As the Local Government Code of 1991 reaches 25 years of implementation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 (Caraga) celebrates it with national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), teachers and students of the Local Resource Institutes (LRIs) and local government units (LGUs) on October 24, 2016 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.

            Anchored on the theme: “LGC @ 25: Pagsulong, Progreso, Pagbabago”, DILG commemorates the journey of local governance and builds on its recent progress to guide and transform LGUs as able instruments of good governance in shifting towards federalism.

            During the celebration, several activities were lined-up such as the Quiz Bee competition among college students of the attending LRIs with a Brief Lecture on the Local Government Code of 1991: Decentralization and Governance by Atty. Allen M. Gasulas, Legal Officer of DILG 13 and a Lecture on Federalism by Ms. Gerald “Dindi” Tan, Asst. Project Manager on Federalism under Ms. Emily O. Padilla, DILG Undersecretary for Legislative and Liaison and Special Concerns.

            DILG 13 Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III highlighted the gains of LGUs for the past 25 years of local autonomy. She reminded LGUs to be ready for change as DILG is currently undertaking a nationwide information and campaign on Federalism to ease the transition towards the change of system.

            The celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 63 declaring the month of October of every year as Local Government Month, the second week of October as the Local Government Week and the 10^th of October as the Local Government Day. (Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa, LGOO V, DILG 13)