CHAPTER 16 GOOD GOVERNANCE

   Good governance leads to a society with stable, transparent and effective political institutions. It is a collaborative effort of the public sector, the business sector in creating wealth and employment, and of civil society in promoting moral values and accountability. It is guided by three interrelated principles, namely: (1) a sound moral foundation; (2) a philosophy of transparency and accountability; and (3) an ethic of effective implementation. Through the successful implementation of such principles, the delivery of basic services to the people and ethical standards of society shall be improved and institutions of governance shall be strengthened.

   The chapter presents the accomplishments of the regional line agencies, local government units, civil society and the private sector towards achieving good governance:  

• Rendering effective delivery of basic goods and services through:

1. Strengthening of the Gabay sa Mamamayan Action Centers (GMACs),

DILG facilitated the establishment of GMACs in all barangays across the region. To ensure its sustainability a scheme was devised to monitor the functionality of the Center. In the six provinces of the region, the functional GMACs are as follows: 1) Albay (514 out of 720 barangays – 71 percent), 2) Camarines Norte (71 out of 282 barangays – 25 percent), 3) Camarines Sur (836 out of 1063 barangays – 79 percent), 4) Catanduanes (228 out of 315 barangays – 72 percent), 5) Masbate (198 out of 550 barangays – 36 percent), and 6) Sorsogon (180 out of 541 barangays – 33 percent). Thus, the total barangays that have functional GMACs in the region is 2027 or 58 percent of the total barangays in the region.

 

The GMACs shall serve as the link between the national government and the barangays and ensure that right information about the national government’s programs and services would be available at the community level. The Center is a barangay-based and barangay-focused facility, where the residents could access information on government service.

                               

2. Production of primers/brochures/websites about government agencies in a manner that can easily be understood by an ordinary person in the barangay.

1.  The DBM V prepared the following: a) Updated Barangay Budgeting Handbook, and b) Compilation of Issuances and Past Actions and Opinions affecting barangays.

2. The PNP V printed/published and distributed to the community a total of 16,520 copies of information materials aside from the 15,690 press releases

3. The NAPOLCOM 5 distributed brochures in Filipino of RA 9262 (An Act Defining Violence Against Women and their Children), RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), RA 7610 (Child Prostitution and Other Sexual Abuse), Drug information campaign material, Social Values to the community. They distributed flyers on their functions and basic services to LGUs and PNP offices.

4. The DILG V reproduced and distributed information materials from LTO, NAPOLCOM, TESDA, DPWH, DTI, DOLE, DAR and DENR and distributed them to  GMACs in the region.

5. The NSO V distributed primers/brochure of government agencies during the agency's Civil Registration Month in February 2006 and during Barangay Civil Registration System Training for Barangay Officials.

6. The City Government of Iriga organized one-stop-shop, Feedback Mechanisms & Public Information Office.

7. The LTFRB published all issuances in  the UP Law Center pursuant to Presidential  Memorandum Circular No. 11 dated 09 October 1992.  Likewise,  these are posted in the office bulletin board

3. More meaningful agency celebration through community outreach activities.

1. The PNP V conducted 17 community outreach programs (e.g. medical, dental, disaster relief operations) in line with the PNP's celebration of different important occasions.

2. The NAPOLCOM 5 celebrated the following activities: a) Police Community Relation Month Celebration, b) National Crime Prevention Week, c) NAPOLCOM Day, and d) Community Inter-Agency Interaction.

3. The NSO V conducted feeding program and distribution of used clothing during NSO Anniversary Celebration in August 2006.

4. The CSC V conducted the following community outreach activities in coordination with the other agencies: a) Bloodletting Program, b) Medical Mission, c) Adopt a Bay Program, and d) Gift Giving Project.

5. The LTFRB conducted Operation “GT”, a relief operation under “Malacanang Mercy to Bicol”

4. Clustering of government-sponsored training programs to make training cost less expensive among agencies/LGUs;

1. DBM Regional Office V in joint efforts with the Government Procurement Policy Board & and Phil. League of League of Budget Officers conducted trainings/seminars on Generic Procurement Manuals for provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays in the region.  DBM also initiated trainings for members of the Local Finance Committees of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes to familiarize them with the provisions of the Updated Budget Operations Manual.

2. The Provincial Government of Albay and Catanduanes and DILG V sponsored/hosted clustered training programs with participants coming from the municipalities and barangays to save on the cost of conducting seminars in dispersed locations.

3. The NAPOLCOM V conducted the following training programs: a) In-house trainings for regional personnel, b) Capability Enhancement of Local Chief Executives, c) Capability Enhancement of People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) members, and d) Trainings for the PNP disciplinary machinery (jointly sponsored by PNP and NAPOLCOM).

4. The NSO V conducted Barangay Civil Registration System, Training/ Workshop for Barangay Officials in clusters for the six provinces in the region.

