As of February 2007
Executive Summary - Progress Report
The LGSPA program implementation during 2006-2007 produced results at both the LGU and regional government level as well as among civil society groups. The program strategies for engaging ARMM LGUs included an assessment of ?readiness? for capacity building. This assessment contributed towards more effective implementation through engaging partners committed and ready to take on capacity building.
The Enabling Environment component interventions were strategic in nature and with wide-reaching effects. Efforts at the ARG level to strengthen systems for development planning and policy development continued. With LGSPA support, the ARMM Regional Executive Agenda (AREA) was formulated and became the forum for the articulation of priorities of the ARG Regional line agencies.
With DILG-ARMM championing the roll-out of the Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS) in ARMM, the Program was able to help build capacities for both DILG-ARMM personnel as well as some LGUs. Further support is still required as LGUs learn to use the system and as more accurate data is input into the system. With RPDO?s increased understanding of and support for the system, and as other regional agencies become familiar with LGPMS, it is expected that the system will be used more widely by the regional government. Partnership efforts with the leagues of the local governments are being explored by recognizing them as strategic partners for advocacy and social marketing of LGPMS.
The halal industry has been recognized as a catalyst for private sector development in ARMM. The establishment of the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board served as an effective modality for private sector participation. Through the Board?s establishment, the capacity to better coordinate development efforts among the private sector is also making progress. Also with the establishment of the certification board, a solid foundation has been laid for ARMM to assume its role as the lead region for the development of the halal industry as provided for in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan.
The formation of the Halal Certification Board also resulted in Muslim religious leaders taking concrete steps to directly contribute to local social and economic development. The MRLs reached a consensus to promote issues relating to relationships of people with one another and their environment in their khutbas (Friday sermons at the mosque). The MRLs also agreed to adopt a common theme for the khutbas. Five major areas of concern have been identified: good governance, social justice, conflict resolution, poverty and economic development and Islam as a way of life.
The Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation and community peace radios agreed to collaborate with LGSPA in promoting good governance over the radio network. As an initial project, value-based messages for voter?s education were promoted. CSOs provided critical inputs to community radio and the Oblates radio network in formulating value messages and strategies to engage the community in electoral reforms.
LGSPA also supported an inventory and analysis of fiscal resources and utilization in ARMM. The study, conducted with the active participation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), documented fund transfers from the national government over the last five years. Findings showed that despite the fiscal powers granted to ARMM under the Organic Act, the region is 97% dependent on the national government for its income. Further, ARMM expenditures on a per capita basis are the second highest in the country, next only to the Cordillera Region. The study was presented in regional and national fora attended by ARMM officials, and representatives of national agencies and key CSOs. The study?s findings and recommendations constitute a powerful compass to guide fiscal strategies and administrative reforms that would strengthen good governance and promote autonomy in ARMM.
LGSPA has also observed good progress in the area of Local Government Leadership and Management. To support the implementation of the barangay development plans facilitated in 88 barangays this fiscal year, the Barangay Development Initiatives, Small Grants Fund of LGSPA provides an incentive to operationalize the BDP and see immediate concrete application and results.
LGUs that have participated consistently in service delivery projects should have already gone through a full cycle of LGSPA capacity development assistance particularly in the service delivery focus area. This would have started in an orientation on concepts, principles and policies that govern the particular type of social service they are engaged in, be it education, water, sanitation and hygiene or shelter. They will have been guided in determining the current level of stakeholder demand through a profiling process. The information from the scan will have then been used in developing a plan for achieving objectives and targets; with the understanding that when and where possible, the resources for funding such would be sourced out of the LGU?s budget or from other partners as appropriate. Mechanisms such as teams, task forces, councils and boards shall have been created to ensure that citizens, civil society and the private sector would have input and be involved in the service delivery process. The LGUs will have also designated a point person in the LGU to ensure that the plan and commitments are followed through. Finally, they will have collaborated with LGSPA in executing a project that would demonstrate an appropriate approach, technology or system and which is intended to set the LGU on the path of other similar initiatives in the future.
To date participating LGUs can already see the concrete results of these efforts and are able to apply this cycle to their other project implementation.
Under the Revenue Generation and Management project, it is still too early to determine full results because this is the first year that the Program is being comprehensive in its approach to address capacity building gaps in financial management, revenue generation and public economic enterprise. The program is taking heed of the ELA Assessment findings that many LGUs have more unplanned projects because of the opportunities offered them by donor programs. This indicates the need for LGUs to be better able to manage resources and direct them to the priorities that they have identified in their planning documents such as the ELA itself.
Progress made towards results in the Peace output area has shown a broader understanding of peace and the role of LGUs. With the introduction of a Culture of Peace training and PCIA to MPOCs and by linking them to other LGU-based mechanisms, competence in peace work has improved in participating LGUs.
The CSO inventory completed in ARMM covering 18 municipalities and urban areas serving ARMM communities is a significant piece of work on which programming for the new year will be based.
The planned ELA Sharing Convention for ARMM LCEs was an opportunity for high performing mayors and governors to meet, share accomplishments and problems, and renew commitments for good governance post May 2007 elections.
The PSC study mission to Canada was very successful and inspired members in developing creative solutions for ongoing problems in ARMM. Culminating in the LGSPA PSC Meeting which was held in Ottawa, the members noted the similarities between northern Canada as well as First Nations and the issues often encountered in ARMM. Members contributed their thoughts and ideas for initiatives that could be included in LGSPA implementation during the mission and in some small group meetings occurring afterwards.
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