MANILA—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has committed to further empowering local government units (LGUs) to improve governance standards and enhance the quality of services provided to their communities. DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. made this pledge at the opening of the Local Governance (LG) Summit 2024, held on Thursday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The summit, which gathered around 3,000 local officials, will run until Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event is co-organized by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and features sessions focused on digital transformation, smart urban infrastructure and design, and climate and disaster resilience. The summit aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to strengthen collaboration between the national government and LGUs.
“The LG Summit 2024 is the realization of the DILG and ULAP’s pledge to ease the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions among the LGUs,” Abalos said during a press conference. He emphasized that the event is not just a capacity-building activity but also an opportunity for stakeholders to share perspectives and identify solutions to key issues affecting local governance.
The summit will also address social protection, peace and order, transparency and accountability, and public participation, with an emphasis on the integration of technology and innovation in governance.