National Anti-Poverty Commission
Secretariat
1st Semester CY
2009 Physical Accomplishment Report
This report provides information
concerning the key accomplishments of the National Anti-Poverty Commission
Secretariat for the first semester of 2009. The accomplishments are presented
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
Conduct of Technical Consultation on the Review of National
Government Agencies’ Anti-Poverty Programs and Projects and Proposed Measures
Towards a More Effective and Focused Pro-Poor Programs by Dr. Leonardo Gonzales
The NAPC Macro
policy Unit (MPU) led the Technical Consultation on the Review of the paper, “National
Government Agencies’ Anti-Poverty Programs and Projects and Proposed Measures
Towards a More Effective and Focused Pro-Poor Programs” by Dr. Leonardo Gonzales.
The consultation was held on 26 February 2009 in Linden Suites, Pasig City.
Dr. Gonzales’
study aims to develop more effective, more focused MDG programs. Specifically,
it seeks to (a) identify and classify on-going anti-poverty efforts for asset
reform, participatory governance, livelihood and employment, social protection,
and human development; (b) analyze these programs and determine which should be
continued or terminated; (c) define institutional arrangements for program
management, specifically with regards to the role of NAPC in their implementation;
(e) identify gaps; and (f) recommend new pro-poor programs and projects.
The technical
consultation was funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and
was designed to gather inputs and comments from various National Government
Agencies, the academe, and NGOs to help improve the paper.
The paper is
due for publication after the inputs and recommendations gathered during the
consultation are incorporated into the final draft.
1.1.2
Researched/Reviewed
and provided technical inputs and comments on policy papers and other documents
The agency provided comments and
technical inputs on the study, “Monitoring of Implementation and Early Impacts
of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP), Comprehensive Livelihood
and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP), and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps)”.
NAPC likewise provided assistance
in the research work for other policy papers, such as the Guidelines for RA
9509 and the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) based on AO 163, among
others.
1.1.3
Development
of Micro Insurance Regulatory Framework
Micro Insurance is an activity that
provides specific insurance and other similar products and services that meet
the needs of people in the low income sector for risk protection and relief
against distress, misfortune and other contingent events.
The micro insurance regulatory
framework outlines the government’s policy thrusts and directions for the
establishment of a policy and regulatory environment that will encourage the
private sector to enhance and facilitate the safe and sound provision of micro
insurance products and services for the poor. It will also identify and promote
a system that will protect the rights and privileges of those who are insured.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
funded a series of Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings to draft the micro
insurance regulatory framework from March to May of this year. The group was composed
of the following agencies: the Department of Finance (DOF), the Insurance
Commission (IC), the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Security and
Exchange Commission (SEC), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the National
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). The private sector was represented by the Life
and Non-life Insurance Companies, Cooperative Insurance Societies, the Microfinance
Council of the Philippines (MCP) and the Mutual Benefit Association (MBAs).
The draft of the Micro Insurance
Regulatory Framework was presented and approved by the Steering Committee last
June 16, 2009 at Stotsenberg Hotel, Clarkfield.
1.1.4
Conduct
of Change Management Team (CMT) Meetings
The meetings of the reconstituted
NAPC Change Management Team were held to finalize the Rationalization Plan for
approval of the Lead Convenor, and develop an appropriate organizational
structure for the NAPC Secretariat; arrive at a common understanding regarding
pertinent guidelines, resolutions and documents relative to the process of
preparing the rationalization plan of the NAPC Secretariat; and update the
members of the reconstituted CMT on the previous processes and outputs achieved
by CMT Phase I.
The Office of the Asst. Sec. for
Policy and Planning took the lead in the said activities, beginning with a workshop
on March 11-12 at the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel in Lian, Batangas.
