National Anti-Poverty Commission
Secretariat
CY
2008 Physical Accomplishment Report
This
report provides information concerning the key accomplishments of the National
Anti-Poverty Commission Secretariat for 2008. The accomplishments are
catalogued by Major Final Output.
MAJOR FINAL OUTPUT #1:
PLANS/POLICY FORMULATION AND PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
1.1
Development of pro-poor
policies, guidelines, and issuances, necessary measures, i.e. resource
mobilization, research, IEC development, publication and dissemination
1.1.1
NAPC’s mandate is to oversee, monitor
and recommend measures to ensure the effective formulation, implementation and
evaluation of policies, programs and resource allocation and management of
social reform and poverty alleviation programs.
The agency through its units provided technical
inputs and comments to various policy papers. Specifically, the Macropolicy Unit
spearheaded and consolidated the inputs that serve as the agency’s official
stand to different pertinent documents that address poverty and other related
issues.
1.2 Policy and oversight
1.2.1 NAPC Cabinet Group Meetings
The NAPC Secretariat provided technical and
administrative support for the Cabinet Secretariat during three (3) NAPC
Cabinet Group Meetings, ten (10) Joint NAPC-NEDA Cabinet Group Meetings, thirteen
(13) Cabinet Assistance System (CAS) Meetings, and three (3) NAPC Cabinet Group
Preparatory Meetings. The secretariat also took the lead in the preparation of
updates on Presidential Directives arising from cabinet meetings.
1.2.2 Investor’s Forum
The implementation of a widespread information and
advocacy campaign is one of the agency’s primary strategies for the expansion of
microfinance and microenterprise services for poor folk throughout the country.
NAPC issued a nationwide Call for Microfinance Capacity Building proposals to broaden public awareness about the People’s
Development Trust Fund (PDTF). The activity served to widen the opportunities of
organizations that implement microfinance and micro-enterprise projects.
The PDTF Secretariat received 11 project proposals
for grant funding. These came from the Cooperative Bank of Palawan, Hometown
Corporation, People’s Bank of CARAGA, Inc., Rural Bank of Guinobatan,
Agricultural and Rural Development for Cataduanes, Inc., Surigao Economic Devt
Foundation, Inc., United Microfinance Cooperative, Habagat Agribusiness Corp.,
Inc., and the LGU of Limasawa, Southern Leyte, Municipality of Basey, Samar and
Alalay Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI).
The PDTF Executive Committee approved two (2)
project proposals. These were of the Cooperative Bank of Palawan
and the Hometown Corporation.
1.2.3 Implementation of Philippine Microfinance Literacy
Program (PMLP)
The agency leads the PMLP, a major microfinance technical
training program. The program aims to
institutionalize and improve available financial education services for the
poor, focusing on critical interventions for various stakeholders in the
microfinance sector. NAPC conducted five regional PMLP training of trainers
(TOT) seminars in 2008. These covered areas yet that lack microfinance services.
This year, TOTs were conducted in
Dipolog City for Regions IX and X; Ilo-Ilo City for Regions VI and VII;
Tacloban City for Region VIII; Baguio City for Cordillera Administrative
Region; and Naga City for Region V. The entire program was able to train 119
trainers.
The agency likewise conducted a Program Test Run
for Financial Literacy Trainers in the priority areas of Luzon,
VIsayas, and Mindanao. Some 146 trainers received instructions and training
in seminars conducted in Leyte, the NCR, and Surigao del Sur,
In addition, the agency conducted five (5) provincial
PMLP seminars, providing additional training for some 359 trainers from 13
provinces. The seminars were held in Surigao City, Baguio City, Catbalogan, Masbate, and Naga City.
1.2.4 Assessment of the President’s Priority Program on
Water (P3W)
NAPC undertook an evaluative study of the P3W,
assessing the institutional
sustainability of the projects implemented under the program. The study reviewed
issues concerning the legal, policy and administrative framework of the program;
project design issues; and operational and implementation issues. The study was
completed under the leadership of the NAPC- WASCO Technical Advisory Group
through an independent consultant.
The assessment and findings of the program were
presented to the NAPC Secretariat through an exit conference. As a result of
the study, several recommendations were made. These included: a.) the integration
of the P3W into the Roadmap Sector Framework and the provision of clear
guidelines and oversight mechanisms for national to local collaboration; b.) the
strengthening of the regulatory framework at the local level; c.) the improvement
of project designs by incorporating results-based criteria, the participation
of beneficiaries in determining priorities and project monitoring, and clear
accountability mechanisms at both the national and local levels; and d.) the
establishment of a process to lay-out a clear set of institutional arrangements
at the local level which are to be integrated into project designs.
