The formulation of an updated Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), Executive-Legislative (ELA) Agenda and Capability Development (CAPDEV) agenda of the City Government took center stage during the 3-day Write-Shop at the Local Government Academy Training Center, UP Los Baños, Laguna on February 1-3, 2017. Participants from the City Government, NGAs, and CSOs tediously completed the draft output.
Introductory Messages
In her opening message, Hon. Sally A. Lee reiterated her vision of a Model City consistent with the Global Framework of the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) where efficient and effective delivery of social services is top priority and social well-being measured by “Gross National Happiness Index”. To be a Model City, the Local Chief Executive emphasized five (5) developmental descriptors, as follows: a) Inclusive City; b) Resilient City; c) Livable City; d) Competitive City; and e) Sustainable City. These encapsulate the essence of the newly crafted LGU vision statement which is : “ A Life-Loving City of Healthy, Empowered, Values-Oriented and Resilient Sorsoganons in a Livable, Competitive and Sustainable Environment, under an Inclusive and Humane Governance”.
On his part, Hon. Jonathan G. Balintong congratulated everyone for the “Seal of Good Local Governance “ Award (SGLG) given by DILG and challenged all stakeholders to sustain the momentum through selfless dedication, commitment and hardwork to attain the targeted goals and objectives.
Mr. Roque delos Santos, Jr. (DILG), likewise reminded the group on the upcoming SGLG evaluation in March 2017 wherein CAPDEV scheme of LGUs is one of the requirements.
Presentations and Work-Shops
Ms. Mabel Morano (DILG) made a presentation on the twelve (12) steps involved in the ELA Process and only four (4) steps were given emphasis during the write-shop. These are as follows: a) Defining LGU Vision & Mission; b) Formulation of Goals & Objectives; c) Identification and Prioritization of Programs & Projects; and d) Determining the Legislative Requirements.
Identification of Success Indicators
Mr. Andres Marcaida (DILG) went on to divide the participants into five (5) groups for the workshop on the Identification of Success Indicators, namely: a) Environmental Management; b) Economic Development; c) Social Development; d) Infrastructure Development; and e) Institutional Development. He reminded the respective groups to always consider the three (3) mandates in all development plans, namely: a) DRRM/CCA Issues and Concerns; b) Conflict Sensitive & Peace Promoting Initiatives; and c) Gender and Development (GAD).
The work-shop groups focused on the success indicators for each of the following sectors/subsectors and guided by the descriptors culled from the LGU’s vision statement. These are as follows:
- Social Development – Healthy Citizenry, Empowered Citizens and Livable Community.
- Economic Sector – Agricultural Crops, Forestry, Mining/Quarrying, Manufacturing, Livestock/Poultry, Construction, Fisheries, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Transportation & Communication, Water Utilities, Land Use, Finance & Tourism.
- Environmental Management – Lands, Forest Lands, Protection of Forest Lands, Mineral Lands, Parks & Wildlife, Water Resources, Air Quality and Waste Management.
- Infrastucture – Infrastructure support for a) Economic Sector; b) Social Sector; and c) Institutional Sector.
- Institutional Sector – Organizational Management, Fiscal Management and Legislative Output.
Vision-Reality Gap Analysis
After determining the success indicators for each sector/subsector, the ensuing workshop delved on the Vision-Reality Gap Analysis which is the “space between vision & reality”or the “gap between the ideal & what is existing” and determined by using a simple rating scale. Moreover, included in the matrix are the causes and effects of such gaps and the corresponding policy recommendations. Goals and objectives were then formulated for each sector/subsector.
The detailed tabular presentation on the success indicators and gap analysis with the corresponding policy options as well as the sectoral goals and objectives form part of the final report.
CDRA
Relatedly, Ms. Conchie Galeria (DILG) made a presentation on “Mainstreaming Climate & Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA)”,which is the process of studying risks and vulnerabilities of exposed elements of various sectors and what interventions should be considered.She explained the six (6 ) steps in the CDRA process, namely: a) Data collection and analysis; b) Inventory of hazards; c) Determining the scope of impact; d) Developing exposed elements; e) Disaster risk & climate change vulnerability assessment; and f) Summary of findings. The CDRA process is particularly important in the five (5) critical areas, namely: a) Population; b) Urban areas; c) Natural resources-based areas; d) Lifeline utilities; and e) Critical Point facilities.
