FORA TRADE HALL, TAGAYTAY CITY, CAVITE—In an effort to amplify the communication of local infrastructure successes, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IV-A, in collaboration with the Office of Project Development Services (OPDS), hosted “From Data to Dialogue: Communicating Local Infrastructure Success” trainings from April 28-30 and May 6-9, 2025.

Conducted in two (2) batches, these workshops convened validators for the Most Significant Change (MSC) Approach, which underpins the SubayBAYANI Awards and emphasizes the importance of highlighting how infrastructure initiatives create tangible improvements in communities. The validators comprise of Assistant Regional Directors and Program Managers directly involved in the assessment and documentation of impactful local infrastructure projects across the country.

Activities in the three-day workshops include comprehensive sessions, designed to enhance the participants’ abilities. These sessions were administered by experts in journalism, photography, videography, and other pertinent fields. They covered essential skills, including:

• Preparation of insightful interview guides and questionnaires
• Writing engaging feature articles
• Photography techniques
• Effective video production
• Strategic social media content creation and management

In his message, OPDS Director Alfonso A. Maralli Jr., CESO IV, underscored the importance of showing the value of local infrastructure projects and the impact they have on the beneficiaries.

“This is not a side task; this is part of our mandate as a Department. Because the more clearly we can show the value of local infrastructure, the lives it touches, the communities it uplifts, the more we build not just projects, but trust. The more we strengthen, not just outputs, but outcomes. Mag-graduate na tayo as a Department.” Director Maralli stated.

The culmination of these learnings was the development of practical outputs that directly applied the newly acquired skills, and the presentation thereof.

“As you return to your regions, look around not just for what is done, but what deserves to be seen, heard, and told.” Director Maralli encouraged.