Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 10, representing Northern Mindanao, organized a meeting with local and provincial government units in Cagayan de Oro on Monday. This gathering marked the first session of the Review and Amendment Program (RevAmP) aimed at revising the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991.
According to Philippines News Agency, DILG-10 Director Bruce Colao emphasized that RevAmP is designed as a consultation platform for local government stakeholders. The goal is to gather insights for updating the LGC with provisions that emphasize inclusivity, gender responsiveness, peace promotion, and disaster resilience. Colao highlighted the necessity for evidence-based strategic directions that cater to the evolving needs of communities, as stated during his keynote address at the program's launch.
Colao further noted that the proposed amendments to the LGC should transcend traditional governance frameworks. The first RevAmP launch in the region saw participation from municipal and city mayors, councilors, and administrators.
Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, was a featured speaker at the event. He remarked that effective leadership involves learning from past experiences to better address current challenges, with the aim of building a more robust and progressive future for upcoming generations. Sarmiento also pointed out that the enactment of Republic Act 7160, or the LGC, facilitated local autonomy and decentralization, which have since served as foundational principles of governance.
