Bacolod city: The Department of the Interior and Local Government - Negros Island Region (DILG-NIR) has once again partnered with the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GKCDFI) to conduct third-party monitoring of completed Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) projects across the region. This renewed collaboration aims to ensure the effectiveness of local governance and transparency in project implementation.
According to Philippines News Agency, DILG-NIR Director Lailyn Ortiz formalized this partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement with GKCDFI Visayas Team Leader Mary Francis Therese Betuin. The ceremony took place at the DILG-NIR regional office, emphasizing the commitment to uphold accountability in local governance. Ortiz highlighted the importance of engaging with civil society organizations like Gawad Kalinga to maintain transparency and accountability in the region.
The collaboration, now in its second year, focuses on the Fiscal Year 2026 third-party monitoring of 50 completed LGSF infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2025. The projects span across 24 locations in Negros Occidental, 23 in Negros Oriental, two in Bacolod City, and one in Siquijor. The DILG-NIR's Project Development and Management Unit is leading this initiative to enhance transformation, accountability, and citizen participation.
Field monitoring, validation, and interviews with government agencies, local government unit personnel, and beneficiaries are scheduled from September to October. The submission of the terminal report is set for November 2. This independent oversight mechanism, involving accredited CSOs, aims to assess the implementation, quality, and outcomes of locally funded projects across the LGUs in the region.
