Kalambuan Newsletter | 2Q 2021 Issue

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April-June 2021

CLEAN WATER SUPPLY AMID HEALTH CRISIS

Water system projects
completed in Negros Oriental,
Cebu Province

Fueled by the roadmap to address water and sanitation problems in rural areas,
the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 rolled out projects
to deserving local government units (LGUs) even amid the threat posed by the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (Salintubig) and Local
Government Support Fund-Assistance to Municipalities (LGSF-AM), the regional
office turned over water system projects to LGUs in Negros Oriental and Cebu
Province in the second quarter of 2021.

The Upgrading/Expansion of Amlan Municipal Piped-Water System, Transmission
Pipe Network (Phase 1) in Brgy. Silab, Municipality of Amlan, Negros Oriental was
inaugurated on May 27, 2021.

Regional Director Leocadio Trovela even traversed the rough and unpaved roads
going to Sitio Calangayan for the inauguration ceremony. He was joined by Amlan
Mayor Manuel Jose Sycip, DILG personnel, municipal and barangay officials and
local project beneficiaries.

The project is under the LGSF-AM program with a total worth P8.3 million. The
Department funded P4.3 million while LGU counterpart spent P4 million.

“You have passed the assessment and that’s the reason why you have this project.
Keep up the good governance,” said Dir. Trovela in his message.

AM projects are not dole-out since the release of funds shall be subjected to the
compliance of the municipal government to several good governance requirements
such a the DILG Good Financial Housekeeping and the DILG Local Development

Council Functionality Assessment.

On the other hand, a potable water supply project under the Salintubig
program was turned over on May 18, 2021 to the Municipality of Sogod,
Cebu. The water system worth P10 million located in Barangay Ampongol
is projected to benefit 2,000 people.

Dir. Trovela graced the ceremony together with Sogod Mayor Richard
Streegan, Vice Mayor Lisa Marie Streegan, DILG personnel,
municipal and barangay officials and local beneficiaries.

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Kalambuan Newsletter

DILG-7 office gets Safety Seal Certification

To set as an example, the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 received
its safety seal certification—the first government
office in Cebu City— after complying with the
requirements on June 25, 2021.

During the conferment activity, DILG-7
Director Leocadio Trovela and LGCDD Chief
Maria Thelya Oporto received the Safety Seal
Certification from the DILG Cebu City Team
headed by its chairman, Cebu City Director Atty.
Ian Kenneth Lucero and its members Cebu City
Police Office City Director PCOL Josefino Ligan
and Bureau of Fire Protection Cebu City Director
F/CINSP Josephus Alburo who was represented
by FINSP Asraf Grar.

Lucero said the DILG-7 office has complied
with all the requirements stipulated in the
Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01 of
DILG, Department of Labor and Employment,

Department of Health, Department of Tourism, and offices and two private establishments were given
Department of Trade and Industry, specifically the the safety seal in the region.
Safety Seal Certification Checklist.
Of the number, DILG teams have certified
In his acceptance message, Trovela said the three offices each in Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros
certification serves as recognition that the office Oriental, Lapu-Lapu City, and two offices in Cebu
abides by the minimum public health standards. City. These establishments include the offices of
DILG, PNP and BFP. Further, the Municipality of
“This is the start of the massive inspection of Siaton, Negros Oriental, issued safety seal to two
the thousands of government offices like barangay private establishments.
halls, national government agencies, and other public
establishments by our DILG teams. This is not an It was only on June 3 when the Office of
easy task,” he said. Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs, Public
Affairs, and Communications conducted nationwide
During the short program, Atty. Gerlyn Sayson, virtual orientation on the program via Zoom and
regional focal person, gave a short rationale of the Facebook Live.
Safety Seal Certification Program and stressed its
main purpose which is to increase the compliance Meanwhile, DILG-7 joined the inter-agency
of private and public establishments to the strict safety seal ceremonial activities with the Department
implementation of public health standards and of Trade and Industry-7, Department of Tourism-7,
increase consumer confidence as the country and Department of Labor and Employment-7 on
reopens the economy. June 23.

As of June 30, 2021, at least 14 government

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April-June 2021

Sector reps gather in reg’l confab for peace
and development

Different civic organizations in Central Visayas since no country would prosper without the active
convened to discuss peace-related concerns and participation of its people.
plans with the government during the two-day
Regional Conference for Peace and Development Sector leaders and government representatives
(RCPD) at the Cebu Technological University -Danao crafted action plans through plenary and breakout
Campus in Danao City, Cebu last May 12-13. rooms on the first day and presented the same on the
second day.
Representatives from Indigenous Peoples
(IPs), Labor, Farmer & Fisherfolk, Peasant, Youth, “The primary mission of the Sectoral Unification,
Women’s and Urban Poor met with some officials Capacity-Building Empowerment and Mobilization
from the national government agencies (NGAs) and Cluster (SUCBEM) Cluster is to engage, unify,
thoroughly tackled concerns that needed intervention capacitate, empower, and mobilize all sectors of
from the government within the framework of peace the society to be free and resistant to infiltrations
and development. activities,” said Trovela in his opening remarks.

