A TERMINAL REPORT
on
TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNANCE FAIR October 25-26, 2000 Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City A joint project of: The League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter Iloilo CODE NGOs, Inc. Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Committee Sponsored by: Evelio B. Javier Foundation, Inc. GOLD-USAID With the contribution of: PhilDHRRA- PBSP GOLD Diakonia-Sweden RATIONALE OF THE TRANSPARENCY FAIR Transparency in governance is a battle cry for every Filipino citizen since graft and corruption is a disease that could not only alleviate poverty but may also brought the country into a quagmire of more economic loses. A transparent governance simply means clear and judicious use of public funds through effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of projects and programs. It also connotes a system for public accountability where active citizens through democratic dialogue account the public officials about their performance. The Philippine Constitution and the New Local Government Code of 1991 strongly encourages the civil society’s role in process of democratization, devolution and decentralization of powers. In order to claim these rights, it is important that civil society organizations need to maximize the constitutional and legal mandates in order to institutionalize popular and relevant mechanisms for good governance. In the advent of Executive Order No. 93, project monitoring and evaluation functions were enhanced through the expansion of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committees that included Non-Government Organizations. The reorganization and reactivation of the Provincial and Municipal Monitoring and Evaluation Committees in the Province of Iloilo were undertaken through a cooperation among members of the PMEC and the active participation of the Non-Government Organizations to attain a stronger monitoring and evaluation system. Series of trainings were conducted for the strengthening of PMEC Secretariat. Orientations and briefings for the activation of MEC were also employed. The involvement of the Iloilo Code NGOs, Inc. gave rise to a joint project on participatory project monitoring and evaluation which were piloted in three (3) municipalities of Batad, Cabatuan and New Lucena. There was the establishment of monitoring and evaluation tools administered in the pilot municipalities. Besides this breakthrough, there were also other Innovations in Transparency that is worth emulating. The experience of the partnership of Iloilo CODE NGOs and the LGU of Batad in initiating popular innovations has led to the institutionalization of the “Pahayag sa Banwa”, a system for public accountability of government officials. It is a dynamic multi-stakeholders forum attended by hundreds of electorates. It has now become a regular activity by virtue of an executive order of the Local Chief Executive. Likewise, there were other commendable innovative exercises being initiated by independent groups in the region (e.g. Sagay City, Negros Occidental) that have been practiced with positive impact in governance--- where LGU and civil society interfaced successfully. The Sagay Association of Ministers for Ecumenical Endeavors (SAMEE) are the accredited vanguards and who were actively involved in project monitoring of all development projects in the city. These practices are worth showcasing and replicating. A strong advocacy campaign is imperative. In the course of our project partnership experience, our local LGU partners have realized the importance and value of our several project interventions especially on the theme of Government Transparency and Accountability. It is within this context that the NGO and GO partners come to a decision that now is the ripe moment for a broader level of interfacing activity between the LGU and NGOs. In relation to this the project entitled: “Transparency in Governance through the Monitoring of Locally Funded Projects” through the Partnership between the League of Municipalities of the Philippines and the Iloilo CODE NGOs, Inc was born. Greater public awareness on public monitoring and evaluation as a management tool is needed to institutionalize monitoring and evaluation systems and other participatory innovations in good governance. Thus, Transparency in Governance Fair was conceptualized. The major focus of this activity is advocacy work and modeling of Innovations in Governance in the Province of Iloilo. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Transparency in Governance Fair, an LMP-NGO Interfacing Project was conducted last October 25-26, 2000 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. This was a joint project of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter and the Iloilo Code NGOs, Inc. in collaboration with the Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, sponsored by Evelio B. Javier Foundation, Inc. and GOLD-USAID and with the contribution of PhilDHRRA-PBSP GOLD and DIAKONIA-Sweden. The project is expected to introduce new paradigm in governance specifically in project monitoring as a management tool for a greater public awareness and introduce innovative structures, proactive processes and constructive feedbacking mechanism for transparency. There were nine (9) Local Chief Executives, two (2) Vice Mayors, twenty-eight (28) MPDC/SB/other representatives of the Mayors, twenty-eight (28) PMEC/MMEC/BMEC facilitator/participants, ten (10) media personalities form the Iloilo Tri-media and fifteen (15) guests from NGO, sponsoring agencies and government agencies who attended the affair. The two-day affair was highlighted by various enlightening talks of guests coming from sponsoring agencies, program implementors, NGOs and government agencies in relation to “transparency”. The Transparency Fair also featured mini case presentations which showcased models in transparency and accountability and symposium on key success factors in innovations. Issues and concerns were addressed during the Open Forum were conducted after discussions/presentations. The Pledging of Commitments was the most value-added result of the two-day activity. It was in this part where Local Chief Executives through the League of Municipalities – Iloilo Chapter declared their commitments for the institutionalization of the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems. The municipal mayors present also challenged the Civil Society Organizations to pursue sustained advocacy and lobby work so that gains will be translated into concrete and official manifestation of commitment by way of ordinances, policies and with corresponding budget allocation. 