UP, DLSU convene inter-university roundtable to strengthen local governance through SDG localization

25-26 June 2026—The University of the Philippines–Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (UP-CIFAL Philippines) and the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (DLSU-JRIG) successfully concluded the two-day “UP-DLSU Inter-University Roundtable on Governance and SDG Localization”, with the first day hosted at the University of the Philippines Diliman and the second day at De La Salle University Manila.

Opening the forum, University of the Philippines President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez underscored the urgency of accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing that sustainable development ultimately depends on rebuilding public trust in institutions. Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Undersecretary Glenda R. Rumohr emphasized in her message of support that governance lies at the heart of sustainable development. She challenged participants to turn lived experiences into policy, emphasizing that global commitments must be translated into local action.

Delivering the keynote address, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte shared how the country’s largest city by population has embedded the SDGs into its governance agenda through inclusive policymaking, digital transformation, gender-responsive governance, climate resilience, and data-driven planning. She highlighted initiatives such as the city’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR), participatory budgeting, socialized housing, and climate adaptation programs, emphasizing that sustainable development is realized when policies respond to the lived realities of communities.

The opening day at UP Diliman featured messages from university and government leaders, followed by expert discussions on SDG localization, research-to-policy pathways, and inclusive governance. Participants also examined successful university-LGU partnerships and engaged in collaborative workshops that identified priority challenges and opportunities for advancing sustainable development in local communities.

The second day at De La Salle University focused on institutional innovations, governance frameworks, policy coherence, and monitoring tools for effective SDG implementation. Dean Ador R. Torneo highlighted that sustainable development requires communities themselves to define well-being through dialogue and participatory governance rather than top-down implementation. San Juan City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines National President Francis Zamora reaffirmed that meaningful development depends on partnerships between universities and local governments, while Manila Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza-Valdepeñas stressed that sustainable development is measured through safer communities, stronger institutions, and better public services—not global declarations. 

One of the key outcomes of the roundtable was the development of a collaborative Roundtable Proceedings, which will document the key discussions, insights, and policy recommendations generated throughout the two-day forum. As part of the publication, participants drafted a series of policy notes outlining shared priorities and recommendations to strengthen governance and SDG localization through partnerships between higher education institutions and local governments.

Reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative, Dr. Michelle R. Palumbarit, Director of UP-CIFAL Philippines, and Dr. Francisco A. Magno, Director of the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (DLSU-JRIG), delivered a Joint Statement of Support, reaffirming the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing governance and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) localization through sustained inter-university collaboration. They emphasized that addressing today’s development challenges requires stronger partnerships among academia, local governments, and development stakeholders, with universities serving as active partners in policymaking, capacity building, and community engagement. 

As both institutions look ahead, the UP-DLSU Inter-University Roundtable marks the beginning of a sustained collaboration aimed at supporting local governments, strengthening governance capacities, and promoting policy innovations that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across the Philippines.