Sifting of PPAs
The workshop on “Sifting of Programs & Projects (PPAs)” followed. All PPAs in the different sectors were then classified as to whether they are considered projects or services, and appropriate policy recommendations were identified. The Levels of Urgency (e.g. urgent, essential, necessary, desirable, acceptable and deliverable) as well as Ownership (e.g. national, local or private) of these PPAs were also determined.The detailed and complete tabular output of these particular workshops form part of the final report.
Needed Legislations
The next workshop focused on the Needed Legislations (e.g. whether a resolution or an ordinance is needed; whether it is new, amended or replacement; what sector is involved; specific SP Committee; and possible sponsor/s of the legislative measure). The complete listing of needed legislations form part of the final report.
Prioritization/Ranking of Projects
The most critical stage of the workshop is the Prioritization/Ranking of the sectoral programs/projects (to include funding requirements),which the LGU wants to implement. This is embodied in the Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP). The tentative listing of projects are as follows:
Project Rank Project Name Sector Project Cost
1 Purchase of Garbage Environment P17M
Trucks
2 Sanitary Landfill Environment 70M
3 Bahay Pag-asa Social 25M
4 Barangay Market Infrastructure 3M
5 Relocation of Informal Infrastructure 250M
Settlers
6 Implementation of Economic 5M
Credit Facilities
7 Brgy. Water System Infrastructure 20M
8 Implementation of Public Institutional 3M
Governance System
9 Strategic Planning for Economic 5M
Tourism
10 Purchase of Garbage Environment 1M
Collection Pedicabs
11 Evacuation Center Infrastructure 9M
12 Reforestation (Bamboo) Economic 3M
13 Dressing Plant/Feedmill Economic 10M
14 Establishment of Narcotics Social .2M
Anonymous Office
15 Installation of Traffic Economic 10M
Lights/Streetlights
16 Reopening of Lying-in Social 5M
Clinics
17 Cops on Bike Project Social .3M
18 Construction of Sanitary Social 5M
Toilets
19 Installation of Brgy.-Based Environment 1M
Early Warning System
20 Operationalization of Environment .4M
Waste Enforcement Team
21 Data Base for Barangay Institutional 1.5M
Development Projects
22 Reorganization of Staffing Institutional .3M
Pattern
23 Employees Manual Institutional .2M
24 Day Care Centers Social 10M
25 Public Assistance and Institutional .3M
Creation of Records
Management Section
CUMULATIVE TOTAL P455.2M
Funding Source
Possible funding source could come from the 20% Development Fund, Loan Borrowings, Public-Private Partnership Scheme, Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), National Government Funding, etc.Submission of project briefs is a must before project financing can be availed of.
CAPDEV
An important element of CDP and ELA is Capability Development (CAPDEV) Scheme of the LGU. This consists of a) Content Analysis of sectoral PPAs; b) Capacity Assessment; and c) CAPDEV Planning. The CAPDEV Plan Matrix consists of a) Sectoral Goal; b) Priority CAPDEV Plan; c) Target Office/Staff; d) Desired Training; and e) Time Frame.
Core Group
The Core Group, consisting of representatives from each of the sectoral groupings during the workshop, has been tasked to finalize the draft outputs (especially the prioritized projects and the corresponding amounts), consistent with the required ELA reporting format.
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts of the Executive and Legislative Departments of the City Government, as well as the representatives of the National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to draft an ELA, is a monumental step towards the harmonization of programs and policies governing the operations of concerned departments.
Moreover, awareness of the respective programs and policies and maximization of scarce resources are made possible because these were jointly sifted and prioritized by all stakeholders. Likewise, insightful deliberations and healthy interactions among the participants during the workshop produced significant and fruitful results. It is now up to the program implementors to make use of these valuable outputs and make them relevant and responsive to the needs of our constituents. (T. Fortes)