The outputs of the workshop were
as follows:
1. Revised guidelines relative to the
process of preparing the NAPC Secretariat Rationalization Plan;
2. Tasks, staffing requirements, competencies,
and estimated budgetary requirements of the Rationalization Plan; and
3. Proposed NAPC Secretariat
organizational structure
1.2 Policy and Program Oversight
1.2.1
Convening
of the NAPC Cabinet Group Meeting to address major concerns in the implementation
of the government's development (poverty reduction) and social reform agenda
The MPU provided technical and
administrative support for the Cabinet Secretariat during two (2) NAPC Cabinet
Group Meetings, two (2) Joint NAPC-NEDA Cabinet Group Meeting, and seven (10) Cabinet
Assistance System (CAS). Two Special Cabinet Meetings on the Comprehensive
Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) were held last 11 and 12 June 2009. The unit prepared necessary documents
and supported the secretary during the said special meetings.
1.2.2
Prepared
updates on the NAPC Secretariat’s compliance to 2007, 2008 and 2009
Presidential directives during Cabinet and/or En banc meetings
NAPC submits regular to the
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) reports on the progress of Presidential
Directives issued during Cabinet Assistance System Meetings. The agency also monitors
the agency’s commitments to the objectives outlined in the President’s SONA.
The agency submitted reports on
presidential directives issued on the years 2007, 2008, and 2009 to the PMS
during the period covered.
The National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) requested oversight agencies like NAPC to prepare
a narrative report on policy development, technical assistance, facilitation,
advocacy, and monitoring activities relative to budget allocations and
expenditures of on MDG-related PAPs,
NAPC’s pro-poor PAPs include
advocacy efforts for the promotion, adoption and nationwide implementation of
the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as the monitoring tool for the
localization and achievement of the MDGs; the coordination and monitoring of
the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) Program as the country’s focused,
accelerated, convergent, expanded strategic program to reduce poverty; and
coordinative work during the formulation of the CLEEP.
1.2.3
Endorsement
of grant proposal to People’s Development Trust Fund (PDTF) Secretariat
PDTF was established primarily for
the development and strengthening of institutions that provide microfinance
services to the poor. It also extends necessary support services to prepare marginalized
sectors to manage their finances. The PDTF is used to finance grants to improve
the capacities of microfinance institutions and their beneficiaries.
For the first quarter of 2009, NAPC
endorsed proposals the Local Government Unit of DARAM and the Paracellis San
Gabriel Multi Purpose Cooperative and Pharmacy. These proposals will undergo
processing and evaluation based on the guidelines and procedures issued by the
PDTF Executive Committee (ExeCom).
1.3 Poverty
data collection, analysis and utilization in aid of policy-making
1.3.1
Participation
in meetings with statistical bodies (e.g. TCPS)
NAPC participated in three (3)
meetings of the the NEDA Social Development Committee
Technical Board (SDC-TB) during the period covered. SDC-TB meetings provide a
venue for the discussion of relevant social reform initiatives for endorsement
to the SDC-Cabinet Level Committee.
1.4 Formulation
and consolidation of Annual Work plan, Accomplishment Reports and Plan and
Budget Proposal
The units within the NAPC
Secretariat are actively engaged in the completion of annual work plans,
accomplishment reports, and budget proposals.
The activities related thereto
include the following:
·
Crafting of
Physical Accomplishment Report of NAPC
·
Consolidation
and finalization of the 2009 NAPC Annual and Financial Plan
·
Participation
in the NAPC Secretariat Planning Workshop for 2009
·
Preparation of
matrices for the 2010 budget proposal
·
Attendance to
meetings/forum/hearing on budget
·
Conduct of
PDTF Annual Planning and Assessment Workshop
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
Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS)
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.
For the first
semester, trainers from NAPC and the Angelo King Institute (AKI) were able to
complete the last instructional module in Zamboanga del Norte. The training
exercise was held from 31 March to 3 April 2009. The province
committed to utilize the CBMS and submit their provincial data before the end
of July 2009.
The agency also took
part in the Luzon leg of the Nationwide Advocacy Forum for the Installation of the
CBMS in Local Planning Systems.
