Kalambuan Newsletter | 1st Quarter 2021

January-March 2021

KALAMBUAN Newsletter

DILG-7 backs vaccination program

The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)-7 extended support to local
government units (LGUs) in the implementation of
the COVID-19 immunization program as means to
defeat the dreaded coronavirus.

DILG-7 coordinated with the Department of Health
(DOH)-7 and LGUs in the preparation, submission
and updating of the masterlist of priority eligible
vaccinees, determination of existing human resources
and personnel needed in the vaccination program,
and identification of possible vaccine centers and
available cold chain storages, among others.

It also assisted in the compliance of LGUs with the
creation of vaccination operations center (VOC) and
VOC hotlines and formulation of their vaccination
plan.

Personnel of DILG regional and sub-regional offices
also provided technical assistance and support to the
regional and local VOCs.

CEREMONIAL VACCINATION IN CENTRAL VISAYAS CONDUCTED

After the first batches of COVID-19 vaccines
were made available in the country, a ceremonial
vaccination was staged at the Vicente Sotto Memorial
Medical Center in Cebu City last March 4.

To show the Department’s support to the rollout,
it sent DILG Undersecretary for Mindanao Affairs and
Special Concerns Marjorie Jalosjos to grace the activity.
She was joined by DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela,
who also sits as chairperson of the Regional Inter-
agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases (RIATF-MEID)-7.

Jalosjos urged all barangays, DILG officers, and
local vaccination operations centers to strengthen
their information drive and make use of the Barangay
Assembly Day, which is conducted on any of Saturdays
or Sundays of March 2021, as a proper venue to

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January-March 2021

encourage their constituents to get vaccinated. Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, IATF Visayas Chief
“Let us keep our faith that this pandemic will soon Implementer Melquiades Feliciano, and RIATF-7 co-
chair and DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas, and other
come to an end. This COVID-19 vaccine rollout, for officials.
one, gives us a glimmer of hope. Rest assured, DILG is
one with you in this fight against this invisible enemy,” Local chief executives in Cebu also signed a pledge
said Jalosjos. of commitment to the vaccination program.

Also present during the ceremony were Presidential
Spokesperson Harry Roque, Department of Health

VACCINE ROLLOUT, SIMEX

All DILG sub-regional offices in Central Visayas
facilitated the vaccination rollout in their respective
LGUs.

Personnel of DILG Cebu City, DILG Lapu-Lapu City
and DILG Siquijor, meanwhile, assisted in simulation
exercises on vaccination in their LGU to prepare for
the actual vaccine rollout.

CONTACT TRACERS DEPLOYED

DILG-7 deployed its contact tracers to aid the
operations of the Visayas Vaccine Operations Center
located at Oakridge Business Park, A.S. Fortuna,
Mandaue City.

DILG Cebu City and DILG Negros Oriental likewise
assigned some of their contact tracers to augment the
staff of their local VOCs.

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

Road clearing continues in 2021

As the road clearing program resumed
late last year, local governments
were given until February 15, 2021 to
comply with the directive based on
their respective community quarantine
classification.

The road clearing program was “fully
implemented” in Central Visayas since
all provinces and highly urbanized cities
are already under Modified General
Community Quarantine.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela
remained optimistic that the LGUs could
achieve a higher compliance rate or
sustain the gains from last year when
there was a significantly high compliance
rate of more than 90 percent in the
region.

DILG-7 thru its field offices have
worked closely with the LGUs and other
stakeholders to fully comply with the
said presidential directive.

To recall, the conduct of road clearing
operations was suspended in light of the
threat of COVID-19 starting on March
15, 2020 and resumed on November 16
in view of the flattened COVID-19 curve
and improved quarantine classifications.

Compliance of LGUs in CV validated

The compliance of all local government units in each from the Department of the Interior and Local
Central Visayas with the road clearing directive was Government, Philippine National Police, Bureau of
validated as of March 2, 2021. Fire Protection, and civil society organization were
created and cross-posted, which means they were
The road clearing validation took place from assigned outside of their original LGU of assignment
February 16 to March 2. or residence.

To ensure the impartiality of the validation process,
validation teams composed of a representative

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January-March 2021

Cross Validation ASSIGNED VALIDATION TEAM

LGU TO BE VALIDATED Mandaue City
Cebu City Cebu City
Mandaue City
Lapu-Lapu City Cebu Province
Cebu Province Lapu-Lapu City
For island provinces such as Bohol, Ne-gros Oriental
and Siquijor, cross-validation is conducted within the
province due to travel restrictions.

On March 9, DILG-7 submitted to DILG Central LGUs that found to have unsatisfactorily complied
Office the consolidated LGU compliance data as well with DILG’s road clearing issuances (Memorandum
as the pertinent documents for deliberation and Circulars 2020-027 and 2020-145) will be individually
determination of the Ad Hoc Committee on Road notified of their areas for improvement (AOIs) and
Clearing Compliance, which determines if the LGU has provided with an additional 30-day period to comply.
passed or failed.
After the 30 days, these LGUs will be revalidated by
the Ad Hoc Committee.

Regional Summary As of March 2, 2021

PROVINCE/HUC NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER OF OBSTRUCTIONS
OF LGUs OF ROADS IDENTIFIED
BOHOL VALIDATED ASSESSED
CEBU PROVINCE MAJOR MINOR OBSTRUCTIONS
NEGROS ORIENTAL 49 237 W/O ACTIONS
SIQUIJOR 51 231
CEBU CITY 26 97 141 181 31
LAPU-LAPU CITY 7 27
MANDAUE CITY 1 90 148 72
TOTAL 1 9
1 6 73 129 11
136 8
615 29 1

0 16 0

02 0

36 0

309 490 115

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KALAMBUAN NEeWwsSlLeEttTeTrER

Post-validation Timeline March 9, 2021
Deadline of submission
March 2, 2021 of consolidated LGU
End of the Validation Compliance Data from
Period Regional Offices

March 12, 2021 March 15-19, 2021
Finalization of National Deliberation of
Compliance Data compliance results and
determination of final
March 22-26, 2021 list of LGUs with AOIs
Issuance of individual no-
tices to LGUs with AOIs March 29, 2021
Start of additional
April 28, 2021 period to comply for
End of additional 30-day LGUs with AOIs
period and beginning of
re-validation

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January-March 2021

1,417 contact tracers rehired

Pursuant to the Contact Tracers by Province/HUCs
Department’s mandate to

sustain the government’s BOHOL 287 117
contact tracing efforts CEBU PROVINCE CEBU CITY 90
in the region, the NEGROS ORIENTAL 90
Department of the Interior SIQUIJOR 435
and Local Government LAPU-LAPU CITY
(DILG) – 7 rehired 1,417
contact tracers (CTs) 286
for at least six months MANDAUE CITY

following the approval of 52

the extension of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. DILG-NCR briefed them on their deployment,

Region VII ranked third among the regions that reporting system, and protocols in the concerned

rehired the most number of CTs this year based on the LGUs, among others.

prorated quota depending on the number of active Meanwhile, 19 CTs from DILG Cebu City, Mandaue

cases in a particular region. City, and Lapu-Lapu City were deployed to aid the

The CTs, who were deployed starting on February operations of the Visayas Vaccination Operations

8, augmented the existing contact tracing teams of Center and masterlisting/registration of individuals

the local government units to help monitor, track who are eligible to get vaccines.

down cases and stem the transmission of virus in the Some of the DILG-hired CTs in the region were

communities. also designated to assist in the operations of their

Thirty-five of these CTs were virtually deployed to respective local vaccination sites.

the National Capital Region from March 22 until April

30 this year due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the

area.

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

DAGYAWAN SA BARANGAY:

Projects for island barangay
closer to fruition

The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)-7 has turned over the proposed
priority programs and projects of Brgy. Bitoon,
Kinatarcan Island under the Retooled Community
Support Program (RCSP).

DILG Undersecretary Marjorie N. Jalosjos, Regional
Director Leocadio T. Trovela, Cebu Provincial
Director Jhoaden G. Lucero and Municipal Mayor
Ithamar P. Espinosa led the turnover ceremony
during the Dagyawan sa Barangay on Friday, March
5, 2021, in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.

DILG-7 and LGU Santa Fe held the turnover
ceremony on the pristine beach of Santa Fe,
making it the very first Dagyawan sa Barangay on
an island, which is located 45 minutes away from
the mainland.

Usec. Jalosjos announced that the Regional
Development Council-7 has already endorsed over
P1.98 billion worth of proposed ELCAC priority
programs, activities, and projects for inclusion in
the FY 2020 budget for Central Visayas. This includes
the project of the Municipality of Santa Fe.

“With this, we congratulate the LGU of Santa Fe
for the successful holding of the solution-seeking
discussion. The DILG-7 team is documenting this
activity for replication to other LGUs in the region,”

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January-March 2021

Usec. Jalosjos said in her speech. didn’t take them for granted.
At least P20 million worth of proposed projects “Atong gibuhat karon nagpasabot nga ang

of Kinatarcan Island have been included in the goberno wala magpasagad o ako mismo wala
submission for funding from the national government magpasagad sa akong barangay,” Gilbuena said.
thru bottom-up planning and budgeting.
Also present in the program were Col. Jerry Borja,
Dir. Trovela urged the people of Santa Fe to believe the Commander of Task Group Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor;
in the process of RCSP. and PLTCol Nasruddin Tayuan, the deputy provincial
director for operations of Cebu Provincial Police
“Sana hindi matapos ang ating ginagawa sa ganito Office, who represented PBGen Ronnie S. Montejo,
na ceremony. Gusto naming e-emphasize na ang PRO-7 Regional Director.
mamamayan ang nakaka-alam sa solusyon sa kanilang
community at ang aksyon ay nasa pamahalaan,” he “Our presence today indicated that we are united
said. on one goal which is peace and development,” said
Borja.
Provincial Dir. Lucero, on the other hand,
emphasized that the Dagyawan sa Barangay is about Dir.Trovela appreciated LGU Santa Fe for showcasing
engaging local communities to be participative, its brand—beach and tradition--during the turnover
looking into their needs and bringing them closer to ceremony.
the fold of the government.
Dagyawan sa Barangay, which started in Negros
“We’re putting an avenue where people can voice Oriental in 2019, is a Hiligaynon term to mean
out their concerns. Our intention is to help and assist “bayanihan” or “togetherness.” Last year, DILG-7
the LGUs and forward the projects to the local or hosted Dagyawan sa Barangay in six targeted areas in
national government,” she said. Dumanjug, Cebu Province.

Part of the activity was also the unveiling of the
municipality’s peace pole as its commitment to peace
and development.

The region has 18 peace poles. The planting of
the peace pole is intended to promote peace, foster
positive change and uplift the human consciousness
within the community.

Mayor Ithamar P. Espinosa recognized the efforts of
the DILG and NGAs implementing the RCSP.

“On behalf of the people of Santa Fe, who are
indeed the ultimate recipients of this magnanimous
gesture. I express our commitment and unwavering
support of the RCSP team and core team. And, with
grateful appreciation I convey our sincerest thanks to
the people behind the crafting of this invaluable and
noble initiative a reality,” expressed Espinosa.

Bitoon Punong Barangay Marcos Gilbuena said that
with this program they felt that the government

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

BARANGAY ASSEMBLY:

Banilad hailed as showcase barangay
in Region 7

Hailed as the showcase barangay in Region 7, awareness on the vaccination program.
Barangay Banilad of Cebu City highlighted its Barangay Aside from presenting an audio-visual presentation
Assembly Day with a discussion on vaccination
program and information drive to encourage its before the assembly members, issues and concerns of
constituents to get vaccinated. the residents on the vaccination were addressed by
Ibones and other doctors.
Pursuant to Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2021- DILG Cebu City officer-in-charge Atty. Ian Kenneth
025 issued in the context of existing Inter-Agency Task Lucero, who delivered the message of DILG Secretary
Force guidelines, all barangays are allowed to conduct Eduardo Año, emphasized the importance of
their Barangay Assembly Day for the first semester providing the right information.
of 2021 on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of March
2021. “Hinaut unta na kamo mahimo na multiplier og
instrumento na maka-explain ug motivate sa inyong
This semester’s theme was dubbed as“BarangaYYan: tagsa-tagsa nga pamilya ug silingan. Atong ihatag
Barangay at Mamamayan, Sama-Sama at Mag-kaisa nila ang saktong impormasyon bahin aning bakuna,”
Upang Labanan ang Pandemya Tungo sa Isang Ligtas, Lucero said.
Maayos at Maunlad na Pamayanan.”
The Barangay Assembly Day in Banilad was then
Banilad was the first barangay to be visited by replicated in other barangays in Cebu City, wherein the
the representatives from the Cebu City Vaccination vaccination program was promoted to the residents.
Operation Center led by City Health Department
officer-in-charge Dr. Jeffrey Ibones along with some To recall, DILG urged all barangays, DILG officers,
doctors from the Cebu Medical Society, to increase and local vaccination operations centers to strengthen
their information drive on the vaccination rollout
against COVID-19.

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January-March 2021

DISIPLINA MUNA 2.0

DILG-7 launches BIDA ang May Disiplina, bares
regional envoy

More than a year after the launch of Disiplina DILG Central Office issued a memorandum
Muna, the Department of the Interior and Local directing regional offices to designate local chief
Government (DILG-7) has rebranded the campaign executives in each region as regional champions of
to Bida Ang May Disiplina, which focuses on the Disiplina Muna advocacy.
defeating and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Remollo expressed gratitude for being
The revitalized national campaign dubbed as Bida selected as regional ambassador, which for him
ang May Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19 kicked off speaks volumes on Dumaguete City’s revitalized
in Central Visayas through a virtual launch on March effort amid coronavirus outbreak.
26, 2021, Friday via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Being the center of trade and commerce in
Highlight of the activity was the presentation and Negros Oriental, Remollo said they must be creative
conferment of BIDA ang May Disiplina Ambassador, and innovative on their health protocols. It paid off
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo. for Dumaguete City since during the height of the
pandemic in 2020, the city managed to maintain
The Regional Office nominated Mayor Remollo zero active case in the first four to five months.
for his outstanding achievements in instilling the
culture of discipline among his constituents and “I would like to emphasize that there’s no one
has executed sustainability measures for the DILG’s formula to combat this COVID-19 virus because there
pillars for the Disiplina Muna campaign. are different situations and conditions prevailing
in the LGU,” said Remollo, who shared Dumaguete
“Under his administration, he initiated the City’s best practices during the online event.
Discipline Zone Project in cooperation with DILG
which led to the apprehension of 24, 853 violators Later in the afternoon, Departmenr of Health’s
for obstructing the flow of traffic from February 2018 Medical Officer III Dr. Van Philip Baton discussed the
to August 2019. This project was undertaken long #Resbakuna Debunking the Myths, which is part
before the presidential directive on road clearing,” of the nationwide information drive on COVID-19
DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela said. vaccination.

