Thursday, February 14, 2008 Antalan: Another piece of government By Rogelio P. Antalan Dateline: Igacos
THERE is so much politicking in Congress, at the Senate, and in the Executive Branch that many people are sick and tired of what's going on. How about some positive report on public service?
Here it is, although it will not merit banner headlines. The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities (LCM) will hold a Country Strategy Review Workshop at the Linden Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, on February 11-13, 2008. This is an ongoing project of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency.
The project, which is called the Municipal Cooperation Program, has a threefold goal, namely, Social Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Economic Well-Being of the participating municipalities and cities.
There are three key result areas to be evaluated:
1. Provision of local services; 2. Better local governance, resource allocation, and operation management 3. Association strengthening in management programming and advocacy
The Municipal Cooperation Program has listed 14 priority issues for review during the workshop, which is important work on governance that can keep LGU really busy and involved:
1. Creation of better local economic development services. Will focus on small and medium business enterprise, eco-tourism development, and programs for vocational/skills/technical enhancements.
2. Housing/ Shelter Services. The National Shelter Program has estimated the backlog of housing need in urban areas at 2.5 million in 2004, 44% of which is in the National Capital Region. What has been done since 2004?
3. Waste management services. With a focus on solid waste, liquid waste, and air quality control at disposal sites, waste collection is not organized and recycling rates are low. Most uncollected wastes are disposed illegally especially in watercourses that threaten public health and contribute to flooding.
4. Natural resource management. The focal point is on coastal resources protection and deforestation. The country's watersheds have been severely degraded and continued degradation of forests, wetlands, and marine areas have caused substantial biodiversity loss. In addition, pollution of water sources such as rivers and lakes is evident in many part of the country.
5. Support alternative service delivery agreements between government and private sector. The Local Government Code encourages local government units (LGUs) to be more entrepreneurial in reducing their reliance on national government revenue sources. LGUs have responded by entering into partnerships with the private sector, relying on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) arrangement, floating bonds and privatizing/ contracting out services, but many other issues remain.
6. Reduction of Graft and Corruption at the political and administrative levels, for better transparency and accountability and good governance. Advocacy for developing more effective political institutions and more accountable political partners.
7. Support inter-local governments units for networking and partnership cooperation for service delivery, particularly for environmental management, inter-municipal cooperative arrangements also foster joint accountabilities, generate more resources and advance policy-making.
8. LGU-National Government Agency Cooperation on plans and programs, particularly for environmental protection. Strengthening linkages between local government and the national government will require permanent working mechanisms to improve the two-way flow of communication and facilitate timely response to LGU needs.
9. Better Financial/Resources Mobilization including alternative revenues and financing sources and improving of economic enterprises to ensure sustainability and continuity of programs and services. Most LGUs need to improve on their performance in revenue generation.
10. Better advocacy of the LCP and LMP to articulate and communicate issues and concerns of members, particularly on fiscal decentralization, economic development and natural resource and environment protection.
11. Provide economic development services to members by developing awareness of the leagues, attract development and investments, development of an LGU portal/ investment system, and organization of trade fairs.
12. Better programs for the sharing of best of practices by the use of information technologies and by the development of better methodologies for the replication of best practices by members.
13. Better operation management of the leagues through clear policies and processes for funding, database management, and improvement of secretariat's personnel's research and advocacy skills.
14. Development of a framework for cooperation between the LCP and the LMP.
In conclusion, this partnership program with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is really designed to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life and sustainability of local communities by developing and empowering local government. Quietly and with firm determination, this Municipal Cooperation Program has kept the participating LGU's fruitfully occupied.
With this, at least there's work being done...not just political bickering
