Manila City, Philippines – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for Governance (CFG), underscored the pivotal role of local government leaders in driving the successful localization of devolved population and development functions at the 2024 MIMAROPA Population and Development Conference. The event, held on November 25-26, 2024, at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel, gathered key stakeholders, including local government units, community organizations, academic institutions, and private sector representatives, with the aim of advancing collaborative efforts in local governance and sustainable development.

DAP-CFG Vice President Imelda C. Caluen, along with the CFG-Local Governance and Development Office team, highlighted the importance of a data-driven government and continuous capacity-building efforts for local governments. This approach, they emphasized, is crucial for enhancing local service delivery and empowering leaders to address the evolving needs of their communities.

A key moment of the conference was the launch of the Regional Population and Development Plan of Action 2023-2028, marking a significant milestone in the region’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

The 2024 MIMAROPA PopDev Conference provided a dynamic platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, as participants engaged in discussions and workshops to develop actionable strategies that will strengthen governance, project management, and resource utilization at the local level.