Starting on June 1- UP offers free online course on local governance

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on government employees to avail of a free online course on local governance.

In the hope of bridging the knowledge gap on governance and administration by those that are working in the government, the University of the Philippines came up with an online course that will run for four months.

DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero urged governors, city and municipal mayors, regional directors to let their personnel avail of the course.

The course is entitled “Massive Open Online Course on Inter Local Cooperation (MOOC-ILC)” and is set to start in June this year.

Juvy Lizette Gervacio, assistant professor on Public Management of the UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty Management and Development Studies (FMDS), said the course on Inter Local Cooperation will help in the proper and effective implementation of decentralization.

The Philippines has been continually facing the challenge of decentralization. 

She said that the local autonomy of LGUs has been the center of debates as the national government is trying to balance central command and democratic governance.

“They can learn from each other’s best practices and improve local relationships leading to better programs for the people,” Gervacio said.

Gervacio said the UPOU Faculty had put together different critical ingredients needed in order to build and sustain an ILC.

These include legal basis of ILC, processes, financial policies, and simplified operations of each department of the LGU.

“We are hoping that at the end the course, each participant will be able to use the knowledge acquired to improve inter-local relationships with other LGUs and other stakeholders,” Gervacio said.

There will be group and individual assignments and other tasks which are to be accomplished at a given period of time.

 The course can be accessed at the UP Open University Website and click on the MODel icon on the upper right of the screen and create new account. ht

No documentary requirements are needed to register.

The course is free, however a minimal fee is required when a Certificate is requested. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

- See more at: PIA Website