Remulla shows full support for OGP, encourages LGUs to follow suit

In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to create a more responsive, inclusive, and transparent government, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his full commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and hopes the initiative will extend to local government units (LGUs).

“We are in the pursuit of having it institutionalized all over the country,” he said during the 2025 Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in Taguig City where the President gave his opening remarks.

He emphasized his belief in the power of collaboration with civil society, a practice he learned during his term as Cavite Governor. “I believe in open conversations, dapat laging nag-uusap at lagi natututo,” he said.

He shared that during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he partnered with De La Salle University to establish Cavite’s most advanced Covid laboratory. “It was a very open and transparent partnership, covering revenue sharing, investment, and everything,” he explained.

“I believe in tapping expertise. Kailangan ‘yung mga available talents sa community, itatap lahat ‘yan, gobyerno man o hindi. Basta magaling, basta matino, basta tama ang pananaw sa pamamalakad ng gobyerno, laging pinapartner ‘yan,” he added.

As DILG Secretary, Remulla said he is currently collaborating with the University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance to help with the needed reforms in the Philippine National Police.

The OGP, founded in 2011 by eight countries including the Philippines, is an international movement that unites governments and civil society to champion transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.