BAYANIHAN SA PAMAYANAN AWARDS: Search for Exemplary Practices in Participatory Governance

The Center for Popular Empowerment (CPE) , in partnership with Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG), University of the Philippines College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF), Barangay Bayan Governance Consortium (BBGC), and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) announces its call for nomination for Barangays and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who are worthy of citation in promoting and practicing participatory good governance in Greater National Capital Region area. Awarding Ceremonies will be on November 27, 2009.

Overview

In a political system that has been dominated by elite traditional politics, governance has been almost been synonymous to patronage, where public goods and services are dispensed not as a matter of public duty but as a favor by a patron to his/her dependents. The business of local governments had been divorced from the quest for public good and has been hijacked to serve the political perpetration of those holding the helm of power. In a political setting like this, poverty, which breeds dependence, becomes a weapon to be used by those in government positions rather than a problem to be addressed in the pursuit of genuine popular development.

A host of reforms in local governance have been introduced in 1991 with the passage of the Local Government Code (RA 7160). The LGC sought to decentralize powers and functions from the national governments to the local government units. One of the major reforms introduced by the law was the recognition of the importance and the critical role of civil society in governance by establishing mechanisms and processes for popular participation.

Almost two decades after the enactment of the Code, the reforms that it has envisioned and mandated remains to be fully implemented and realized. Most of the traditional politicians holding local elective positions, at best, merely paid lips service to participatory governance while others have found ways to go around the provisions of the law.

There are, however, progressive local government officials, who not only abide with the provisions of the law, but in fact breathed life into the concepts and principles of participatory governance. These are the men and women who broke off from the traditional mold of governance and braved the untested waters of participatory governance. These are the local governments that used innovation, creativity and imagination in exercising popular participation and made it work for them.

Bayanihan sa Pamayanan Awards  seeks to recognize beacons of participatory governance. Through these examples, Gawad Bayanihan aims to  showcase that participatory governance practices are not empty concepts but are, in fact, workable, practical and effective.

Bayanihan sa Pamayanan Awards  salutes partnerships between people and their local governments. It celebrates the breaking down of barriers between the government and its constituents – barriers that prevent local governments from reaching out to community stakeholders in addressing their needs, interests and welfare, barriers that blocks community folks from taking part in the development of projects and programs that their local government implements on their behalf. Gawad Bayanihan bears witness to the exemplary initiatives that prove that people and government working as partners is an effective, efficient and liberative way of governance.

The Award Criteria

a. Innovativeness. Gawad Bayanihan seeks to recognize governance practices that displays creativity, and adaptability that has significant impact on its target communities.

• New means / ways in doing traditional programs and projects
• Trailblazing / pioneering work in new areas of governance
• Introduction of new ways of partnership between local government, civil society and the community

b. Replicability. The initiative although, unique and trailblazing, may be replicated in other areas of similar situation and context.

• Uses resources that are commonly available in different localities.
• Responds to situations that is common across local government units.
• Is not heavily dependent on outside resources that not not usually at the disposal of other local government units.

c. Sustainability. The participatory governance initiative may be maintained, expanded and further developed.

• Makes optimum use of local resources that is readily available in the community.
• Creates a sense of ownership among the stakeholders in the project so that they are willing to maintain the project beyond the project time period.
• Mobilizes the resources of the people and civil society organizations and other stakeholders within the community

d. Transformative. The initiative has transformed power relations at the community level. The project impacts on the terms of reference between the local government and the community.

• Elevates the target community and their organizations from being mere beneficiaries to stakeholders or co-owners of the project/program
• Institutionalizes consultative, co-production and resource sharing mechanisms in program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Transforms the role of the local government from being a benefactor to being a facilitator of goods, services and programs that responds to the needs and welfare of the target community
• Develops a sense of accountability within the local government to the target community
• Lessens the dependence of the community to outside interventions and increases their self-reliance
• Has an impact on the distribution of control and ownership of essential resources / opportunities

Eligibility

Governance initiatives with the following characteristics are eligible for the awards:

(a)    Programs and projects that were initiated by the local government which gives meaningful and significant participation of civil society organizations and the target communities;

(b)   Civil society-initiated programs and projects that involved the processes and institutions within the local government that involved partnerships in the development and implementation of local government programs/projects.

(c)    Initiatives that were jointly initiated by the local government and its civil society partners in implementing local government programs, projects and services.

Selection Process

1. Submission of nominations (October 12-31, 2009)

Individuals/Organizations may fill up the nomination forms that will be provided and submit their nomination to the Bayanihan sa Pamayanan Awards  Secretariat.

2. Level I / Eligibility Screening (November 1-8)

The Bayanihan sa Pamayanan Awards  Steering Committee will review all nominations in terms of adherence to the eligibility criteria. The Steering Committee shall likewise make recommendations for all nominations that will be submitted to the Level II screening.

3. Level II Screening /Short-listing (November 1-8)

The Screening Committee shall review all eligible nominations together with the recommendations of the Steering Committee. They shall identify a shortlist of nominations that will be recommended for site validation and further documentation.

Site Validation / Interviews (November 9-18)

Teams composed of representatives from the Steering Committee and Selection Committee will conduct area visits to validate the claims submitted in the nominations. They shall also conduct panel interviews to address the questions and concerns raised on the nominees during the previous screening levels.

The Selection Committee will review the reports and recommendations of the area validation teams and shall select the awardees for the different categories.

email: bayanihansapamayanan@gmail.com

Participatory Electoral Platform / Agenda Building in Quezon City: First Step towards a More Accountable Governance

by Ed Chavez

I am an advocate of good governance, as well as political and electoral reforms. We want reform in governance. We want it happen in the Philippines. We can start it locally at the city and barangay level. We need leaders who will promote participatory good governance. Good governance starts with platform building. Platform based election vs personality and money -oriented politics. Much better if the candidate’s platform is crafted by the people.  They will have ownership in the platform. It becomes a covenant between the leaders and its constituents. The platform is based from the people’s experience, their aspirations. More importantly, public accountability is stronger specially when the candidate is already in office.

…And we  found a partner to do this and make these  ideas materialize. In Quezon City. A result of the meeting of minds.  a very promising leader. young. idealistic. passionate. Hindi rin biro na maglunsad ng ganitong proyekto– ang ilahad at ipaubaya mo sa mga mamamayan ang magiging development agenda at plataporma de gobyerno. It may raise expectations from your constituents.  but she  confidently took the challenge. At mukhang this is the first in Quezon City, or in NCR, kung hindi man sa buong Pilipinas.

(I met her during our Special Course in Urban and Regional Planning at UP. We are both members of the Council of Sectoral Reps. Dun lang kami nagkakilala. And from there, nagkakaroon kami ng exchange of ideas. And I personally found her ideas progressive and reform-oriented (unexpectedly:-).

The platform will center on further improving the following key areas/sectors:

• Health and Nutrition
• Education and Culture
• Livelihood and Economic Development
• Peace and Social Security
• Sustainable Good Governance

The main thrust should be how to create Jobs and livelihood, programs that will create Opportunities for all — Youth, women and all sectors. The main strategy for the platform/agenda to be realized is through Bayanihan sa Pamamahala.

There will be a series of community-based consultation-workshops in each 24 areas of Quezon City wherein the result of the workshop will be presented back to the people for approval, adoption and endorsement. The platform may even be presented to other candidates as a development agenda that gone through a process. And not just developed by one or two persons. Because of the process, the agenda or programs are based on the priorities perceived by the people themselves.

Baka sakali, sa pagsisimula sa paggawa pa lang ng plataporma, ay matiyak ng mga tao ang isang mas responsive, accountable, transparent at participative na pamamahala — dito sa Quezon City sa pamamagitan ng Bayanihan sa Barangay.

(this article is based on the personal ideas of the author)

Community Score Cards (CSC): A Tool for Social Accountabililty to be Tested in Bulacan, Caloocan, Pasay and Quezon City

Citizens engagement should be promoted in all fronts. It is our right to take part in decision-making process, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government policies, programs and services. People have the right to a transparent, accountable and participative governance, both at the national and local level.

Accountability in governance  can be defined as the obligation of power holders to account for or take responsibility for their actions. “Power holders” are those who hold political, financial, or other forms of power, including officials in government, private corporations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations.

Social accountability is a “an approach towards building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i.e. in which ordinary citizens and/or civil society organizations participate directly or indirectly in exacting accountability.”  it also “refers to the broad range of actions and mechanisms (beyond voting) that citizens can use to help government be more effective and accountable, as well as actions on the part of government, civil society, media and other societal actors that promote or facilitate these efforts”

Furthermore, social accountability is a process of constructive engagement between citizen groups and government , a means to check and monitor the conduct and performance of public officials in their use of public resources  ; and a mechanism towards delivering better services, improving people’s welfare, and protecting people’s rights.