1.3 Poverty data collection, analysis and utilization
in aid of policy making
The Secretariat continues to develop and maintain
poverty statistics and reference materials for other agencies and for the
public. The agency also provided technical inputs for the official release of
the 2006 Official Poverty Statistics of the National Statistical Coordination
Board in March 2008.
1.4 Formulation and consolidation of Annual Work plan,
Accomplishment Reports and Plan and Budget Proposal
The NAPC Macropolicy Unit led the design and
completion of the agency’s 2009 Plan and Budget Proposal. The unit prepared and
calculated budgetary requirements using Agency Performance Measures, MFO Budget
Matrix, as well as the accomplishment Reports of various units.
MAJOR FINAL OUTPUT #2:
ADVOCACY, NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIP-BUILDING
2.1
Institutionalization,
mainstreaming and localization of convergence approaches at the regional and
local government systems
2.1.1
Conduct of capacity-building for
LGUs
§
The NAPC Secretariat, in
cooperation with CBMS Network Team, continues to instruct and guide local
governments on the use of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS). The
system is an organized process of data collection and processing at the local
level. The data collected through CBMS is then integrated into local planning,
program implementation and impact-monitoring.
The CBMS training program covers four (4)
modules: Module 1—Data Collection, Module 2—Encoding and Digitizing of
Spotmaps, Module 3—Data Processing and Poverty Mapping, and Module 4—Socioeconomic
Profile and Barangay Development Plan Writeshop.
With funding support from the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), NAPC has conducted a total of five CBMS advocacy
and training seminars in priority provinces identified by the National
Nutrition Council (NNC) under the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP).
These are:
o Sarangani – Modules 2, 3 and 4
o Zamboanga del Sur – Module 4
o Zamboanga del Norte – Module 1, 2 and 3
o Agusan del Norte – Module 4
The team also provided training and orientation
briefings for the local governments of provinces and cities that have expressed
an interest in CBMS. Namely:
o Tarlac – Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4
o Pampanga – Orientation
o Quezon City –
Orientation
o League of Municipalities, League of Cities, League of
Provinces – Orientation
o ASEAN Study Group
To administer the last leg of CBMS
training in the provinces - Module 4 – Socioeconomic Profile and Barangay
Development Plan Writeshop, the NAPC pool of trainers underwent additional
training under the supervision of the Angelo King Institute (AKI).
As of September 2008, CBMS was utilized
in the development planning programs of 52 provinces (out of which 25 provinces
are implementing CBMS province-wide), 506 municipalities, 41 cities, and 13,248
barangays.
§
With funding from
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), NAPC conducted the Nationwide
Advocacy Forum for the Installation of the CBMS in Local Planning Systems. The
activity was designed to intensify CBMS promotion and advocacy efforts, and
consequently expand the adoption of the system among provincial LGUs. The
forums were conducted in the NCR, the Visayas, and Mindanao. These gatherings became a venue for information sharing
on CBMS experiences and for soliciting commitments among the participating
provincial governors to implement the system and incorporate it in their
planning system.
The Regional Directors of NEDA,
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinators, Provincial and Regional
Directors of DILG, as well as the Mayors and other LGU Officials, participated
in the forums.
§
The agency likewise
carried out special microfinance technical information and training seminars
for local governments. The program, which included a skills training and
development component through the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), to ensure the availability of affordable capital required to
set up household based income generating projects and to facilitate the
development of microenterprise.
2.1.2
Conduct of Quarterly Basic Sector
Council Meetings
This gathers the Basic Sector Council (BSC) members
and leaders in quarterly regular council meetings with government agencies,
allied civil society organizations, and other development partners to share
information and discuss pressing problems, issues and constraints that hinder
or slow down sectoral development; and agree on the measures to address them,
including the formulation and advocacy of policies and programs. For the year
2008, forty-five (45) Basic Sector council meetings were conducted.
2.1.3
Conduct of Ugnayan Laban sa
Kahirapan
The Ugnayan program involves the provision of
assistance to communities in the country’s 15 poorest provinces and the NCR.