5. The HLURB V conducted   training/orientation of devolution functions thru Liga ng MPDCs.

6. The Provincial Government of Masbate, through the DILG/Liga ng Brgys./Mayors'League, initiated seminars and on-site trainings for LGU officials/employees.

7. The City Government of Naga conducted trainings and seminars, planning workshops in order to come up with the city's directions for the next 10 to 15 years.

8. The six Provincial Governments and NEDA conducted an orientation seminar on Official Development Assistance for LGUs to enhance LGU awareness on the features and available facilities for ODA availment.

• Transformation of regional line agencies into globally competitive and service-oriented institutions through:

1. Upgrading agencies' qualification standards into ISO equivalent standards.

•  The PNP V conducted skills development programs/trainings, career courses to its uniformed and non-uniformed personnel in the region.

• The NAPOLCOM V continued professionalizing the police service thru: a) upgrading police qualification standard, b) grant of police welfare benefit, c) continuous inspection and management audit, d) strengthening of police disciplinary machinery, e) provision of technical services to the Peace and Order Councils (POCs), f) continuing education, seminar and schooling for employees and regular recitation and internalization of their commitment to public service, g) sent personnel to trainings, and h) sustained accountable and transparent administrative operations.

• The DILG V continued to upgrade its services to its clients through: a) the management of the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRC), wherein LGUs and other stakeholders can directly access updated information, b) maintainance of a Public Assistance Center (PAC) where the officer of the day is responsible in assisting walk-in clientèle and visitors' facilitate their transactions at the regional and sub-regional offices, and c) provision of  technical assistance and consultancy services to LGUs.  

2. Streamlining the bureaucracy by eliminating redundant positions and offices.

1. The NAPOLCOM V implemented EO 366, the Rationalization Law, in its office.

2. The DILG V has already submitted its Rationalization Plan to DILG Central Office. The document is now for review and final approval by the DBM.

3. Implementation of 5S (Sort, Sweep, Sanitize, Systematize, Self-Discipline) in government offices.

The DILG V adopted some innovations in records management. The Division/unit chiefs were given the responsibility in the monitoring the implementation of 5S.

• Increasing revenue collection through:

1. Transparency in all government transactions through publication and regular updates in websites:  

The CSC V published notice of bidding in the G-EPS and CSC websites

2. Correctly stated government/professional fees and institutionalization of the issuance of receipts to clients;

1. The NAPOLCOM V issued examination stamps on police examinations and official receipt for authentication and clearance fees.

2. The LTFRB V issued correctly stated fees to its clients. The office posted the fees and charges in the bulletin board for transparency purposes.

3. All fees received by the CSC V are properly acknowledged and issued receipts with the E-receipt program.

4. The HLURB V regularly posted the schedule of fees and disseminated it to the LGUs.

3. Strengthening the auditing system of government agency.

1. The NAPOLCOM V conducted pre-audit of cash advances of personnel on official travel, pre-consultation with the resident auditor on need basis and post audit of all disbursements.

2. The CSC V, through the Policies and Systems Evaluation Division (PSED), focused on Personnel Management Assessment and Assistance Program (PMAAP) wherein PSED conducted 73 Comprehensive Personnel Management to non-accredited agencies and look into the personnel records management and competency level of the HRMO.

• Strengthening LGUs’ capability to generate local funds/revenues through:

1. Tax Mapping-Real Property Assessment;

1. The Provincial Government of Albay, through the tax mapping program of the provincial assessor, was able to discover undeclared real properties and re-assessed undervalued properties.

2. The Provincial Government of Masbate, through its Local Management/Real Property Tax Administration Program, identified more real properties for taxation.

3. The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte is currently updating their Tax Maps using GIS Technology.

4. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur  is presently undertaking the computerization of Real Property Tax Assessment (RPTA).

5. The City Government of Legazpi completed 80% of updating and revision of Tax and Section Maps. The LGU also conducted IEC on Real property assessment in barangays.

2.  Strengthening the tax collection scheme;

1. The Provincial Government of Albay undertook the following programs/activities in order to strengthen the tax collection scheme: a) Collection and Mobilization of Local Revenues and Receipts, b) Tax Information and Dissemination Campaign, c) Disbursement Process and Operation, d) Field Supervision and Operation, and e) Administrative and Internal Control.

2. The Provincial Government of Catanduanes sent out Notices of Delinquency Promissory Notes and fielded out personnel for tax information and collection activities.

3. The Provincial Government of Masbate conducted tax collection campaign to strengthen the province tax collection scheme.

4. The City Government of Naga, through the bullish tax campaigns of the City Treasurer's Office, raised the city's income by 9.6 percent from PhP341.5M in 2005 to PhP374.2 M in 2006. The performance enabled the city to register a 109 percent collection efficiency vis-a-vis the PhP344 M target.

5. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur issued Executive Order No.1 Series of 2004 on the creation of Tax Enhancement Management System Committee that resulted to an increase in tax collection. The Province also conducted a public auction of delinquent Real Property.