Department of the Interior and Local “With this, it is crucial to establish a genuine
Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco platform for advocacy and legitimate concerns of the
Densing III graced the second day of the activity sectors to effectively address gaps in governance
in Danao City, where sectors presented issues and and have an idea of what interventions and policy
concerns to the government. DILG Usec Marjorie recommendations can help,” he added.
Jalosjos, meanwhile, joined via Zoom.
SUCBEM is one of the 12 clusters of the
Also present were DILG-7 Director Leocadio T. Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist
Trovela, DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jhoaden G. Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
Lucero, and officials from the regional line agencies.
RCPD was the first phase of SUCBEM flagship
“We heard your presentations, we heard what’s program for SONA Campaign Plan 2021. The next
in your heart, and we heard your concerns that needed phase will be the preparatory work for the formulation
action from the government. In the administration of of peace and development agenda that will be used
President Rodrigo Duterte, we listen to the people,” for crafting the Social Reform Agenda of the Basic
said Densing in his message to sector leaders and Sectors.
participants.
The agenda will then be proposed to be part of
Densing stressed that the government needs President Duterte’s speech in the State of the Nation
participation from sectors in carrying out programs Address (SONA).

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Kalambuan Newsletter

CD Lucero releases 3rd book

Department of the Interior and Local Government Revenues” in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
(DILG) Cebu City Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero Yet, he felt the urge to publish another
recently released his third book—a primer to guide
barangay officials and Lupong Tagapamayapa in Knowledge Product on KP Law that would serve as
efficiently settling neighborhood disputes. a simplified reference to address the usual concerns
often raised, especially by members of the Lupon,
His book entitled “Jurisdictional and Procedural during his lectures, trainings and legal aid programs.
Aspects: Revised Katarungang Pambarangay
Law 2021 Edition” came out in June this year and Presented in a question and answer format
was well-received by the market even before it was for easy reference, Lucero’s new book is likewise
formally launched on July 7 in partnership with REX targeted to equip DILG officers, students, lawyers,
Book Store, Inc. and practitioners of local governance.

Lucero, who is also the concurrent chief of DILG- It contains substantial provisions of KP Law,
7 Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation decided cases by the Supreme Court, related laws,
Division, authored two books on the “Revised Law on opinions of the Department of Justice and DILG,
Katarungang Pambarangay” and “Raising Barangay and illustrations and flowcharts made by the author
himself to help the readers visualize the given
situations.

“With the book’s guidance, we can cascade
down to our people similar resolutions of already
decided and settled cases-which in turn would ease
case backlogs in courts and would speed up the
process of realizing justice,” DILG Secretary Eduardo
Añ o said in his congratulatory message.

“Indeed, his passion and dedication for the
barangay justice system marks another win in our
country’s continuing quest to champion good local
governance,” Local Government Academy Executive
Director Thelma Vecina also said in her foreword.

In his letter of commendation, DILG-7 Director
Leocadio Trovela likewise lauded Lucero’s initiative
in developing innovative Knowledge Products that
adapt to the needs of those they serve.

Info drive on COVID-19 vaccination ramps
up with 4 town halls in June

Town hall meetings centered on addressing
vaccine hesitancy, increase demand generation of
vaccines, and debunking myths were conducted in
four LGUs in Cebu Province for the month of June
this year.

In efforts to intensify the information drive in
the region, the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG)-7, Department of Health (DOH-
7), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) held
town hall meetings in San Remigio on June 8,
Daanbantayan on June 9, Carcar City on June 15,
and Cordova on June 22.

“At first, I’m hesitant on COVID-19 vaccine
because of my high blood pressure. But after I heard

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April-June 2021

the facts, I might eventually get the vaccine shot,” Correa urged the local government units,
said Barangay Bangbang councilor Milcris Jose Punong Barangays, barangay officials, and Barangay
Timaan Inoc in Bisaya during the open forum in Health Workers (BHWs) to lead the information drive
Cordova town hall meeting. on their respective communities by providing factual
information to their constituents on COVID-19
Leading the conduct of the town hall meetings vaccination.
were Dr. Shelbay Blanco, Medical Officer III of DOH
CVCHD; Fayette C. Riñ en, Regional Director of Participants signed the Pledge of Commitment
PIA 7; and Rommel Correa, Project Development in support of Resbakuna advocacy campaign.
Management Unit (PDMU) Chief of DILG 7.

2 LGMED personnel climb up career ladder

Two high-performing personnel of the Local
Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division
(LGMED)-7 were among the DILG-7 personnel who
were promoted during the second quarter this year.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela administered
the oath taking of Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero and
Atty. Gerlyn Mae Sayson on June 22 and June 25,
respectively.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte
appointed Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, who sits as chief
of LGMED-7, as a full-fledged city director of DILG
Cebu City.

Lucero’s never-ending thirst for learning, passion
for excellence, and commitment to quality public
service have manifested in his career progression
from being an LGOO II in 1999 to LGOO VIII in 2021.

Meanwhile, Sayson was appointed as Attorney
III of the Legal Liaison and Legislative Services at the
DILG Central Office after her three-year service in
LGMED-7.

Trovela congratulated Lucero and Sayson
during the first virtual convocation of DILG-7 on
June 28 where the director also announced that
there would be series of promotions for deserving
personnel in July and August this year.

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Kalambuan Newsletter

Whole-of-nation approach to end local
communist cascaded to grassroots level

To cascade down to the barangay level the members
fullest appreciation on the implementation of Resource persons from the Department of the
Executive Order (EO) 70, Region 7’s Joint Regional
Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7, Office of
(JRTF-ELCAC) conducted a Provincial/HUC the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and
Levelling session via Zoom, which was streamed live National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
on Facebook. discussed barangay development program, sectoral
mobilization, orientation and updates on EO 70, and
The activity kicked off on a high note with 1,600 NCIP & ICCs/IPs resiliency.
participants on the first online session for Bohol last
June 21, 2021. Participants were barangay officials, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
provincial, city and municipal ELCAC task force (NICA) and National Strategic Resource Group
tackled the topic of CTG’s framework. PTF-
Bohol ELCAC also presented its significant
accomplishments per cluster, while the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7)
presented the synthesis.

