OLONGAPO CITY – To foster a data-driven, collaborative, and transparent local government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here and the City Government of Olongapo formally launched the "ULO NG APO" Sub-Local Governance Resource Center (Sub-LGRC) at the SMX Convention Center on Tuesday.

The launch, anchored on the theme “Forging Partnership for Advancing Collaborative and Innovative Local Governance,” was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) creating the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Committee (MSAC).

DILG Olongapo City Director Zotico Gerson A. Villanueva, Jr. led the ceremony, joined by City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, Jr. and Vice Mayor Kaye Ann S. Legaspi, who signed the pact on behalf of the city government.

In his keynote message, Villanueva emphasized that the facility aims to dismantle "silos" in governance, noting that the current "VUCADD" (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous, Disruptive, and Digital) landscape requires shared leadership.

"The old way of working in silos no longer works. The challenges of this century demand cooperation, innovation, and shared leadership," Villanueva said.

"We are creating a knowledge management ecosystem where knowledge is not kept, but shared... where solutions are not imposed, but co-created," he added.

Multi-Sectoral Alliance

The Sub-LGRC, dubbed "ULO NG APO" or the Ugnayan ng mga Lingkod-bayan, Organisasyon, mga Nagkakaisang Grupo, at mga Aktor ng Paggogobyerno para sa Progresibong Olongapo, will serve as the city's primary hub for capacity development and best practices.

Solidifying the "whole-of-society" approach, the MSAC is composed of representatives from the government, academe, media, and civil society.

Aside from the DILG and the City Government, the agreement was inked by Liga ng mga Barangay President Priscilla B. Ponge and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Yzyra Marie E. Hernandez.

Private sector and civil society partners also affirmed their commitment, including the Olongapo City People’s Council (OCPC), represented by Vice President Rodolfo Berling Villanueva (on behalf of President Gerardo B. Cruz); and Columban College, Inc., represented by Vice President for Finance Dr. Eric Matriano (on behalf of President Most Rev. Bishop Bartolome G. Santos, Jr., DD).

K5 News FM Olongapo Station Manager Aileen C. Sanchez also signed the agreement representing the media sector.

Grassroots Impact

The event was witnessed by all elected barangay officials from the city's 17 barangays, ensuring that the knowledge products and innovations generated by the center will reach the grassroots level.

The ULO NG APO Sub-LGRC is the localized counterpart of the Central Luzon Regional Local Governance Resource Center (CL-LGRC) and aims to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on Strong Institutions (SDG 16) and Partnerships (SDG 17).

Villanueva challenged the stakeholders to utilize the platform to co-create solutions.

"The MOA signing is only the beginning. Let us explore what more we can achieve when our strengths, ideas, and resources are aligned," Villanueva said.