The Philippine Tax Academy, through the Local Government Finance Institute (LGFI), successfully convened the Onboarding Program for Local Treasurers of Aklan province last October 22 to 25, 2024. This specialized training is part of the first implementation of LGFI’s Flagship Program – “Treasurer’s Professionalization Program (TPP)” which aims to enhance the competencies of local treasurers in managing local government finances.
The Onboarding Program was designed to equip local treasurers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively manage local government finances to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of public funds. A total of 50 participants, composed municipal treasurers and selected local treasury employees of Aklan, participated in a series of interactive sessions and workshops covering a wide range of fundamental topics, including Local Treasury Management, Fund Management, Revenue Generation, Revenue and Expenditure Planning, Forecasting Techniques, and Leadership in Local Treasury.
The course on Local Treasury Management emphasized the crucial role of local treasurers in local financial administration. The resource person, Ibajay Municipal Treasurer Mr. Glenn Tumbagahan, discussed the regulatory frameworks, legal responsibilities, and efficient systems for fund allocation and disbursement which provided the treasurers with a thorough understanding of their treasury operations.
Banga Municipal Treasurer, Mr. Froilan Redison covered the course on Fund Management including the strategies to optimize resource allocation to improve the financial health of their respective units. He also introduced Forecasting Techniques for revenue and expenditure planning. The course sought to equip the local treasurers with reliable data analytics methods to better manage economic fluctuations and prepare for financial contingencies.
The courses on Revenue Generation, and Revenue and Expenditure Planning discussed by Provincial Treasurer, Mr. Bernardino Villaruel provided innovative strategies for increasing LGU revenue through various means, including local tax reforms and improving tax collection efficiency. The participants shared best practices which provided actionable revenue-generating strategies that can be implemented in various municipalities.
The final course on Leadership in Local Treasury was presented by LGFI Chancellor Ma. Teresa Habitan, Dr. Ferdinand La Puebla, and Dr. Gina Opiniano. The session aimed to build collaborative and inclusive working relationships that will empower local treasurers to implement changes effectively and maintain trust within their LGUs.
The Onboarding Program received positive feedback from the participants. They noted the value of learning directly from subject matter experts and their peers. They also expressed that the program provided them with a clearer understanding of their roles and equipped them with strategies to navigate complex financial challenges at the local level. This reflects Aklan’s dedication in fostering a responsive and proactive financial environment that can adapt to both opportunities and fiscal challenges.
The Philippine Tax Academy, through LGFI, is committed to providing high-quality training and capacity-building programs for local government officials and employees. The Onboarding Program for Local Treasurers in collaboration with Provincial Government of Aklan is a significant step towards achieving this goal and promoting good governance and local finance management in the country
