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2008 YEAR-END BANNER NEWS!!

May 2008 Lakbay-Aral: Learning from how others do it better

(LGU-Libon Best Practices Tour: Traveling from South to North with a Purpose)

Introduction:

To Visit....To Reflect....To Learn....To Replicate! These are, among others, the aims of the “LGU-Libon Best Practices Tour 2008”. It is a showcase of the different award winning best practices of nine local government units we visited championing the program on “Municipal College; Investment Program; Making of a Business Friendly LGU, Lakas Kabataan, Reinventing Public Service, Women Empowerment; Computerization Program; Reliving the Bayanihan Spirit; Barangay Police- Partners in Progress, Disaster Management, Environment Project - Waste Management; Trading Post - Farmers & Traders; Eco-Walk: Environment Awareness for Children”. Hence, our visit to these LGUs which means an immersion to their Best Practices program as acclaimed for their outstanding innovations and initiatives.

From May 25 through May 31, the Local Government Unit of Libon had sponsored a Best Practices Tour from South to North of Luzon. Forty One (41) LGU-Libon officers and employees, composed of department heads, Sangguniang Bayan members and senior staff of each department joined the tour to learn more about Best Practices of various LGUs.

The group had visited nine LGUs namely:

1. Cabuyao, Laguna - Mun. College & Investment Program

2. Sta. Rosa, Laguna - Investment Program

3. Gen Trias, Cavite - Making of a Business Friendly LGU

4. Bulakan, Bulacan - Lakas Kabataan

Reinventing Public Service

Women Empowerment

Computerization Program

Reliving the Bayanihan Spirit

5. Pulilan, Bulacan - Barangay Police: Partners in Progress

6. Guagua, Pampanga - Disaster Management

7. San Fernando, La Union - Environment Project: Waste Management.

8. La Trinidad, Benguet - Trading Post: Farmers & Traders

9. Baguio City - Eco-Walk: Environment Awareness for Children

The LGU main objective is to be exposed to the different Best Practices of those selected LGUs and analyze how their Best Practices contributes to LGUs growth and progress. From this exposure trip, it expects to gather as many learning as possible both for personal and LGU advancement.

The Best Practices Tour was an incredible and very valuable experience. This was an educational trip focused on Best Practices which could be replicated in our LGU. LGUs visited were chosen because of the opportunities they offer for learning. Meeting new people and getting a totally different view point on life was an irreplaceable experience. It was worth every penny. It was an amazing reflection, learning and growing experience. It enables the LGU- Libon delegates to gain new knowledge and information on various government programs, issues and concerns through the organized lecture presentations. We are very grateful for their tireless efforts in organizing the lecture presentations which gave us an opportunity to interact and exchange valuable insights and ideas. Sisterhood became the next possibility as relationships with these LGUs visited had already been established.

As the trip unfolded, each participant was instructed to note their observations, reflection and learning and to share their acquired information and perspective during the “RECAP SESSION” facilitated by the municipal mayor, Hon. Agnes ‘Bem’ Dycoco at the end of each tour day, just before every one retired to sleep. Best Practices learned were carefully noted with the end view of using it as valuable input of LGU-Libon Development Agenda and Policy Formulation. Sharing include additional insights and reflection from participants on the tour and individuals that we met.

The LGU-Libon Best Practices Tour Delegates:

No.	Name of Delegate	Department	Designation
1	Hon. Agnes P. Dycoco	MO	Municipal Mayor
2	Hon. Antonio I. Se	SB	Municipal Councilor
3	Hon. Ruben Rosal	SB	ABC Federation President
4	Imelda S. Sevilla	SB-Sec	SB-Secretary
5	Allan V. Maronilla	SB-Sec	SB Staff
6	Helen M. Cerdeña	MTO	Municipal Treasurer
7	Paz Segubiense	MTO	Revenue Clerk III
8	Att. Janero B. Saclag	LCR	LCR/OIC MBO/LGU Administrator
9	Nelia Elaurza	LCR	LCR Senior Staff
10	Margie Bulacan	MBO	MBO Senior Staff
11	Merlita Magno	MBO	MBO Staff
12	Alexia L. Sayson	MPDO	Planning Officer II
13	Lilia B. Guevarra	MPDO	MPDO Staff
14	Ela Pavilando	MO	MO –TWG Head
15	Socorro V. Dycoco	MO	Executive Secretary
16	Marites Reolo	MO	MO Staff
17	Nilda Serrano	MO	MO Staff
18	Melvin Binos	MO	MO Staff
19	Edeleen Moro	MO	MO Staff
20	Arnulfo Nuyda	MO	MO Staff
21	Julius Vasquez	MO	MO Staff
22	Paolo Vasquez	MO	MO Staff
23	Joel Oquialda	Market	Market Revenue Collection Officer
24	Rodolfo Ramirez	Market	Market Supervisor
25	Ma. Vilma Garcia	Econ. Enterprise	Department Head
26	Engr. Edgardo Rañon	Engineering	Project Engineer
27	Engr. Neptune Apolo Sevilla	Engineering	Department Head
28	Gerry Santillan	Engineering	EO Staff
29	Cresenciano Basquiñas	Accounting	Department Head
30	Eduardo Regalario	Accounting	Senior Staff
31	Jesusa Cambaling	LICOM	LICOM Administrator
32	Salve Rosal	LICOM	LICOM Instructor
33	Francisco Vasquez	Assessor	AO-OIC
34	Glenda Maronilla	Assessor	AO Staff
35	Dra. Coco Serrano	RHU	OIC-RHU
36	Lydia Lasprillas	RHU	RHU Midwife
37	Felix Serrano	MAS	Department Head
38	Salve Nidea	MAS	MAS Senior Staff
39	Lydia Llantero	MSWDO	Department Head
40	Betty Arnesto	MSWDO	MSWDO Staff
41	Gloria Quismorio	SIKAP	Office He

________________________________________________________________________________

Best Practices Tour

May 25 - 31, 2008

Our Visit to LGU’s Award Winning Best Practices

Our Reflection/Learning

Recommendations

(We will Replicate)

Cabuyao, Laguna

* Municipal College

* Investment Promotion

Their education policy is to attain high rate of college completion

* The Graduates are given priority as to LGU employment

* Giving freedom as to school management & policy, thru the Board of Regents specifically on policy formulation governing school programs.

* Provision of scholarship (Iskolar ng Bayan) to indigent constituents and children of LGU employees

* Maintaining low/affordable tuition fee, accessible to all.

* Quality education – exposure and participation of students in various off-campus activities; maintain high rate of board passers;

* Screening and hiring of highly qualified and competent professors –regardless of their residence; capability building provided to staff, professors, and/or instructors.

* Free graduation fee and other contributions

* Parents’ empowerment -regular conduct of Brigada Eskwela – being participated by parents; sponsored & funded by LGU

* More cash benefits granted to school personnel

* Continuous education campaign via TV and radios

* Provide job placement assistance for their graduates

* Opening of TEC-VOC courses – those courses needed by the industry group; assured job placement, in partnership with big industry locators in Cabuyao.

* Priority allocation for Education (5% of RPT)

Good Governance: Government not a passive but pro-active player in education initiatives

* Their concern – fiscal dependability; not IRA dependent; Very high RPT and Business tax collections; Liquidity of LGU assured

* Maintain trust and confidence of the people and of the business sector – high Infra program implementation; programs are globally competitive; capability building as investment to people

* Harmonious relationship with the business sector – simplified flow of business registration and tax application

* Highly urbanized – with ICT services, industrial and commercial park

* At least 1% of RPT be automatically allocated to education

* Formulation of school charter; TEC VOC included

* Priority employment of SIKAP and LICOM graduates, in the event of employment demand

* Revisit student code/handbook for possible revision

* Replicate other Best Practices

Sta. Rosa, Laguna

* Investment Promotion

Highly Industrialized-

* Known as the ICT hub of the Philippines/ E-Service

* The Detroit of the Philippines – Toyota, Ford, Nissan

* The Investment capital of Luzon – the gateway to CALABARZON

* The Makati of the South

* Presence of Industrial Park, the drivers of growth

* Maintain their infra facilities- one reason of influx of investors

* Maintain business—friendly (Lungsod na Makabago, Serbisyong Makatao)