2.1.2
Advocacy
Forum for the Operationalization of the CBMS National Repository
The agency led the advocacy
forum for the establishment of the CBMS national repository. The forum was held
last 25
March 2009
in Astoria Plaza, Ortigas Center.
This activity was
undertaken to familiarize NGAs on the concept and design of the CBMS National
Repository; present and explain the policies and procedures of accessing and
using CBMS data in their own planning, monitoring, and evaluation endeavors;
and generate comments/suggestions to enhance CBMS National Repository concept
and operating policies.
2.1.3
RKCG
Meeting/ Consultation
The Regional KALAHI Convergence
Groups (RKCGs) are the Commission’s representation mechanism at the regional
level. In the first semester of 2009, the NAPC Secretariat, through its
Localization Unit, facilitated two RKCG meetings. Consequently, 10 regional convergence
groups were able to conduct their respective first quarter meetings. Only
eight (8) regions were able to conduct RKCG meetings in the second quarter. The
agency assisted five (5) regions in the conduct of RKCG and TWG meetings.
The Localization Unit assisted
NEDA Regional Offices and OPARDs in the formulation of their respective agendas.
The said agendas included the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment
Program (CLEEP), the RKCG’s roles in the monitoring of the CLEEP, the concept and
operations of the People’s Development Trust Fund (PDTF), and the participation
of the Basic Sectors in local development.
2.1.4
Conduct of Ugnayan
Laban sa Kahirapan
The Ugnayan Laban sa Kahirapan Program
is designed to provide assistance to communities in the country’s 15 poorest
provinces. Such assistance involves rapid participatory community diagnosis,
facilitation of identified critical needs through the convergence approach,
organizational development, skills training projects, and microfinance education.
In the first semester of 2009, the
Localization Unit conducted four (4) community consultations in four areas in
the NCR. It also monitored the delivery of services to NCR Ugnayan areas
(Smokey Mountain, Payatas, Navotas, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Parañaque, Valenzuela) that were
also initially covered in 2008.
To enhance the implementation of
the program, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed in February 2009
between the NAPC Secretariat, the Office of External Affairs under the Office
of the President, TESDA, and the DSWD. The MOA detailed the institutional
roles and responsibilities of each agency in implementing the program. Initial
results of this collaboration included the allocation of 85 training
scholarships from the TESDA. Twelve (12) of these scholarships were awarded to beneficiaries
coming from five (5) of the eight (8) Ugnayan areas in the NCR. The
scholarships granted account for 24 percent of the targeted beneficiaries in
the first semester of the year.
2.1.5
Conduct of
Quarterly Basic Sector Council (BSC) Meetings
The NAPC Secretariat, through the
Basic Sector Unit, oversees the quarterly meetings of the Basic Sector
Council. There are 14 such basic sector councils, namely: Farmers and Landless
Rural Workers, Artisanal Fisherfolk, Urban Poor, Indigenous Peoples and
Cultural Communities, Workers in the Formal Sector and Migrant Workers, Workers
in the Informal Sector, Women, Youth and Students, Persons with Disabilities,
Victims of Disasters and Calamities, Senior Citizens, Non-Government
Organizations, Children, and Cooperatives.
The meetings gather the BSC
members and government agencies, allied civil society organizations, and other
development partners to discuss pressing problems and agree on measures to
address them, including the formulation and advocacy of policies and
programs. Consistent with the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI)
framework, the thematic foci of the agenda are asset reform, human
development services and social protection, livelihood and employment, and
governance and institutional capacity building.
