In a well attended project launch held at The Farm in Koronadal City last December 10, 2013 , Mr. Eric Galvin – Programme Manager from the Operations Section of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and Mr. Reynaldo M. Bungubung – Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office XII commended MFI and other project partners and challenged the project stakeholders especially the LGU’s and CSO’s to actively support the project implementation geared in empowering LGUs to generate revenues and promoting transparency in the utilization of local resources.
Mr. Galvin stressed that the EU decided to finance the project because they believed MFI and the project partners (CSDO, SPECTRUM, DILG and Dolefil) can make a difference in ensuring the proper functioning of LGUs, and for the population who can benefit from the improved services of the LGUs.
On his part, Director Bungubung compared the similarities of the project launch with that of breaking old habits and making new resolutions for a better life. He said that the DILG acknowledges the role of CSOs in promoting transparency in the LGUs and encouraged the LGUs to uphold the mandates of the DILG.
“We hope that with this project, we can uphold the ideals of the late Sec. Robredo” Director Reynaldo Bungubung
Also present during the project launch and MOA signing were Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon of Sarangani, Provincial Administrator Van Cadungon of North Cotabato, DILG Provincial Directors Josephine C. Leysa (South Cotabato) , Flor Limpin (Sarangani) , Margarita Baynosa (Sultan Kudarat) , Ali Abdullah (North Cotabato) , MFI President Bienvenido Perez, Executive Director Martiniano Magdolot, Dolefil Corporate Affairs Director Atty. Melquiades L. Hernandez III, and the Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Treasurers and Planning Officers of the eight beneficiary municipalities from the four provinces.