Investment Code in place

* Their concern is to be globally competitive

* Ensure simplification of procedure in securing business permits

* Separate BPLO – Business Permit and Licensing Office

* Efficiency in collection of tax delinquencies

* Availability of competitive Human Resources

Development concerns

* Free education – elementary to College

* Low cost housing – by LGU and NHA

* RPT collection efficiency – high collection of local taxes; Not IRA dependent

* Revisit Revenue Code

* Formulate Investment Code

* Under the Mayor’s office, separate office/section for Business Permit and Licensing (BPLO)

* Install GIS using CBMS program for increase RPT collection/Revenue

* Replicate other Best Practices

Gen Trias, Cavite

* Making of a Business-Friendly LGU

The fact that Industrialization is their turning point to progress –

* Maintain Quality workplace

* Provide 5 years Tax Holiday to new investors

* Maintain Peace and Order – to encourage investors

* Formulated/approved a “15-Years Town Plan”, a competitive advantage

* Recognition of top 10 taxpayers

* Maintain balanced agro-industrial companies

* Adopting WiFi – advanced communication technology/wireless

* Adopt WiFi program – for timely communication and info dissemination

* Grant at least 3 years tax holiday to LTC potential investors

* Revisit Market Code

* Formulate Investment Code

* During fiesta celebration, recognize top 5 top taxpayer.

* Replicate other Best Practices

Bulakan, Bulacan

* Lakas Kabataan

* Reinventing Public Service

* Women Empowerment

* Computerization Program

Youth-Centered Program:

* OSY is organized and being provided with skills training and job placement assistance

* Active SK Organization – required the submission of SK annual accomplishment report

Streamlined the bureaucracy

* Generated personnel productivity- new organizational structures that matched the needs and priority concerns of the government were created that led to more efficient and effective service delivery

* Facilitated management of change – constant dialogue that fostered transparency and participative decision-making

Women greater participation – empowerment of women

* Provision of Livelihood Project for women

* Scholarship for children of solo parent

* Existence of Association of Solo Parents

* Recognition/awarding of“Natatanging Babae”

Investment in ICT

* Ugnayan sa Barangay – system of collection is immersion to the barangays; info that 20% of RPT is barangay share

* Conduct of Tax Caravan - info dissemination on tax payment

* Giving of Incentive to Taxpayers(Pa-Raffle)- improved the collection of RPT

* Conduct of Actual inventory of Real Property

* Strong political will – supportive governor

* Other LGU’s system and procedures were computerized and helped the personnel become more productive

* Re-organize and federate women association

* Replicate all Best Practices of LGU-Bulakan

Pulilan, Bulacan

* Brgy. Tanod-

Partners in Progress

* Nutrition Program

* Other Services/ Practices

Barangay Tanods: LGU partners in Progress

* LGU provided equity to honorarium of Brgy. Tanods;

* Tanods are given strong support by the LGU – trainings are provided; philhealth insurance and other benefits are provided; equipped them with flashlights and other needs for their regular foot patrol at night.

* Federation of all barangay tanods

* Recognition and celebration of araw ng mga tanod

* Barangay Defense System in place

* Maintained Peace and Security – one factor of progress; caused the influx of investments

Hall of Fame – on Nutrition Program

* Yearly recipient of award on nutrition program; able to attain zero malnutrition rate.

* Creation/employment of Nutrition Officer – handled all nutrition related programs of LGU with fund assistance from NGO such as Rotary Club, Chowking and Nestle Phil.

* Celebrated Volunteers Day – Bayan ng mga volunteers

- they are given incentives and gifts for services rendered, say, milk supplement released for severely malnourished children are closely monitored by volunteers for 20 days; Mother leaders by purok are likewise given Christmas bonuses and gifts for their assistance in PABASA sa nutrition program

* Scholarship given to children of volunteers

Other Best Practices

* Strong political will – supportive governor

* Recognition and Celebration of Araw ng mga Investors”

* All Best Practices of LGU-Pulilan, if possible be replicated

Guagua, Pampanga

* Disaster Management

Championing the cause of Disaster Management

* The people simply don’t ever give up to calamities but pursue to rise above tragedies.

