The Department of the Interior and Local Government of Northern Samar invited the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing to formalize the establishment of the Local Infrastructure Learning Hub (LILHUB).
This invitation is pursuant to the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-071 dated July 21, 2025, which provides the Policy Guidelines Enjoining Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Implementation of the Infrastructure Audit Program.
In line with this, the DILG Northern Samar Provincial Office invited various government agencies to collaborate as Partner-Implementing Agencies in the establishment and operation of the LILHub in Northern Samar.
The LILHUB was established across all DILG Regional Offices to serve as a support system for conducting Infrastructure Audits (IA). As the Vice Chair for Disaster Preparedness pillar of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the DILG developed the Infrastructure Audit Program to institutionalize a national standard for assessing local infrastructure, including a tool and manual for LGUs to determine infrastructure vulnerabilities and prepare for high-magnitude earthquakes and define the necessary actions for local governments in preparation for such events.
The MOA Signing Ceremony was held on June 4, 2026, Thursday, at the Anahaw Room, Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, N. Samar. The event commenced with the preliminaries, followed by the welcome message, presentation of salient provisions of the MOA, MOA Signing proper, messages of commitment from the partner agencies, discussion of ways forward, and concluded with a photo opportunity.
The activity was attended and witnessed by key officials and representative from various institutions, including Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan; DPWH NSSDEO District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong; DPWH 1st DEO District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio; Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal Catarman N. Samar Caretaker FSINSP Darwin D. Orsolino; the representative of Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Northern Samar Chapter President Engr. Vivian G. Biaco, the representative of DEPED Catarman N. Samar School Division Superintendent Gaudencio C. Aljibe Jr., PhD, CESO V; and the representative of University of Eastern Philippines President Dr. Cherry Ibañez Ultra.
Demonstrating its commitment to the delivery of quality infrastructures and public service, the DPWH, through District Engineer Sabong, expressed its support for the establishment of Local Infrastructure Learning Hub. This is in line with the agency’s mandate to contribute to community development, economic growth, disaster resilience, and a better quality life for its citizens by ensuring that public infrastructure is well-planned, properly constructed, and sustainably maintained.
(Jamaica I. Acebuche – PIO)