From January to June this year,
the agency oversaw the conduct of eighteen (18) council meetings. These were
conducted by the Farmers and Landless Rural Workers on April 20-23 in Muñoz,
Nueva Ecija; Artisanal Fisherfolk on March 25-28 in Binangonan, Rizal;
Indigenous Peoples on March 22-25 in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Urban Poor on
May 5-8 in Mandaluyong; Formal Labor and Migrant Workers on May 13-15 in
Makati; Workers in the Informal Sector on April 30 to May 4 in Manila and on
June 14-17 in Mandaluyong; Women sector on April 27-30 in Puerto Princesa City,
Palawan; Children sector on March 27-30 in Mandaluyong City and on May 24-28
in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Persons with Disabilities on March 23 and 24
in Davao City and on June 2 in Quezon City; Senior Citizens on April 14-17 in
Cebu City; Youth and Students on May 8-10 in Rizal; Cooperatives on May 4-6 in
Cagayan de Oro City; Non-Government Organizations on April 14-16 in Mandaluyong
and on June 16 in Quezon City; and the Victims of Disasters and Calamities on
April 14-16 in Iloilo City. Considering that a total of 28 regular meetings
are expected of the 14 councils for each semester, the meetings constituted a
low 64% (18/28) of the target.
2.1.6
Conduct of
Quarterly Sectoral Representative Council (SRC) / Basic Sector Forum (BSF)
Meetings
The Sectoral Representatives
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 sectors’ position and
agenda for presentation to the NAPC En Banc; e) formulates common/united stand
on issues affecting the basic sectors that require immediate and urgent
action; f) deals with the government and the private sector as a solid
official body; and, g) assists in 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.
Because only 9 of 14 sectoral
councils have appointed Sectoral Representatives, the SRC cannot be convened.
In its place, the sectoral council heads constituted themselves into the Basic
Sector Forum (BSF), vested with the same functions as the SRC.
During the first semester, the BSF met thrice in special
sessions.
The first meeting was conducted on
February 10, 2009, at the Maria Orosa Hall of the
Agricultural Training Institute. All sectoral councils were represented during the
meeting. Ten sectoral representatives and officers-in-charge (designated
council head without presidential appointments) attended the meeting. Four SRs
and OICs were absent, but were nonetheless represented.
Discussed during the meeting were
the CLEEP, the global financial crisis, the newly formed AFP National
Development Support Command, and the Land Administration Reform Act, now
pending in Congress.
The second meeting was convened on
February 24 at the Max’s Restaurant where the following issues were discussed:
updates on key legislative advocacies; the reactivation of the NAPC’s Executive
Committee to be composed of the NAPC Secretary, the DSWD Secretary, and the
Fisherfolk Sectoral Representative Rogelio Amatorio; and the convening of the
NAPC en banc. These agreements were to be transmitted to Malacanang through a
letter to the President, copy furnished the NAPC Secretary. All but the Formal
Labor sector were represented by the SRs/OICs in this meeting.
The third meeting was conducted on
June 21-24 at the Kuhala Bay Resort in Cardona, Rizal, where nine of the
fourteen councils were represented. The issues discussed include the
cross-sectoral agenda of the basic sectors (LARA bill, local sectoral
representation, creation of the Department of Fisheries, National Land and Water-use Code, BMBE Law, Review of RA 8425,
Responsible Parenthood, and CARPER), PDTF, NKCG-KALAHI, BS operational plans,
CLEEP, and the proposed BS-LGU Forum.
2.1.7
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 ensure the free flow
of information regarding issues that affect their respective sectors. This task
includes collaborations with community-based organizations and sector-related
local bodies, especially local development 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.
At the current level of active
membership of the 14 councils, the monitoring travels for the semester should
have reached 7,008. Only 4,612 travels and meetings, or 66% of target, were
reported.
The travels involved policy and
program concerns related to the various sectors.
2.1.8
Inter-agency
cooperation and partnership through participation in the 111TH Independence Day
Celebration
The Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Operations headed the Awarding Ceremonies and Program rites at
the Luneta Park during the 111th
Philippine Independence Day Celebration. Some 3,775 Filipinos were awarded job
and training certificates, livelihood funding checks and job contracts.
2.1.9
Conduct of
Financial Literacy Training in Ugnayan Communities
The Financial Literacy Program aims
to institutionalize the delivery of financial education for the poor in Ugnayan
communities in the National Capital Region. BASECO and Parola were the two
areas already visited and conducted the Financial Literacy training. It was
attended by forty (40) participants, whom were currently microfinance clients
with livelihood projects in the area.
2.1.10 Conduct of PDTF Orientations to
LGUs, Basic Sectors and other networks
The PDTF orientation is a
continuous activity of information dissemination among Local Government Units
(LGUs), the Basic Sectors (BS) and other community networks which further
promote and call for proposals to all eligible grantees for capacity building efforts
for institutions involved in microfinance. The agency conducted fourteen (14) PDTF
orientations for eleven (11) Basic Sectors. A non-government organization (NGO)
in Mandaluyong also received instruction, as were three (3) Regional KALAHI
Convergence Groups in Regions VII, I and IV-A.
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
Secretariat continues to provide staff support for the NAPC Secretary in his
dialogues and meetings on the ASEAN. The agency prepared the Secretary’s materials
and briefing kits for the recent High-Level Forum on Reducing Vulnerability in
the High Face of Crisis held in Jakarta, Indonesia last 19-20 February 2009.
On the
“Understanding and Developing the Systems for Monitoring What’s Happening to
Vulnerability”, Sec. Domingo Panganiban provided a country presentation on
“Measures to Protect and Monitor the Vulnerable Sectors of the Philippine
Society”. The secretary gave emphasis on the Philippine Economic Resiliency
Plan and other social protection safety nets for vulnerable sectors. The
secretary also made mention of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as
a tool for monitoring social indicators for health, nutrition, shelter, water
and sanitation, basic education, income, employment and peace and order.
The agency
participated in a workshop on ASEAN Community Building 2015: The 2010 International
Commitment Fund Budget (ICF).The ICF, which is appropriated for in the annual
General Appropriations Act (GAA), is the source of Philippine contributions to
international organizations (IOs) and funding for hosting international
conferences.
The agency also
prepared proposals for the Secretary for the Preparatory Senior Officials
Meeting for the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development
and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) last 25-26 May 2009 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The
Secretary forwarded a proposal under Agenda Item 6: Status of Follow-Up Actions
Since the 5th AMRDPE in Bangkok, specifically the programme to
alleviate poverty among socially vulnerable groups. Sec. Panganiban proposed a
two-day high level meeting to share and discuss the measures taken by ASEAN
member nations to alleviate poverty. The proposal also aims to provide a venue
for consultation that would result in the preparation of a recommendation
paper.
2.2.2
Networking and coordination meetings with religious groups, business
groups, the academe, civil society, and NGAs
To maintain a
continuing partnership with the private sector, religious groups, civil
society, the academe, and NGOs, the agency actively participated in various
workshops, conferences and meetings.
In the first
semester alone, the various units under the NAPC Secretariat have been actively
engaged towards networking and coordination meetings with different sectors in
the society towards mainly the attainment anti-poverty efforts. This also included
coordination meetings spearheaded by the NAPC Secretariat itself, such as the
Gender and Development Orientation for its staff.
2.2.3
Networking and coordination with the legislative sector
The NAPC
Secretariat undertakes legislative liaison work as part of its monitoring and
evaluation operations. As such, it has closely followed the progress of
legislative measures issued by both the House of Representatives and the Senate
of the Philippines.
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 NAPC
Secretariat also participated in committee hearings and technical meetings on
House Bills 420, 3435, 3954, 2786; and technical meetings for House Bills No.
562, 746, 937, 942, 1939, 2477, 2877 and 5606 on the Establishment of
Handicraft and Cottage Industry Training Centers/Research and Development Centers
in Various Municipalities and Districts.
2.2.4
Conduct of Gender and Development (GAD) orientation for NAPC
Secretariat
Gender and
Development (GAD) Orientation is among the activities under the Gender
Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT) Women
Project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) and implemented by the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
(NCRFW). The activity aims to promote awareness GAD Policies and
Concepts and their application. This event was held on 15 March 2009 in Quezon City.
2.2.5
Strengthening the NAPC Public Affairs and Social Marketing Program
The agency issued
some forty-eight (48) press releases during the period covering January to June
this year. All these releases saw extensive publication in the major broadsheets
and tabloids. The subjects of the releases ranged from the CLEEP and food
security to social protection and the President’s Priority Program on Water
(P3W). Some of the stories prompted further coverage through the broadcast
media, affording the agency valuable air time in television and radio news
programs.
The Bureau also facilitated the
conduct of seven (7) press conferences during the period covered. An average
fifty (50) members of the news media attended each of the conferences.
In line with its advocacy efforts
for the CLEEP, the agency produced of a five-minute audio-video presentation
(AVP) for the emergency program. First launched during the Independence Day
ceremonies held Manila, the AVP is now used for the
agency’s advocacy and public information purposes.
In addition, the agency arranged some
thirteen (13) radio and television interviews for the NAPC Secretary throughout
the first semester, encouraging wider public interest and support for crucial
NAPC led -- or initiated – programs.
In April, the agency saw to the
placement and publication of a special newspaper supplement regarding the poverty
alleviation programs and accomplishments of the national government. The
supplement was published in the Manila Bulletin. The Bureau began work on four
(4) more special placements during the period covered, all of which saw publication
in July of this year.
MAJOR FINAL OUTPUT #3:
COORDINATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION SERVICES
3.1 Programs
and projects implementation monitoring and evaluation
3.1.1
Monitoring of Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment
Program (CLEEP)
The NAPC Secretariat performs overall coordinating and monitoring
functions for the implementation of the various programs and projects under
CLEEP. The agency reviews and validates the reports submitted by CLEEP stewards,
and consolidates these for submission to the President.
NAPC established implementing guidelines for the program, partly to
ensure proper monitoring. For the first semester, the NAPC Secretariat conducted
three (3) inter-agency meetings on CLEEP. These meetings became a venue for
resolving issues and concerns of the stewards as well as clarifications on the
role of each concerned body. Orientations on CLEEP were also conducted to allow
partner agencies and institutions a clearer perspective of the program.
To further the dissemination of information concerning the program, the
agency produced a CLEEP brochure containing basic information such as component
programs and activities and the contact details of their respective point
persons.
3.1.2
Provision of Information Technology related services through the
Management Information System (MIS)
Apart from
regularly updating news items on its website, the agency, in coordination with
the National Computer Center (NCC), submitted an official Information Systems
Strategic Plan (ISSP) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
3.1.3
Regular updating of the CBMS National Repository
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 Angelo King Institute (AKI). The
session involves updates on the NAPC-CBMS National Repository and the
utilization of its data in government anti-poverty programs.
To help provincial
authorities build their own provincial repositories, the agency held a Provincial
Consolidation and CBMS Database Building Seminar on 19-20 May 2009 at the Angelo
King International Center.
3.1.4
Monitoring of PDTF Funded Projects
The agency
conducted a monitoring visit to the Samar Center for Rural Education (SACRED)
and field validation activity for the Cooperative Bank in Palawan, both of
which were granted PDTF funding in 2007.
The said operations
revealed that beneficiaries had acquired an increased knowledge on business management;
widened their opportunities for learning and positive group dynamics; encouraged
the payment of debts, financial independence, and increased incomes and savings.
3.1.5
Conduct of Exposure Visits on Microfinance Operations
The above
activity was designed to familiarize NAPC personnel with the actual
microfinance operations of the Claveria Agri-Based Multipurpose Cooperative in
Cagayan. The cooperative had received various awards for excellence in
microfinance and cooperative services from 1992 to 2006.
3.1.6
Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP)
NAPC participated in three
technical meetings of the President’s Anti-Hunger Task Force (AHTF).
During the 7 January meeting,
Health Secretary and Lead of the AHTF Francisco T. Duque III gave instructions
on the conduct of Program Implementation Reviews (PIR) with the following
objectives: 1) To identify best practices that can be sustained and replicated
by agencies and provinces for 2009 and beyond; (2) To agree on program
adjustments that will address problems encountered; and (3) Identify key policy
actions for approval.
