The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) represented by UPOU Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Finance (DOF) – Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) represented by  Secretary Benjamin Diokno on 02 March 2023 for the conduct of training for assessors and assist Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide to improve their real property tax systems.

Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor was accompanied by Dr. Joane Serrano, UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) Dean and Asst. Prof. Cesar Luna, Program Chair of Diploma in/Master of Land Valuation and Management (D/MLVM) Programs. The FMDS-UPOU looks forward to making this partnership beneficial for the development across all areas of professional growth and development of local assessors, and with the engagement of academic institutions and other stakeholders. It shall also seek effective and efficient public real estate management by means of continuing education of practitioners in local resource mobilization.

The MOU signing was also participated in by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and 20 pilot LGUs. This MOU signing is part of the Local Governance Reform Project (LGRP) 2020-2024 to help improve local government revenue mobilization, strengthening LGU performance and delivery of local public service.