<DAY 02> (April 26, 2006) The session started at 8:05 in the morning with an ice breaker from Sri Lanka participant followed by the invocation. Case Presentation 3: UST (Unnayan Shahojogy Team) Bangladesh (By: Munirul Huq & Nazma Begum) Moderator: Mariper Mercader Highlights of the Presentation: Brief Profile of Bangladesh Background of UST Context of the area Group (Samity) Formation GUP Formation and Development Bangladesh Government Structure Central Divisional District Thana Union Vision – People’s Development is in People’s Hand Goal – Women Empowerment (Shabolombee Gram (A Self-Help Village) Target Population – the Poor & Poorest of the Rural Community Working areas – UST work in different areas of Bangladesh especially they are from the northern part. GUP Structure International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 15 GUP STRUCTURE Executive Body of GUP 11 members -1 Pres. 1 Sec. 1 Treas. 8 Gen. members General Body of GUP Village Representative COMMUNITY Community Village *10 -15 members in each committee * village representative comes from the shamity, after being member of shamity it then becomes a member of GUP Presentation of the PO Member: UST started its activities in the community in 1986 and the PO becomes a member of that organization people do not have their own identity yet then UST helps them UST started its activity with the small group When UST came to us we learned to the value of saving (1 cup of rice a day) there are 60 shamity most of the members do not know how to write their name but through UST they learned at least to write their names UST had put up non formal school in the area GO demands in exchange of something. But now with their union they can protest themselves for support from the GO as we draw in the picture of our community there were different types of difficulties (e.g. hygiene/sanitation problem). All people became together and ask GO support to solve sanitation problem now they work jointly with GO, UST, GUP and takes care of their organization (Please refer to Annex 7 for the details of the presentation). International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 16 Salient points/Clarifications: Q: What is the role of men in your organization? What is the role of the LGU in your organization? Response: Ther are no men, all women. LGU has no participation but with the formation of GUP the LGU started to get involved. Female dominated our men. Our target is to support women not to be prostituted. Q: What is the involvement of men in your community: Response: We came from the poorest community where there is domination and abuse by men in our society. It happened in our home/family were female are abused by men. My parents handed me over to a man. In our place we had a difficulty with our collaboration with LGU/GO. But with GUP we started to work collaborately (100% sanitation of the village). GUP is ready to do programs with the LGU. Q: How could these activities (e.g. group meeting, savings) is sustained? Response: It is a process oriented activities. The group needs to be matured for at least 5 years. We provided them with trainings. Through this they became conscious on how they will manage the group. GUP is the key actor of UST. If UST phases out GUP can run/operate for themselves. The group have also different activities (e.g. savings mobilization). I think they can manage themselves. Q: UST did not give capital to GUP. GUPs money comes from their own but you said GUP members are poor, how was it? Q: GUP don’t seek assistance from the rich people in their area. Is this a policy of the GUP? Response: Its not a policy. We can ask support anywhere now that we are already empowered. Q: Your programs is only for women, it can create burden to them? Response: It depends on the context of the area. In our place, male are busy with their work. Females are the key actors in the family. It’s a mandatory for the group members to have consultations with their husbands. Q: In your meetings you are only talking about microfinance but not talking about women’s problem. Do you discuss women problem in your meetings? Response: There is a forum for sharing all kinds of issues (e.g., dowry, child marries). We go to them and discuss with the community. GUP is a forum for all kinds of issues among the shamity members. Q: It is good to know that you are following stages of maturity for your group formation, may I know how you were able to set its stage of maturity? Did you have any experience along the way were critical indicators was not met, what was that? Is there any difference with the roles along the way of GUP, PO, etc.? Response: We encourage them to move forward. We protect them from the giant domination. Our concern is to keep money to the people’s hands so that they can send their children to school and also for their health services. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 17 Framework (Stages of Maturity) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 UST Community UST C O M M U N I T Y Q: What is the contribution of men in your society? Response: In the family level, if I take loan I buy bicycle for my husband. It’s the contribution of women to men and the men recognize it. We don’t see any problem about this. Q: Who pays for the loan? Response: It’s the men who paid the loan. They give the money to her wife to pay for the loan. Q: What is the strategy of UST & LGU to motivate shamity members to be active as development workers? If there are other development partners also working in the same area and with the same program, how do you cooperate or complement with each other? Response: Through motivation our program runs. The role of UST staff is to introduce the process among the shamity members. The group becomes mature then negotiate with the stakeholders (LGU). Government has no rules of prohibiting development workers in the same area. It is open for all and anybody can do it. We have monthly coordination meeting and we have collaboration with other NGOs working in the same area. Q: How about the protection of women and children’s rights? Response: Women and children’s rights are protected. After all the important issues were clarified, the core team (Joel & Edil) presented the synthesis of key points to wit: SYNTHESIS OF KEY POINTS: By: Joel Quinanahan & Barangay Captain Ediltrudes Bermejo * People’s Development in People’s Hands Why PAD? Gender bias (women) Limited scope of empowerment Poverty (somes 1 meal a day) Children’s rights are not protected International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 18 Processes & Strategies: work with female (women dev’t.) formation Mohila samity of all poorest women bottom-up from community to gen. body (GUP) executive body of GUP provides forum (samity general assembly) PO development Employment and income generation Self-help savings Saving and sharing > age group – 18-45 Members from neighboring households 10-15 members in each samity Keeping occupational homo 1 member from 1 family in the same samity How they capacitate: Training & education How they promote participation: starting in small groups and legworking attendance to weekly meetings Sustainability Mechanisms: by-laws personal savings < - phase out on the 5th year - the need to invest savings group savings (weekly savings collection) formation of GUP (Central Democ. Org.) - carry out CD process - expedite livelihood programs indicators of intervention (how to balance) poor can generate resources After the synthesis, Mariper took the floor and gave a summary of the issues that arose from the lengthy discussion which are the following: Microfinance is evident as seen in their case study. Intervention is more focusing on the side of the women. On the contextualization of NGOs intervention, there is a context why this program was designed as such. Intervention focuses on women since men are already employed. NGOs has to discuss among themselves the issue of role complementation Indicators of intervention in making sure that communities are empowered to grow along the process and how do you balance such kind of framework. GO is not yet stable and there is not much collaboration. People are independent and it fits to their context. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 19 Case Presentation 4: Cambodia (By: Dr. Heng Lim Try/Sovannarith Sok/ Peanh Sinal) Moderator: Josephine B. Alindajao Highlights of Presentation: Government Structure of Cambodia Behavior Change Communication by National Center for Health Promotion/MOH Civil Society Networking & Capacity Building by MEDiCAM People Participation in Development by MODE Cambodia Profile Background of NCHP/MOH BCC Project Purpose – to improve the capacity of national, provincial and district health providers to deliver effective BCC in Cambodia BCC expected Project Results History of MEDiCAM The Mandates Major Activities Designation with organization (Please refer to Annex 8 for further details of the presentation). Salient points/Clarifications: Q: Is there a duplication between the GO & NGO-made structures? Response: The Village Development Committee members are also members of the village network so there is no duplication but they are working separately. VDC is working under GO, while VN is mandated by NGO. Ministry of Rural Development Village Dev’t. Committee Village Network by NGO Q: Is there any integration with each other? Response: Decentralization process of Cambodia is very new. Role of VN are as observers, involved in meetings or just like an advocacy group. VN is an advocacy network raising the voice of the people in the village to the VDC. VDC are the ones implementing the program. Q: How far this parallel structure would help in the decentralization of your community? On cow bank, what was this? How does this operate? Response: The CVO are well informed about the government structure. We have a harmonized plan and structure. Beneficiaries of the cow bank are the widows. Widows use this as a draft animal. It is for the widow since there are lots of widows in my working area and some other parts of the community. The reason we provide cow (group beneficiary) is to help them in the farm activities. There are a lot of widows because of the civil war. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 20 Q: Have you experienced a networking problem? Response: This is a pilot project. We still did not yet experience a problem. The network is very new only started early this year. Q: Why do you fund home-based care activity? Response: GO has limited budget to support this type of program. AOV truck can’t be provided by the government. NCHADs/MOH developed homebased care structure and counseling unit and is implemented by the NGO at the grassroots level to provide awareness for HIV/AIDS. Health Sector Structure (finalized in 1999) PHD/MHD OD HC RH Community Network HCMC VHSG We have one policy – principle for community participation Working from the top to the community All NGOs worked with the government Q: What is the percentage affected by HIV? Response: 1.9% for the whole population. Now it