* People are strong and able to survive from one disaster to another.

* There is the dedication of concerned officials and employees coupled with patience and love of people - doing lobbying to national agencies for funding assistance

* Close relationship with the barangays is maintained;

* Readiness of equipment - GIS installed as a tool for Risk Analysis and monitoring; GIS- easy to identify; Measure and do computation; sounding water channel for alertness

* Instituted a localized forecasting and scientific in doing empirical data; Know the % of sediments; Know the depth of the water; length and width;

* Timely warning is essential - thru Localized radio; localized forecasting; telephone brigade

* The need to invest in prevention in order to increase ability to cope with disaster situations

* The need for community involvement to instill a better sense of focus on risk issues

* Adoption of BIONIC - Disaster Preparedness Info Drive – ensuring program Sustainability

* Proper Planning: Pallative Approach – restoring a portion instead of a whole; Dredging project – aggregates not allowed to be taken out of the town

* Evacuation center- identify up to the 3^rd level and consider the existing/available facilities

* Evacuation Plan; Hazard Plan; Defense Plan; contingency plan, Geo-Hazard Plan ;Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan- all in place

* Formulate Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan – other plans included: Hazard Plan, EvacuationPlan, Defense Plan, etc.

* Replicate other Best Practices

San Fernando,

La Union

* Environment Project –

Waste Mgt Program

Strong Political Will – to RA 9003 & SW Ordinance

* Conduct of Clean and Green Contest – incentives given is in a form of a project

* School-Based SWM program – Integration to school curriculum

* IEC on Waste Segregation and HH composting

* Clustering of barangays for MRF operation – the City advocate counterparting

* Strong community participation and empowerment

* Conversion from 2 stroke to 4 stroke – permit not given unless they comply; Loan is offered to finance the conversion.

* Small fishes catched are apprehended and not allowed to be sold in the market

* Fish traders are required to secure business permits

* Business potential of sea urchin as edible food now on global market

* Marine Protected Areas are preserved

* Mangrove Rehab Program – maintained tree nursery; LGU employees participated in mangrove planting

* Advocate global warming/climate change adaptation – 4-day work; 7am-6pm- during summer time; April to May

* Good and harmonious working relationship – local, province & congressman; executive and legislative

* Revisit Transport Code

* Organize/federate transport group to compete with Door-to-Door

* Revisit SWM Ordinance

* Replicate other Best practices

La Trinidad, Benguet

* Trading Post : Farmers & Market Vendors

The Market Center for Highland Crops

* A strong Bagsakan Center of vegetables coming from other neighboring towns and provinces resulting to the opening of 20 banks to serve traders and farmers; money revolving within the Bagsakan Center is more or less 5-6 Billion per year or 200 Million per day

* Trading Post well organized as to areas for traders, farmers, and vendors

* Ensure good quality of crops marketed

* Organized group of vegetable cleaners/peelers/packers.

* Harmonious relationship between and among traders, farmers and LGU

* Tax Holiday for traders and farmers

* Coordination/collaboration with traders and farmers as regards marketing the produce

* Provide Incentives(pa-raffle) to attract traders

* Creation of an Income Generating Support Facilities (Comfort Room is earning large amount of income daily)

* Traders and farmers managed their own wastes; either carry it back home or dump in proper dumping areas

* The Vegetable Trading Post is operating 18 hours a day

* Revisit Revenue Code

* Establish Trading Post at LTC – invite potential traders to ensure farmers support in marketing their produce

* Replicate other Best Practices

* Enhance vegetable production in 12 barangays; namely

* Monitor the expected volume of vegetable production – all kinds.

City Government of Baguio

* Eco-Walk: Environment Awareness for Children

Eco-Walk – children program – done yearly

* Children are reminders that the world must go on

* Children are community’s great resources

* Watershed Tree Planting program – watershed area were divided and been assigned as permanent portion for each school to plant.

* Tree Planting - Integrated to school curriculum

* Their Belief – Soil is the soul and the spirit is the farmer

* Tree Planting Activity for Elem and High School graduating class be conducted under supervision of school and LGU- municipal and barangay concerned.

* Adopt Eco-Walk – encourage children to love trees and environment

* Replicate other Best Practices