After the successful Bohol Levelling Session,
it was followed by another Provincial Session for
Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Cebu Province and HUC
Levelling session for highly-urbanized cities of
Mandaue, Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

EO 70, which was signed by President Rodrigo
Duterte in December 2018, aims to address the root
causes of insurgency to end locally armed conflict in
the countryside.

DILG-administered projects in rural areas
come to fruition

Municipality of Badian can now utilize its newly
completed evacuation center that would shelter
vulnerable communities from 29 barangays in times
of natural disasters.

Last April 22, the evacuation facility equipped
with disaster tools and funded by the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the
Local Government Support Fund-Assistance to the
Municipalities program (LGSF-AM) was turned over
to LGU Badian.

DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio T. Trovela
graced the blessing and inauguration ceremony
together with DILG Cebu Province cluster head
Wyndell Valle and MLGOOs Jose Meneleo Aquino
and Glenda Gabuya.

Badian LGU, led by Mayor Carmencita Lumain
and Vice-Mayor Fructuoso Caballero, expressed
their gratitude to the Department for the said project,
which is worth P11.3 million. The project’s first phase
costs P5.9 million while the second phase costs P5.3

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April-June 2021

million under the 2018 and 2019 LGSF-AM FY. a P2 million worth project funded under the
Performance Challenge Fund 2017, located at the
Projects in Camotes Island Hagutapay Wharf in Barangay Puertobello.

In his visit to Camotes Island, Dir. Trovela
checked on the progress and status of completed
and ongoing projects funded by Assistance to
Municipalities (AM) and Performance Challenge
Fund (PCF) programs.

Municipality of Tudela Mayor Greman B.
Solante showed to Dir. Trovela the completed
the road concreting project worth P6.5 million on
Gomez Street, Northern and Southern Poblacion in
Municipality of Tudela.

Also visited was the town’s Passenger Terminal,

DILG-7 joins unveiling of historical
markers in CV

To raise public awareness on the significance of Marker located right at the heart of Dumaguete
several places in Region 7 that was part of the world’s City at Rizal Boulevard was unveiled last May 4. Dir.
first circumnavigation, the Department of the Interior Trovela, DILG Negros Oriental Officer-in-Charge
and Local Government (DILG)-7 joined a series of Farah Diba Gentuya, and DILG personnel were there
activities in celebration of the 500th anniversary of to witness the momentous event.
the Victory at Mactan.
Present were Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles,
As a partner of the historical event, DILG National Historical Commission of the Philippines
Regional Director Leocadio Trovela graced the (NHCP) Commissioner Dr. Earl Jude Cleope,
unveiling of historical markers which were identified Presidential Communications Operations Office
as part of the Magellan-Elcano expedition route in (PCOO) Undersecretary Atty. Marvin Gatpayat,
Camotes Island, Cebu and Dumaguete City, Negros Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-
Oriental. General Undersecretary Ramon Cualoping III, Negros
Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Dumaguete City Mayor
Trovela and DILG Cebu Provincial Director Felipe Remollo, Atty. Lessandro Maraon of OPAV,
Jhoaden Lucero graced the unveiling of markers Philippine National Police Directorate for Integrated
in three sites—municipalities of Pilar, Poro and San Police Operations in the Visayas PBGen. Herminio
Francisco in Camotes Island last April 6, 2021. Tadeo Jr., members of the National Quincentennial
Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Commemorations (NQC) Committee, among others.
(OPAV) Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales
spearheaded the unveiling in coordination with San Thirty-four historical markers were installed in
Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr., Pilar Mayor key places in the Visayas, Palawan, and Mindanao.
Manuel Santiago and Poro Mayor Edgar Rama.

On the other hand, the Panilongon Historical

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Kalambuan Newsletter

Cebu City’s CTs considered as ‘game
changers’ vs COVID

Conducting case interviews, profiling, and cases and 27,265 close contacts.
performing initial public health risk assessment of They also reported violations on the minimum
COVID-19 cases are among the major contributions
of contact tracers assigned in Cebu City. health standards such as physical distancing, wearing
of face masks and shields to concerned barangays,
On top of that, Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, DILG which helped the city government in identifying the
Cebu City Director, ordered the deployment of “red zones” in this pandemic.
DILG-hired contact tracers to the city’s vaccination
operation centers to support its daily operations,
thereby complying with the DILG Memorandum
Circular No. 2021-007 asking DILG offices to guide
local government units in the implementation of the
national vaccination program.

DILG Cebu City considered the 177 re-hired
contact tracers as game changers in breaking the
chain of human-to-human transmission in the city.

LGOO III Emmanuel Pedralba was tasked to
closely monitor and evaluate the performance of
the CTs through the use of CT Weekly Performance
Report.

From February 9 to June 14, the city’s contact
tracers have traced over 9,917 confirmed positive

DILG Cebu City wins Nat’l Zumba Challenge

The Department of the Interior and Local official exercise/step. The four-minute video, which
Government Cebu City won the nationwide dance was posted on PAKASARITAAN DILG Cebu City
exercise video challenge (zumba) of the Central official Facebook page, was viewed over 3,100 times.
Office.
Dancers from the National Barangay Operations
It was announced through an advisory dated Office got the second place while Region 8 won third
June 1 issued by Assistant Secretary for Human place.
Resource Development Florida Dijan.
The dance challenge was part of the DILG
Five contact tracers of DILG Cebu City danced Health, Fitness and Cultural competition organized
to the tune of “Problema’y Isayaw” and featured the by the Department’s Human Resource Management
city’s Fort San Pedro and South Road Properties. Division.