ASec. Castillo of NAPC participated
in two (2) AHMP PIRs. The first PIR was held on March 25 – 27, 2009 in Cebu City covering the AHMP Priority One
provinces. The second PIR was held in Davao City on April 2-4, 2009.
NAPC also participated in AHMP
project site visitations in Sariaya and Tayabas, Quezon on May 14, 2009. The objectives of the project site
visitation are as follows:
1. To observe the implementation of
some of the AHMP component programs and related provincial initiatives;
2. To touch base with implementers
and beneficiaries on the effects of hunger-mitigation programs in their lives;
3. To determine the extent of
complementation of national and local hunger mitigation programs;
4. To identify good practices applied
by LGUs or national government agencies in implementing AHMP component
programs; and
5. To provide technical assistance on
managing the AHMP component programs
3.1.7
Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP)
RuMEPP aims to reduce rural
poverty through increased economic development, job creation and better incomes
for poor rural households by promoting profitable and sustainable micro enterprises
(MEs). RuMEPP uses a two-pronged approach, providing both financial and
technical assistance. While the supply of microfinance resources is essential
in poverty alleviation, the program will ensure the sustainability of the gains
achieved by providing business development services for poor rural micro
entrepreneurs. These services will help existing micro entrepreneurs attain the
full potential of their enterprise investments through capacity building,
market linkages and policy improvements.
For the 1st
Semester of 2009, the OASecPP participated in three (3) meetings of the RuMEPP
Steering Committee. These were on January 14, January 19 and March 27. It also
participated in the project site visits in Region V on January 21-23, 2009
3.1.8
Harmonizing Approaches to Poverty Reduction, Population Management
and Environment Resource Sustainability (HAPP*IER) Project
A Forum on Hunger Mitigation,
Population Management and Poverty Reduction was held under the project at the
UP-ISSI in January of this year.
The project also conducted a field
validation session with the LGUs in Masbate in February to further assess the conditions that impinge on the
implementation of pro-poor efforts under the UNFPA 6th Country
Program. The overall goal of the assessment was to identify best practices at
the local level.
Specifically, the field monitoring
activity was designed to:
1. Validate the projects and attendant
policies and local ordinances that local LGUs have implemented or are currently
implementing;
2. Assess the extent and reach by
which LGUs have undertaken the strategies and thrusts of the enhanced HAPP*IER
framework;
3. Identify the enabling and
hindering factors in the implementation of the projects, policies, activities
and local ordinances; and
4. Distinguish the best practices in
the LGUs in addressing the issues of poverty reduction, population management
and environmental resource sustainability.
In line with the goals of the Project, the HAPP*IER
Project regularly conducts workshops in its target areas.
One such workshop was held on
March 31 to April 2,
2009 at Estosan
Garden Hotel in Cotabato City. Participants to the workshop were able to validate the
situational analyses of their municipalities; identify current local government
issuances pertaining to poverty, population and environment; confirm of the
effectiveness and efficiency of the identified issuances in addressing poverty,
population and environment issues; and propose a plausible harmonized solution
to address poverty, population and environment issues at the local level.
3.1.9
President's Priority Program on Water (P3W)
In September last year, NAPC
received a letter from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) informing
the office that the amount of P 1.5 Billion for the continued implementation of
the President’s Priority Program on Water (P3W) had been transferred
to the Department of Health (DOH) as indicated in the FY 2009 National
Expenditure Program.
Under current arrangements, the DOH
serves as the funding agency while the Local Water Utilities Administration
(LWUA) is the designated implementing agency. Local Government Units (LGUs) are
assigned to implement water supply projects for waterless areas without water
districts. NAPC, in turn, oversees the monitoring and inspection of on-going
projects.
The agency continues to monitor
the situation in 432 waterless municipalities. As of 30 June 2009, the agency had inspected some
117 water projects, validated ten (10) of them, and endorsed another 142 projects for funding under the P3W.
