IN line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to enhance local governance, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is calling on all newly elected local officials to take part in the 2025 Newly Elected Officials Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program.
Implemented through the DILG’s Local Government Academy (LGA), the enhanced NEO PLUS Program is a three-year capacity development initiative designed to support local leaders throughout their term. It builds on the original NEO program but with stronger emphasis on strategic leadership, policy reform, and responsive public service.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier urged participation in the NEO PLUS Program, which provides targeted training, education, and support for newly elected officials to govern effectively and responsibly.
NEO PLUS is anchored on three core components: unlocking strategic leadership and competencies, enhancing management systems and local policy, and strengthening service delivery through partnerships and innovation. It will be implemented in three phases: Accepting the Mandate and Embracing the Development Challenge (June to December 2025); Acting on the Mandate and Addressing the Development Challenge (January to December 2026); and Achieving Results and Embedding Gains (January 2027 to June 2028).
By the end of the program, local chief executives are expected to demonstrate improved leadership and governance performance, while sanggunian members must show enhanced capabilities in legislation and policy-making to drive local development.
The DILG also announced that all newly elected officials are enjoined to participate in the Introductory Course on Strategic Leadership and Management, which will be conducted from July to August 2025. Re-elected officials, meanwhile, are expected to undergo a refresher course as part of the program rollout.
About the Author