6. The City Government of Legazpi completed the data-based conversion of tax declaration for 2004 revision.

3. Increased access to external resources especially grants that are available through project development:

1. The Provincial Government of Albay has two programs that are funded from external resources, to wit: a) Marine Fisheries  Development (Agencia Española de Cooperacion International), and b) Early Childhood Care and Development.

2. The City Government of Naga accessed grants from World Bank and Ford Foundation. World Bank funded projects on  urban poor housing while the Ford Foundation was helpful in reinventing the Local School Board.

3. The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte prepared and submitted project proposals and was granted livelihood and water sanitation projects from DOF/World Bank, UNICEF and UNDP. 

4. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur prepared project proposals, feasibility studies and other documentary requirements to avail of grants from external sources.

• Proper prioritization of programs/projects under the 20% Development Fund through:

1. Making use of the LGU-Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) and Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) for identification of programs/projects from barangay to the provincial level. 

The Provincial Governments of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Camarines Sur and the City Governments of Naga and Iriga  utilized the LGU/LGPMS, ELA and the recommendations of the Local Development Council members in the identification of the programs/projects within their specific jurisdiction. Workshops and other project prioritization activities were conducted in the identification and prioritization of programs/projects.

2. Maximized utilization of the 20% Development Fund for programs/projects that would address the basic development needs of the LGUs.  

The Provincial Governments of Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay and the City Governments of Naga, Iriga and Legazpi appropriated the 20% development fund for programs/projects that address the basic needs of the LGU and its constituents. They ensured that the programs/projects under the 20% EDF passes through a prioritization process with utmost consideration for pipeline projects.

• Strengthening government-business-civil society collaboration/partnership through:

1.  Mobilization and operationalization of all local development councils (LDCs) from barangay to provincial levels.

The Provincial Governments of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and the City Governments of Iriga and Naga ensured the active involvement of their barangay,city  and municipal LDCs and private sector organizations in the formulation of local development plans. This ensures  that the inputs from the barangay to the municipal levels and the private sector are considered by the city/provincial governments in the development processes .

2. Making the LDCs effective in planning and budgeting processes from the barangay up to the  provincial level.

1. The Provincial Government of Albay and Catanduanes see to it that the Planning and Budgeting process of the LDCs starts from the barangay to the municipality/city up to the provincial level.

2. The City Government of Iriga had organized planning/budgeting workshops under the City Development Council.

3. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur enhanced their advocacy/dissemination of National Government Agencies Executive Order and Circulars.

4. The Barangay Development Councils in the City Government of Naga  actively participated in the city's planning and budgeting processes.

5. The Local Development Council in the Province of Camarines Norte organized technical working group for sub-committees in all planning activities of the province.

3. Representation of special development bodies created by LGUs in LDCs.

1. The City Development Council of Naga is composed not only of barangay officials and NGOs but also special bodies such as the Local School Board, Council for the Welfare and Protection of Children and Naga City Women's Council.

2. The development task groups/councils that were organized by the City Government of Iriga were invited in activities of the City Development Council. 

3. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur continued the accreditation of private sector organizations to the Provincial Development Council (PDC). 

• Synchronized planning and budgeting activities of the barangay units with the provincial and City/municipality thru close coordination between the barangay officials and the provincial/municipal/city planning and budget officers using a synchronized planning and budgeting system calendar. 

1. The barangay budgets and plans in Naga City are well-synchronized with the assistance  provided by the City Budget Office to the barangays.

2. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, in close coordination with the barangays and municipal officials, conducted consultations on the programs/projects/activities on environment, agrarian reform, agriculture, etc.

• Encourage effective local advocacy bodies

1. Organize People's Council other than the Local Development Council for increased people's participation.

1. The Naga City Peoples’ Council (NCPC) continued to actively participate in the committees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.  It was organized in 1997 through the “Empowerment Ordinance of the City of Naga.”  The NCPC is composed of all accredited business, non-government and people’s organizations within the city.

• Appoints representatives to local special bodies;

• Observes, votes and participates in the deliberation, conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of programs, projects and activities of the city government;

• Proposes legislation, participates and votes at the committee level of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; and

• Acts as the people’s representative in the exercise of their constitutional rights to information on matters of public concern and of access to official records and documents.

By including representatives of the People’s Council in local special bodies and all Sanggunian committees, they are able to bring down to the community the issues faced by and the development thrusts of the city. This opens up doors for initiatives where the resources and expertise of the community and the private sector are put to use.

1. Among the NGOs that have participated for the welfare of the people in the province of Camarines Norte are: a) Camarines Norte Committee for Sustainable Development, b) Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, c) Provincial Early Childhood Care and Development Council.

2. The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur organized barangay business councils to build and operate grassroots-based investment and economic structures to help accelerate the growth of MSMEs in the province. Barangay and private sector task forces were organized for their involvement in the Jathropa plantation project and other development projects of the province.

back to top