DILG senior officers visit Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines - Senior officers of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) from different regions visited Mandaue City Hall yesterday to learn about some of the city’s best practices.

Thirty-eight senior officers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are in Cebu for a four day-day leadership seminar at Quest Hotel in Cebu City.

According to DILG-Mandaue City director Jhoaden Lucero, the four-day training includes an on-site visit to a local government unit.

City administrator James Abadia introduced to DILG officers the city’s different projects including socialized housing projects and a school building program implemented through public-private partnerships.

Abadia told them that during the first term of Mayor Jonas Cortes, most projects he wanted carried out were blocked by the opposition led-council but was still able to implement these projects through the PPP.

Abadia also said the city government helps urban poor associations acquire lots through the Community Mortgage Program.

In implementing housing projects, the city partners with non-government organizations, such as the Homeless People’s Federation, and the Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives Inc.

Joel Lasam, one of the trainers, said he was impressed by the city’s practices.

He was impressed that the urban settlers have not been dislocated.

Abadia also introduced the Horror Booth, which is organized by the Kaabag Mandaue Inc. and the city government to raise funds for a Christmas party for indigent children.

The other practices include the Performance Governance System, which the City implements in partnership with the Institute Solidarity Asia; the Barangay Disaster Brigade and the Bantay Mandaue Command Center; strengthening cooperatives; and the automation project. (FREEMAN)