Following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon on Wednesday morning, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. ordered all concerned DILG Regional Offices to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to provide assistance to affected localities. “I have instructed concerned continue reading : Abalos asks LCEs, DILG Regional Offices to mobilize disaster response schemes after Abra quake

As a result of its resilient efforts against transnational crimes, Interior and Local Government Secretary Atty. Benhur C. Abalos Jr. lauded the efforts of law enforcement and other government agencies against Trafficking In Persons (TIP) that led to the country retaining its Tier 1 status in the United States Trafficking in Persons Report of 2022 continue reading : DILG: PH gov’t achieves Tier 1 status in US Trafficking in Persons report for 7th year, reports gains vs human trafficking

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) condemns the shooting incident that happened in front of Gate 3 of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City late this afternoon that killed three individuals. The identities of the victims are still being confirmed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) operatives who are already continue reading : Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to develop and carry out transformative programs to ease the economic burden of their constituents due to the surging oil and commodity prices. “With the recent spike in prices of commodities and the aftermath of surging inflation, LGUs must gear towards transformative programs that will cushion the economic challenges felt mainly by the poorest of the poor of our constituents,” Abalos said during the R’Cebu 2022 event late last week at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu in Cebu City. “Let us confront these economic hurdles by coming up with innovations such as R’Cebu 2022 that will ultimately benefit the people we serve,” he added. Abalos said transformative initiatives such as the R’Cebu Program will help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recover from economic challenges while raising awareness about the tourism sites and destinations of the Province and thereby attracting more visitors. R’Cebu program is a collaboration project of the Gokongwei group’s Robinsons Galleria Cebu and the Cebu Provincial Government to support the local cottage industries particularly the farmers, fishermen, artisans, as well as MSMEs owners showcasing unique and diverse products, offerings, and services, various delicacies, and top tourist spots of respective municipalities and barangays in the Province of Cebu. “Ngayong patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, malaking tulong para sa ating mga kababayan ang programang ito. Karamihan sa ating mga nasasakupan ngayon ay naghihikahos na dahil sa nagmamahal na presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin,” Abalos said. He added transformative programs are what the country needs to sustain the recovery from the devastating socio-economic impacts brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Isa po iyan sa mga tututukan ng ating pamahalaan sa mga darating na araw, kaya inaasahan ko po ang inyong suporta at pakikiisa upang ating maibsan ang paghihirap ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said. The DILG Chief likewise lauded the brains behind the said innovative partnership between the LGUs and the private sector saying that “This is yet another resounding proof of the great things that we can accomplish when all of us—the government, private sector, and other stakeholders—work in unison.” “I commend the Provincial Government of Cebu led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, our LCEs, and the Robinsons Galleria Cebu for coming up with this program that supports the local cottage industries,” Abalos said. COVID-19 is still a priority Meanwhile, the DILG Secretary said the fight against the resurfacing COVID-19 infections will remain a priority of the DILG as the number of cases begins to rise again. “I urge our LCEs, not only here in Cebu but in the entire country, to come up with out-of-box programs that would help increase our vaccination rate and encourage qualified individuals to get their booster shots,” he said. He likewise reminded LGUs to strictly enforce the minimum health standards such as wearing face masks in public places, frequent washing of hands, and observing physical distance to ensure the protection of their constituents. “We should not let our guards down because we have an unusual rival here which is the coronavirus disease. Let us remember that our every action has a consequence that not only affects us and our families but the whole country as well,” he said. As the Department of Education (DepEd) gears up for the opening of face-to-face classes this August, Abalos likewise said the welfare and safety of the Filipino children should be the top priority, “We must ensure that schools in our areas comply with the government’s health safety standards and COVID-19 prevention mechanisms.” Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte earlier announced through DepEd Order 34, s. 2022 that all public and private schools nationwide must transition to five days of face-to-face classes starting November 2. “I know the road to recovery remains an arduous task. But I am confident that with the cooperation and partnership of our LGUs and national government, we would be able to hurdle this season of hardship and emerge victorious as one Filipino nation,” Abalos said. Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-to-LGUs-Carry-out-transformative-programs-to-ease-burden-of-constituents-vs-rising-prices-of-commodities/NC-2022-1093

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to develop and carry out transformative programs to ease the economic burden of their constituents due to the surging oil and commodity prices. “With the recent spike in prices of commodities and the aftermath of surging inflation, LGUs continue reading : Abalos to LGUs: Carry Out Transformative Programs to Ease Burden of Constituents VS Rising Prices of Commodities

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. urged local chief executives (LCEs) to be innovative and consider partnering with the private sector to generate more funds for local projects. “You must be creative in generating resources for your local government units (LGUs). There is always strategic planning. If you want continue reading : Abalos to Newly Elected Officials: Partner With Private Sector for Local Project Funding

More than two weeks after the assumption of new national and local government leaders, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. encouraged, the country’s 81 newly-elected vice governors to enact policies that are in sync with the national government’s programs and thrusts in consultation with different stakeholders to address the continue reading : Abalos to Vice Govs: Enact Policies that are in sync with Natl. Govt., in Consultation with Stakeholders

“Hindi tayo ang pagsisilbihan, tayo ang magsisilbi sa kanilang lahat.” This is the message of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. on his first day as head of the agency, committing to sustain the gains attained in the anti-illegal drug campaign; fill up gaps to improve policies in continue reading : New DILG Secretary Abalos marks first day at work, vows to sustain gains of the Department including war on drugs

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today said that a total of 617,806 qualified tricycle drivers nationwide are set to receive their fuel cash subsidy under the “Pantawid Pasada Program for Tricycle Drivers” to help ease their burden brought about by soaring pump prices and the pandemic. DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año continue reading : DILG: Over 600k trike drivers nationwide set to receive fuel subsidy through Pantawid Pasada program

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año today assured the peaceful and orderly conduct of President-elect BongBong Marcos, Jr.’s inauguration ceremony on June 30, 2022 at the National Museum as all hands are on deck in the logistical and security preparations two days before the historic event. “All hands are continue reading : DILG: All hands on deck for PBBM inauguration; maximum tolerance on protesters

A new five-hectare, 480-bed capacity Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) was inaugurated in Barangay Osorio, Trece Martires City, Cavite to assist drug dependents and provide immediate interventions towards rehabilitation, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). “Our journey towards bringing our illegal drug dependent kababayans closer to reintegration and recovery continue reading : 480-bed capacity Drug Rehab Center opened in Cavite