Composite photo c/o PLGU
All incoming elective officials of the provincial government of Catanduanes are expected to participate in the oathtaking and turnover ceremonies this June 30, 2025 at the Capitol dome, following last week’s coordination meeting between concerned parties.
A reliable source who participated in the June 9 meeting at the Governor’s Office Conference Room told the Tribune that the significant event will begin with the Eucharistic celebration at the Capitol lobby, followed by the main rites at the Capitol Dome.
Inside, Governor-elect Patrick Alain T. Azanza will be sworn into office by Juan M. Alberto (Tucao), San Miguel barangay captain Ricardo Tevar in a reenactment of the oathtaking conducted right at the mountainous village last June 8.
Vice Governor-elect and current PBM Robert A. Fernandez and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan – PBM Edwin T. Tanael, PBM Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr., PBM Josevan A. Balidoy, PBM Dean Roberto T. Vergara, PBM-elect Arnel B. Turado of the East District, and PBM Santos V. Zafe, PBM Fred Benedict T. Gianan, PBM Jose Romeo R. Francisco, PBM-elect Xyrell T. Albaniel and PBM-elect Giovanni A. Balmadrid of the West District – will reportedly take their oaths before a judge of the Virac Regional Trial Court (RTC)..
The oathtaking will then be followed by the ceremonial turnover of the reins of the provincial government from outgoing Gov. Joseph C. Cua to the new provincial chief executive.
The schedule and sequence of events were agreed upon during the meeting between the Provincial Government of Catanduanes Governance Transition Team, the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG) provincial office, the governor-elect, the vice governor-elect and their respective transition teams.
This was the fourth in the series of transition team meetings conducted in preparation for the June 30 ceremony.
DILG Provincial Director Uldarico S. Razal discussed the official turnover of responsibilities to the incoming elected officials, including the presentation of the list of documents to be turned over as prepared by the department heads, in line with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-016.
He likewise tackled the DILG’s 2025 Newly Elected Officials: Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEOPLUS) Program, which he endorsed as a strategic initiative to strengthen leadership capacity, promote policy reform, and enhance responsive public service.
Recently, the DILG has called on all newly elected local officials to take part in the program to be implemented through the Local Government Academy (LGA).
The enhanced NEO PLUS Program is a three-year capacity development initiative designed to support local leaders throughout their term. It builds on the original NEO program but with stronger emphasis on strategic leadership, policy reform, and responsive public service.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier urged participation in the NEO PLUS Program, which provides targeted training, education, and support for newly elected officials to govern effectively and responsibly.
NEO PLUS is anchored on three core components: unlocking strategic leadership and competencies, enhancing management systems and local policy, and strengthening service delivery through partnerships and innovation. It will be implemented in three phases: Accepting the Mandate and Embracing the Development Challenge (June to December 2025); Acting on the Mandate and Addressing the Development Challenge (January to December 2026); and Achieving Results and Embedding Gains (January 2027 to June 2028).
By the end of the program, local chief executives are expected to demonstrate improved leadership and governance performance, while sanggunian members must show enhanced capabilities in legislation and policy-making to drive local development.
The DILG also announced that all newly elected officials are enjoined to participate in the Introductory Course on Strategic Leadership and Management, which will be conducted from July to August 2025. Re-elected officials, meanwhile, are expected to undergo a refresher course as part of the program rollout.