Local Government Academy

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The Newly Elected Officials – Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program continues with the commencement of the Mentoring for Optimal Leadership and Development (MOLD) through the Unang Talakayan at Pagpaplano, held from June 10–11, 2026. This two-day activity lays the foundation for a meaningful and structured mentoring journey by formally bringing together the 38 local chief executives (LCEs) and 15 mentors to build rapport, align expectations, and collaboratively develop their mentoring plans. The remarkable turnout of mentees reflects the strong commitment of our local officials to continuously strengthen their leadership competencies and champion responsive, effective, and people-centered local governance.

READ | DILG Calls on LGUs to Maximize L!STO Manual for Earthquake Preparedness and Recovery

In the wake of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged local government units (LGUs) to maximize the use of the Operation L!STO Manual on Disaster Preparedness for Earthquakes to strengthen preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts.

Developed in 2023 by the DILG’s Local Government Academy in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and other stakeholders, the Manual provides science-based guidance for LGUs in delivering frontline services before, during, and after major earthquakes. It forms part of Operation L!STO, a national advocacy program that promotes disaster resilience through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

“At the community level, LGUs serve as the frontline of defense against earthquakes. This Manual empowers them to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from earthquake-related disasters,” the Department said.

The Manual outlines actions for local chief executives (LCEs), Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs), and barangays across four stages: Early Preparedness, Pre-Hazard Preparedness, Minimum Critical Preparedness, and Early Recovery and Rehabilitation.

Under Early Preparedness, LGUs are encouraged to conduct earthquake risk assessments, develop hazard maps, and formulate contingency plans as the foundation of disaster mitigation efforts.

During Pre-Hazard Preparedness, LGUs are expected to finalize response protocols, enforce infrastructure safety standards, strengthen evacuation plans, establish public warning systems, and conduct regular simulation exercises, including participation in quarterly nationwide earthquake drills.

When an earthquake occurs, the Minimum Critical Preparedness phase is activated, requiring the immediate implementation of disaster response plans and early recovery measures. The Manual includes a General Action Flowchart that guides interventions based on earthquake intensity levels classified as Alpha (Intensity IV), Bravo (Intensity V–VI), and Charlie (Intensity VII and above).

For Recovery and Rehabilitation, LGUs are directed to activate pre-disaster recovery plans to facilitate damage assessment, mobilize recovery financing, and coordinate rehabilitation efforts. The Manual also highlights the importance of preparing a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report to guide recovery planning, policy improvements, and build-back-better initiatives.

As the country remains highly vulnerable to seismic hazards, the DILG underscored the importance of institutionalizing preparedness and recovery mechanisms at the local level. The Department emphasized that tools such as the Operation L!STO Manual enable LGUs to take a more proactive and coordinated approach to disaster risk reduction, helping communities respond faster, recover sooner, and build greater resilience against future earthquakes.

Maligayang Anibersaryo ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!

Sa paggunita natin sa ating kalayaan, patuloy nating isabuhay ang diwa ng pagkakaisa at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹!

The LGA congratulates the following newly-appointed and newly-promoted personnel who took their oath before Executive Director Thelma T. Vecina on June 1, 2026:

Ulysses Dugso – LGOO II
Henrielle Eloise Omolida - LGOO V
John Howell Niño Tabao – LGOO V

Calvin Ray Caesar Pabelonio – Statistician I
Maria Consolacion Locsin – Administrative Assistant III
Edward Selorio – Administrative Aide IV

Your LGA family celebrates this significant milestone in your career and looks forward to your continued excellence and contributions in your new roles.

𝗟𝗚𝗢𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 | The 134 LGOO Apprentices participated in their Public Speaking Session, designed to strengthen their competencies as engaging and empowering coaches. As part of Module 3, this session enhances their communication skills and build confidence in delivering message. By honing these essential skills, the apprentices are better equipped to foster meaningful engagement, facilitate learning, and contribute to responsive and effective local governance.

Looking back on your apprenticeship journey, what advice would you give to our current apprentices as they develop their communication skills?

Sa pagdiriwang ng National Flag Days, ating ginugunita ang tapang at sakripisyo ng mga bayaning nagtaguyod ng ating kalayaan at pagkakaisa.

Ang ating watawat ay sumisimbolo hindi lamang ng kasaysayan at dangal ng bansa, kundi ng pananagutang maglingkod nang tapat at makabansa. Sa larangan ng lokal na pamamahala, naipapakita ang tunay na diwa nito sa pamamagitan ng maayos na pamamahala, at pagkilos para sa kapakanan ng mamamayan.

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The Local Government Academy (LGA) convened its Board of Trustees (BOT) for a meeting on May 26, 2026 at the LGA Office to discuss key developments, accomplishments, and future directions of the Academy. Among the topics discussed were the Academy’s F.Y. 2025 accomplishments, F.Y. 2026 programs and projects, proposed F.Y. 2027 programs and projects, the proposed 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, and the status of the LGATC Modernization Project, highlighting the BOT's role in providing strategic direction and guidance to ensure that the LGA remains responsive to the evolving needs of local governance.

The Local Government Academy joins our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating Eid al-Adha. May this blessed Eid bring peace and renewed hope to every Filipino.

Eid Mubarak!

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The Apprenticeship Program for LGOOs II and III successfully concluded Module 2: Service-Oriented Leadership yesterday, marking another milestone in the learning journey of the apprentices. Today, they officially begin Module 3: Facilitating Learning for Local Governance, where they will further enhance their facilitation and learning management competencies in support of effective local governance.

What’s your ? Share how the Apprenticeship Program Foundational Course helped you become a matino, mahusay, at maasahan na LGOO.