Forging Transformative Leaders: Strategic Leadership Course for Newly-Minted Officials Concludes in Davao City
Davao City — The Strategic Leadership for Good Governance: Introductory Course for Newly-Minted Local Officials concluded today, September 4, 2025, at the Sotogrande Hotel, Davao City. On its final day, the three-day course brought participants through three substantive modules that bridged governance fundamentals, innovative approaches to service delivery, and strategies for transformative leadership.
Module 3: Public Administration Toolkit: Strategic Operations and Effective Legislation to Uplift Service provided participants with critical skills in governance and lawmaking. Atty. Shaniz A. Abalorio-Cañete, OIC Regional Legal Officer of DILG XI, discussed Parliamentary Procedures, Quasi-Judicial Functions, and Oversight Functions, highlighting the importance of accountability and legislative efficiency. DBM XI Assistant Regional Director Antonio M. Faunillan, Jr. followed with a session on Government Procurement, ensuring that new leaders understood the legal and transparent processes in public spending. On the peace and security front, Ms. Gaydelle V. Florendo, National Security Specialist V from the National Security Council, presented Positive Peace, Safety, and Security, while Dir. Arnulfo Ferdinand G. Bajarin of NTF-ELCAC tackled the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development. Completing the module, Atty. Christian Bryan S. Arias, Chief of the Regional Investigation Unit of NAPOLCOM XI, explained the Deputation of Local Chief Executives in support of law enforcement.
Module 4: The Modern Leader’s Playbook: Innovative Services Driving Development Impact turned the spotlight on innovations in service delivery and sustainable growth. Dr. Ben Hur G. Catbagan, Jr., City Health Officer of Mati City, shared Innovations in Health, Education, and Social Welfare Services, while Ms. Irene M. Santiago, Founder of the Kahayag Foundation and Member of the LGA Board of Trustees, discussed Post-Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding, underscoring the importance of peace in development. Engr. Charito L. Cinco, PDMU Chief of DILG XI, followed with insights on Infrastructure Services Supporting Local Development, and Dr. Romulo S. Tagalo, LGU and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist of the EU Green Economy Partnership Philippines, capped the module with Environment Management and Circular Economy.
The course culminated with Module 5: Transformative Leadership in Action: Developing a Plan for Good Governance, which equipped officials with strategies for their first 100 days and beyond. Ms. Donna Jeanne M. Yarcia, Chief Administrative Officer of the Local Government Academy, presented the DILG and LGA Support for LGUs and Introduction of Critical Steps for the First 100 Days of Office & NEO Tasklists. Prof. Nieves R. Confesor, Former DOLE Secretary and Adjunct Faculty at the Asian Institute of Management, followed with an engaging session on Strategic Management and Futures Thinking: Navigating the VUCA World. Finally, Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental and Governor Raul G. Mabanglo of Davao de Oro shared their experiences and perspectives on Provincial Priorities and Alliance-Building, emphasizing the value of collaboration across LGUs.
To formally close the activity, DILG XI Assistant Regional Director Charissa T. Guerta, CESO V, delivered the closing message, commending the newly-minted officials for their active participation and encouraging them to translate their learnings into concrete actions that will strengthen governance and accelerate local development in their respective communities.
The three-day course, conducted under the NEO Plus Program of the LGA and DILG, successfully equipped the region’s new leaders with essential governance skills, leadership values, and forward-looking strategies to champion good governance and inclusive progress in their LGUs.
𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦: 𝘋𝘐𝘓𝘎 𝘟𝘐 – 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