TAGAYTAY CITY, Cavite — Zambales Governor-elect Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and some other incoming neophyte provincial chief executives underwent a governance orientation and training here, a week before they assume office on July 1.

Ebdane, a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary, National Security Adviser and chief of Philippine National Police (PNP), was among the popular local executives who attended the gathering organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The orientation and training, which are part of the newly-elected officials (NEO) program of the DILG, was made last Thursday at Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay City, Cavite. The theme of the gathering was “Building a Corps of Good Governance Champions.”

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, in a press statement, said the agency is assisting neophyte provincial governors in the formulation of their first 100 Days agenda which is a rundown of the critical stages that they will face as soon as they assume office on July 1.

The NEO program, made by the DILG bureaus and regional offices, the Philippines Development Forum (PDF) and the Leagues of Local Governments, is divided into four components, namely: “Ensuring Smooth Transition,” “Laying the Foundation” (with three tracks – “My First 100 Days in Office,” “Knowing My LGU” and Fine Tuning My Competencies), "Building Alliances" and "Sharpening the Saw."

The training modules are financing LGU operations, which will enable the participants to understand the financial conditions of their LGUs, learn the sources of local revenue and the alternative external sources, and formulate financial strategies; Understanding My Environment; the Local Official as agent for development; Common Pitfalls in LGU Management; and Jumpstarting the first 100 Days Governance.

Marivel Sacendoncillo, Local Government Academy executive director, said that out of the 80 governors-elect in the country, 31 are neophytes.

Among those present during the Thursday orientation were Ebdane, Eugene Balitang, incoming governor of Ifugao province; Elias Bulut Jr. of Apayao, Arthur Y. Pingoy and Emmylou Mendoza of Cotabato and Sharee Ann Tan of Samar.

The 42-year-old Cavite Governor-elect Juanito Victor Remulla was not present during the gathering. Remulla, one of the country’s youngest incoming governors, is reportedly abroad.

Ebdane and the other governors-elect partially answered queries from the media, particularly about their programs and some problems in their respective provinces.

The Zambales provincial leader and the others said development is one of their prime priorities during their tenure.

Sacendoncillo said at least 373 local executives have participated in the DILG’s program.

Different cluster orientations were conducted earlier in Baguio City for the newly elected mayors in Regions I, II, III; in Davao City for local chief executives in Regions IX, X, XI, XII, XIII; and in Makati City for Metro Manila mayors.