DAP LEAD Program Equips Vice Governors for Evidence-Based Local Legislation

PASIG CITY – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) is equipping vice governors with skills in legislative leadership, fiscal oversight, artificial intelligence, and evidence-based policymaking through the Legislative Excellence and Development (LEAD) Program for the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP).

The hybrid capability development program, implemented by the DAP Center for Governance, has reached its midpoint and will continue through September 23, 2026, bringing together more than 80 vice governors and other learners to strengthen their capacity to craft responsive policies and support local development priorities.

DEPDev Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Atty. Glenda R. Rumohr discusses how local legislation can translate national and local development priorities into concrete outcomes for communities during Session 1, “Aligning Local Legislation with the Philippine Development Agenda,” of the DAP’s LEAD Program for the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines.

The program opened with an onsite session on August 21, 2026, where Department of Economy, Planning and Development Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Glenda R. Rumohr and Ronald R. Barcena discussed the alignment of local legislation with the Philippine Development Agenda and the role of legislators in advancing development.

The program also introduced participants to the use of artificial intelligence in public service through the self-paced course Artificial Intelligence 101: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence on the DAP’s Linang Platform. The course covered fundamental AI concepts and responsible approaches to using AI in government.

Mr. Ronald R. Barcena facilitates sessions on “Understanding Local Legislation: Power and Process” and “Legislative Fiscal Governance in Local Government” via Zoom, enhancing learners’ understanding of their legislative powers, responsibilities, and role in advancing provincial development.

Synchronous virtual sessions subsequently covered Understanding Local Legislation: Power and Process and Legislative Fiscal Governance in Local Government, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of legislative powers and processes and strengthening their capacity to exercise oversight of provincial financial resources.

Deputy National Statistician Kristine Joy S. Briones discusses “Data-Driven Legislation: Enhancing LGUs through Evidence-Based Policymaking,” highlighting how reliable and relevant data can help local legislators better understand community needs and develop evidence-based policies.

On September 8, Deputy National Statistician Kristine Joy Briones discussed key economic and social indicators and the Community-Based Monitoring System, highlighting how local governments can use data to better understand community conditions and inform policy and development decisions.

The program’s second half will focus on practical workshops on evidence-based policy formulation, culminating in the development of policy briefs aligned with the participating vice governors’ respective provincial legislative agendas.