Philippines, Local Governance Support Program in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LGSPA): September 2004–March 2010
Sector: Governance and Public Sector Reform
Region: South East Asia and Pacific
Funded by:
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Government of the Philippines
Total Value: Canadian contribution: C$15,675,000; Philippine contribution: C$2,400,000
Partners and Counterparts:
In Canada: Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
In the Philippines: The Autonomous Regional Government, Participating Municipal and City Local Governments and ARMM-based Civil Society and Peace Networks.
Purpose
To assist the Government of the Philippines and the Autonomous Region Government (ARG) in achieving poverty reduction and sustainable peace and development in ARMM through excellence in local governance including:
- local government leadership and management
- effective service delivery
- resources generation and management
- participatory governance and peace building
The project aims to strengthen the enabling regional environment for good governance, peace and development.
Challenge
The creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao resulted from a peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). With the exception of 2003, ARMM has had the highest poverty incidence in the Philippines (even higher among women). Civil society is weak and has not been able to demand that government provide needed services; hold leaders and government accountable; and contribute to the development process. Meanwhile, the government lacks the capacity to provide services and be accountable to the people.
Despite the peace agreement between the GOP and the MNLF, the region has witnessed continued armed conflict. Powerful clans play important roles in the region’s political structure and community relations. They exert tremendous influence in the distribution of economic benefits, and conflicts between them have undermined peace in the region’s communities. Security concerns present local governments with the further challenges of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and homes as well as meeting the needs of evacuees and internally displaced people.
Approach
Building on the lessons of the Local Government Support Program Phase II, also managed and implemented by Agriteam, LGSPA’s approach to capacity development (CD) is consultative and participatory. Together with partners, we identify priority CD needs based on a local government executive agenda, and use effective methodologies including:
- peer-to-peer learning
- on-site coaching
- systematic pilot testing of innovative practices
- structured documentation
- replication of exemplary practices and technical exchanges within the Philippines and with Canadian local government officials
We also create and disseminate resource kits, how-to manuals and interactive CD discussion tools. As part of the program’s management approach and sustainability strategy, CD initiatives are coordinated with relevant national and regional government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) and sub-contracted to private businesses, educational institutions, NGOs and individual consultants that will continue to support and sustain municipal development post-project.
Project Description
To build capacity in local governance as a key to poverty reduction and peace, LGSPA engages all 118 municipalities and 2 cities in ARMM, all six provincial governments, the ARMM Regional Government, the Local Government Unit (LGU) Leagues, civil society organizations, peace networks, academe, media groups and Muslim religious leaders.
Networks and cooperation between municipalities, regional and national government agencies, LGUs, NGOs, donors and the private sector are being strengthened to develop:
- sound local government leadership and management
- improved service delivery
- economic development and environmental management
- resource generation and management
- participatory governance
- peace building
The project mainstreams four cross-cutting themes: gender equality, environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and cultural integrity. It also works with the demand side of governance by developing capacity in civil society and the private sector to participate in governance and strengthen the LGUs’ ability to deliver services in sectors such as agriculture, education, economic development, natural resource management, water supply and sanitation and solid waste management.
Agriteam coordinates closely with other donor projects in the ARMM region to ensure collaboration and to leverage limited resources and maximize results.
Results
- An enhanced Executive and Legislative Agenda process that is working with all levels of government to link performance measurement with planning and budgeting and that is highly consultative with community stakeholders (approximately 116 LGUs have this process after the 2007 municipal elections and are beginning to implement them)
- Increased capacity in strategic, long-term consultative development planning in 45 LGUs, which has enabled increased participation by citizens, including the military and rebel fighters
- Strengthened planning processes in 204 barangays in 91 municipalities
- The completion of economic asset profiling and beginning of plan formulation by 60 LGUs involved in agricultural and economic development projects (of these, 33 are beginning to expand pilot projects or render them as regular extension services)
- An increase in the linking of regional development planning goals to the needs of LGUs (links to the national level are also increasing)
- The establishment of a Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board—work continues with respect to developing the region’s halal industry to reduce poverty
- An increase in the use of the Local Governance Performance Management System of the national government among LGUs
- Growing appreciation of the implications of LGU performance among key regional agencies
- Increased acceptance and recognition of the importance of the role of civil society in the peace process and in local governance as shown in more community assemblies, joint task forces and bodies
- The bringing together of USAID, JICA, UN, WB and other donors to harmonize activities and increase sustainability
- The recognition of successful gender mainstreaming by the CIDA Gender Equality Advisor (who gave the program a rating of “gender responsive” and noted that LGSPA’s integration of environment and gender themes into its work plans and operational activities is exceptional
Project Director
Alix Yule
ayule@agriteam.ca
