By virtue of the two associated memoranda signed on August 27, 2025, at the NCF Center for Research, Learning, and Development (CRLD), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Camarines Sur Provincial Office and Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) instituted a public-private partnership to boost “professional development and leadership preparation among barangay officials and community stakeholders.”
One key role that NCF will contribute is the administration and facilitation of the training program—the Certificate in Barangay Governance (CBG)—for incumbent barangay officials, barangay personnel, and aspiring community leaders.
The CBG, as stipulated in the memorandum, centers on developing skills, knowledge, and proficiency among barangay stakeholders, as well as empowering them with attributes needed for effective barangay leadership.
The NCF Academy for Technological Innovation, Global Education, Research, and Sustainability (A-TIGERS) is the primary unit assigned to supervise and oversee the program rollout, with assistance from DILG CamSur in the participatory design of course content and the arrangement for a pool of qualified trainers.
On the other hand, NCF has also greenlighted its affiliation with the DILG’s Intensified Synergy for Adept, Resourceful, and Outstanding Governance-Local Governance Regional Resource Center (ISAROG-LGRC) Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Council, as outlined in the second memorandum.
Launched in October 2024, the advisory council serves as a “venue for convergence with other local governance stakeholders.” Its purpose is to support the ISAROG-LGRC, which is a “repository on local governance knowledge products and information with multi-media service and ICT” and a place to “facilitate the delivery of quality, strategic, and responsive capacity development.”
As an individual member, NCF shall contribute knowledge resources and expertise that may enhance local governance; share exemplary practices, studies or research to enhance the mandate of local government units; avail foreign and local scholarships; and conduct research and furtherance of study with stakeholders concerning local governance.
DILG Camarines Sur Provincial Director Mr. Ray B. Caceres, CESO V, profoundly expressed his gratitude for the cooperation with NCF in championing this initiative, which aligns both institutions’ missions as champions of accountable and grassroots leadership.
Mr. Mario C. Villanueva, NCF President, is resolute in his vision that this concerted effort will open wider doors for opportunities in research and expose students to real-world practices.
President Villanueva further explained that this initiative addresses the need for first-hand training for students in public administration and computer science programs, and will allow them to join policymakers in solving problems and formulating solutions.
Such a vision is also one of the targets of the alliance of NCF and DILG CamSur, as the agreement also states that “prospective student interns may be required to undergo an internship.”
In support of the significant undertaking were a delegation from the provincial interior agency, composed of Engineer Jerwin A. Novio, LGOO VII; Mr. Ervin J. Belano, LGOO V; and Mr. John Dave R. Barcelona, LGOO III; and members of the NCF administration, represented by Dr. Edwin P. Bernal, NCF Vice President for Academic Business Development, and Mr. Jayme C. Ignacio, Product Development Officer.