The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Friday it is requiring all newly elected local officials, including governors, mayors, vice mayors and council members, to participate in the Executive Briefing for Newly Elected Officials (NEOs).

The initiative, implemented through the DILG’s regional and field offices, aims to uphold good governance, accountability, and ensure seamless leadership transitions.

The mandatory briefings are part of the DILG’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance during the crucial first 100 days in office. The sessions are designed to equip officials with the knowledge, tools and strategic pathways necessary for leading with integrity, transparency, and purpose.

They include evidence-based insights, local governance diagnostics, and specific recommendations tailored to each local government unit (LGU).

Local Governance Transition Teams (LGTTs) are facilitating the orientation of the new officials, overseeing the inventory of local government properties, managing the turnover process, and preparing the Final Transition Report. These efforts support a national directive to make LGUs more accountable, responsive, and prepared for the future.

Briefings are currently underway across all 17 regions, with 1,045 LGUs having completed their sessions to date. A key tool featured in the briefings is the Governance Assessment Report, which helps local leaders identify performance gaps and establish priority areas for their administrations.

The Executive Briefing also serves as the formal entry point to the three-year NEO Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program, which provides strategic leadership and management training to new and returning officials from July to August 2025.

Through these initiatives, the DILG reaffirms its commitment to supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda of empowering local governments, fostering responsive and effective governance, and building stronger institutions across all levels of government.