“To promote participatory governance and Dr. Baton emphasized that COVID-19 vaccine is
prevent violent extremism, his city has been one of an ally rather than an enemy as the country needs
the active partners in the government’s efforts to to vaccinate 70 percent of population to achieve
end local communist armed conflict and became the significant reduction of new COVID-19 cases.
first local government unit in the country to accept
the challenge to host the first-ever Dagyawan sa Lastly, the LGUs and partner institutions made a
Barangay at Serbisyo Caravan launch,” he stressed. Pledge of Commitment to adhere to the practices of
Disiplina Muna.

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

DILG-7 initiates virtual orientations on S-PaSS
activation

All local government units in Central Visayas region that were not able to attend the nationwide
officially activated their Safe, Swift, and Smart trainings hosted by the DOST from March 5 to 12
Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System due to limited slots per schedule.
accounts in compliance with the Inter-Agency
Task Force for the Management of Emerging DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela urged the
Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 101, s. 2021 that participants to ensure the safety of the travelers
institutionalized the use of the system as the one- as the country works toward the revival of the
stop-shop application/communication for travelers. pandemic-battered economy.

In addition, all provincial, city and municipal For more information on S-PaSS, visit s-pass.ph.
S-PaSS focal persons in the region attended the
two-day virtual orientations organized by the
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG)-7 and Department of Science and Technology
(DOST)-7 on March 18 and 19.

DOST-6 Science Research Specialist II Garry Balinon
served as the resource speaker and discussed the
features and importance of S-PaSS.

DILG-7 initiated to conduct its own virtual
trainings for the local government units in the

RDC-7 endorses over P1.9B ELCAC projects

The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Trovela informed the body of the successful
Central Visayas has endorsed to the national line conduct of the Dagyawan sa Barangay 2020, which
agencies and the National Task Force-Ending Local covered 51 targeted areas in the region under the
Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) over P1.9 billion Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).
worth of priority programs, projects and activities
for the targeted barangays in the region. The endorsed programs, projects and activities
aim to attain inclusive and sustainable peace
During its first quarter full council meeting on through intensified development and other peace-
February 26, the body agreed to endorse all 326 building initiatives in conflict-affected and conflict-
ELCAC projects amounting to P1,986,998,250 for vulnerable communities pursuant to Executive
inclusion in the FY 2022 budget. Order No. 70.

Of the total amount, the province of Negros
Oriental proposed the biggest chunk amounting
to P1,144,998,250 allocation for its 25 targeted
barangays while Bohol Province proposed
P524,915,000 allocation for the 19 targeted
barangays. Further, Cebu Province proposed
P317,750,000 budget allocation for seven targeted
barangays.

Department of the Interior and Local
Government-7 Regional Director Leocadio T. Trovela
thanked the regional line agencies and the four sub-
sectoral committees of RDC for the support and
endorsement of the proposed ELCAC PAPs.

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January-March 2021

DILG-7 graces goodwill port call of Elcano

In participation to the series of activities related
to the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations,
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG-7) Director Leocadio Trovela and LGMED chief
and concurrent DILG Cebu City officer-in-charge Atty.
Ian Kenneth Lucero joined the rest of the local officials
and organizing team in witnessing the historic arrival
of Spanish navy training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano in
Cebu on March 20, 2021.

The event was also part of the 500th anniversary
celebration of the birth of Christianity in the
Philippines.

Culminating the goodwill port call was the
exchanging of gifts between the Cebu City
Government led by Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice
Mayor Michael Rama and Embassy of Spain in Manila
represented by Deputy Head of Mission Amaya
Fuentes Milani.

DILG Cebu Province shines in inter-SRO
Infograph Competition on World Water Day

The importance of conserving water amid the cash prize, DILG Siquijor placed second and bagged
growing population, impacts of climate change and P3,000 while Cebu City got third place and P2,000,
the increasing demands of agriculture and industry, respectively.
is underscored in a virtual event hosted by the
Department of the Interior and Local Government Local Government Capability Development Division
(DILG)-7 on Friday, March 26, 2021. (LGCDD) Chief Maria Thelya Oporto announced the
winners in the online awarding ceremony.
In line with the water conservation advocacy, DILG-
7 spearheaded an Inter-SRO Infograph Competition The activity mainly promoted water conservation
in the World Water Day 2021: Disiplinado sa and showed support to the achievement of
Impormasyon sa Tubig virtual event. Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 6: water and
sanitation for all by 2030.
DILG Cebu Province won first place and P5, 000
“Even in this time of the pandemic, I encourage

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

everyone to promote and practice the conservation of
water, that we can protect ourselves from COVID-19
by frequently practicing hygienic measures such as
proper handwashing and at the same time conserving
this valuable resource,” read part of the message
of Regional Director Leocadio Trovela delivered by
LGMED Chief Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero.