1. Summary Highlights: The Transparency in Governance Fair is funded by USAID Governance and Local Democracy (GOLD) as a support grant through the auspices of the Evelio B. Javier Foundation (EBJF) to Innovative Initiatives on Local Governance in the Philippines. This project took off from outputs of the GOLD Extension Project for Highly Innovative Projects in Governance, which was implemented by Iloilo CODE NGOs. The facility was also provided by USAID through the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA)-and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). The other major contributors that molded this project are: DIAKONIA - Sweden through the Modeling of Participatory Local Governance in the municipalities of Batad and New Lucena, the Iloilo Provincial Government: Organizing of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and other successful local initiatives in the region. The fair had the following objectives: To showcase innovative models in Transparency and Accountability in Governance To generate broader LGU acceptance for M&E Systems Application as a means of instituting transparency in governance To identify relevant transparency in governance innovations to be considered for future project planning To identify resource agencies that would support the inter-agency partnership for the promotion other innovations in good governance The activity although organized in a short period of time, was well publicized in tri-media (Print, Radio and Media) which was broadcast in the region for a week. The transparency exercises also generated interest from among government, civil society and private sector groups. However, invited and expected dignitaries were not able to commit due to “crisis” situation at the national level. This may have deterred many LCEs to attend and instead sent their representatives. The Program of Activities for Day 1 was somehow altered due to sudden decline or non-appearance of the invited guests and speakers. The resulted to spaces in between sessions. LMP Iloilo Chapter President, Hon. Frankie Locsin took over the role of the keynote speaker. He gave a brief overview of the current state of politics and governance that is confronted with realities of graft and corruption. The challenge is how to the civil society be of help as watchdogs at the local government unit. But everything starts from the heart of persons. Open forum was done to make up for the spaces During the session proper, the different resource agencies like NEDA were also able to convey position and role in the current RPMES. Issues and concerns centered on ODA infrastructure projects that were subject to questions. However, while many questions were posed to the Department of Budget and Management especially with regard to alternative sources of funds, there were no clear cut answers on how the LGUs can be assisted in the institutionalization of M&E at the municipal level. It seemed the budget support stops at the regional/provincial level. Though, there some were redundancy in terms of the content of their presentations. There is a problem in the technical coordination. Other speakers were not well grounded on their talks in terms of experience of the role of the civil society in monitoring. A number of particular issues and concerns, which basically centered on the role of the LGUs and the CSOs in monitoring and evaluation of nationally funded projects were discussed. Generally there was appreciation by the LGUs over the M&E Systems Application as a means of instituting transparency in governance. Day two offered a heavier schedule, which were likewise more substantial and productive. Time was very much maximized. It was a busy day for all participants and presentors. A healthy interaction ensued. The mini-showcases were very encouraging especially on how proactive LGUs and their partner CSOs were able to organize and creatively innovate popular exercise in participatory and transparent governance. The three Case Presentors were no less than their chief executives were: Batad Mayor Pedro Alarcon (Pahayag sa Banwa), New Lucena Mayor June Mondejar (Consolidated Monitoring of Locally Funded Projects in 3 Pilot municipalities and Cabatuan Mayor Eliseo Tobias (PMEC Organizing). Sagay City Administrator presented their Partnership in Project Safety and Monitoring of Projects. All were diligently prepared case presentations, which were professionally packaged and presented through the use of LCD (15 minutes each). The mini showcase exemplified the positive impact of the efforts initiated by the partnerships between the civil society and the government. It only goes to show that multi-stakeholders inter-facing can work. And it creates a better difference as each sector strives to perform its responsibility in the check and balance and fiscalizing work. The public forum further discussed more issues and concerns which still centering on controversial nationally funded projects; budget allocation and policy reforms for a more sustained program. Generally there was growing appreciation by the LGUs over the M&E Systems Application and other interesting innovations in good in governance. In terms of the attendance and presence of mayors, it is regretable that many could not stay on to finish the entire day. Overall, in terms of achievement of objectives, the affair was a success. The project stakeholders were most happy for being assured of the support of the LCEs of the commitment to elevate the call for to the LMP level for the institutionalization M&E systems and related innovations in transparency for good governance.
An LMP-NGO INTERFACING PROJECT
