The City Government of Iriga, through the City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office (CPDCO), conducted a two-day Capacity Development Training for City Development Council (CDC) Members on July 1 to 2, 2026 at the DTI-SSF 2F ICT Building. The first day brought together the Punong Barangays and Barangay Secretaries of all 36 barangays of Iriga City, while the second day was dedicated to representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The training focused on the integration of official email and teleconferencing tools into the CDC’s governance processes, equipping participants with the digital skills needed for more efficient and streamlined communication and coordination.
Ar. Benedicto A. Mirasol, EnP, Acting City Planning and Development Coordinator and CDC Secretariat, delivered the welcome remarks and outlined the objectives of the training. Vice Mayor Edsel S. Dimaiwat also graced the activity with an inspirational message, encouraging participants to embrace digital tools as a means of strengthening local governance. Councilor Dandreb N. Abonite, Chair of the SP Committee on Finance and Appropriation, delivered the closing statement to formally conclude the activity.
The training covered five sessions designed to build participants’ digital competencies from the ground up. The sessions were facilitated by Ivan Jay T. Buere, Admin. Officer I from the CPDCO, who served as the resource person and technical trainer for the two-day capacity development activity. These included basic computer operations and an introduction to digital governance, the creation and activation of official email accounts, email management and official correspondence, cloud-based storage and file organization, and the use of Zoom and Google Meet for CDC teleconferencing. The sessions culminated in a hands-on simulation of a hybrid meeting, giving participants a practical and immersive experience in applying their newly acquired digital skills in a real governance setting.
This capacity development initiative reflects the City Government of Iriga’s commitment to modernizing its governance systems and bridging the digital divide among its CDC members. By ensuring that barangay officials, secretaries, and civil society representatives are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge, Iriga City takes a meaningful step toward more inclusive, efficient, and technology-driven participation in the city’s development planning processes.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga