THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Northern Mindanao and other government agencies will launch a regional dialogue on August 8 to hear and directly address issues and concerns of the public.

Dubbed "Dagyaw," the regional townhall meeting will be held in barangay Nazareth gymnasium as part of the "Duterte's administrations continuing efforts to bring government closer to the people," DILG-Northern Mindanao Director Arnel Agabe said.

The dialogue will be attended by senior government officials, such as secretaries and undersecretaries of government offices.

For Northern Mindanao, the dialogue will focus on three issues affecting the region: violent extremism, health, and general development.

"We want to show this is an open government and we practice a participatory governance and we hope to provide a platform for citizens to raise local concerns through direct interfacing with senior government officials," Agabe said.

Booths of government agencies will also be set up in the venue to provide a one-stop shop service for the public.

Agabe said they are expecting around 800 stakeholders from civil society organizations, academe, business groups, unions, people's organizations, and members of the media.

Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon term for "Bayanihan" or togetherness.