The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) hosted the Regional Planners’ Forum on January 8-9, 2024. This forum aimed to provide local planners from various Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region with updates on the latest concepts, methodologies, and trends in development and physical planning.

On the second day of the forum, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Jhoaden G. Lucero, CESO IV was invited as one of the key resource speakers. She focused her presentation on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-101, which outlines the “Updated Guidelines on the Harmonization of Local Development Planning, Land Use Planning, Resource Mobilization, Budgeting, Expenditure Management, and Performance Monitoring and Coordination of Fiscal Oversight for Enhanced Local Service Delivery,” particularly in the context of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions.

In her discussion, ARD Lucero emphasized the importance of aligning local development plans with the new guidelines to enhance service delivery and ensure efficient use of resources in light of the expanded fiscal responsibilities granted to LGUs under the ruling. She also highlighted the necessity of improving inter-agency coordination and fostering stronger partnerships between national and local governments for the successful implementation of these reforms.

Moving forward, it is crucial for LGUs to not only familiarize themselves with these updated guidelines but also to actively engage in capacity-building programs. This would ensure that local planners and administrators have the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate these new policies into their existing frameworks. Furthermore, continued dialogue between NEDA and LGUs, along with regular updates on the progress of the implementation, will be essential for ensuring that the new guidelines lead to tangible improvements in local governance and service delivery.