“There is an urgent need to minimize the water
wastage which is brought about by the overuse and
mismanagement of water despite its scarce supply,” it
added.

Resource speaker, Edna Inocando, MCWD’s Public
Information Division Manager, shared to participants
insights on water crisis and alternatives ways of
conserving water.

“For us in MCWD, we value water very much
considering that it is our mandate to provide safe
potable water and protecting the water sewage
system in Cebu,” she said.

The morning activity was part of the back-to-back
program in line with the Department’s relaunch of
Disiplina Muna advocacy.

FULL DEVOLUTION IN 2022:

Lucero discusses DILG’s efforts for Mandanas
implementation

Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation
Division Chief Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero updated the
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG)-7 employees with the possible implications
and efforts of the Department to prepare for the full
implementation of the Mandanas ruling in 2022.

Lucero, the permanent representative of DILG-7 in
the Technical Working Group with DILG Central Office,
spoke before Regional Director Leocadio Trovela,
Assistant Regional Director Maria Loisella Lucino,
division chiefs and assistant division chiefs, section
chiefs, unit heads, provincial and city directors, and
sub-regional office program managers and planning
officers during the Executive Committee meeting on
March 8.

In 2012, former Batangas governor Hermilando
Mandanas filed a petition with the Supreme Court
(SC) lobbying for the inclusion of the entire national
revenue taxes collected annually, including customs
tariffs, as the base used for the determination of the

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January-March 2021

just share of local government units (LGUs) in the focus in support of the transition initiatives, among
national revenues. others.

In April 2019, the SC declared that LGUs are entitled Lucero also talked about the contributions of DILG-
to internal revenue allotments (IRA) based on the 7 when it comes to strengthening DILG’s internal
collections of all national taxes and not just from capacity to cope with the new roles and challenges in
national internal revenue taxes. Per estimates, the IRA 2022.
of LGUs is expected to increase by about 30% starting
2022.

“The SC ruling brings about changes in the
landscape of LGUs and the Department itself which
means bigger resources for LGUs and smaller budget
and fewer projects for DILG and several national
government agencies as well. It also means greater
demand for supervision of LGUs,” Lucero said.

He likewise presented the full devolution roadmap,
redefined roles and functions of DILG in line with the
full devolution of national government functions to
the local governments, and areas where DILG should

TO LAUNCH ITS FIRST NEWSLETTER

LGMED-7 initiates journ workshop

As a prelude to launching its first digital newsletter their skills in developing Information, Education and
this year, the Local Government Monitoring and Communication materials.
Evaluation Division (LGMED) of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) – 7 initiated a Resource speakers were Jean Marvette Demecillo
journalism training workshop on February 3 to 4. and Kent Divinagracia from the DILG Regional
Information Unit who talked about Introduction to
Division Chief Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero saw the Photojournalism and Beginners’ Guide to Graphic
need to create their official digital publication to take Design, respectively, and Grace Melanie Lacamiento
advantage of the digital media, especially in this time from LGMED who discussed about News Writing, Copy
of pandemic when most people are often online. Editing and Headline Writing.

He said the workshop was aimed to equip the LGMED-7 personnel were required to submit a news
personnel in producing the content for their digital article on the conduct of the writeshop, which would
quarterly publication which will showcase the efforts be critiqued at the end of the two-day workshop.
and accomplishments of LGMED.
Lucero said they plan to launch the maiden issue of
Assistant Division Chief Corina Balansag echoed their first digital newsletter sometime in April.
Lucero’s statement, saying the activity enhanced

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

RIATF7-MEID passes a total of 113 resolutions

The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force-7 for the Knowing the critical role of the task force on the
Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF7- imposition, lifting, and extending of community
MEID) has passed a total of 113 resolutions and acted quarantine in local government units, the RIATF7-
communications as its contribution to reduce the MEID issued regional memorandum on the on-time
impact of the pandemic. submission of requests from LGUs.

Over a year since the health crisis, members of The RIATF also provided all LGUs a template
the task force continued to collaborate and develop containing the essential data needed by RIATF7-
appropriate recommendations on requests received MEID in deciding on the requests for concurrence
from local government units (LGUs), national on the imposition, extension or lifting of community
government agencies (NGAs), other organizations, quarantine and for approval of moratorium of inbound
and private sector in Central Visayas. travel of returning residents.

These resolutions and communications were For this year, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, who
indorsed to the National IATF and other government also sits as RIATF7-MEID chairman, introduced a new
agencies for its favorable and immediate decision or system so-called Ad Referendum wherein pertinent
for information. documents of specific requests will be referred
and sent to the members of the task force for their
In 2021, among the measures passed by the task approval, comments, and recommendations.
force were: Resolution No. 97, series of 2021, which
discourages all physical and actual performance- The task force also established its presence on social
based Sinulog Festival activities; Resolution No. 98, media and shared COVID-related issuances to keep
series of 2021 which adopts the recommendations the public and all stakeholders abreast of updates and
of the Department of Health on quarantine and policies about the health crisis.
testing protocols in relation to the countries with
travel restrictions amid the new coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) variant; and Resolution No. 106, series of
2021 which enjoins the Local Chief Executives in Cebu
to streamline their entry requirements, among others.

