Officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Catanduanes and its partner institutions last week signed a memorandum of agreement providing for collaboration on the DILG’s Sub-Local Governance Regional Resource Center (Sub-LGRRC).
The center will serve as a platform for various stakeholders in gathering expertise, information, and training resources aimed at helping local government units (LGUs) improve public service delivery.
Co-chaired by DILG Provincial Director Uldarico S. Razal Jr. and Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, the center brings together LGUs, local branches of national agencies, higher education institutions, and municipal leaders to support towns across the island through shared knowledge, skills training, and joint planning.
During the conduct of the 2nd Semester Meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Council (MSAC) of the Catanduanes Sub-LGRRC held at the Capitol Dome last Oct. 6, 2026, Dir. Razal emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among government agencies, local institutions, leagues, and other stakeholders in supporting knowledge sharing, capacity development, and innovations in local governance.
Under the agreement, the Sub-LGRRC to be maintained by DILG will serve as venue to facilitate the delivery of quality, strategic, and responsive capacity development; facilitate partnerships and networking of LGUs with other stakeholders; promote good governance practices and innovations among the general public; serve as repository of local governance knowledge products and information with multi-media service and ICT support; and provide administrative and legal assistance in the implementation of programs, projects and activities.
The MOA formalizes the partners’ commitment to support the Sub-LGRRC and contribute their respective expertise, resources, and networks toward strengthening local governance knowledge management and capacity-building initiatives in Catanduanes.
In the same event, the officers of the Catanduanes Sub-LGRRC MSAC were elected, further formalizing the Council’s leadership and strengthening stakeholder participation in the implementation of its knowledge management initiatives.
Baras Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Catanduanes president Jose Paolo Teves was elected as vice chairperson while five others were chosen as council officers: Dr. Robert John Aquino of Department of Health (DOH), PCol. Virgilio R. Buena of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Atty. Vivian D. Escoto of DENR-PENRO, Edna A. Bagadiong of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Engr. Marie Grace T. Molina of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Under the MOA, the MSAC is empowered to recommend policies, programs and strategic direction to improve the operations of the center and identify and propose areas of convergence to integrate and harmonize various programs of stakeholders.
In support of LGUs, the center is setting up six working teams focused on community development planning, local finances, disaster preparedness and environmental protection, public administration, social health programs, and community safety.