DILG goes hi-tech in monitoring LGUs

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has set up a hi-tech monitoring network to closely watch the state of development of provinces, cities and municipalities all over the country.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said the scheme is called the Local Development Watch (LDW), an Internet-based system developed to measure, monitor and assess the current development of LGUs. It is now being pilot-tested in 20 cities and 19 municipalities nationwide.

"Through the LDW, the state of development of LGUs will be closely monitored by the DILG," Lina said.

He said the project is being implemented by the DILG’s Bureau of Local Government Supervisions with funds from the Australian Agency for International Development through the Philippine Australia governance facility program.

Lina said through the LDW, the DILG and other concerned agencies will have access to significant information regarding the LGUs and allow them to extend advisory assistance and supervision particularly to depressed and problematic areas.

It will also enable concerned agencies to understand the state of development of LGUs and make decisions about investment priorities and budget allocations.

He said a series of training workshops will be held in March to provide instruction on the LDW manual and the web data system. The DILG has been developing a program that would ensure that the priority agenda are addressed.

"We have to refocus our program trust to make our LGUs not just responsible political leaders but economic managers as well," Lina said. — Perseus Echeminada