Such assistance involves rapid participatory community diagnosis; facilitation
of identified critical needs like water, electricity and other utilities
through the convergence approach; organizational development; conduct of
community skills training; and facilitation for the conduct of microfinance
training.
The Ugnayan Team attended to the needs of 10 areas in
the NCR. The agency was able to extend services to one priority province this
year: Masbate.
The team facilitated the conduct of two community
dialogues in as many areas, less than the three targeted for the year. The
dialogues were conducted in Smokey Mountain and Sitio Damayan in Parola, Tondo. The NAPC
Secretary led the team during the dialogues.
The team also facilitated the conduct of 30 TESDA
training seminars in seven Ugnayan areas in the NCR, namely: Navotas; Parola;
Smokey Mountain; Baseco Compound; Maricaban, Pasay; Payatas, Quezon City; and
Pasig. The seminars involved 886 participants. The training courses included basic
hair cutting, basic reflexology; dressmaking; building wiring installation; automotive
wiring installation; automotive mechanics; consumer electronics; bead
jewelry making, soap making, and throw pillow-making.
2.1.4
Participation in the People's
Government Mobile Action (PGMA) Caravan
The agency participated in 14 PGMA caravans in 2008.
These caravans were conducted in Lanao del Norte (Tubod), Misamis Occidental
(Oroquieta, Ozamis, Calamba and Baliangao); Pasig (Manggahan),
Pangasinan, Abra, La Union, Benguet, Taguig, Baguio City,
Pampanga and Western Samar.
2.1.5
Conduct of Basic Sector Summit
Once every year during their three-year incumbency,
the members and leaders of the BSC meet in a summit to share and learn from
sectoral experiences, and craft and commit to the implementation of
cross-sectoral policy and program agenda. The 2008 National Basic Sector
Summit was held in February 17-19,
2008.
2.1.6
Conduct of Sectoral Representative
Council (SRC) Meeting
The Sectoral Representative Council (SRC) is
composed of all 14 Sectoral Representatives, or the appointed (presidential)
heads of the BSCs. The SRC: a) serves as a venue for consolidating the basic
sectors’ positions on problems, issues, needs and concerns that affect them; b)
provides support to cross-sectoral concerns and linkage with national NGAs and
LGUs; c) initiates, formulates and develops cross-sectoral programs; d)
consolidates the basic sector’s position and agenda for presentation to the
NAPC En Banc; e) formulates a common and united stand on issues affecting the
basic sectors; f) deals with the government and the private sector as a solid
official body; and g) assists in the accessing resources for the program and
activities of the sectoral councils. The SRC conducts its regular meeting at
least two days before every scheduled NAPC En Banc Meeting. Only two (2) SRC meetings
were conducted in 2008.
2.1.7
Facilitation of Regional KALAHI
Convergence Group (RKCG) Meetings
The RKCGs are the NAPC’s representation at the sub-national
levels. As such, the RKCGs oversee the anti-poverty reduction initiatives of national
government agencies, Local Government Units, and other government and
non-government agencies at the regional level. The agency’s efforts at this
level are headed by the Presidential Assistants for Regional Development
(OPARD) and supported by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Regional Office (RO) as secretariat. These provide technical assistance to the
operations of the RKCGs, such as assistance in operational planning and the
development of agenda for its quarterly meetings. They also extend operational
support to the OPARD and the NEDA-RO.
In January, the NAPC Localization Unit led the
organization and conduct of a forum entitled “Secretary’s Dialogue with the
Presidential Assistants and the NEDA Regional Directors.” The leader of the Basic
Sector Forum, the mechanism for dialogue and coordination among the leaders,
called Sectoral Representatives (if with presidential appointments) or
Officers-in-Charge (if without presidential appointment), of the NAPC’s 14
basic sector councils, also attended the forum. The forum yielded two key
agreements: (a) that the NAPC Secretariat should provide financial and
technical support for the operations of the RKCGs, while (b) Presidential
Assistants and NEDA should work to activate and revitalize the RKCGs.
The agency allocated some P250,000 for each RKCG,
to be released in two semestral tranches, through the NEDA regional offices,
and P200,000, to be released in four equal quarterly tranches, through the
OPARDs.
As of Dec. 20, all NEDA regional offices have
received financial support for the RKCG operations for the first semester worth
P125, 000. Only two regions have availed of the second tranche.
Among the OPARDs, 13 have received their
first-quarter allocation, seven (7) have received their succeeding
second-quarter allocation; two have received their third-quarter allocation;
and one has received its fourth quarter allocation. One received its
fourth-quarter allocation, having signed the memorandum of agreement only in
the fourth quarter.
Except for those in the ARMM and the NCR, the 15
other RKCGs have restarted their operations and are at various levels of
revitalization. This represents an accomplishment rating of 88% success.
Four RKCGs (Regions II, IVA, IVB and VI) have conducted
four regular quarterly meetings and five RKCGs (Region I, III, V, VII and X)
held three quarterly meetings. The others met for either one or two regular
meetings.
Region XII is, as of this writing, conducting its
re-organizational meeting, and is poised to re-start its regular operations
first quarter next year.
The ARMM Regional Government has agreed in
principle to strengthen the representation of the RKCG in the area, and has
issued a yet to be numbered executive order, instituting an RKCG in the
region. The region, led by the Presidential Assistant, shall conduct its
organizational and inaugural meeting upon official issuance of the document.
In all, the NAPC facilitated the conduct of 41 RCKG
meetings this year.
In addition, the RKCGs also conducted small-group
or cluster meetings that discussed regional issues and concerns pertaining to
the following themes: asset reform, human development services and social
protection, livelihood and employment, and institutional development and
capacity building. Outputs of these small group meetings were inputted into
the RKCG en banc or regular meetings.
Across the RKCGs, the most common agenda discussed
were: the review and identification of new Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI)
areas, or the poorest areas targeted for convergent interventions in the
region, which was prompted by the availability of new targeting aids,
including the 2006 poverty statistics and the small-area poverty estimates
released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB); planning for
convergence programs; and planning and mobilization for the implementation of
the Guidelines for Accreditation of Organizations pursuant to Administrative
Order 187, including the identification and engagement of basic sector
organizations that may vie for membership in the successor basic sectoral
councils that will be formed next year.
2.1.8
Road show on PDTF, PMLP and
Consumer Protection
In partnership with the People’s Credit and Finance
Corporation, NAPC conducted Road shows to broaden awareness on the PDTF and the
significance of support mechanisms for the microfinance sector.
The road show was designed to improve the
capacities of MFIs, LGUs, and other microfinance and microenterprise service
providers and greater outreach of their services.
Road shows were conducted in Tacloban
City, Butuan City, and in Baguio City. Additional two roads shows were conducted in Bohol and
Quezon City to accommodate the request of the LGUs. Some 273 representatives
from LGUs and MFIs participated in the activity.
2.1.9
Conduct of National Week for
Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP)
The NWOEP is an annual event held on from 17 to 23
October. The NAPC leads the organization and conduct of the event in
cooperation with partners in the government, the private sector, civil society,
basic sectors and donor agencies. Among the agency’s major partners include
the United Nations (UN) System in the Philippines and the All Together in Dignity Fourth World. This
year, the main events of the week included a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of
the poor at the Rizal Park, the conduct of the Stand Up Take Action (SUTA)
campaign and the People’s Day event, which was attended by thousands of poor
folk from Metro Manila. The Philippines achieved a record-breaking rate of participation
in the worldwide event, as a total 35 million Filipinos participated in the
SUTA event.
2.2
Strengthening of
institutional arrangements and partnerships among stakeholders, as well as
organizational capacities in social reform and poverty reduction
2.2.1
ASEAN Networking and dialogue
The NAPC liaises
with regional and international organizations such as ASEAN in its efforts of
rural development and poverty eradication.
The NAPC was the
chair of the Senior Official Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty
Eradication from 2005 to 2008. This year, the chairmanship was turned over to Singapore.
The ASEAN’s Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Committee guides regional
cooperation activities in key priority areas, including the social impact of
globalization, narrowing the digital divide, social protection, employment and
income generation, narrowing the development gap, partnerships and local
participations. In the 6th SOMRDPE, held in October 2008, the Draft
ASCC Blueprint, Draft Joint Declaration on ASEAN Development Goals, Draft ASEAN
Millennium Development Compact and Draft ASEAN Roadmap for the Implementation
of the MDGs were fruitfully discussed; these documents would be the framework
of ASEAN in its future cooperation on rural development and poverty eradication
within the region.
On February 2008,
two Australian consultants, Peter Warr and Kimberly McClean, visited the
Philippines to gather necessary information on the progress
of the country’s bid to achieve the MDGs. NAPC facilitated technical discussions
with the consultants, providing them with the necessary materials and documents
for the completion of the regional study on Poverty
Reduction and Social Development in ASEAN: Towards an ASEAN Roadmap for the Implementation
of the Millennium Goals Plus. On April 2008 a regional workshop was held in
Bangkok, Thailand to discuss the results of the study.
NAPC, through its
Macropolicy Unit, prepared and consolidated materials and briefing kits for the
Philippine delegation headed by the NAPC Lead Convenor for ASEAN related
meetings.
NAPC officials
attended the following ASEAN conferences in 2008:
§
Briefing on the Programmes of
ASEAN Foundation, 14th Floor Bulwagang Blas Ople, Department of Foreign Affairs Bldg. Roxas
Boulevard, Pasay
City, 01 April 2008.
§
Regional Workshop under the
Regional study on Poverty Reduction and Social Development in ASEAN: Towards an
ASEAN Roadmap for the Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals Plus, Bangkok,
Thailand, 28-29 April 2008.
§
4th Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN
Socio-Cultural Community (SOC-COM) Jakarta, Indonesia 21-22 April 2008- aims to exchange views on the
draft Framework for the ASCC development as well as on the appropriate process
of finalizing the Framework. It also discussed on identifying the ASEAN
Sectoral Ministerial Body or bodies which will coordinate the implementation of
ASCC.
§
5th Coordinating
Conference for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOC-COM) Jakarta,
Indonesia 22-23 September 2008.
§
8th ASEAN Science
and Technology and National Science and Technology Week, World Trade Center, Pasay City, 7
and 11 July 2008- The event had significantly contributes to the
efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance awareness
and appreciation of the heightened importance of Science and Technology in the
region. It was a one week celebration that provided venue for closer
interaction and collaboration among the region’s scientists, engineers,
professionals and academicians as well as the private sector, for the
development of S&T in Southeast Asian countries.
§ 6th Meeting of the Senior Officials on
Poverty Eradication and Rural Development (6th SOMRDPE), Singapore,
13-14 October 2008.
§ 1st ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting
on Poverty Eradication and Rural Development, Singapore, 15 October 2008.
§ ASEAN-UN Meeting on Food Security, Diamond Hotel, Manila,
11-12 November 2008- the meeting convened the members of the ASEAN, the UN
Specialized agencies and other international stakeholders and agreed on areas
of cooperation on food security in the region under the framework of the Memorandum
of Understanding between the ASEAN and UN on ASEAN-UN Cooperation. The NAPC
provided technical support in this activity and part of the substantive
secretariat who documented the meeting.
§
ASEAN Social Forum, Hyatt
Hotel, Manila, 28-30 November 2008- it served as a venue to
gather non –government organizations and civil societies to gather their inputs
and recommendations on how they can cooperate with ASEAN in its efforts on
social development.
2.2.2
Networking and coordination
meetings with religious groups, business groups, the academe, civil society, and
NGOs.
To maintain a continuing partnership with the private
sector, religious groups, civil society, the academe, and NGOs, the agency
actively participated in the various workshops, conferences and dialogues.
For this year, the agency was involved in 15 workshops
and conferences. Some of these are workshops in Country Environment Analysis
(CEA) by World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) where NAPC is a
regular participant. Also, the agency took part in the learning sessions and
discussion fora of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) such as the 79th
Edition of the Globalization Lecture Series: Waging Peace through Interfaith
Dialogue and Cooperation, among others.
2.2.3
Networking and coordination with
the legislative sector and NGAs
To strengthen its partnership with other government
agencies as well as the legislative sector, NAPC attended and participated in several
inter-agency meetings and discussions concerning poverty alleviation.
One of the major activities where the agency took part
is the 3rd Legislator’s Forum held on 17-19 November. The Committee
on People’s Participation, Committee on Rural Development, Committee on the
MDGs, and Committee on Poverty Alleviation in coordination with UNDP convene a
three-day Consultative Partnership Forum-Workshop. The workshop was attended by
major poverty agencies, partner institutions, and key stakeholders. This
workshop was able to draw-up the implementing mechanism for the proposed
Legislative-Executive Partnership through: a.) enhance coordination among all
players and stakeholders; b.) continuing information-sharing; and c.) status
monitoring and periodic evaluation or impact assessment of pro-poor
consolidated efforts and positive actions.
Other activities and meetings attended were the NEDA
Social Development Council (SDC) Technical Board Meetings and Climate Change
meetings by the Office of the Presidential Assistance on Global Warming and
Climate Change where NAPC is a regular attendee, among others.
