President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, through Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, has mandated Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales with 15 other selected government officials in the country to attend the conference and workshop on federalism and good governance on January 23 to 27, 2017 in Washington DC.
The conference dubbed as “Federalism and Good Governance: Best Practice Learning for Change – An International Benchmarking Program” is organized by Creative Learning, a non-profit organization based in Washington DC, and Local Government Academy- Philippines, an attached agency of the DILG providing capacity building services to the local government units in the Philippines.
Based on DILG Department Order No. 2016-1211, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, Tuguegarao Mayor City Francisco Mamba Jr., Lipa City Mayor Meynardo Sabili, Trece Martires City Mayor Melendres De Sagun, Albay Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Palompon Mayor Ramon OƱate, Tacurong City Mayor Lina Montilla, Libona Mayor Leonardo Genesis Calisangan, Bani Mayor Cothera Gwen Yamamoto, Anilao Vice Mayor Ma. Teresa Debuque, Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte and Antipolo City Councilor Ronald Barcena are also authorized to travel for this official business. It can be recalled that on September 24 last 2016, more than 2,000 MabalaqueƱos tropped to the Royce Hotel for the fourth and biggest Federalism Forum in Pampanga organized by the city government of Mabalacat and the PDU30 CoRe (Constitutiional Reformers).
PDU30 CoRe Lead Convenor Attorney Raul Lambino, Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Atty. Larry Garon and Office of the Court Administrator Atty. Jose Midas Marquez were also present in the said forum.