MINUTES OF THE SEOND QUARTER JOINT RDC-REGIONAL LEAGUE OF LOCAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS (LPPDC) AND KALAHI MEETING HELD AT THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD SESSION HALL, CANDON CITY ON JUNE 7, 2007.

ATTENDANCE:

1. Provincial Planning & Development Coordinators

2.  City Planning and Development Coordinators

3.  LLPDC Members – Ilocos Sur      

4.  Resource Persons

5.      Guests

6.  Secretariat

Remedios R. Rabanal         - PPDO, Ilocos Sur

Carlita T. Bundoc               - PPDO, Ilocos Sur

Ceferino F. Andallo            - PPDO, Ilocos Sur

                  -

PART I – PRELIMINARIES

            The meeting was called to order by Dr. Enrie A. Mendoza II, PPDC – Ilocos Sur and President, LLPDC Region I at 10:30 o’clock in the morning.

            The invocation was led by a staff of the City Planning and Development Office of Candon and was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

            SPM Villalobos of Candon City extended the City’s warm welcome to the guests, resource persons and participants who attended the meeting.

PART II – MEETING PROPER

1.  Acknowledgement of Guests and Participants

            Engr. Naulie Cabanting, CPDC of Candon City acknowledged the guests and participants who attended the meeting.

2.  Presentation of the Objectives and Agenda of the Meeting

            With a quorum declared present, Mr. Arthur Reintegrado, MPDC of Sta. Catalina and LLPDC Region I Secretary presented the objectives and agenda of the meeting.

3.  Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

            The minutes of the first quarter meeting was reviewed and approved by the body.

4.  Highlights of Discussion

1. Work Planning Templates for LLPDC Staffs

Ms. Marissa Gorospe, Chief of the PMED of NEDA I presented the Annual Work Programming Templates of NEDA I as well as the template for work program monitoring.  She presented the definition of a work program which is a listing of the activities and target outputs of an organization. The Work Program also includes the time frame for accomplishing the target outputs and the responsible entities for each output.  The need for preparing a work program was also discussed and these are:  1) guides the organization on which activities and outputs are to be undertaken in a given time, 2) guides the officers and employees of their specific tasks and outputs, and 3) basis for rating the performance of the organization when compared to the actual accomplishments.  It was also mentioned that the work program should be prepared at the start of the year (after the performance of the previous year shall have been reviewed and evaluated).  Regular updating may be done per quarter or at the start of the second semester.  Reprogramming may be done as it is deemed necessary.

The Key Result Areas (KRAs) /Major Final Outputs of the NEDA I Work Program are:

·        Planning and Policy Formulation

·        Development Planning Support Services

·        Project Development, Investment Programming and Budgeting

·        Project Monitoring and Evaluation

·        Technical Assistance

·        Support to RDC Activities

·        Management and Coordination of Special and Tie-up Projects

The template was presented with the hope that the planning activities will be synchronized at the regional level.

2. Access Road Development Project in Region I

Engr. Leny Nacar of NEDA I discussed the concepts of the project.  The goal of the project is to provide the means for the upland areas to improve socio-economic linkage with the growth centers in the region for a more sustainable livelihood opportunity.  The identification of a master list of road projects to address the gap between the region’s upland areas and more developed areas is also on-going.  The preparatory activities as well as the validation and finalization phases and the project fund sourcing were likewise discussed.  The proposed criteria for prioritization was also presented and discussed, and these are:  1) the General Socio-Economic-Physical Index, 2) Development Potential Index, 3) Security Index, and 4) Accessibility Index.  Mr. Nacar also informed the body that a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Upland Access Road Development Project to be participated by PPDOs shall be conducted to finish the data gathering phase.

Dr. Mendoza told the body that the project is very timely and relevant since this is a comprehensive integration of the pro-poor program as it targets the poverty stricken areas.

The road project which is the most acceptable component of the project will align local planning with the national concept along with the regional line agencies.

The MPDCs of the upland municipalities of Ilocos Sur who were present were given the chance to clarify their concerns about the project.   The MPDC of Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur asked if the Alilem-Suyo-Sugpon Road is included in the project listing.  Mr. Regie Atabay of the NorthQuad informed that the aforementioned road network is a project component of the Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur and Benguet (MIB) Integrated Area Development Project.  Dir. Quitos informed the body that the priority is to link all the municipalities of the Cordilleras by the interconnection of all lateral roads.  One of the road networks is the Tagudin-Suyo-Cervantes Road, a major national secondary road that will connect the interior municipalities.  From the lateral roads, there will be a network  of secondary roads.  The potentials of mining, tourism, and agriculture will be looked into in proposing the road development network.

In Region I, the improvement of the lowland roads and bridges is almost complete so the priority of the RDC is to develop the east-west lateral roads.  The upland access road program covers the upland municipalities located in -  Ilocos Norte – 10; Ilocos Sur – 14; La Union – 10; and Pangasinan – 10.  All the 44 municipalities are also categorized as rural areas with LGU incomes averaging between P10 M to P40 M.

Dir. Leonardo Quitos, Jr. extended his invitation to all MPDCs of the upland municipalities to attend the TWG meeting at the NEDA I Regional Office.  He requested the MPDCs to bring with them their municipal maps showing the existing road networks.  These maps will be used for plotting the road projects and other development projects for the municipalities.  He told the body that once the project is packaged, this will be submitted for ODA funding.

The MPDC of Quirino asked Dir. Quitos if the Lidlidda-San Emilio-del Pilar-Quirino Road is included in the project.  Dr. Mendoza requested that a copy of the feasibility study be given to the RDC and the NorthQuad for inclusion/integration to the Integrated Area Development Project.

Engr. Libatique, PPDC of La Union, recommended that the PPDO and PEO be invited to attend the meeting of the TWG on Upland Access Road Development Project.  He likewise requested that a standard format or a capture form be provided to the LGUs as a guide in data gathering.

3. Bio Power Development

Dr. Heraldo Layaoen, the Vice-President for Administration, Planning and External Linkages of the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte discussed the production of bio-ethanol from sweet sorghum.  The Biofuels Act of 2006 (RA 9367) signed into law on January 12, 2007 provides for the mandatory use of biofuels such as Ethanol for engines sold in the Philippines.  Sweet sorghum based ethanol production is the basis for the production of feedstock.  Sweet sorghum as feedstock production was a brainchild of Dr. William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT.  The commercial production and utilization of sweet sorghum is being supported by the Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture.  On January 2007, NEDA I supported the Establishment of a Barangay-based Techno-Demo on Sweet Sorghum Production for Ethanol, Food, Feed and Forage Project where they funded the KR2 funded project in Barangay Bungon, Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Why sweet sorghum –

·        high sugar content of 15-23%

·        multiple use – food, feed, forage and fuel

·        seed crop matures in 100-110 days

·        drought tolerant

·        high yield per unit area per unit time for both sweet stalk and grain

·        renewable source of energy

Goals in sweet sorghum based ethanol production –

·        competitive cost of production

·        high yield of sugar

·        zero liquid effluent discharge

·        reduce oil importation

·        water conservation – low fresh water needs

·        create employment: farm, transport, milling, distillery, sales, etc.

·        clean environment

D. Water Resources Development in the Uplands:  Trends and Technologies and  

Water Replenishment Technologies

            The resource person from the DENR, Engr. Efren Peñaflor, discussed water resources – the sources of water such as surface water and sub-surface water or ground water.  The different uses of water were also discussed.  It was also mentioned that water demand already exceeds the supply in many parts of the world.

            Water replenishment technologies were also discussed such as water treatment, storm water management where excessive water run-off from developed areas was funneled into retention pond or reservoir for storage for various uses.  The speaker emphasized that the proper utilization and conservation of water and the adoption of water replenishment technologies will solve the problem of water shortage in the near future.