2.2.4
Participation in the
Implementation of AO 225 and AO 225-A
NAPC continued to oversee the implementation of AO
225, “Harnessing Idle Resources to Uplift
the Poor and Boost Rice Supply to Cushion the Country from Price Spikes” and
monitored compliance to the directive by concerned GOCCS/GFIs/SSIs. In view of
the need to incorporate a provision in the said Order for the effective and
synchronized implementation of projects in rice and food production by the
concerned agencies, President Arroyo issued AO 225-A, “Amending AO 225”.
Meetings with the concerned agencies were held to discuss the status of
implementation of the Presidential directive. Further to the implementation of
AO No. 225 and as amended by AO 225-A, the guidelines governing the
implementation of the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) was issued per DA
Administrative Order No. 23 dated 07
July 2008. As stated in the
guidelines, a Fund Governing Board shall be created to provide direction and
exercise supervision over the AGFP. The Governing Board regularly met to
apprise the members on the status of the AGFP.
2.2.5
Participation to Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
The National Anti-Poverty Commission is part of the
4Ps National Advisory Committee. The Committee meets once a month to discuss
updates and policy issues concerning the program.
2.2.6
Accelerated Hunger Mitigation
Program (AHMP)
§
The NAPC, in close coordination
with the National Nutrition Council (NNC), conducted provincial/city/municipal
planning and validation workshops for the AHMP. The workshops sought to assess
the country’s overall hunger situation and formulate local action plans to reduce
the incidence of hunger among the Filipino poor.
The NAPC collaborated with major stakeholders in
the conduct of meetings and consultation workshops for the AHMP to discuss the
merits of current hunger-mitigation initiatives, identify issues requiring
policy action, come up with viable recommendations for the integration of the
Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Adequate Food in the AHMP framework and to
develop efficient and effective institutional mechanisms for the smooth
implementation of the activities of the Program.
The NAPC in partnership with the Asia-Pacific
Policy Center (APPC) and with support from the Food and Agriculture
Organizations of the United Nations (FAO)-Philippines continues to pursue the strengthening of
institutional efforts, programs and mechanisms to ensure the successful
implementation of the AHMP.
Relatedly, a High-Level Multisectoral Consultation
on Fighting Hunger the Right to Food
Way was held on September 3-4, 2008
at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. The consultation provided an opportunity to:
o
Discuss and validate the
following areas of concern:
-Root causes of hunger and the characteristics of
the poor in the Philippines;
-Legal framework on the right to food; and
-Issues, concerns and best practices on social
safety nets.
o
Deliberate on key issues and
concerns and pinpoint recommendations arising from the Right to Food Assessment;
o
Craft a Multi-Sectoral
Declaration to Fight Hunger, the Right to Food Way, which shall be presented to
the NAPC Cabinet Group for adoption and action; and
o
Set-up a workable institutional
mechanisms for future steps and undertakings.
§
The agency, in coordination
with the NNC, organized an Orientation Workshop on the Voluntary Guidelines on
the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of
National Food Security which was held on September 25-26, 2008 at the Sunrise Holiday Mansion Hotel in Tagaytay
City. The workshop was designed to:
o
Familiarize the Anti-Hunger
Task Force on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Progressive Realization of the
Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security;
o
Facilitate discussions on the
positive elements of the current hunger-mitigation initiatives, identify policy
issues and elicit recommendations for the harmonization and integration of the
Voluntary Guidelines in the AHMP framework; and
o To establish efficient and effective institutional
mechanisms for the smooth implementation of the activities of the Anti-Hunger
Task Force
2.2.7
Strengthening of the NAPC Public Affairs
and Social Marketing Program.
§
The media bureau issued at least
85 press and photo release over the past year. Apart from publicizing the policies
and programs of the agency, the bureau continued to support the public
information campaigns of other government agencies and institutions, writing
and issuing press releases about the pro-poor programs of the Department of
Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PHIC), and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP),
among others.
All stories issued saw wide publication, and were read
by an estimated one million people across country, based on the combined
circulation of the agency’s print and on-line partners in the news media.
§
Press conferences were also organized
and coordinated. Twelve major press conferences were conducted for this year
for events such as the launch of the National Financial Literacy Campaign and
the UN Right to Food Philippines Campaign.