decreases in 2006, it was 2.6 before. Comments/Insights: Cambodia has the same situation with the Philippines in terms of the convergence of donors. They are working in parallel with the donors. They use participatory methodology that proves to be very effective. MOH puts effort which changed the behavior of health workers. After the lively exchange of ideas, the synthesis of the key points was presented. SYNTHESIS OF KEY POINTS: By: Ruben G. Santos, Makiko Torikai & Corazon Tatoy Why PAD? transparency and accountability people’s participation food security income generation International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 21 Health Issues: - HIV-AIDS Clean water and sanitation Basic Health Care To improve the delivery of effective BCC Sustainability Mechanisms: Process: strengthening and capability building of PHPV & other stakeholders establishment of technical working groups establishment of provincial network Resources: gathering of NGOs, Donors, bilateral and multi-lateral agencies resource accessing from funders Process: capability building and strengthening of partners networking data base - medi news - library PTM methodology People’s Participation: elect VN members who will represent in commune council involvement in the management and development of their community Roles of Stakeholders: GO: strengthen the national BCC/PHPU capability building of NCHP provision of BCC materials > Behavioral Change NGO: capacitate other NGOs Organize Provincial Network Active members of TWG Advocacy Linkage building Co-facilitator with NCHP Community Organizing Community Integrated Development Project PO: Village network Attend meetings to monthly commune council Present main needs: Annual Planning Process Mediator during conflict Info dissemination Attend capability building and other activities Community mobilization International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 22 Community: Elect the VN member Financial Contribution for LD Having done with the presentation of the synthesis JoBas gave a summary of the issues/learnings to wit: stakeholders should avoid having duplication of structure in PAD In creating a committee or group, elite does not dominate the marginalized ones Decentralization is new, stakeholders are working in convergence. Worked together in participatory annual planning Before the session ended for a lunch break, Mariper made some important announcements. Documenter’s Note: It is also important to note the presence of the local media (DXRP and Philippine Information Agency) who interviewed representatives coming from foreign countries such as Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Japan to make the people of Mindanao aware about the on-going International Workshop. The afternoon session resumed at 1:45 with an ice breaker facilitated by Francis of Sri Lanka. Presentation of Backgrounder of Philippine Situation (By: Ruben G. Santos/Cynthia B. Manlapus & Lydio B. Sullano) Highlights of Presentation: The Republic of the Philippines Demographics Language Religion Republic Act (RA) 7160 – Otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines (Please refer to Annex 9 for details of the presentation). Salient points/Clarifications: Q: What is the Development Council’s authority? Response: The elected official of the local council comes up with policies and laws. The Local Development Council is the development arm of the LGU. Coming up with strategies, plans and programs it is submitted to the municipal council for approval/adoption. Once adopted it becomes the basis for the AIP. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 23 Comments: POs are accredited to work for their concerns. IPHC represents in different committees at the regional level. NGOs representation is legal. LGUs are dependent to IRA. Their problem is how to maintain the devolved functions due to limited budget. Q: I did not understand the Philippine Organizational Structure, can you explain further? Response: There are 26 Cabinet members. We called them the Secretaries. These are appointed by the President. These are political positions covered by the Civil Service. At the regional administrative set up these are mainly representatives of the national government agencies. These are civil service officers. Q: How about the inter-local health zones? Response: These are not mandated under the local code. It is only a part of strategies. The presenter illustrated the health sector structure as shown below: Health Sector Structure (Philippine Situationer) Dept. of Health DOH Secretary Province Provincial Governor Hospitals Province/ Dist. Hospitals Prov’l. Health Office Provincial Health Officer Regional Health Office Regional Director DOH Representative Municipality Mayor Municipal Health Office MHOfficer Brgy. Midwife & Brgy. Health Workers At this point in time, the arrival of the Municipal Mayor of New Corella in the person of Mayor Jose Recarido P. Federiso was recognized. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 24 Case Presentation 5: SIAD New Corella Experience Davao del Norte, Philippines (By: Joel Quinanahan) Highlights of Presentation: SIAD: The New Corella Experience The Partnership Brief Profile of New Corella What is SIAD? Why SIAD? The SIAD Development Framework Areas where People take part in the Process The Management Cycle Some Results of the Peoples Participation The Innovations Some SIAD Projects and Programs SIAD Learnings Barangay-based SIAD (Please refer to Annex 10 for details of the presentation). Salient points/Clarifications: Q: Why did the 4 barangays did not continue the phase 2 of SIAD implementation? Response: (Mayor): These 4 barangays really are not active with the process. The personalities of the Barangay Captains are authoritarian and can dominate even the barangay council. The SIAD process affects the political process in the barangay. (Joel): It is a waste of time convincing these 4 barangay captains because in the first phase they are not interested and open to the SIAD process. Their decisions are respected but the positive thing is that it would be a basis of comparing area with SIAD and non-SIAD. Q: What is the indicator of 65% below poverty line? Response: The indicator is family income which is below P5,000/month. SIAD started at the municipal level. The NGO brought us to Irosin for an exposure about SIAD. Q: How about transparency? Response: The grassroots will recommend projects to the EBDC before they prepare their budget. Projects being responded at the barangay level comes from the grassroots level. The budget being made are reported by the Mayor during the report to the people. Q: What are the role of the stakeholders: Response: Before the MOA was made into contract, the role of each stakeholders was discussed during the meeting attended by the BC, POs, Head of Office and the municipal level, NGO and sectoral representatives. Q: How often is the BMT monitoring? Response: No set of rules yet as to when they meet, but the monitoring is scheduled as need arises. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 25 Q: How was PIAD made into SIAD? Response: IPHC evolved into a much wholistic organization started with the Katiwalas. Intervention of IPHC then is just a clinic. Then it slowly moved into agriculture. In 1996 IPHC is in New Corella. Every year we do our assessment if there is any impact of our intervention in the area. This triggered IPHC to change its strategies. Our exposure to Irosin is an AHA experience. It opened our eyes and shifted our paradigm. People in LIKAS are development oriented. IPHC started with municipal entry. Q: Can you give a specific example why business sector is involved? Response: (Ruth): Our organization (cooperative) is a member of the Federation. We operate in the public market. The building we used is owned by the LGU. We empower ourselves. Our participation in SIAD is through the planning process since we have members who are representatives to the EBDC. We also give health aid to the barangay. We have trust fund for calamities (typhoon and floods). We have budget for that which the barangay can avail. (Mayor): We encouraged our business sector to be involved in the process. By coming up with their participation we have our common decisions gathered. This is one of the impact of the business sector. There is an RA were business sectors are regulated. Q: For the barangays who did not renew the MOA, what is the position of the NGO partners? Will they still support these barangays or the NGO have any initiative on how to do with it – who will fund them? Response: (Mayor) : Since we are in democratic form of government we cannot force them to sign or renew the MOA. Whether they decide to renew or not we are open to that. (Nancy): They still implement their own project since they have budget out of the development fund. (Mariper): The decision not to renew does not rely with the decision of the Barangay Captains. They have their own reasons. In fairness with the ABC they have made a move to convince the said barangays. The lesson learned here is that Political Will is a major factor for participatory governance. It is important to have the willingness of the political leaders to go on with the challenges. Q: Do you implement only the SIAD plan or are there any other plan? Response: SIAD definition alone states it is integrated or wholistic or comprehensive thus it has health plan, agriculture, land use plan being discussed by the BDC. Once it is discussed and prioritized BDC approved and adopted the package plan. There is no conflict between these plans. Comment: Technically it is not correct. Land use plan is mandated. RDCs to come up with their Municipal Framework Plan. These are the so-called mother of all plans. Response: There is no such the so-called SIAD Development Plan. I am explaining the Barangay Development Plan in our case. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 26 Comments: The question was addressed to New Corella experience. Whether it is right or wrong, it was how the barangay had implemented its plan. It might confuse us with our different point of views. I hope our foreign friends can realize that there are several ways on how the barangay will adopt it. As IPHC Participatory Local Governance is our local entrance as a sustainable mechanism. Since NGOs come and go we are looking structures that are permanent in the community. We have our niche that we have to focus on. We don’t violate provisions on standard planning. AIP are reviewed by the EMDC. It is not the duty of EMDC to be vigilant. Q: If there is a change in political leader, what will happen to SIAD? Response: If the Mayor and the Vice Mayor is not in good terms the project might be changed. But if they are in good terms then the program will be continued. Comments: Since our Mayor will be ending his term, the Vice Mayor was invited to join this workshop. We hope that we can continue with our plans with our successor. In terms of the VMG the plan will remain. Though the budget might change based on priority needs. We are still following a standard plan. We have a common concern and that is the fruit of our partnership with IPHC and AHI. Election is a barrier. That is why we shifted to barangay-based SIAD because the community chose the people to be elected. Q: How do you sustain this process since there two groups the winning parties and the opposition? Response: Through empowerment process we involve the opposing parties. With all the concerns clarified, the session break for a dinner and decided to go back at 8:00 pm. The session resumed with the case presentation of Brgy. Capt. Alex Paña. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 27 Case Presentation of Barangay Mambing (By: Barangay Captain Alex Paña) Highlights of Presentation: Barangay Profile SIAD Experience Process Tangible/Intangible Gains Provision of Livelihood Assistance to Farmers Social Infrastructure Facilitating/Hindering Factors Sustainability Mechanism (Please refer to Annex 11 for the details of the presentation). Salient points/Clarifications: Q: What makes it possible to have a regular monthly meeting every month? Response: (BC) What triggered their attendance to meeting is that they wanted to know the disbursement of the funds. Every assembly there is a report of the barangay treasurer. (Mariper): It is also a socialization venue after the meeting or general assembly. They play basketball. Puroks are organized and conducted meetings regularly. Maybe this one of the factors that sustain their enthusiasm as active members of the community. Comment: One beauty of SIAD in governance is there is constant interaction between the government and the people. Relationship is built with this interaction. It also goes down to feedbacking. There is transparency. People are satisfied, they know it since everything had been discussed. Q: How many members participated in the meeting? Response: Last year, an average of 72% were attending the General Assembly meeting even if there were cases of flooding. Q: How much you can use for your development plan? Response: We use 20% or P120,000 out of P680,000 Internal Revenue Allotment Q: What made you to be a Barangay Captain? Response: My intention is just to serve. I am lucky because when I run into office I have no opponent. Q: You are in your second term and still has your last term, what are your plans to prepare your successor? Response: Without me the BDC can sustain the activities because they knew the process. Without me, Mambing will still be Mambing. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 28 Comment/Insight: One of the best barangays in New Corella is Mambing. There are so many activities we can learn from the area. But due to the peace and order situation we decided not to include the area for the field exposure. Having done with the open forum, synthesis of the discussion was presented. SYNTHESIS OF KEY POINTS: By: Josephine B. Alindajao Why PAD? • Community problems needs convergence of resources from all stakeholders • Do away from the traditional top-down planning to bottom-up approach • People’s empowerment Process: MOA signing Benchmarking to Irosin, Sorsogon Expansion of the MDC and BDCs Making BDCs functional (with an average of 35 members) Expansion of Local Special Bodies Creation of a functional Technical Working Group (TWG), Project Monitoring Council (municipal level) and Barangay Monitoring Team (barangay level) Deployment of community organizers SAPBRIME Data gathering, problem identification & analysis Purok consultation EBDC planning EMDC workshop Budgeting and Resource mobilization Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Capability building (at all levels) People’s Participation: Providing venue to participate General assembly People’s congress Purok consultation & dialogue Membership in the LSB Volunteer works Public hearings Involvement in SAPBRIME Taho sa barangay and etc. Capability building (LCO training, BMT training, etc.) Participation rate is not less than 70% International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 29 Role of Stakeholders: GO/LGU Initiator Financial support to POs, Barangays Political support (ordinances, EO) • NGO facilitator Resource mobilizer Community organizer Catalyst Trainer • Barangay LGU > implementer > integration of plans > planner > monitor > financial support/fund allocation PO Provides funds Participate in all SIAD activities Ensure participatory decision making at their level Balance Between Process and Tangible Gains: • Followed the SIAD framework (both process • Process has been installed, second liners identified and trained • Tangible gains (health, economic, governance) • Needs to do more resource mobilization to produce the gain Sustainability Mechanisms: Creation of BTWG Designating Barangay LCOVs Issuance of ordinances and resolutions SIAD process contained in the approved long term planning document Growing number of allies (CBDAO-NC, Coalition for Good Governance, Business coalition, SEED, etc.) Continuous resource mobilization Elevate unfunded programs to the next level Conduct of regular assembly Using portion of the general fund for development projects Strategies: Integration and legitimization of plan Formulation & legitimization of policies Cost sharing Passing of resolutions and issuance of EO Community organizing Regular assembly (monthly) The session ended at 9:00 in the evening with some announcements for the field exposure on the next day. International Workshop on Participatory Area Development April 25-May 2, 2006/Davao City & New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines 30