One approach to promote social accountability is through the development of Community Score Cards (CSC). In a training conducted by CPE for 40 community leaders in Quezon City, Caloocan City, City of San Jose del Monte and Pasay City (thanks to FES for supporting the activity), Ms. Corrine Canlas enlightened the group on the concepts and practice of CSC. (CPE  will publish a manual on CSC within October 2009 as a result of the workshop-training held).

According to Ms. Canlas, CSC  is ¨a  tool to generate “demand-side” information to enhance social accountability. It can also raise awareness and promote local-level mobilization and organization. Also, it can  produce meaningful information and analysis which can be understood by all stakeholders and go beyond mere protest to evidence-based dialogues.

The main objective of the CSC  is to influence the quality, efficiency and accountability of public services provided at the local level.

CSC can also be a follow-up or a continuing  activity for Barangay Development Planning through Participatory Learning and Action (BDP-PLA).

Based on experience, CSC can produce the following outcomes:

• Downward accountability of service providers
• Empowerment of local service users
• Enhanced transparency
• Enhanced sensitivity of service users to providers’ constraints
• Evidence of service performance  and
• Agreements on local reforms

Pilot testing of CSC as a social accountability mechanism for planning, monitoring and evaluation will be tested in Barangay 91 Pasay City; Barangay Graceville, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; in Barangay Pasong Putik Proper, Quezon City; and in Barangay 176 (Bagong Silang), Caloocan  City.

Input Tracking Matrix

Health indicators

Kagawad Ruth Fradejas of Barangay 176 (Bagong Silang), Caloocan City, Head of Health, Environment and Sanitation Committee

Participant reports her group’s output in formulating community indicators

Kagawad Elmer Cano of Barangay Graceville, City of San Jose del Monte.

Kagawad Merly Montes of Barangay Pasong Putik Proper, Quezon City

Barangay Captain Nilo Ilarina of Bgy. 91, Pasay City

Ms. Corrine Canlas, CSC Workshop Facilitator, discusses Community Score Cards based on her experience.

CPE Supports Quezon City Voters Information Campaign: Ibangon ang Dangal ng Halalan

Ibalik ang Dangal ng Halalan: Magrehistro, Bumoto, Makialam!

Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Ms. Agustin of DILG, COMELEC and Ms. Etta Rosales of IPER sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Ed Chavez of CPE served as witness , together with Atty. Allan Sindo of Comelec

Participants during the Launching of Quezon City Voters Education Campaign on August 8, 2009 held at Amoranto Theater.

Kap Perry Bilaos of ABC Dist 1, Ms. Joy Belmonte, Etta Rosales of IPER, barangay council members and civil society organizations sign the covenant for clean and honest election at District 1 orientation held on September 3, 2009 at Bagong Pag-asa Covered Court

Participants in Dist1 Session asks question during the open forum

Kap Noel Agdeppa of Quirino 2-A and some participants

Etta Rosales with Punong Barangay Celso Deveas, Dist 3, Areas 13-15, held on September 10,2009 at Barangay Quirino 2-B Covered Court

Participants at Qurino 2-B covered court

CPE takes part in the education campaign on cleansing the voters’ list, registration and automated voting. The project is a partnership between the Quezon City Government, COMELEC, Department of Interior and Local Government and and Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms (IPER).  A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the parties on August 8, 2009.

Basic sectors, especially the poor, have to be enlightened on the importance of voting, particularly this coming 2010 elections.  The upcoming election is an arena wherein the poor has to exercise its power in putting pro-people and reform oriented public officials, both at the national and local level that may open up and widens spaces for people  empowerment process and development both at the national and local level. Good governance will start in having a clean and honest election– a dream that Filipinos have been dreaming for since a long time ago.

By cleansing the voters list, there can be an initial step in having a clean election. People should also be encoraged and motivated to register before October 31, 2009.  The people should also be enlightened on how the voting process will be done through an automated system.  Using computers for the first time in voting and counting brings fear to most people. Fear can be lessened if people are aware of how it is going to be used.

The following is a concept paper prepared by Ms. Etta Rosales of IPER, that explains the concept of the project. By the way, this is the first time that a community-based education campaign is done , especially through partnership between COMELEC, LGU and Civil society organizations.  The schedule and venue of the education sessions are also included. Let us support the voters education campaign.

—————–

BIGYAN NG DANGAL ANG HALALAN

MAGREHISTRO,  BUMOTO,  MAKIALAM!

QC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN (IEC)

The Q.C. IEC Campaign is a Voter Education Campaign that is being undertaken through a Memorandum of Understanding by the following stakeholders:  COMELEC, Q.C. Government, DILG and IPER (Institute for Political and Electoral Reform).  The MOU was signed when the Voter Education Campaign was launched last 8 August 2009.

