DILG-NCR trains directors on urban governance

By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan

Friday 27th of July 2012

MANILA, July 27 (PIA) -- To meet the challenges of rapid urbanization and local environment degradation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region has trained its city directors and cluster heads on urban governance, a statement said on its website (ncr.dilg.gov.ph).

DILG-NCR Director Renato L. Brion said their agency has undertaken considerable efforts to incorporate the view of urban governance in the implementation of their programs and projects. DILG-NCR manages 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila.

The training also raised awareness among DILG-NCR field personnel on issues related to governance, from a barangay to a city.

“Capacity development is a high priority for DILG-NCR. There is a need for increased understanding and capacity the concept of urban governance by developing a range of information and knowledge resources to assist the city directors and cluster leaders,” Brion said.

The training, likewise, provided an opportunity for an intensified knowledge on the theories of urbanization, land use and land utilization, land conversion and converters, and ‘danger spots.’ Difference between rural and urban planning, the rationalized planning system, and the introduction of Geographic Information System (GIS) as system used by planners in spatial planning were also taken up. (DILG-NCR/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)