Other request acted was the request of the Hotel,
Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc.
(HRRACI) to review the tourism guidelines in Cebu,
including mixed-use classification of accommodation
facilities, imposition of similar curfew hours in tri-cities
in Cebu, and streamlining of entry requirements in tri-
cities of Cebu, among others.

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January-March 2021

SROs apprised on 2021 LGMED PPA report
requirements

The Department of the Interior and Local Barangay Assembly, ELCAC/E-CLIP/RCSP, POC
Government (DILG) – 7 Local Government Monitoring Functionality/POC and ADAC Performance Audit/
and Evaluation Division (LGMED) headed by Atty. Ian CDBRP, VAWC/JJWA/LCPC/CFLGA Audit, FDP, POPS
Kenneth Lucero initiated a coordination meeting on Plan Certification, Road Clearing, and KP Compliance.
February 2 with the provincial and city directors and
sub-regional office focal persons to discuss this year’s Also tackled were LGMED frontline services such as
reportorial requirements on the Programs, Projects Certification of Incumbency, Request for Additional
and Activities (PPAs) under the Division. Confidential Funds, Request for Authority to Purchase
Vehicle, Authority to Travel Abroad, Death Benefit
LGMED focal persons handling the programs Claims, Processing of Appointment of Officials
presented the report requirements, frequency and (Filling-up of Vacancies), and Processing of Issuance
deadline of submission, templates, and program of Certificate of Services Rendered for CSC Eligibility,
updates. among others.

Lucero reminded the focal persons from the SROs LGMED personnel likewise gave updates on COVID-
to promptly comply with the deliverables required by related matters, Bantay Korapsyon, 8888, and EOC
the Central Office. Legal Team, etc.

Among the PPAs discussed were LTIA, SGLG,

LGCDD runs pilot testing of Workforce Development
Program

The Department of the Interior and Local on the Implementation of Integrating Workforce
Government (DILG)-7 conducted virtual pilot testing Opportunities for Rebalanced Communities (iWORC)”
of Workforce Development (WFD) Program on of DILG, Technical Education and Skills Development
February 3, 2021 to gather recommendations from Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and
participants on how to operationalize the program at Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and
the local level. Industry (DTI).

This is in compliance with the proposed Joint These government agencies are responsible for the
Memorandum Circular (JMC) entitled “Guidelines implementation of the iWORC program.

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

Part of the JMC is the implementation of the WFD The event was graced by LGCDD Chief Maria Thelya
Program which is an initiative that helps create, Oporto and regional counterparts of TESDA, DTI, and
sustain and retain a viable workforce in order for the DOLE.
community to achieve social and economic recovery
and prosperity. It was also attended by the Public Employment
Service Officer, Community Training and Employment
DILG-7 Local Government Capability Development Coordinator, Local Economic Development and
Division (LGCDD) invited resource speakers Ma. Aimee Investment Promotion Officer (LEDIPO), Sanggunian
P. Castino and Lucita Dela Pena who are both from the Member, Planning and Development Coordinator/
Bureau of Local Government Development. Officer, DILG Provincial Director, DILG Provincial Focal
Person of Negros Oriental Province and Cebu Province,
Highlighting the activity was the Focused Group and CLGOO of Bogo City.
Discussion with question and answer among
speakers and participants to gather comments
and recommendations for the enhancement of the
proposed JMC.

LGRRC-7 cited as “capable” center

The Local Government Agency (LGA) cited Local It was the highlight during the virtual LGRRC
Governance Regional Resource Centers (LGRRC) in Conference 2021 on January 21-22 which was
Central Visayas as “capable” after it has demonstrated attended by all LGRRCs across the country and was
organizational capacities to manage LGRRC organized by the LGA.
operations.

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January-March 2021

The assessment report emphasized DILG 7’s Among the discussions included during the
institutionalization of its services to provide capacity two-day activity were LGU Capacity Development
development interventions of which are linked Support Plan, Role of LGRRC in Full Devolution, LGRC
through its capacity development, multimedia, public Performance Assessment Results, and LGA PPAs 2021
education and citizenship, and linkage facility. and Status of Liquidation.

DILG Bohol holds planning workshop on LFPs, SubayBAYAN
reorientation, and awarding of outstanding personnel

DILG Bohol conducted a Planning Workshop on the E. Lucino, CESO V, and Provincial Administrator Atty.
Implementation of Locally Funded Projects for CY 2021 Kathyrin Fe D. Pioquinto. Awards included the Best
and Reorientation on the Updating of SubayBAYAN in Subaybayan Encoding, LTIA Awardees, ADAC
System on March 25, 2021 at Modala Beach Resort in Awardees, Top Performing Field Officers, and Top
Doljo, Panglao, Bohol. Performing Program Coordinators.