§
The bureau also assisted in the
writing of spiels for the agencies regular radio plugs, which were aired over
the DZRH morning program, Damdaming Bayan. This promoted public awareness of
the government’s various anti-poverty programs, and were mostly based on
previously issued press releases.
§
The bureau oversaw the lay-out and
publication of special advocacy materials. Some of the major publications were
for the National week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP), AO 187, NAPC Anniversary,
and the UN Stand Up, Take Action Campaign.
§
In addition, media interviews were
arranged for the Lead Convenor and other NAPC Officials. Most of these
interviews revolved around the results of the 2006 Family Income and
Expenditure Survey (FIES), the Right to Food Philippines Campaign, the
government’s anti-hunger drive, and the quarterly SWS surveys, among others.
MAJOR FINAL OUTPUT #3.
COORDINATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
SERVICES
3.1
Programs and projects
implementation monitoring and evaluation
3.1.1
Conduct of monitoring of pro-poor
programs and projects
§ The agency was tasked to oversee the implementation of
Administrative Order 225, “Harnessing idle resources to uplift the poor and
boost rice supply to cushion the country from the price spikes”. As such, the
secretariat monitored reports from Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations
(GOCCs), Government Finance Institutions (GFIs) and Social Security
Institutions (SSIs) regarding their respective proposals for the utilization of
the 5 percent 2007 surplus.
From the 18 GOCCs, GFIs and SSIs that were identified
by the Department of Finance (DOF), 14 gave commitments while the other four
declared they had no surplus funds.
Aside from monitoring the reports, NAPC coordinated
and attended meetings with the Department of Agriculture as well as other
agencies that provide technical support in the implementation of the AO.
§ The Secretariat continues to update and maintain the
Anti-Poverty Programs (APPs) of all the national line agencies. To date, some 115
APPs have been updated.
§ The NAPC Secretariat undertakes legislative liaison
work as part of its monitoring and evaluation operations. As such, the agency has
closely followed the progress legislative measures issued by both houses of
congress.
The
NAPC legislative agenda includes:
o Land administration reform;
o Establishment of a Department of Fisheries;
o National land use;
o Strengthening of the country’s disaster risk
management capability;
o Scholarship program for youth students;
o Greater awareness on international humanitarian law;
o Amendments on the Social Security Law;
o Amendments to the Local Government Code;
o Magna Carta for Women;
o Basic Sector representation at the LGU level; and
o Magna Carta for the Poor.
The agency submitted a progress report on the above
bills to the previous sectoral representatives during a BS Forum Meeting held in
June 2008. In addition, the NAPC Secretariat completed position papers,
conducted research, and attended hearings on the following:
o Housing and urban development;
o Reproductive and maternal health;
o Establishing a poverty alleviation fund;
o Establishing barangay livelihood and skills training
centers;
o Strengthening or abolition of the Sangguniang
Kabataan;
o Magna Carta for the informal sector;
o Real property valuation reform;
o Alienable and Disposable Lands for Socialized Housing
Projects;
o Microenterprise Development Institutions Act of 2008;
o Philippine Health Insurance Corporation;
o Instituting Reforms in Land Administration;
o Omnibus Housing and Urban Development Act of 2007; and
o Student’s rights and welfare act.
3.1.2
Provision Information Technology
related services through the Management Information System (MIS)
§
The MIS Unit, in coordination
with UNDP, facilitated the “Development of Pro-Poor Electronic Database”
project, which specifically aims to develop a database for Anti-Poverty
Policies. The project was handled by an independent consultant, Mr. Louie Lee.
Included in the scope of work for the project consultancy, aside from the
actual development work, are the preparation of the Users Manual of the
Anti-Poverty Policy Inventory System and CD-installer of the Policy Inventory
Database software; and the conduct of Anti-Poverty Policy Database Users
Training to familiarize the NAPC staff on how to use its content management
feature.
The MIS Unit also prepared the NAPC Information
Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) with help from the National Computer Center
(NCC). A finalized copy of ISSP has been submitted to NCC including letter of
request for endorsement for Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on
September 2008.
The
MIS Unit also facilitated the preparation of the Agency Procurement Request
(APR) of Capital Outlay for hardware & software for the Department of
Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS). Included in the APR are
required attachments such as full specifications of hardware and software and
Obligation Request from the NAPC Admin and Finance Unit.
Aside from these tasks, periodic
updates to the NAPC Web Site specifically the News Update section and the Photo
Gallery section by adding news articles submitted by the Media Bureau and
additional new photos of recent NAPC activities, have been uploaded.
