Consensus building and frank dialogue took the spotlight as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), gathered multisectoral stakeholders for the first National Convention for the Local Government Code Review and Amendment Program or LGC RevAmP.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier stressed that updating the Local Government Code must be a priority to keep governance efficient, responsive, and fully aligned with national progress.

Held at Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay in Parañaque City, the convention formally opened the nationwide consultations that will collect insights and recommendations and move toward a unified position on needed amendments. Enacted as Republic Act 7160, the 1991 Code reshaped national and local relations and ushered in a new era of local autonomy. More than three decades later, the country now faces more complex demands that require a recalibrated framework.

Participants raised key issues on the Code’s provisions, the fiscal impact of devolved services, and the roles of partner institutions, all pointing to the need for a modernized governance structure that responds to today’s realities.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Government, said the LGC must be revisited to address current governance challenges. House Committee on Local Government Chair Representative Florencio T. Miraflores added that any review must strengthen autonomy while ensuring accountability from local governments.

ULAP President and lead co-convenor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua emphasized that the country needs a refreshed framework that meets the evolving needs of Filipino communities and promotes stronger collaboration across all levels of government.

Representatives from civil society organizations, national agencies, and other partners also joined the event, reaffirming a shared commitment to helping shape the future of local governance in the Philippines.