|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
Philippines
>> Regional Overview >> Philippines Overview ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Philippines
TITLE AND NUMBER: Broadened Participation in Formulation and Implementation of Public Policies,* 492-006
STATUS: Completed
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: None.
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: None.
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1994 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001Summary: USAID will complete its stand-alone democracy program in FY 2001, and has been integrating its DG activities in local governance and civil society across the Mission's portfolio. This strategy ensures that activities to improve local governance and civil society participation will be more directly related to and supportive of USAID's other priorities in areas such as anti-corruption, competitiveness in the marketplace, community-based management of environmental resources, and promoting peace on Mindanao. The local governance program focussed on helping local-level government units become more democratic and more effective. It addressed revenue concerns, and ways of incorporating broad-based participation into governance via NGO involvement, and assisted progressive provinces, municipalities and cities in adopting participatory mechanisms for improved service delivery, environmental management, development investments, resource mobilization, and partnership with business and private sectors. The civil society program focused on developing coalitions of disadvantaged groups, and facilitating their participation in national and local political dialogues. USAID assistance to these coalitions enabled them to analyze and debate policy issues and participates actively, as advocates, in the public policy arena. As these programs come to an end, mechanisms for program continuity and financial sustainability have been set in place.
Key Results: Indicators selected to demonstrate results are: 1) the number of NGO representatives actively participating in local special bodies; 2) the net amount of self-generated revenues collected by target LGUs; 3) the major issues addressed by coalitions; and 4) the skill level of coalitions in identifying and working with interested parties that share the coalition's agenda.
Performance and Prospects: The current democracy and governance program will terminate in September 2001. Performance in 2000 was on track, and the targets were exceeded in several cases. For example, the net amount of self-generated revenues by local government units (LGUs) excluded the target of 1,200 million pesos. And, even with stricter criteria for NGOs' eligibility to participate in local-level special bodies, there were 1,468 of them actively involved-just slightly less than the target of 1,500.
Policy advocacy activities by NGO coalitions have resulted in such changes as: ratification by the Philippine Senate of ILO Convention 182 (Convention Against the Worst Forms of Child Labor); implementation of concrete programs that provide informal sector workers, particularly women and youth, with social protection (e.g., health insurance) and access to resources such as training and capital; and establishment of a women's desk in police precincts to handle complaints related to harassment, abuse and violence.
Local Governance: The Governance and Local Democracy (GOLD) activity has institutionalized participatory development tools and approaches in 46 of the 75 Philippine provinces, 23 of the more than 70 cities, and more than 400 of the 1,500 municipalities. This is about six times the coverage USAID originally anticipated, with only a 20% increase in total funding. Using GOLD's tools, LGUs are now better able to promote investments in their communities, manage the environment, involve more people in governance, and adopt measures of excellence in public service.
Mechanisms were developed or strengthened to ensure program sustainability. Six Centers of Local Governance (CLGs) were established with USAID funds, all of them capable of continuing to provide technical assistance and training to LGUs after the activity ends. Their major expertise includes technology of participation, planning and budgeting, real property taxation, environmental planning, investment prioritization, public service excellence program, community based feedback mechanism, and participatory strategic organizational assessment. The CLGs are now providing technical services to local governments on a reimbursable basis. GOLD sites continue to provide technical assistance to other LGUs, e.g., Bulacan is helping the province of Bataan to incorporate real property tax information in the province's database. Collaboration between LGUs has been established, e.g., the GOLD sites are sharing their experiences on inter-LGU collaboration in the management of natural resources, such as on watershed and municipal bays and waters, to non-GOLD areas. Local government leagues have been professionalized and partnerships established between local government and national agencies, academe and the private sector.
Five GOLD-assisted LGUs recently received the prestigious Galing Pook award for effective and efficient public service: Bulacan province for Information Systems and Technology; Bohol province for cultural tourism and investment promotion; Nueva Vizcaya province for its health sector quality improvement program; Dumaguete City for its integrated livelihood and ecological program; and the municipality of Looc, Romblon for coastal resource management.
GOLD achievements in the field of information systems and technology include completion and piloting of the Financial Trend Monitoring System Guidebook. The Financial Management Information System, which combines the functions of treasury, budget, and accounting, was completed and pilot tested in the province of Negros Oriental where the entire system will be transferred and made available to other LGUs. The Real Property Tax Information System is up and running and is linked to the Geographic Information System in Bulacan.
The Leagues of Local Governments continued to be actively involved in deepening decentralization efforts by collaborating with civil society in formulating local development agenda presented to the new administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo. The close working relationship between the national government, through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Leagues has intensified. The President of the League of Provinces and the Union of Local Authorities has been designated as the new DILG Secretary.
In the close out conference held in January 2001, Governor Josefina de la Cruz of Bulacan Province and Chairperson of the GOLD Project Steering Committee said: "GOLD was instrumental in raising the consciousness level of LGUs to commit to the goals of decentralization. GOLD helped strengthen democracy and empowerment in the Philippines."
Civil Society-Advocacy: As the program winds down, NGO coalitions working on policy advocacy have developed strategies for their financial sustainability and for their coalition partners. Nine grants have been provided to civil society coalitions with technical and financial assistance to develop their fundraising capability. The Asia Foundation (TAF) has developed training modules for board development and governance and various fundraising techniques appropriate for NGOs. The latter initiative aims to gradually wean USAID's long-time NGO partners from dependence on traditional donor grants.