3.1.3
Development and establishment of
the CBMS National Repository
§
The NAPC Secretariat, in
cooperation with the UNDP, held a 2-day Project Review and Planning for 2008
last February. Two proposals were crafted for the development of CBMS National
Repository. These were the (1) “Adoption and Institutionalization of the
Enhances Integrated Monitoring System for Anti-Poverty Programs and Projects as
Central Government Monitoring and Evaluation System for Poverty Assessment”;
and (2) Scaling Up of CBMS Adoption, Implementation and Monitoring Towards
Effective Local Governance”. These two proposals were submitted to UNDP for
their approval.
§
Focal persons from the NAPC MIS Unit
and other CBMS trainers continue to attend learning sessions in “Improving
Targeting of National Poverty Reduction Programs Using the CBMS National
Repository” conducted by the AKI. The session involves updates on the NAPC-CBMS
National Repository and the utilization of its data in government anti-poverty
programs.
3.1.4
President’s Priority Program on
Water (P3W)
§
The Water and Sanitation
Coordinating Office (WASCO) in coordination with the DPWH-PMO Rural Water
Supply/ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (RWS/CARP) evaluates project
proposals for P3W funding. As of November 30, DPWH had evaluated some
599 project proposals for the year 2008.
§
WASCO identifies municipalities
and barangays to be given P3W funding for the construction and rehabilitation
of Level I and Level II water supply systems. The criteria used in the
selection are based on the classification of the areas’ access to water.
For this year, WASCO produced two batches of lists.
The first and second batches were submitted last January and July, respectively,
to the DPWH for implementation. Some 516 barangays in 211 municipalities
nationwide are expected to benefit from the program. WASCO expects to oversee
the construction of 292 Level I water supply systems and 555 Level II water
supply systems in the coming months.
§
After three years of
implementation (2005-2008) a cumulative budget of PhP 1.5 B, some 265,000
households in 321 priority municipalities have benefited from the P3W. A total
of 113 priority municipalities that received P3W technical and funding
support have graduated to a higher level of access to water and are now classified
as water-adequate municipalities.
In order to ensure timely completion and delivery
of P3W projects in 2010 for the remaining 319 waterless
municipalities, representing approximately 133,000 households, WASCO proposed
an alternate source of funding to augment the annual P500 M allocation for
water supply projects under the P3W. NAPC through WASCO submitted to
the Office of the President (OP) a proposal for a Concessional Loan from the
People’s Republic of China which amounts to PhP 2.42 B which aims to hasten
the delivery of potable water to waterless areas, thus making it the
Accelerated President’s Priority Program on Water. To date, the proposal is undergoing
project preparation and planning and will implement the project as early as
next year.
3.1.5
Monitoring of PDTF funded projects
One of the agency’s roles in the management of the
PDTF is to monitor the utilization of grants for capacity building. The agency
conducted a Financial Management Analysis training last September in Butuan City. Managers,
accountants, bookkeepers, directors and heads of rural banks from 21 different
Microfinance Institutions attended the seminar.
3.1.6
Conduct of Basic Sector Area
Monitoring with RKCG and other local bodies
Members of the BSCs, who are region-based, are
tasked as development information intermediaries, to the grassroots by NAPC,
the BSC and national government, and vice versa, by their basic sector
constituents. Specifically, the BSC members make sure that information
regarding developments that affect their respective sectors flows freely. This
task includes engaging themselves with community-based organizations in their
respective sectors, and sector-related local bodies, specially the local
developmental councils. It also includes attending, reporting and feed-backing
to, the Regional Kalahi Convergence Group’s quarterly meetings. The NAPC
Secretariat supports up to four monitoring travels of the BSC members every
month.
3.1.7
On-line facility for filling
consumer complaints on Microfinance
Consumer protection was
institutionalized in the microfinance industry to safeguard the interest of
consumers and empower them to be aware of their rights and make prudent and
informed decisions on products and services to be acquired or availed. This
on-line facility will protect the interest of microfinance clients through
preventing undesirable practices of service providers and it can also be a
measure to ensure transparency transactions, implementation of regulations on
financial practices, promotions of consumer literacy and implementation of
mechanism for filing and handling consumer complaints and grievances.
NAPC has also refurbished
the microfinance section of the NAPC website to include updated information on
current initiatives for the development of the Philippine microfinance
industry.
