ARMM gears toward regional development, to hold LGU summit

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=943988
• Monday, November 28, 2016

(PNA), LAP/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Nov. 28 (PNA) -- Local officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will get guidance from President Duterte when the region conducts its 3rd Local Government Unit (LGU) Summit geared towards regional development on November 30 in Davao City.

The summit will last until December 1, according to Sharifa Pearlsia A. Dans, assistant regional secretary of the ARMM’s Interior and Local Government department (DILG-ARMM).

In many public speaking the President had, he repeatedly expressed desire to focus on the development of ARMM, composed of poor provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“President Duterte, during his visit here at the region’s seat, reiterated that he will personally handle the ARMM,” Dans said Monday.

A total of 116 municipal mayors with their planning officers, two city mayors, five provincial governors, and members of the 9th regional legislative assembly are expected to participate in the two-day summit.

To be held in coordination with the DILG national office, this year’s summit carries the theme “Pagkamulat, Pagbabago, Pag-Unlad”.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao City is expected to be present during the summit's opening program. “The two-day event is actually a development summit, the activities which are dialogues and workshops are geared towards development,” Dans said.

The summit will be a venue to facilitate dialogue on current issues at the local level and secure the commitment of the LGUs in improving or scaling up their good governance standing and eventually to initiate plans for national and regional programs prioritization.

To set the tone of the summit on the first day, ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia will discuss the region’s development framework, followed by the state of local governance that will be delivered by DILG-ARMM Secretary Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah.

There will also be a presentation of ARMM and Local Development Investment Program for the year 2017 as well as workshops on priority programs, activities, and projects.

Local chief executives will also have dialogues with officials of national government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno is expected to be present on the second day of the summit. The President, as the guest of honor, will deliver his keynote address.

“Since it is the first time that the president is handling the ARMM, we look forward to more local chief executives who would be aligned with the administration in terms of development,” Dans said.