The focus of advocacy activities has been monitoring the implementation of new legislation, e.g., the coalition of indigenous peoples closely monitored implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act to ensure the awarding of Certificates of Ancestral Domain Claims to large indigenous groups like the Manobos and Higaunons of Mindanao.
The coalition of small coconut farmers and farmworkers (BUCO) is recognized as a major stakeholder in the reform of the coconut industry, particularly in the recovery of the coconut levy. The levy was imposed during the Marcos regime, and Marcos and his cronies used the funds (approximately $200 million) to acquire shares of major Philippine companies. This activity strengthened the coconut farmers' capacity to focus on the issues and engage the government as an equal partner. Their capability was proven by their effective participation in top-level government negotiations. BUCO also demonstrated its ability to harness allies from non-farming sectors and the media. Very recently, the Arroyo administration issued an Executive Order declaring the coconut levy to be public funds. The President urged all stakeholders to come to a consensus on the best use and effective disposition of the coconut levy, including implementing mechanisms that will better serve the best interests of the coconut farmers and their families.
Another important achievement is the creation and establishment of the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI). MCPI aims to improve governance of microfinance institutions (MFIs), especially NGOs, and advocates for a better microfinance policy environment. MCPI was largely responsible for the Bangko Sentral's (Central Bank of the Philippines) recognition of MFIs as key players in industry.
Three coalition grantees also implemented a comprehensive program against abusive forms of child labor. The coalitions facilitated the establishment of more than 500 Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPCs). The BCPC is a village-level, multi-sectoral body charged with formulating policies and programs to promote and protect children's rights, including monitoring compliance with Philippine child labor laws. At the national level, the coalition participated extensively in activities related to the ratification of ILO Convention 182. The coalition is recognized by the GOP's Department of Labor and Employment, and the donor community, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and ILO's International Program to Eliminate Child Labor.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None.
Other Donor Programs: USAID continues to coordinate with Canada, the Ford Foundation, Australia and the World Bank in building capacities and spreading USAID's best practices in local governance and civil society.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Associates in Rural Development, Inc. was the major contractor for local governance support. The major grantees for civil society-advocacy are Agricultural Cooperative Development International; Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance; American Center for International Labor Solidarity; CARE; Gerry Roxas Foundation; Mondragon International Philippines, Inc.; Philippine Business for Social Progress; Pearl S. Buck International; Strategic Program for Enhancing Education and Development in Mindanao; The Asia Foundation; TSPI Development Corporation; and World Vision Relief and Development.
* Previously notified as Sustainable, Self-Correcting Democratic Governance Nationwide.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Philippines: 492-006
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY00 (Plan) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Net amount of self-generated revenues collected by target LGs 817 974 1,150 1,319 1200 NA NA Indicator 2: The coalition identifies and works with interested parties that share and are willing to support the coalition's agenda: level 3. 3 5 11 13 NA NA NA Indicator 3: NGOs representatives actively participating in local special bodies v693 1,021 1,153 1,468 1,500 NA NA Indicator 4: Major issues addressed by the coalitions documented in narratives NA see narrative see narrative see narrative NA NA NA Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S) or (IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Pesos (million) LGs Budget Operations Statement from local Government Units (LGs) NA Indicator 2: IR Number of coalitions at level 3. Levels of sophistication vis-a-vis selected indicators. The levels are based on the occurrence or completion of activities, tasks, events, etc. agreed to between the Mission and the coalitions as critical to achievement of IR2 objectives. Levels of sophistication of the coalitions are described as follows: Level 1 - The coalition can link with like-minded NGOs and POs, other stakeholders (academe, media, business sector, etc.), and international organizations; Level 2 - The coalition can identify common positions with other parties; Level 3 - The coalition can undertake joint activities/programs with identified partners and stakeholders. Grantee progress reports, contractor monitoring reports, field visits Coalitions at level 3 are: ACDI/VOCA, ACILS/DAW, ACILS/ISP, CARE, GRF, MIPI, PBSP/IP, PSBI, SPEED, TSPI, WVRD Indicator 3: IR Number of NGOs accredited by LGs Surveys in target LGs by ARD (contractor) NA Indicator 4: IR Issues addresed Progress reports and field visits from grantees, contractors, and USAID staff Selected narratives depicting the coalition's successes will be submitted on an annual basis. These narratives should capture the various stages of policy development through a participatory and consultative system U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 47,217 DA 39,292 DA 7,925 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 492 ESF 492 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA 1,850 MAI 0 MAI 1,850 MAI 0 DCA 0 DCA 0 DCA Fiscal Year 2000 800 DA 2,632 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 MAI 146 MAI 0 DCA 0 DCA Through September 30, 2000 48,017 DA 41,924 DA 6,093 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 492 ESF 492 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA 1,850 MAI 146 MAI 1,704 MAI 0 DCA 0 DCA 0 DCA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 MAI 0 DCA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 MAI 0 DCA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 MAI 0 DCA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 48,017 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 492 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 MAI 0 MAI 1,850 MAI 0 DCA 0 DCA 0 DCA
 |
|||
Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
