LGSP II Extension - Program Components
Support to the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) Enhancement and National Implementation
More emphasis was placed on maximizing the use of the LGPMS as a result of the first national data capture in 2005. This involved continuing provision of technical assistance to select provincial, city and municipal LGUs and to select user groups like the LGU Leagues in using the LGPMS reports in various activities and principally in the writing of the state of local governance reports. Overall guidance to the DILG's national implementation in preparation for the second data entry in April 2006 was also provided to further strengthen the LGPMS implementation mechanisms at all levels.
Visit the LGPMS website at www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpms
Strengthening the Local Planning System
LGSP supported 3 major areas in its work to strengthen the local planning system:
1. Integrating the more simplified ELA as the term-based component of DILG' s Rational Planning System (RPS)
2. Advocacy on ELA to national agencies that have devolved functions as a measure to promote harmony in local planning
3. Initial capacity building for DILG' s more systematic approach to capacity building and advocacy for ELA within the RPS framework
The project intensified remaining program activities towards formulating concrete proposals to simplify and integrate the ELA in DILG's proposed RPS. As the RPS aimed to simplify and rationalize the components that compose the planning system, the ELA was an important input to making the RPS more functional and relevant to LGUs. In addition, support of the program was geared toward informing more stakeholders such as national agencies with devolved functions and select local government leagues on the advantages and potential of the RPS-ELA in harmonizing local planning activities.
Support to DILG Organizational Development
Executive Order (EO) 366 directs departments and agencies of the Executive Department to review their operations in the face of challenges confronting the public sector, such as globalization, increasing demographic pressures and scarce resources. Further, EO 366 mandates the departments and agencies to define their proper role in society and focus their efforts on core governance functions and improve their performance, thereby contributing to reforms that will transform the bureaucracy into an efficient and results-oriented structure.
This initiative was a strategic response to EO No. 366. It was designed to provide support to the DILG's reorganization so that DILG would provide better leadership needed to continue supporting the expansion of LGU capacity development throughout the country.
Issuing E.O. 444 mandated the DILG to conduct a strategic review of decentralization and devolution, and provided not only technical assistance in developing a framework for the review of devolution, but also provided inputs to the Rationalization Plans of selected sectors.
Policy Development and Advocacy
LGSP and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), through the Municipal Partnership Program of its International Centre for Municipal Development (ICMD), were involved for several years in strengthening local governments in the Philippines. A key feature of LGSP's and FCM's programming was to create an enabling environment at the national level for better local governance in the Philippines. Both programs recognized the need to build the capacity of the Philippine local government sector to address policy issues that impeded the ability of local governments to effectively carry out their legislated mandate.
This project was geared to provide support to the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in enhancing technical skills of the secretariats and strengthening their organizations for policy development and advocacy, in order that they be more involved in developing relevant policy and become stronger advocates for their members. Capacity development was also extended to the League of Provinces and Liga Ng Mga Barangay in their policy work with the Committee on Devolution.
DILG Local Governance Resource Centers (LGRCs)
As part of its Sustainability and Phase-out Plan, LGSP II supported the establishment of the Local Governance Resource Center (LGRCs). The pilot resource centers were situated in seven (7) pilot DILG Regional Offices and in the Local Government Academy Training Center as the National LGRC.
Anchored on the principles of Knowledge Management, Multi-stakeholdership, Linkage and Convergence, the LGRC was designed to further strengthen the role of DILG as a catalyst in local governance. The LGRC supports decentralization through its vision of creating virtual, dynamic and interactive resource centers at the regional level that promote the culture of learning and knowledge sharing and in the process strengthen the enabling environment at the regional and provincial levels. Other objectives of the LGRC include: consolidating the wealth of information and knowledge on good governance, improving access to knowledge, and promoting replication and increased awareness of exemplary practices.
Replication of Exemplary Practices
The main focus of the LGSP replication agenda was to continue its support to DILG's Governance Facility for Adaptation and Replication (GOFAR), in promoting replication of practices that were proven to be effective solutions to common local government problems through a systematic and supportive process of peer-to-peer learning. This approach to replication also aimed to contribute to the sustainable well-being of citizens and advancement of local government with the least possible cost and effort.
Secondly, LGSP assisted other selected organizations interested in adopting replication of exemplary practices among LGU peers as a mechanism of capacity development for the local government sector.
Communicating and Disseminating LGSP Results and Gains
Finally, a comprehensive communications program was in place to address the following: ensure sustainability of the program gains and impact, continue sharing lessons learned, support the process of institutionalization and enhance public awareness of good local governance and development. Communications implemented activities in accordance with the LGSP Communication, Dissemination and Replication Strategy and in support of project activities in local planning, policy development and advocacy, replication and local governance performance management. Part of this thrust was to strength the targeted dissemination of knowledge products, tools and frameworks to target users. Moreover, as part of the overall strategy, the communications component of the program included building capacities in communications within the enabling environment and continuing to mainstream communication in existing projects.
