The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI, in partnership with the Local Government Academy (LGA), successfully conducted the 2025 Philippine Local Governance Forum (PLGF) – Mindanao Island Circuit on October 23, 2025, at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Davao City.
With the theme “Digital Transformation: A Journey towards More Transparent and Efficient Governance,” the forum gathered local government leaders, innovators, and development partners to share insights and best practices in advancing technology-driven governance.
DILG Region XI Assistant Regional Director Charissa T. Guerta, CESO V, opened the event by highlighting the role of digitalization in strengthening public accountability and service efficiency. LGA Assistant Director Esmeralda Daphne N. Purnell, CESO IV, provided an overview of the PLGF, emphasizing the importance of inter-LGU collaboration and innovation in achieving transformative governance.
The morning session, themed “Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Transparent and Efficient Governance,” featured presentations from Elizabeth Badilles of DICT XI on digital governance trends and organization of local ICT councils, Dorothy Joy Diaz of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on the Paleng-QR PH Program, and Hon. Hector C. Siao, Vice Mayor of Matanao, who shared his municipality’s e-governance initiatives in the Sangguniang Bayan.
A Startup Pitch Showcase followed, where innovators POLLD Emergency System Corporation, Q-Alert, LimaDOL, Agridom, and OBX Solutions Tech Inc. presented digital solutions supporting governance and community resilience.
In the afternoon, the Session on Citizen Engagement in the Digital Era highlighted the experiences of Tagum City and Davao City in utilizing technology for participatory governance. A Reverse Pitch by DILG Local Governance Provincial Resource Centers (Sub-LGPRCs) from the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao City showcased ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance systems and capacity development needs.
The event concluded with the recognition of LGUs that institutionalized digital system to enhance management and efficiency, transformed service delivery through digital platforms, and utilized technology to promote sustainability, resilience, and inclusion.
Through the PLGF, the DILG XI and LGA reaffirm their commitment to empowering local governments in Davao Region to embrace digital transformation as a pathway toward more transparent, accountable, and citizen-centered governance.