Their winning routine will be the Department’s

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April-June 2021

15 ex-rebels return to fold of law

Seven former rebels (FRs) and eight Militia administered E-CLIP Assistance, the Provincial
ng Bayan (MBs) has withdrawn their membership Government of Negros Oriental extended additional
and patronage from the Communist Party of the P5,000 financial assistance.
Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in
Negros Oriental.

Motivated by their trust and confidence in
government troops, 15 ex-rebels returned to the fold
of the law and had undergone the processes outlined
by the government for them to avail of the Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The Negros Oriental E-CLIP Committee
spearheaded the turnover ceremony of E-CLIP
Assistance to ex-rebels on June 24, 2021, at the
Plenary Hall, Negros Oriental Convention Center in
Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

To express their support to the former rebels,
messages of support were given by Negros Oriental
Governor Roel Degamo, DILG-7 Director Leocadio
Trovela, and Office of the Presidential Assistant for
the Visayas (OPAV) Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino.

On top of the assistance included in the DILG-

5 DILG-led clusters convene to discuss
Implan FY 2022

The Department of the Interior and Local 7, DTI-7, TESDA-7, PhilHealth, DA-7, PSA-7, DOE-
Government (DILG)-7 spearheaded the conduct of 7, DENR-7 and DOH-7.
virtual Assessment and Planning Workshops of the
Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist
Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) member agencies.

The workshop was conducted per cluster on
separate dates via Zoom.

Sectoral Unification, Capability-Building,
Empowerment and Mobilization (SUCBEM) cluster
kicked off the workshop on May 4, 2021, followed by
the Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) on May 5,
Basic Services on May 6, Enhanced Comprehensive
Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Amnesty
on May 7, and lastly, the Local Government
Empowerment (LGE) on May 14.

Highlight of the activity was the formulation of
the Implementation Plan (Implan) FY 2022, which
contains the proposed programs, projects and
activities of each cluster member agency. Once
completed, it will be forwarded to RTF-ELCAC and
the National Task Force-ELCAC clusters.

The member agencies of these five clusters
are AFP, PRO-7, NICA-7, DOJ-7, DSWD-7, PIA-7,
DepEd-7, DAR-7, CHED-7, NCIP, DOLE-7, DPWH-

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Kalambuan Newsletter

DILG-7 bares LTIA regional winners

The Department of the Interior and Local Highly-Urbanized Cities in Central Visayas.
Government-7 released the four regional winners of The committee is composed of its Chairman,
the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award (LTIA)
on June 3, 2021. DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, LTIA RAC Vice
Chairman and Regional State Prosecutor Fernando
Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City was declared as Gubalane, LTCOL Maria Aurora Rayos of Police
the regional winner for the Highly-Urbanized City Regional Office-7, University of San Jose-Recoletos
category while Barangay Taloto, Tagbilaran City, School of Law Dean Atty. Jonathan Capanas, Atty.
Bohol was the winner for the component city category. Mark Anthony Gaviola of Young Lawyers Association
of Cebu, and Integrated Bar of the Philippine-Cebu
For the 1st to 3rd class municipality category, Province Vice President Atty. Michael Hubahib.
Barangay Nasipit, Barili, Cebu was hailed as the
winner while Barangay Nahawan, Clarin, Bohol The LTIA program aims to strengthen the
bagged the award for the 4th to 6th class municipality Katarungang Pambarangay as an indigenous
category. conflict resolution structure at the grassroots level,
grant economic benefits and other incentives to top
These barangays will serve as the region’s entry performing Lupong Tagapamayapa, and generate
to the national level and will compete among the greater awareness and support from various sectors
other barangays during the conduct of this year’s of the society on KP as a potent vehicle toward social
LTIA National Validation. ordering and human development.

To recall, the LTIA Regional Awards Committee
validated the entries from different provinces and

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April-June 2021

DILG-7 holds 2nd knowledge sharing
webinar with Information Officers

As part of strengthening the DILG-7 Local
Government Resource Center, the Regional
Information Unit organized the 2nd capacity
development activity dubbed as “Knowledge Sharing:
Producing Contents for IEC Materials” on April 30,
2021 via Zoom.

The event was attended by all information
officers and focal persons on the annual report and
newsletter from the regional office, DILG-7’s sub-
regional offices, and field offices.

Regional Information Officer Michael Braga
gave a thorough discussion on the salient points of
content development, the importance of IEC, basic
principles of developing content, among others.

DMO III Grace Melanie Lacamiento underscored
the significance of news judgement which will
guide the information officers in determining what
stories to write and what to include in the story,
while Information Officers Richiel Chavez and Kent
Vincent Divinagracia discussed the fundamentals
of photojournalism and newsletter design and visual
dynamics, respectively.

DILG Cebu City officer-in-charge Atty. Ian
Kenneth B. Lucero also shared the best practices
of their first-ever digital flip publication named
PAKASARITAAN.

RPOC-7 appeals to continue BDP
implementation

The Regional Peace and Order Council the Barangay Development Program (BDP) for the
(RPOC)-7 passed a resolution strongly appealing attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace and
for the continuous implementation and funding of development for all.

This was approved during the second quarterly
meeting on June 29, 2021 wherein members of the
RPOC-7 virtually met and agreed to join the call for
the continued implementation of BDP which carry
out a more holistic approach in ending decades-old
insurgency problem.

Police Regional Office-7 Director PBGEN
Ronnie Montejo, RPOC-7 vice-chairperson, presided
the meeting where concerned government agencies
discussed the present situation on peace and order,
illegal drug campaign, terrorism and insurgency,
maritime administration, coronavirus 2019, NTF-
ELCAC provincial leveling sessions, and safety seal
certification program.

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Kalambuan Newsletter

Regional personnel converge in 1st online
Convocation

Coping with the new normal caused by the and the conduct of programs and activities despite
COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of the the threat brought by COVID-19, which has been
Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 leaned on affecting people’s lives for nearly two years.
technology as it conducted the region’s first virtual
Convocation on June 28, 2021, via Cisco Webex. “This shows the kind of commitment that we
have as a team,” he said.
Personnel from the regional office and sub-
regional offices (SROs) joined the virtual activity, Also announced by Dir. Trovela was the
which aimed to appraise the level of accomplishments upcoming movement of personnel, and updates on
for the first semester of Calendar Year (CY) 2021. the programs handled by the regional office.

Local Government Capability Development The first virtual Convocation was hosted by the
Division (LGCDD), Local Government Monitoring and LGCDD, headed by its chief LGOO VII Maria Thelya
Evaluation Division (LGMED), Office of the Regional Oporto.
Director (ORD) and Finance and Administrative
Division (FAD), all presented their accomplishments
for the first six months of CY 2021 together with the
plans for the second semester.

Regional Director Leocadio Trovela led the
virtual activity together with Assistant Regional
Director Maria Loisella Lucino, provincial directors,
city directors, and division chiefs.

Trovela lauded DILG-7 personnel for giving their
best efforts to achieve the objectives, deliverables,

DILG Bohol, DICT capacitate LGUs on eBPLS

To impart new technology for processing issue business permits to business registrants
of business permits and licensing system, the electronically. The innovation is in compliance with
Department of the Interior and Local Government the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government
(DILG) Bohol Province together with Department Service Delivery Act of 2018.
of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) hosted a five-day training for local government
units (LGUs) in Bohol.

LGUs from Anda, Cortes, Getafe, Inabanga and
Jagna graced the Electronic Business Permit and
Licensing System (eBPLS) training from June 21
to 25, 2021. Participants from the five LGUs were
municipal treasurers, business permit and licensing
officers (BPLOs) and IT officers.

With the eBPLS, LGUs can process and

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April-June 2021

Siquijor declares Reds as ‘persona
non grata’

To show support on the resolution of the To synchronize efforts on the conduct of
Sustainability of Ending Local Communist Armed ELCAC related activities, particularly Dagyawan sa
Conflict (ELCAC) funds, a joint Provincial Peace and Barangay, Provincial Director Raymund Gary Mayuga
Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug of the Siquijor Police Provincial Office visited DILG
Abuse Council (PADAC) and Comprehensive Local Provincial Director Dennis S. Quiñ ones to discuss the
Integration Program (ECLIP) meeting was held on conduct of the proposed activity
May 7, 2021 at the Dugukanan sa Kapitolyo, Capitol
Compound, Polangyuta in Municipality of Siquijor,
Siquijor.

To further strengthen the directive of the
Executive Order (EO) of President Rodrigo Duterte,
the Province of Siquijor, six municipalities and
134 barangays passed a resolution declaring the
communist armed group as persona non grata.

Meanwhile, the ELCAC Provincial Task Force
conducted a meeting at the Governor’s Office, 2nd
Floor Administrative Building, Capitol Compound to
prepare for the Siquijor Provincial Levelling Sesssion
on June 30, and discuss ways forward for the six pilot
barangays included in the Dagyawan sa Barangay.

Shelter for reforming drug offenders
breaks ground in NegOr

Reforming drug offenders in the municipalities of
Basay and Ayungon in Negros Oriental will soon have
a designated shelter after the separate inauguration
of their respective Balay Silangan.

The lead agency Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) in coordination with the Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7
spearheaded the groundbreaking of Balay Silangan
in Barangay, Banban, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on
April 7, 2021.

LGU Basay, on the other hand, also inaugurated
its own Balay Silangan for the ex-drug offenders in
the town. The inauguration was attended by DILG
Negros Oriental Officer-in-Charge Farah Diba
Gentuya, Basay Mayor Beda Cañ amaque, directors
from PDEA and PNP, and representatives from the
Department of Health.

Balay Silangan is the national drug reformation
program that offers temporary refuge with the
objective of reforming drug offenders into self-
sufficient and law-abiding members of society.

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Kalambuan Newsletter

ADAC audit team convenes

Members of the Regional Audit Team in Central
Visayas convened for the conduct of Anti-Drug Abuse
Council (ADAC) Performance Audit for calendar
years 2019 and 2020.

All 136 Provincial, City/Municipality ADACs
were audited by the team, chaired by DILG-7 Director
Leocadio Trovela and its members are PMAJ Rey
Nieves de los Santos of the Regional Community
Affairs and Development Division (RCADD), Police
Regional Office 7; Information Officer III Leia Albiar
of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7; Mr.
Mark Allan Palanca, of Dilaab Foundation Inc.; and
Rev. Paulino Mongas Jr., J.D, chairman of the Council
of Christian Ministers of Mandaue City.

Prior to the conduct of the audit, DILG-7 city
and provincial directors, City and Municipal Local
Government Operations Officers, and ADAC LGU
focal persons went through a virtual orientation in
April about the Philippine Anti-illegal Drug Strategies
(PADS) policies for the ADAC functionality audit for
2019 and 2020.

Part of the orientation was a walk-through and
workshop on the ADAC Functionality Monitoring
System and audio-visual presentations on the salient
features of the memorandum circulars on ADAC
Performance Audit and Special Drug Education
Centers.

On June 22, members of the audit team were
oriented on the indicators of the audit.

One of the upcoming activities for third quarter
this year is the Performance Audit C.Y. 2020
calibration and deliberation of the final results which
will be submitted to the Central Office.

Virtual trainings on Integration of Barangay
Clearance, Building Permit Occupancy conducted

To capacitate the local government units (LGUs) Six LGUs coming from 3rd and 4th class
on the integration of issuance of barangay clearance municipalities of Negros Oriental participated in the
on LGUs permitting processes, the Department of the training-workshop.
Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 conducted
an online training on June 3, 2021, via Google Meet.

The training dubbed as Online Roll Out on the
Integration of Barangay Clearance was attended
by eight 1st class municipalities in the region
represented by treasurers, BPLOs, zoning officers,
Punong Barangays and CLGOOs.

On the other hand, the regional office also
conducted an online training-workshop and coaching
on Streamlining Building Permit and Certificate of
Occupancy on June 9 to 10, 2021, via Cisco Webex.

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April-June 2021

DILG personnel share insights on local
governance

Department of the Interior and Local Government NEO SEMINAR IN BOHOL PROVINCE
(DILG)-7 Leocadio Trovela lauded the efforts of
the Vice Mayors and members of Sangguniang Following the success of NEO seminar in Cebu,
Panglungsod and Sangguniang Bayan in their DILG Bohol together with the Vice Mayors’ League
continued pursuit to genuine local development of the Philippines (VMLP)-Bohol Chapter conducted
during the Newly-Elected Officials (NEO) Orientation the NEO Orientation Course for local legislators at
Course Cum Seminar on Mental Health, Legislation Modala Beach Resort Function Hall in Doljo, Panglao,
and Philippine Government New Normal System at Bohol on June 14 to 19.
the Maayo Resort in San Remigio, Cebu.
Resource speakers for Bohol were Provincial
Fifty-two LGUs from Cebu participated in the Budget Officer Peter Ross Retutal, DILG-7 Legal
seminar spearheaded by the Vice Mayors’ League Officer Atty. Aiiza Fiel Arcenal-Nogra, 1st District
of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter and Philippine Representative Hon. Edgardo Chatto, and Atty.
Councilors’ League-Cebu Chapter. Lucero.

DILG-7 personnel together with the Local DILG Bohol and VMLP-Bohol Chapter provided
Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) technical assistance during the course of the seminar
and other national government agencies shared their to further capacitate local legislators in enhancing
expertise as resource speakers to further capacitate governance through effective and responsive
local officials in adopting new normal in governance legislation.
through responsive legislation.

Resource speakers from DILG-7 were Cebu
Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero, LGMED Chief
and DILG Cebu City Director Atty. Ian Kenneth
Lucero, DILG Lapu-Lapu City Director Jonah Pino,
Atty. Gerlyn Mae Sayson, DILG officers Jerson Obo
and Jupiter Dawa, among others.

“Very critical ang role ng Vice Mayors
and Sangguniang in pursuit of genuine local
development,” said Dir. Trovela on the final day of the
activity on July 1, 2021.

Following the minimum health standard set by
the Inter-Agency Task Force, the orientation course
was divided into 10 batches from April 26 to June 1. It
was held in two venues at the BAI Hotel in Mandaue
City and Maayo Hotel in San Remigio, Cebu.

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Kalambuan Newsletter

DILG Cebu City joins 4th Cebu City-wide
cleanup challenge

To mark the celebration of the Philippine
Environment Month, DILG-Cebu City joined the 4th
city-wide cleanup challenge organized by the Cebu
City Government on June 19.

Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, city director of DILG
Cebu City, led the cleanup in sitios Seasons 2 and
3, Barangay Cogon, Pardo and invited members of
209.4 Division and 217th Squadron of the Philippine
Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) and Maritime Industry
Authority (MARINA).

Lucero, an officer of the 209th PCGA Squadron
with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, emphasized
the significance of bayanihan and volunteerism in
addressing the city’s environmental woes such as
solid waste problems.

During the activity, Cogon Pardo Punong
Barangay Harry Eran gave rice packs and canned
goods to residents in exchange for a 10-kilo trash
they have collected.

Various city barangays, private sectors, and
other civic sectors also participated in the cleanup
challenge that took place in the different coastal
areas in the city.

CCMCC awards outstanding police
officers, stations

Acknowledging their efforts of delivering during the ceremony.
quality public service, the Cebu City Management He also acknowledged PNP’s efforts of
Coordinating Committee (CCMCC) passed
resolution commending outstanding police officers, delivering quality public service especially in the fight
stations and units in Cebu City on June 22. against illegal drugs, illegal gambling, loose firearms,
wanted persons, insurgency, terrorism, and all forms
The CCMCC Resolution No. 3, series of 2021 of criminalities amid the ongoing health crisis.
was pushed by no less than its chairman, Atty. Ian
Kenneth Lucero who also sits as DILG Cebu City
Director.

On June 28, Lucero, who was invited as guest
of honor, handed certificates of commendation to the
12 outstanding police officers, six police stations and
the City Intelligence Unit in the city, in an awarding
ceremony held at Camp Sotero Cabahug.

“In this time of uncertainty, retreat not from hope.
In case you get weak or feel tired, remind yourself the
oath you took. Go back to your purpose of being- To
protect and serve the people,” he said when asked to
deliver words of inspiration to the members of CCPO

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April-June 2021

Lucero discusses KP Law during OADR,
NPC webinars

Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, DILG Cebu City law during the whole day online class of Public Safety
Director and concurrent LGMED Chief, was invited Officers Basic Course (PSOBC) Magiting Class
in two separate webinars attended by law enforcers 2021-05 organized by the National Police College,
and barangay officials to discuss the Katarungang Cebu on June 7, via Zoom.
Pambarangay (KP) Law.
He also discussed the components of Philippine
Known as the authority of the KP Law, he Criminal Justice System which was attended by the
discussed the jurisdictional aspect and rules on 47 students from the Philippine National Police with
venue of the law during the online training course the rank of Police Lieutenants.
organized by the Office for Alternative Dispute
Resolution (OADR) on May 4 via Zoom and Lucero was given Certificate of Appreciation for
Facebook livestreaming. his invaluable contributions as subject matter expert
on the topic Philippine Criminal Justice System.
Lucero was invited to be the resource speaker
of the activity which was attended by the second
batch of barangay officials and members of the
Lupong Tagapamayapa of Naga City, Camarines
Sur.

On May 27, he was also invited as resource
speaker to discuss the conciliation and mediation
procedures under the KP Law during the Season
2: Episode 5 of OADR webinar series which was
attended by the lupon members from various
barangays in the country.

The activity was graced by DILG Undersecretary
for Barangay Affairs Martin S. Diñ o who thanked
OADR for its continued partnership with the
Department in upgrading the skills of barangay
officials and lupons to effectively perform their roles
through the conduct of webinar series.

Meanwhile, Lucero shared his expertise on KP

RMCC-7 adopts PDEA, TG-CBS as members

Acknowledging their roles in the war against
illegal drugs and insurgency, the Regional
Management and Coordinating Committee (RMCC)-
7 adopted Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – 7
and Task Group Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor of Philippine
Army.

On June 8, the RMCC-7 convened at the Top of
Cebu, Cebu Tops Road in Cebu City and passed its
first resolution adopting PDEA – 7 and TG-CBS as
expanded members.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, chairman
of RMCC-7, provided updates on Enhanced
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)
program, the Retooled Community Support
Program, construction of Halfway House in Negros
Oriental and Bohol, and the Community-Based Drug

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Kalambuan Newsletter

Rehabilitation Program.
It was attended by Director Jose Concepcion,

Jr. of National Police Commission-7, PBGEN. Ronnie
Montejo of Police Regional Office-7, FSSUPT. Manuel
Golino of Bureau of Fire Protection-7, JCSUPT
Efren Nemeñ o of Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology-7, PLtCol Marlon Lomarda Quimno of
Regional Training Center-7, Dir. Onasis O. Balt of
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos-7, and
Director Levi Ortiz of PDEA-7.

The Local Government Monitoring and
Evaluation Division headed by Atty. Ian Kenneth
Lucero and Office of the Regional Director provided
technical support and assistance during the meeting.

RICG acknowledges DILG-7 efforts in fight
vs illegal drugs

The Department of the Interior and Local The activity was attended by RICG chairman
Government (DILG)-7 received a plaque of and PDEA regional director, Director III Levi S. Ortiz.
appreciation for championing the programs of the
Advocacy cluster of the Regional Inter-agency ADAC-RTA Camille Pateres provided technical
Committee on Anti-Illegal drugs coordinating group assistance to the conduct of the activity.
(RICG) on May 19.

On behalf of DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela,
LGMED-7 Assistant Chief Corina Balansag accepted
the plaque during the blended virtual and face-to-
face meeting at Bayfront Hotel in Cebu City.

Prior the awarding, LGMED-7 Division ChiefAtty.
Ian Kenneth Lucero presented the accomplishment
of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs
Advocacy cluster in the Central Visayas Region.

He also presented the updates on Community
Based Drug Rehabilitation Program and the ongoing
Anti-Drug Abuse Council Functionality Audit of the
region.

RVOC-7 joins NVOC meeting

Members of the Regional Vaccination Opera-
tions Center (RVOC)- 7 joined the National COVID-19
Vaccination Operations Center and Visayas and
Mindanao RVOCs in the 3rd NVOC-RVOC meeting
on April 8.

On its vaccination report and updates, DILG-
7 regional focal person Atty. Gerlyn Mae Sayson
highlighted the COVID-19 coverage of masterlisted
eligible population, the consumption rate of allocated
first and second dose vaccines, governance indicators
on masterlisting, established local VOCs, vaccination/
AEFI teams and sites, and cold chain capacity, DILG

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April-June 2021

contact tracers deployed to vaccination sites, and Phillip Baton, OCD-7 Director Marlou Salazar, and
other issues and concerns. officials and representatives from other concerned
agencies.
Present for RVOC- 7 were DILG-7 Director
Leocadio Trovela, DOH-7 Medical Officer III Dr. Van

4 Cebu City barangays achieve drug-
cleared status

Four barangays in Cebu City have been declared Abuse Prevention (COSAP), public and private
drug-cleared in two separate deliberations conducted sectors was the key to achieve the city’s momentous
by the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) - feat.
Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) this year.
With its aim to have more drug-cleared
These were barangays Señ or Santo Niñ o, barangays in the future, officials of DILG Cebu City,
Sudlon 1, Sinsin, and Sapangdaku. COSAP, PDEA, Philippine National Police, and the
city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services
During the first assessment, the committee saw vowed to continue the close coordination for the
that both barangays, Señ or Santo Niñ o and Barangay fast implementation of the Community Based Drug
Sudlon 1, have complied all the required documents Rehabilitation Programs (CBDRP) which is one of
for drug clearing on May 21. the requirements for a drug-cleared.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,
which heads the ROC, has seen enough proof that
these barangays have been successful in their fight
against illegal drugs which led to the declaration as
drug-cleared barangays shortly after the deliberation
process.

On July 1, barangays Sinsin and Sapangdaku
went through the same process and achieved the
same result.

To recall, Cebu City has been aiming to have
drug-cleared barangays. The constant coordination
with the city government under the leadership of
Mayor Edgardo Labella, Cebu Office for Substance

DILG-7 aids family of fallen soldier

The Department of the Interior and Local wounded PAF personnel 1LT Hillary Bunao, A1C
Government (DILG)-7 handed preliminary assistance Rex Anapio and A1C Bonn Arasola on May 5, 2021.
to the family of fallen soldier CPT Aurelios O. Olano of The troopers were wounded in the same helicopter
the Philippine Airforce (PAF) who died in a helicopter crash.
crash in Jandayan Island, Getafe, Bohol on April 27,
2021.

The regional office handed out the assistance
package under the government’s Comprehensive
Social Benefits Program (CSBP), which is
institutionalized to grant speedy, sustainable and
rationalized social benefits and assistance to the
wounded or fallen uniformed men.

DILG Bohol, through Local Government
Operations Officer VII Ma. Reina Quilas, visited the
wake of CPT Olano on May 1, 2021.

DILG-7 Regional Office also extended
assistance by giving groceries and hygiene kits to

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Kalambuan Newsletter

DILG-7 orients LGUs on Enhanced CDP
assessment tool

The Local Government Capability Development its LGUs on May 20, 2021, at the 2nd Floor of the
Division (LGCDD) of the Department of the Interior Municipal Economic Enterprise Development
and Local Government (DILG)-7 spearheaded Building, San Juan, Siquijor.
an orientation on the updated guidelines on the
assessment of the Comprehensive Development Provincial Director Dennis Quiñ ones, cluster
Plan (CDP) of the cities and municipalities on May head Jill A. Bao, CDP focal person Marck Zacharry
7, 2021. Malanog and Engr. Jason Manos were the resource
speakers.
The activity provided the assessment
committees a walk-through on the mechanics of the CEBU CITY CDP NOW FOR
CDP assessment process and parameters as well as REVIEW
the enhanced assessment tool.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City’s Technical Working
Heads of the regional line agencies, local Group submitted its draft CDP to Sangguniang
chief executives and the chairpersons of the local Panlungsod for review and approval.
development councils, members of the provincial
CDP technical assessment committees, and DILG The draft is the output of the numerous sectoral
provincial and city directors joined the whole-day and sub-sectoral group consultations and workshops
virtual session on May 7, 2021. which began before the COVID-19 pandemic. The
Plan covers the period CY 2021 to 2026.
CEBU PROVINCE ASSISTS 50
LGUS The CDP contains the six-year strategic
direction and developmental priorities of the city.

DILG Cebu Province, for its part, assisted 50
LGUs within its jurisdiction on its Enhanced CDP Tool
orientation held on May 12 via Zoom. Participants
were DILG officers, planning and development
coordinators, disaster risk reduction and management
officers, and Sanggunian representatives from 50
LGUs in Cebu Province.

The orientation was conducted in four batches
with resource speakers coming from DILG Provincial
Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office,
and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office.

SIQUIJOR PROVINCE

DILG Siquijor Province also conducted an
orientation on Enhanced CDP Assessment for

22

Legal Corner April-June 2021

by Aiiza Fiel Almendras Arcenal, JD, MPP
Attorney IV/Regional Legal Officer
Office of the Regional Director, DILG-7

THE CONSEQUENCE OF INVOLUNTARY
INTERRUPTION TO THE THREE-TERM RULE

Gov. Edgardo A. Tallado vs. Commission on Elections, et al.
G.R. No. 246679. September 10, 2019

In preparation for the May 2022 National No. 133495, September 3, 1998] and
and Local Elections, aspiring candidates for Lonzanida vs. COMELEC [G.R. No.
elective positions are gearing up once again 135150, July 28, 1999])
for the campaign season. The incumbents
are also raising their platforms to show to Above statutory provision foregoing, the
their constituents their worthiness to continue three-term limit rule cannot be counted where
serving the people. While some are dealing an incumbent was DISMISSED from his
with persistent issues thrown against them, position as the same is considered an effective
others are also in quandary on their eligibility for involuntary interruption which resulted to
reelection due to unjustifiable circumstances an incumbent official not being able to fully
that surrounds their previous and current serve one or two or all of his terms which is
term. Hence, this Office deems it timely to the second requisite for the three-term limit to
discuss the interpretation of the three-term apply.
rule in anticipation of the filing of Certificates
of Candidacy (COC) come October. Unlike that of a regular preventive
suspension which is a procedural matter and
While Section 43 of the Local Government suspension as penalty which only cease the
Code of 1991 provides that the term of office respondent’s power to exercise his duties and
of all local elective officials shall be three (3) functions, the penalty of dismissal stripped off
years and that no local elective official shall an elective official of his title, reducing him to
serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms the status of an ordinary citizen. Unlike that
in the same position, the three-consecutive of preventive suspension and suspension
term limit rule can only apply for elective local as penalty, a permanent vacancy arise and
officials when the following requisites concur: the supposed legitimate successor can fully
assume not just the powers, duties and
(a) that the official concerned has been functions of the office but the office that is
elected for three consecutive terms in permanently vacated itself. As mentioned
the same local government position; in the case of Tallado, the length of time of
and the involuntary interruption, when the term
has been broken and the title was lost, is
(b) that he has fully served three immaterial. Where a term to which an official
consecutive terms. (DILG Opinion No is elected to is not fully served, there can then
17, s. 2015 citing the pronouncement in be no bar for reelection.
the case of Borja vs. COMELEC [G.R.

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