5. Gearing Up for New LGUs

1.  Making Effective Presentation

Mr. Meds Panlilio, of NEDA I discussed what audiovisual aids do and do not do.  He also gave tips on designing and producing audiovisual aids as well as the consideration in media selection.  The types of presentation graphics such as charts, graphs, pictographs, illustrations, shapes and symbols and color association in presentation were also discussed. 

2.      ICC and RDC Project Approval

Ms. Marissa Gorospe, Chief of the PMED of NEDA I, discussed the Program/Project Evaluation Process at different levels and the required documents and time evaluation period. The project development evaluation process was also discussed as well as the functions of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC). 

EO 230 assigns the ICC-CC as the highest decision-making body in the Executive Branch that approves MCPs.  The ICC-CC is chaired by the Secretary of Finance.

The ICC-Technical Board deliberates on program/project proposals and endorses meritorious one to the ICC-CC for approval.  In particular, the ICC-TB focuses on the various options available to proponents in implementing and financing a program/project.  The ICC-TB is chaired by the NEDA and is composed of senior representative of different agencies.  The NEDA also serves as the Secretariat of the ICC.

The ICC review and approval is undertaken for programs/projects requiring ICC clearance and/or NEDA Board approval.

The following are the coverage of ICC review/decisions:

·        Program/Project of national line agencies with total cost of PhP500 million and above regardless of financing

·        New activities of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) requiring investments above PhP 500 million that has to be financed by the NG-guaranteed loan

·        For projects of national line agencies and GOCCs implemented through BOT and its variant schemes

- Those costing up to PhP 300 million shall be submitted to the ICC   for its approval; and

- Those costing more than PhP 300 million shall be submitted to the NEDA Board for its approval, upon recommendation of the ICC

·       For local BOT project to be implemented by local government units (LGUs) costing above PhP 200 million

·        Program/projects costing PhP 500 million and above of private sector companies, private foundation and non-government organization (NGOs) that are intending to tap concessional ODA loan through on-lending arrangements and/or National Government financing guarantee

·   On-going ICC approved programs/projects involving changes in scope, change in cost above established sensitivity parameters and budgetary allocation relative to original/prior ICC approval; or extension in implementation period or loan validity of more than 12 months; and

·      Other programs/projects not defined above will be considered on a case to case basis as may be defined by the ICC and the ICC Secretariat.

3.       Proposed LLPDC CY 2007 Work Program

         Mr. Jonathan Viernes of NEDA I presented the proposed LLPDC CY 2007 work   program, the contents of which include the following:

·        Activities/Sub-Activities

·        Expected Outputs

·        Actors Involved

·        Timetable/Targets

·        Remarks

               He likewise mentioned the themes of the quarterly meetings of the League, to wit:

                  1^st Quarter – Wind Power Energy - hosted by Pangasinan

                  2^nd Quarter – Gearing Up New LGUs – hosted by Ilocos Sur

                  3^rd Quarter – Disaster Risk Management Planning – hosted by La Union

                  4^th Quarter – Strengthening Local Government through Strengthened 

                                        Moral Recovery Program

4.       Disaster Risk Management

Dir. Leonardo N. Quitos, Jr. of NEDA I discussed the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan of the Ilocos-Pangasinan Region.  He emphasized the importance of the DRM Plan as follows:

·  Allows the orderly, efficient, and effective deployment of resources;

·  Prevent  or, at least, minimize damage at a time when people are prone to panic, confusion, and chaos;

·  Includes the immediate activities to be done, issues and concerns to be addressed during and after the occurrence of a disaster;

·                          Provides the framework for managing risks with the following general goals – disaster risk prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and applying contingency measures.

