Mobilization and Financial Management and Analysis for Local Government Units, Development Legislation, Improving Quality of Local Policies Towards Development, Public-Private Partnership for Better Local Government Services, Executive Course for Enhancement of Local Leaders and Coaches Workshop for Local Leadership.

In a memorandum, the Reyes noted that local officials must also cope with the changing times in managing the affairs of their respective localities.

"Local officials must be able to introduce innovations and adopt technologies that would improve the quality of life of their constituents," he said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe