GO: Repeating the process to perfection The final part of preparing LGUs was followed by the development of an LGU Readiness Assessment Tool (LGU-RAT) that will gauge the readiness of the LGUs in their transition to full devolution. The tool aimed to answer how LGUs are performing vis-a-vis the basic government standards such as organizational structure, implementation of primary and devolved services mandated in Section 17 of the Local Government Code, among others. The result of this assessment, coupled with inputs from other partner agencies, will be used to craft the Regional Capacity Development Plan in line with the full devolution. DILG CARAGA had been developing innovations to ensure the readiness of LGUs in the transition to full devolution to heighten the sense of responsibility and accountability of local officials and even of DILG personnel. It remained consistent in doing small but impactful activities. This is how DILG CARAGA exhausts the task of preparing the LGUs for full devolution - by gauging their competencies, priming their key personnel and processes, and repeating the process to perfection.
Officers from DILG CARAGA attended the Training on Resource Management, Operations and Evaluation and Financial Analysis for Local Government via Zoom last December 1, 2020.
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Encouraging LGUs to be Competitive and to Ease the Way of Doing Business We sustained our efforts to make local economy flourish by ensuring that LGUs continuously comply with the requirements of Republic Act 11032 otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act (EODB-EGSDA) of 2018. On top of this, we encouraged public-private partnership and re-engineered processing systems to better facilitate ease of doing business. Streamlining of Regulatory Services. The Department has further advocated and helped LGUs put in place the requirements of the EODB-EGSDA through its Improving LGU Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Program. Said program has assisted LGUs to continue improving their regulatory services and promote private sector participation in the delivery of basic services, most especially during this time when businesses and individuals are recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Because of the imposition of mobility restrictions and community quarantines, many people are relying on internet connectivity to communicate, work, study, and do business online. To address this concern, the DILG, along with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department of Health (DOH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2020 (dated 23 July 2020) on the Streamlined Guidelines for the Issuance of Permits, Licenses, and Certificates for the Construction of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTIs) to streamline requirements and reduce procedural delays in securing necessary permits for common towers. This was also in line with the President’s directive to improve digital infrastructure in the country.