NEDA Secretary Romulo L. Neri (right) together with Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials, Mr. Thomas Crouch (left), Director of Philippine Country Office and Ms. Shamshad Akhtar (center), Director-General of the Southeast Asia Department during the Consultation Workshop with Local Chief Executives, local planners, and representatives from national government agencies and LGU Leagues held at the Asian Development Bank on June 1, 2005. The workshop is a kick-off activity for the NEDA-ADB Technical Assistance on Strengthening Provincial/Local Planning and Expenditure Management, which aims to enhance LGUs' capacity to effect local development through improved planning and expenditure management.