The Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Sunday strongly urged local government units and local civil society organizations nationwide to support and participate in the Open Government Partnership local program.

The OGP Local is an onboarding program where new members with existing Open Government initiatives will develop and implement local OGP action plans through a multi-stakeholder co-creation process which further contributes to a more open, accountable, and responsive government.

"OGP in itself mirrors the whole-of-nation approach the current government espouses. The LGUs, CSOs, and other stakeholders as critical actors towards achieving innovative and improved local governance can benefit from the OGP Local initiative," Abalos said.

He underscored that LGUs and CSOs collaborating under the OGP initiative opens opportunities for government and non-government stakeholders leading toward transparency and empowerment of the citizenry. It is also envisioned to fight against corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen and advance governance at the local level.

Abalos pointed out that the DILG is an advocate of Open Government and shall remain committed to continuing, strengthening, and supporting the PH-OGP advocacies.

This, as the Mindanao leg of OGPinas was held recently in Cagayan de Oro City and was attended by some 200 representatives from various government and private offices.

DILG Assistant Secretary Ester A. Aldana who represented Abalos reiterated the latter's call for committed, continuing, strengthening, and supporting the PH-OGP advocacies and activities.

The PH-OGP which was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, was aimed at strengthening and expanding the avenue of dialogues and partnership between the government and civil society groups.