05/12/2025
ULAP convened its 109th National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting on 4 December 2025 at EDSA Shangri-La, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. As the final NEB gathering of the year, the meeting brought together member leagues and national government partners to take stock of the yearβs accomplishments, refine policy directions, and discuss some of ULAPβs strategic priorities for 2026.
A key feature of the session was the regular DILG Hour, where Secretary Jonvic Remulla engaged the Board in a substantive dialogue on governance reforms and decentralization. Secretary Remulla underscored the administrationβs direction, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., to transition essential government services to local governmentsβrecognizing the growing capacity of LGUs to lead in infrastructure, education support, and other core public services.
On Hon. Monique Lagdameo, Representative of the District of Makati and Vice Chairperson of the Local Government Committee, also delivered a message on behalf of Speaker Bojie Dy, outlining support to a legislative agenda aligned with local governance reforms and underscoring the commitment of the House to partner more closely with LGUs in advancing responsive, well-resourced, and accountable local governments.
The meeting also highlighted the address of Secretary Sonny Angara of DepEd, who briefed LGUs on the governmentβs PPP framework for school infrastructure and on expanded avenues for localβnational collaboration. During the discussions, DepEd acknowledged that if the country is to accelerate and expand classroom construction, LGUs must be empowered to take on a greater role. Secretary Angara emphasized that the Department has already proposed amendments to the General Appropriations Act to allowβand equipβLGUs to participate more directly in school building programs. Following his presentation, ULAP formally presented its resolution pursuing a strategic partnership with DepEd to advance shared goals in education, infrastructure, and local capacity-building.
Further updates were provided by Undersecretary Samuel Turgano of DPWH on ongoing and upcoming infrastructure programs. The Board also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between ULAP and the Philippine Tax Academy, led by President Gil Beltranβan important milestone in strengthening local finance and tax administration training for local officials nationwide in view of the implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act.
The session was attended by ULAP NEB officers and league representatives Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua (LPP), Gov. Ramon Guico (LPP), Mayor Inno Dy and Mayor Jun Tentangco (LMP), BM Jessica Dy and BM Martina Gimenez (LNB), Vice Governor Maria Cristina Garcia and Vice Governor Hermilando Mandanas (LVGP), BM Romel Enriquez (PBMLP), BM Kerby Salazar (NMYL), Coun. Raul Corro (PCL), and BM Karla Adajar (4L), BM Dexter Yasay (PBMLP). Executive Directors Atty. Jomar Olegario (LPP), ED Andrea Loriaga (LMP), ED Veronica Hitosis (LCP), Atty. Christine Valenzuela (LVGP), Atty. Benson Aquino (LNB), ED Chris Abcede (VMLP), ED Fritzie Aguado (NMYL), ED Mei Ling Quezon (4L), ED Larry Caminero (PCL), and also participated. LGUs were represented by Mayor Maila Ting-Que and Ms. Nikki Manuel Coronel of the Provincial Government of Bulacan, as well as former NEB members Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta, and Coun. Handy Lao.
ULAP extends its gratitude to key national officials who served as speakers, resource persons, and guests:
- Hon. Monique Lagdameo β Representative of the District of Makati and Vice Chairperson of the Local Government Committee
- DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, DILG Usec. Marlo Iringan, and BLGS Director Debbie Torres with Dianne Baldonado;
- DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara together with Undersecretaries Ronald Mendoza and Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paolo Bartolome;
- DPWH Undersecretary Samuel Turgano with Ms. Michelle De Vera and Ms. Corazon Llosala; and
- officials from the Philippine Tax Academy led by President Gil Beltran, joined by Ma. Pamela Quizon, Ma. Theresa Habitan, and Rose Jamiro.
