DILG readies training for elected local execs

CEBU CITY — Local candidates who won in the May 10 elections are set to take modules and courses on various aspects of local government administration, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said.

"Now that the elections are over, we must move on to answer the needs of these newly elected and re-elected local officials for training and seminars on local governance," he said.

The training for some 17,316 elected officials nationwide (79 governors, 79 vice governors, 742 provincial board members, 1,609 city and municipal mayors, 1,609 city and municipal vice mayors and 13,198 city and municipal councilors) will be handled by the Local Government Academy, the department’s training arm.

The LGA has prepared a module on "Jump-Starting Local Development" for newly elected local officials. This includes an orientation on the provisions of the Local Government Code.

For re-elected local officials, the LGA has prepared a training module on "Looking Forward to Better Governance," which focuses on the strategic direction of the role of local government units in national and local development.

Through proper training, Lina said local officials will be able to serve not only as political managers, but also as effective economic managers.

"Local officials must act as catalysts for national and local development," he said.

No dates for the training have been set, but Lina said the seminars will take place after the elected local officials take their oaths of office on July 1. — Freeman News Service