This is the first face-to-face activity for the year In the spirit of celebrating Women’s Month, the
initiated by the DILG Provincial Office. It was ensured women of DILG Bohol and the women guests of honor
that the venue could accommodate all the participants were given roses. The inspiring women of DILG Bohol
while maintaining social distancing. Health and safety were also recognized, as chosen by neophyte officers
measures were also put in place to prevent the spread of the Department.
of the COVID-19 virus.

The activity is designed to evaluate the current
status of the LFPs, consolidate issues and concerns
hindering the fast implementation of the projects as
well as come up with agreements, mechanism, and
timelines to facilitate smooth project implementation
for CY 2021. C/MLGOOs were also re-oriented on the
SubayBAYAN system and encode lacking LGU project
data in the system.

In the afternoon, outstanding DILG Bohol Personnel
were also be recognized in the afternoon of the same
day. The activity was graced with the presence of the
guests of honor, DILG 7 Regional Director Leocadio T.
Trovela, CESO IV, Asst. Regional Director Maria Loisella

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

DILG Cebu City moves to a new home

The Department of the Interior and Local The transfer was also intended to increase the
Government (DILG) Cebu City officially transferred employee efficiency with better office space.
to its new office at the second floor of Bayanihan
Multipurpose Building, D. Jakosalem St, adjacent to DILG Cebu City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth
the Cebu City Hall effective March 1. Lucero said the relocation was made possible by the
constant support of the administration of Mayor
Its former office was located at the second floor of Edgardo Labella.
Ramos Public Market.
“No words can express how thankful I am to Mayor
The relocation was aimed to improve the Labella for this milestone. Rest assured, we will pay
accessibility to DILG Cebu City and Cebu City it forward through our continued commitment to
Government since they are now more proximate to quality public service,” said Lucero.
each other, thus making it more convenient and easier
for the barangays and other clients who wish to avail He likewise extended gratitude to DILG-7 Director
of the services of the two offices. Leocadio Trovela for his willing assistance.

Lucero convenes barangay secretaries

The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Cebu City convened the barangay
secretaries to keep abreast of the updates and ensure
compliance with this year’s deliverables.

Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero presided
over the virtual meeting with the secretaries of the 80
barangays on March 24.

The DILG technical officers discussed the updates on
the 2021 audits, assessments, and report requirements
of the barangay-based institutions.

Lucero, in his closing remarks, appealed to the
barangay secretaries to support the vaccination
program and motivate their constituents to get
vaccinated.

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January-March 2021

BIDA ANG MAY DISIPLINA: SOLUSYON SA COVID-19

Lucero promotes discipline, vaccination

Department of the interior and Local Government washing of hands, and observing social distancing,
(DILG) Cebu City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth among others.
Lucero emphasized the importance of the “Bida
ang may Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19” program Lucero also encouraged the officials to serve as
during a training attended by local government and instruments in relaying correct information about the
Sanggunang Kabataan officials. national vaccination program and motivating their
constituents to get vaccinated.
“Bida ang may Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19”
program is a consolidated campaign of the Department “Life is so short, please do not make it shorter,” he
of Health’s BIDA Solusyon and DILG’s Disiplina Muna added.
refocused towards defeating the pandemic.

Lucero, who was invited as a resource speaker
during the “Resilient Leadership: World vs. COVID”
seminar on March 27, highlighted the significance
of self-discipline and behaviour change in beating
COVID-19 and securing the safety of families and the
nation.

He stressed that the best defense in this time of
pandemic is discipline, which may be exercised in
following the minimum health protocols such as
wearing of face masks, wearing of face shield, proper

DILG Cebu City boosts IEC efforts

Following the successful launch of its first digital Lucero expressed hopes that DILG Cebu City would
publication, the Department of the Interior and Local be more equipped in producing content for the
Government (DILG) Cebu City strengthened its efforts succeeding issues of its online publication.
on the development of Information, Education and
Communication materials especially with the advent With two online quarterly issues released in 2020
of online media. and one for 2021, PAKASARiTAAN showcases the
efforts and accomplishments of DILG Cebu City and
DILG Cebu City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth Cebu City Government.
Lucero initiated the conduct of a two-day journalism
training workshop on January 13 to 14.

Development Management Officer III Grace Melanie
Lacamiento of DILG-7 Local Government Monitoring
and Evaluation Division discussed about News Writing,
Copy Editing and Headline Writing, while Information
Officer II Jean Marvette Demecillo and Information
Officer I Kent Divinagracia of the Regional Information
Unit talked about Introduction to Photojournalism
and Beginners’ Guide to Graphic Design, respectively.

The DILG Cebu City personnel were required to
submit two outputs on the writeshop and office
transfer, which were carried in the first quarterly issue
of PAKASARiTAAN for 2021.

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KALAMBUAN Newsletter

DILG Cebu Province awards top performing personnel, teams

The DILG Cebu Province Team conducted an
awarding ceremony for 2020 best performing
individuals and teams last February 5, 2021 at Harolds
Hotel, Cebu.

