DILG appeals for orderly transition of power

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Western Visayas reminded all incumbent and incoming local officials to prepare for the smooth and orderly transition of power come June 30, 2019.

“We are reminding them now to work and prepare for the smooth transition,” DILG 6 Regional Director Ariel Iglesia said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Iglesia said they already issued Memorandum Circular No. 2019-39 in March 2019 telling local officials to form their respective transition teams.

While there is no template, Iglesia said it is suggested that the transition team is composed of the incumbent mayor, department heads and a DILG official.

“The transition teams magkakaroon ng inventory ng lahat ng resources ng LGU including the property, equipment, and records in preparation for the turn-over,” he said.

The transition teams of both the outgoing and incoming elected officials should communicate with each other to ensure smooth transition, according to Iglesia.

“Ang transition teams ay dapat mag-usap din para ma-ensure na maganda yung transition,” he said.

Even re-electionists are also advised to form their transition teams to prepare all the necessary documents.

Iglesia emphasized that the transition team would also ensure transparency on the transfer of power.

In Iloilo City, both outgoing Mayor Jose Espinosa III and his brother-in-law, mayor-elect and Rep. Jerry Trenas have formed their respective transition teams.

Espinosa organized the Iloilo City Local Governance Transition Team (LGTT) through Executive Order No. 22-A issued on March 13, 2019.

The transition team will be headed by Espinosa and will include all department heads of the city hall, Atty. Ferdinand Panes, city director of the DILG and Ramon Cua Locsin, president of the Iloilo Federation of Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Panay.

Treñas also issued a memorandum on May 18 organizing his own transition team which would review, audit, and conduct inventory of all undertakings including but not limited to programs, projects, activities, financial utilization, human resource, and directives of the outgoing administration.

Incoming Chief of Staff Jonas Bellosillo and incoming City Administrator Melchor Tan head the team, alongside the other trusted allies of Treñas who will be making their comeback to the City Hall.

Aside from the transition teams, Iglesia also reminded the incoming local officials to pass their administrative requirements such as the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN), Oath of Office and Personal Data Sheet once they assume office on June 30.

“Adviseable sana pag-assume nila ng office ay nandyan na rin lahat ng administrative requirements nila especially yung SALN kasi requirement talaga ng Ombudsman yan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the elected officials particularly the first termers will undergo training on the Local Government Academy (LGA) to guide them in their posts.