The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agency, the Local Government Academy (LGA), welcomed young leaders and professionals from Timor-Leste for a governance learning exchange held at the LGA Office in Pasig City.

The visit is part of the Young Timorese Future Leaders for ASEAN – Philippines Immersion Program, aimed at strengthening the leadership capacities of emerging Timorese professionals as their country prepares for integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Representing the Department were DILG Assistant Secretaries Atty. Maria Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo and Lilian De Leon, and LGA Executive Director Thelma Vecina.

In her remarks, Assistant Secretary De Leon thanked the delegation for stepping up to the responsibilities of leadership.

“The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste may be known as one of the youngest governments in the world. Yet, looking at every individual in this room and sensing the passion, devotion, and determination to contribute significantly to the progress of our nations, we can say that the future of our societies is in good hands,” she said.

Assistant Secretary Badillo-Crisostomo emphasized that leadership is not limited by age.

“I’ve always told everyone, do public service with a heart. Because that will set us all apart. Being young might be a fault, yes. But to us, being young is just the start,” she said.

The DILG and LGA presented governance models and key programs that Timor-Leste may consider replicating, including the Philippines’ decentralization framework anchored in the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code; the NEO PLUS program and other capacity-building efforts in disaster risk reduction, environmental governance, and transparency; as well as mechanisms for civic participation and international cooperation through sister-city and town-twinning arrangements.

LGA Executive Director Vecina gave an overview of LGA’s 2025 program roadmap and ongoing innovations to strengthen local governance, highlighting opportunities for mutual learning.

Timor-Leste Ambassador H.E. Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva thanked the Department and LGA for the engagement.

“We are moving towards developing the country for the next ten or twenty years. And we are preparing these young leaders to take up many responsibilities for years to come,” he said.

The DILG affirms that sustained partnerships like this are key to fostering shared progress, strong institutions, and regional solidarity.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-LGA-Share-PH-Governance-Practices-with-Young-Timorese-Leaders/NC-2025-1092