In a move to foster stronger collaboration and more effective local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Camarines Sur convened its provincial and field offices for the Ugnayan: A Strategic Convergence and Interfacing Activity with the DILG Regional, Provincial, and Field Offices for a Strengthened and Harmonized Local Governance Cum Strategic Planning of DILG Camarines Sur on June 23, 2025 at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur.
Hosted by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, the activity gathered key officials of the DILG from across the province, headed by Provincial Director Ray Caceres, along with representatives from the DILG Regional Office led by Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo Escober Jr.
The event aimed to institutionalize a culture of open communication and knowledge sharing between the regional management and provincial operating units, address performance gaps, present field office challenges, and craft strategies to achieve program targets. It also emphasized the integration of services through the five core Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC) facilities: Capacity Development, Public Education and Citizenship Development, Linkage and Networking, Multimedia, Knowledge and Information Management, and Legal and Administrative Services.
"Sa totoo lang po, walang halong bola — napakaganda at napakalaki talaga ng suporta ng Provincial Government of Camarines Sur sa DILG Provincial Office," shared Engr. Jerwin Novio, LGOO VII Cluster Head of DILG Camarines Sur. “Definitely isa sa mga makukuha namin dito is yung moral boosting para sa mas magandang performance… I can say nag le-level up po talaga ang Camarines Sur, and through this interfacing activity, I must say mas magi-improve ang performance ng DILG of course with the help of the Provincial Government,” he furthered.
Adding to the activity’s value was a special showcase of innovations by the DILG Camarines Sur officers. Various booths were set up at the Digital Transformation Center, each highlighting projects and breakthroughs from the province’s two clusters and three sections: LGCDS (Local Government Capability Development Section), LGMES (Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Section), and FAS (Finance and Administrative Section). Alongside these were knowledge products including brochures, flyers, and IEC materials that reflect the ongoing efforts of DILG officers to engage and educate communities.
The afternoon session was graced by Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative and Governor-elect LRay Villafuerte, who personally assured the continued support of the Provincial Government to DILG Camarines Sur. He emphasized that the partnership between the provincial and national agencies would remain strong under his leadership.
During the same occasion, Villafuerte also received a P5 million grant on behalf of the Provincial Government for the construction of a Halfway House in Tinangis, Pili as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). The turnover of financial assistance was witnessed by key DILG officials.
Governor-elect Villafuerte, along with Regional Director Escober, Provincial Director Caceres of DILG Camarines Sur, and several field officers, also graced the newly constructed DILG Camarines Sur Provincial Office building, which was made possible through the significant counterpart funding and lot donation provided by the Provincial Government.
The convergence activity likewise served as a venue to assess the current situations of field offices, allowing management to better understand operational challenges and design appropriate interventions.
