Monday, July 19, 2004 Provincial planning ‘key to growth in RP economy’
MANILA -- Provincial planning and implementation are keys to pro-poor economic growth as they are more responsive to the needs of the people, particularly the rural poor, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri said.
To bring about quality provincial plans, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) recently conducted intensive capacity-building workshops for about 150 provincial planners nationwide. Neri conceptualized the workshops.
“We targeted provincial planning and development coordinators particularly because they possess the institutional memory that is essential in provincial planning,” Neri said during the workshops.
Unlike local elective officials, local planners stay in their posts across different administrations. This makes it imperative that their capabilities be maximized, Neri explained.
Provinces are central to development because of their broadened responsibilities, increased share in national resources and authority to generate revenues under the 1991 Local Government Code, Neri furthered.
“Provinces can also take advantage of scale economies and inter-LGU networks which can yield greater benefits and lessen the cost of providing goods and services, given its supervisory powers over its component municipalities and cities,” Neri said.
Shared
“For example, when one service or good is shared by several municipalities, in effect, cost becomes less because more people are able to benefit from it. This may apply to dams, sanitary landfills and heavy equipment,” Neri said.
Neri stressed the importance of effective planning at the provincial level especially in guiding provinces make sustainable investment decisions. He said this also involves enabling provinces to perform their increasing responsibilities more effectively.
Provinces are the most efficient economic units in government as they are independently wealthy compared to the national government and municipalities, he said.
The workshops were conducted for provincial and regional planners in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cebu City, Davao City and Subic Freeport Zone.
Management
Workshop topics included pro-poor economic growth such as poverty alleviation and economic growth. Also discussed were local fiscal management, environmental and spatial planning, micro-enterprise development and knowledge networking.
The project was funded by the German Cooperation for Development and the Asia-Europe Meeting Trust Fund. (PNA)
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