In image: DEPDev XI Regional Director Priscilla R. Sonido, CESO III with the resource persons and participants in the Training on Basic Evaluation on April 2-3, 2025 at the NEDA-RDC XI Center, Bangkal, Davao City.

 

(Davao City, October 9, 2025). To strengthen project monitoring and ensure safe and accountable implementation of government projects, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XI conducted a three-day Capacity Building for Local Project Monitoring Committees (LPMCs) on Procurement Management, Contract Management, Project Monitoring, and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) on October 7–9, 2025 at the NEDA–RDC XI Center, Davao City.

The three-day training gathered over 30 participants from Local Project Monitoring Committees of cities and provinces in Davao Region, composed of planning and engineering officers, local project monitors, and representatives from RPMC XI member agencies. Participants actively engaged in lectures and opened discussions, sharing experiences and challenges in local project implementation.

In her opening message, the RPMC XI Chairperson and DEPDev XI Regional Director Priscilla R. Sonido emphasized that strengthening local monitoring capacities promotes transparency, efficiency, and safety in project implementation. The training is part of the Committee’s initiative to equip local monitoring committees with the tools and technical knowledge necessary for more effective project oversight.

The training aimed to equip LPMCs with practical skills in procurement and contract management based on RA 12009 and its IRR, modes of procurement, and guidelines on contract implementation. The technical sessions facilitated by Engr. Ariel A. Lagmay of the Commission on Audit (COA) XI, a GPPB-recognized trainer, highlighted the importance of competitive bidding, compliance with procurement rules, and accountability in contract execution as part of enhancing program and project monitoring.

The capacity building activity featured sessions on Project Monitoring and Engineering for Non-Engineers by Engr. Henry C. Villanueva and Engr. Harris John V. Taroy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI. These sessions helped participants understand basic engineering concepts and field validation techniques essential for effective monitoring of infrastructure projects.

The final day featured lectures on Occupational Safety and Health led by Ms. Analyn A. Escaro of the Occupational Safety and Health Center – Regional Extension Unit XI. The session discussed the importance of the Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) in ensuring worker welfare. Moreover, the participants were educated on the industry compliance standards for construction site safety, unsafe acts/conditions in the workplace and workers’ rights that will help enhance the PMCs field validation and reporting activities.

The activity was organized by the RPMC XI and Department of the Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) XI in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XI, DILG XI and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI.

Through this initiative, RPMC XI continues to uphold participatory and transparent project monitoring in the Davao Region.