The purpose of the DRM Plan was also discussed, as follows:

·  Serves as basis to promulgate policies and procedures to address disasters;

·  Aims to ensure the maximum and efficient utilization of all the resources of the region to minimize the loss of lives, prevent injury to the population, protect and conserve environmental and physical resources of the region;

·  Lessen the effect of disaster that impedes economic activities and development during the occurrence of a large scale emergencies considered to be of disaster magnitude; and

·  To present a concrete guide for the region as a whole and the local government units (LGUs) in particular in employing measures like prevention, mitigation, preparedness and contingency in their local, physical and development plans so as to at least reduce the loss of lives and properties in their jurisdiction.

  Dir. Quitos likewise discussed the methodologies on the determination of risk vulnerability of a given area whether they fall under the classification of no risk, low risk, medium risk and high risk.  He also discussed the two criteria used to group the identity of a hazard, namely:  earthquake related geo-hazards and water-related geo-hazards.

Earthquake related hazards are:

·        Earthquake triggered area (ground shaking)

·        Liquefaction prone areas (subsidence)

·        Earthquake induced shallow landslide hazard zones

·        Faultlines/Rock fracturing areas (fault rapture)

·        Tsunami prone areas

Water-related hazards are:

·        Flood prone areas

·        Mud/Debris flow prone areas

·        Rain induced shallow landslide hazard zone

·        Erosion prone areas

·        Storm surge prone areas

To determine the vulnerability of a given area in the region, population was also considered which was then combined with the overall points of the hazard total susceptibility points.

The overall risk assessment on the geological and hydro geological hazards of the provinces in the region and the overall tabulated data matrix of risk assessment of geological hazards of each province in the region were also presented.

F.            Local Poverty Reduction Program of Candon City

Mrs. Victoria Ramos, the City Local Government Operations Officer of   Candon City presented the Local Poverty Action Plan of the city.  She started her presentation with a brief situationer of the city based on the minimum basic needs survey and the core local poverty indicators.  These are the bases in the identification of the issues and concerns.  She then presented the vision of what the city wants to attain in three years. The goal, objectives, strategies and approaches of the Local Poverty Action Plan for 2007 were also presented, focusing on the following areas of concern, to wit: nutrition, health, food, security, enabling, people’s participation in community development, and family and psychological care.

G.   Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development for the Uplands

     Ms. Grace R. Lapastora, DTI Ilocos Sur Provincial Director discussed the SME development for the Upland Municipalities.  She refreshed the body with the ten-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, where among of them are the Livelihood and Enterprise Development and Expansion of Micro-Credit Services. 

       She discussed the Cycle of Prosperity of a municipality: Livelihood/Enterprise Development>creates employment>provides income>generates tax revenue> delivers basic services to community.

 She also enumerated the importance of developing SMEs as well as the contribution of SMEs to economic development.  She likewise informed the body that MSME contributes 69.6% of total employment and 32% value added.  She stressed however, that there are structural issues confronting SMEs and these are:

·        MSMEs are concentrated in the NCR and neighboring regions

·        Majority of MSMEs are in the services sector, but in low value added activities.

     Ms. Lapastora also mentioned the other challenges confronting MSMEs, to wit:  1) stiff global competition; 2) limited access to technology; 3) limited access to financing; and 4) high cost of doing business. 

           Another highlight of the topic discussed is the market development which is one of the elements of the national SME development.  One Town One Product- Philippines (OTOP-Philippines) is a priority program of Her Excellency PGMA to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs.  Through the OTOP, local chief executives of every city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.  She then informed the body of the assistance provided in OTOP-Philippines, as well as the qualification of business establishments who may avail of assistance.  OTOP Philippines is being supported by the LGU including some national government agencies.  The steps in OTOP selection was likewise discussed after which she presented the OTOP of the different municipalities as earlier identified.  From the presentation, it was observed that there are some municipalities whose OTOP are not showcasing the major or indigenous product of the municipality.  At this point, Dr. Mendoza solicited for a stronger support from the MPDCs to lobby to the mayors in the proper selection of their OTOP.

