THE Iloilo Caucus of Development NGO’s (Iloilo Code) is set to launch a project with the European Union in line with the Strategic Projects Facility (SPF 2) under its program Dialogue on Governance.
The project is tagged “Institutionalizing Social Contracts for Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) and Effective Population, Health and Environment (PHE) Service Delivery” and will be launched at the Iloilo Grand Hotel in Iloilo City on February 26, 2010, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“This project is a significant undertaking as we are in the election year and accountable and transparent governance are obviously among the major qualities that the citizenry wish to know regarding public officials in their particular municipalities and community,” said Boyet Areño, executive director of Iloilo Code NGO’s.
The initiative is aimed in promoting alliances with the Local Government Units (LGUs) in order to institutionalize and popularize performance-based governance for the effective delivery of basic public services on population, health, and the environment.
Areño further explained that “the project will contribute in the fulfillment of the thrusts of Local Governments as the project’s overall objective is to enhance LGU capability by building efficient and more responsive governance effort in the municipal and community levels for the effective delivery of services to its marginalized constituents.”
“We believe that improving the delivery of services to the marginalized sectors is key in uplifting the quality of life of the poor in our society,” emphasized by Areño
The project is in partnership with the Alliance of Northern Iloilo for Health and Development (Anihead) and Provido Calinog-Bingawan PRO-CaBin Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ) and will be implemented in two-years period.
Around 11 LGUs from Ajuy to Carles and Bingawan to Calinog have already expressed their commitment to actively participate in the project by their respective LGUs to performance accounting, starting this election and with public reporting after the election.
The highlight of the launching activity will be a symbolic signing of a social contract between Iloilo Code NGO’s and representatives of Anihead with Batad Municipal Mayor Elvira Alarcon and Calinog town Mayor Alex Centina and the chairperson of PRO-CaBin.
Among the partner institutions and regional government agencies that are expected to attend are from the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Health, Iloilo Provincial Planning and Development Office, Iloilo Provincial Health Office and a delegation from the European Union. (PR)