Highlights of the activity were cluster awards for
their major accomplishments and the best performing
city and municipal local government operatons
officers with the results basing on their SPMS ratings
and 2020 accomplishment reports.

The program started with a Mental Health Talk with
Dr. Anna Kathrina Oaminal-Watin as the resource
speaker on sharing her expertise on handling stress.

The afternoon activity proceeded with the awarding
ceremony participated by DILG-7 Director Leocadio
Trovela, DILG Cebu City OIC Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero,
OIC-CD Jonah Pino.

DILG Bohol creates public relations team

In response to the call of the DILG 7 Regional Office months to enhance the skills of the members of the
encouraging SROs to launch their respective digital team.
newsletters, the DILG Province of Bohol created the
Public Relations Team, which is tasked to manage and
build the Department’s presence online and with the
local media.

The organizational meeting was conducted on
March 4, 2021, with Information Officer-designate
LGOO II Lindsey Marie Vismanos discussing the
functions of the team. An action planning followed
thereafter to address immediate concerns such as
the Women’s Month Celebration and Fire Safety and
Prevention Month activities.

A series of workshops on basic news writing, how
to make infographics, and social media management
among others will be conducted in the following

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Legal Corner January-March 2021

by Aiiza Fiel Almendras Arcenal-Nogra, JD, MPP

Attorney IV/Regional Legal Officer
Office of the Regional Director, DILG-7

A curious case in the application of the legal principle of
STARE DECISIS ET NON EQUITA MOVERE

(“To stand by decisions and not to disturb settled matters.”)

ISSUE: Whether the ruling in the case of Javier et. al. versus Cadiao, et al., (G.R. No. 185369,
03 August 2016) decided upon by the 3rd Division of Supreme Court effectively
abandon the principle laid down by the Supreme Court En banc in the case of La
Carlota City versus Rojo (G.R. No. 181367, 24 April 2012)?

This Department, through an Advisory issued on 24 the contrary in its numerous previous opinions is Article
July 2017 with the subject entitled “DETERMINATION 8 of the Civil Code of the Philippines which provides
OF QUORUM AND THE REQUIRED MAJORITY VOTES
IN THE LOCAL SANGGUNIAN”, officially considered all as follows: “Judicial Decisions applying or interpreting the
its previous legal opinions which are considered as
executive interpretation as deemed superseded by the laws or the Constitution shall form part of the legal system
ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Javier et.
al. versus Cadiao, et al., (G.R. No. 185369, 03 August of the Philippines”.
2016).
Interestingly, the Advisory issued by the Department
In its Resolution, the Supreme Court held that the Vice-
Governor, as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Presiding treating the Cadiao ruling as a set legal precedence,
Officer, should be counted for purposes of ascertaining
the existence of a quorum, but not in the determination rather than treating it as simply applicable to that
of the required number of votes necessary to uphold
a matter before the SP. The rationale in holding the particular case/situation, could have been challenged by
foregoing is quoted as follows: the Constitutional provision under Article VIII, Section
4 (3), 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides in
“To hold that the Presiding Officer should be
counted in determining the required number of the last part thereof that “xxxx no doctrine or principle of
votes necessary to uphold a matter before the
SP shall be counter-productive. It would admit law laid down by the court in a decision rendered en banc or
deadlocks as ordinary incidents in the conduct of
business of the SP, which in effect incapacitates in a division may be modified or reversed except by the court
the said body from addressing every issue laid
before it. In the process, the SP’s responsiveness, sitting en banc.”
effectivity and accountability towards the affairs
of the body politic would be diminished.” While the Cadiao case was decided by the 3rd Division

Thus the Advisory highlighted the following points, to of five (5) members, judicial precedents which were
wit:
the basis of previous Department legal opinions were
1.) The Presiding Officer of the sanggunian
is counted for the purpose of determining the decided En Banc, most prominent of which is the case of
existence of quorum; La Carlota City versus Rojo (G.R. No. 181367, 24 April
2012).
2.) However, the Presiding Officer of the
sanggunian is not included in the counting Indeed, the laws should be dynamic and not static.
to determine the required number of votes to
uphold the matter before the sanggunian. Further, unlike that of the case of La Carlota, the discussion

The legal basis for the adherence of this Department in the Cadiao ruling did not stop on the issue of “majority”
to the latest judicial interpretation despite its position to
as defined in the case of Santiago vs Guingona (G.R.

No. 134577. November 18, 1998) and “composition” as

articulated in the case of Zamora v. Governor Caballero
(G.R. No. 147767. January 14, 2004). The Cadiao ruling
explored the intent of the framers of the law by
differentiating the determination of the composition
of the sanggunian for purposes of quorum separately
with that for purposes of dividing the house before
proceeding with the proper computation of the
majority needed to address each particular situation.

Hence, while the previous opinion and rulings have

been established consistently back then, it can be said

that the rationale as explained in the Cadiao case is firm

and decisive enough to meet the challenge that could

be presented in an appropriate Petition for Declaratory

Relief that the DILG Advisory may face in the future.

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