H.  Current Security Status in Upland Areas     

             Police Senior Superintendent Alejandro Valerio, Jr. of the Police Regional Office I presented the current security status of upland areas in Region I:

1.      Situation Update

·        There are two local communist movements, two guerilla fronts namely: KLG Villard and KLG de Lara.

·        There are two groups operating in opposite sides of Pangasinan – reformist group and rejectionist group

·        An encounter between elements of RMG I and RHB member in Bagulin, La Union on March 4, 2007 where CT paraphernalia and subversive documents were recovered

·        There were non-violent incidents (sightings) in Ilocos Norte – 12, Ilocos Sur – 8, La Union – 10, and Pangasinan – 7;

2.      Notable Accomplishments

·        Captured 2 high ranking officers of the Marxista-Leninistang Partido ng Pilipinas Rebolusyonaryong Hukbo ng Bayan (MLPP-RHB) on February 13, 2007 at San Juan, La Union

·        16 members of Grupong Tagapag-organisa ng MLPP-RHB voluntarily surrender to RD, PRO I and Chairman, RPOC

·        Five (5) M 16 and one M-14 rifles were recovered during SOT operations

·        Two regular CPP/NPA members were given scholarship grants

·        Not a single police station or outpost was raided or harassed by CTs

·        Very active participation/cooperation and able leadership of the Local Government Executives in minimizing the root causes of insurgency

3.      Security Measures Undertaken

·        To encourage the CPP/NPA members to return to the folds of the law and end

                   the insurgency problem through peaceful means

·      Increase deployment of RMG and PMG personnel in the upland areas particularly those that are CT-affected

·     Enhancement of intelligence information gathering and maintaining closer coordination with AFP units in the area

·     Conduct of offensive operations against local dissidents terrorists (LDTs)

·     Conducted 4 preventive patrols and 95 dialogues/pulong-pulong

·     Training of personnel particularly RMGs, PMGs and other line units involved in internal security operations – 2 PNP Scout and 3 ISO personnel

·      Implementation of  integrated area/community public safety plan in Ilocos Norte – 23, Ilocos Sur – 34, La Union – 20, and Pangasinan 48 and deputization of CVOs  pursuant to EO 546 where 3,981 tanods were deputized

4.      Touching Peoples Lives

·        “Pulis Ko Titser Ko” Project 

Special Free Education Program dubbed as “PULIS KO, TITSER KO” was launched by RMG, PRO I.  This project envisions the police to be seen, felt, and experienced by the people in a positive way as substitute teachers for elementary school for free and without compensation.

·         “Adopt a Watershed “Project - This project was launched at Ilocos Norte on January 26, 2007.

·          “Libreng Tugtog” Project  - This project was launched on February 12, 2007 which aims to provide free musical entertainment in the barangays as part of PCR component of the QUAD concept of the PNP in the campaign against insurgency

·        PRO launched and replicated the “Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis” program by the NP national headquarters

5.      Touching Lives

·        Enemy movements/sightings and some violent incidents carried out by the CTs indicate their persistent effort to influence more community recruit possible members and maintain continued contact with targeted areas

·        The enemy’s reported plan to step up their offensives is believed to be undertaken in remote areas and undermanned police/military stations

·        Sightings and movements were monitored only in the boundaries of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Cordillera

·        The enemy’s continued movement apart from being a strategy to avoid detection, is more of a foraging mission to augment their dwindling resources

·        PNP/AFP continue to monitor their movement and institute deterrent measures

·        Other government agencies should enhance their involvement in information drive and poverty alleviation as partners in the holistic approach against insurgency.

I.        ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:50 o’clock in the afternoon.

Prepared by:  PPDO Ilocos Sur Secretariat

Approved:   ENRIE A. MENDOZA II, PhD

                    LLPDC President and PPDC-Ilocos Sur

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