Overview
Building on the achievements of the Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP) Phases I and II, the Local Governance Support Program in ARMM (LGSPA) covers the whole of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). In the five years of LGSP II support to ARMM were initiatives to improve the delivery of basic services, computerize tax collection, and strengthen community participation in governance. Highlights include the establishment of several peace zones and community peace radios in conflict-prone areas, assistance to municipalities in barangay development planning and strengthening of barangay justice systems using traditional conflict resolution methods. After the 2004 elections, the program supported LGUs in formulating and implementing their respective Executive and Legislative Agendas (ELAs) through a participatory process.
LGSPA officially started in March 2005 and is a five year (2005 - 2010) PhP 821.5 million, capacity development program funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the Philippine Government through the ARMM Regional Government. It is managed by Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd. in association with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
The program works with all ARMM municipalities, Marawi City, Lamitan City, and the 5 provinces of Maguindano, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the newly created Shariff Kabunsuan.? It involves different levels of local government units (LGUs), government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), support institutions and peace networks.
To increase effectiveness in local governance, LGSPA focuses on five key areas: leadership and management, service delivery, resource generation and management, participatory governance and peacebuilding.
LGSPA recognizes the importance of strengthening the enabling environment for local governance. The program works with stakeholders at the regional level to help develop policies and programs that support local governments and local peace building efforts. This will include capacity development assistance to the Autonomous Regional Government (ARG), peace networks and other supporting institutions such as CSOs, academic institutions and LGU leagues.
The program strategy includes mainstreaming four crosscutting themes in order to ensure that these important concerns of poverty reduction, gender equality, cultural integrity and environmental sustainability are considered throughout the implementation of the program and to increase the capacity of the ARG and ARMM LGUs to mainstream these themes within their policies, programs and plans.
LGSPA builds upon the successes of LGSP I and II by furthering the dissemination of information and replicating good practice, promoting the use of knowledge products developed and by drawing on the lessons learned. LGSPA assists partner ARMM LGUs and the organizations and institutions that support them to move along the path to achieve Peace and Development through Excellence in Local Governance.