OBJECTIVE AND CAMPAIGN TARGETS

The objective of the campaign is to prepare the Q.C. electorate and government for the coming 2010 elections with the following targets:

• Ø Give dignity and integrity to the entire electoral process.
• Ø Empower the electorate (through their organizations and their schools) to participate actively in the electoral process from the time of cleansing of the voters’ list, to registering as a voter, to making independent and informed choices on Election Day.
• Ø Empower the BARANGAYS through their Education Committees and their Secretaries to help cleanse the Voters’ List by submitting an updated profile of their residents and the qualified voters.
• Ø Work out full cooperation and coordination of work by the instruments of the City Government: i.e.,

ð Barangay Operations Center (BOC)

ð Liga ng mga Barangay (Q.C. Chapter)

ð SK Federation (Q.C. Chapter)

ð City Civil Registry Office

ð City Health Department

ð Community Relations Office (CRO)

ð Division of City Schools

ð With members of civil society and the school communities.

• Ø Thus, we undertake the CRV Approach (Cleanse, Register and Vote) in order to ensure that the true votes of the electorate are counted through a cleansed and credible registered voters’ list.
• Ø We wage information and education through a sweeping campaign that covers all the 142 barangays within twenty four areas of the four districts of Quezon City.

CAMPAIGN  PERIOD AND APPROACH

• Period: The Campaign period will last the entire month of September, from the first week – September 3 & 4 – to the last week – 24 & 25 September.

• Sessions: There will be eight IEC Sessions all in all.  These eight sessions shall be divided into the four districts of Quezon City, with each district enjoying two IEC sessions.  Every Session in turn covers three areas.  Since each district shall have two IEC Sessions, these two sessions shall cover a total of six areas.  All six areas shall include the total number of barangays of the particular district.

• Number of Participants: There will be 375 participants in each session with a total of 3,000 participants covered for the entire September Campaign.  The participants shall be divided into the following categories:

• 100  = Barangay Captains, Education Committee Chairs and Barangay Secretaries. –  c/o BOC & Liga ng mga Barangay
• 100 =  Civil society and community organizations – c/o CRO
• 100 =  NGOs, IPER, First Time Voters/SKs – c/o IPER/CPE Netw.
• 075 =  School Principals, Teachers and Students

• Schedule of Activities:

District	Areas Covered	Date/Time	Venue	Expected No. of Participants
I	1, 2 & 3	Sept. 03, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	Bagong Pag-asa Covered Court Rd. 9 Bgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Q.C.	375
I	4, 5 & 6	Sept. 17, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	Sta. Teresita Covered Court, Mayon cor. Dapitan Sts.,Bgy. Sta. Teresita, Q.C.	375
II	7, 8 &9	Sept. 04, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	Holy Spirit Covered Court, Faustino St. (near Bgy. Hall), Bgy. Holy Spirit, Q.C.	375
II	10, 11 & 12	Sept. 18, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	Sta. Monica Covered Court, Moises St. (near Novaliches District Center, Bgy. Sta. Monica, Q.C.	375
III	13, 14 & 15	Sept. 10, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	Quirino 2-B Covered Court Langka St. Bgy. Quirino 2-B, Q.C.	375
III	16, 17 & 18	Sept. 24, 2009 8:00 am-4:00 pm	BAgumbuhay  Covered Court Malvar St., Bgy. Bagumbuhay , Q.C.	375
IV	19, 20 & 21	Sept. 11, 2009 8:00am-4:00pm	Bernardo Park Covered Court, Barangay  Pinagkaisahan, Q.C.	375
IV	22, 23 & 24	Sept. 25, 2009 8:00am-4:00 pm	Pinyahan Covered Court, along Malakas St., Bgy. Pinyahan, Q.C.	375

Schedule of Activities Prepared by the BOC

Finalized and Approved by the Q.C. IEC Steering Committee

Aug. 27, 2009

Copy of HB 6111

HB_6111 (click on this link to download pdf of House bill 6111 “AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT AGAINST FORCED EVICTION AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE PROVISIONS OF THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ACT OF 1992.” FILED BY REP. RISA HONTIVEROS OF AKBAYAN.

AN ACT TO STRENGTHENTH E IMPLEMENTATIOONF THE RIGHTA GAINST

FORCEDE VICTIONASM ENDINGF ORT HISP URPOSEP ROVISIONOSF THE

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE URBAN

DEVELOPMENATN D HOUSINGA CTO F 1992.

HB 6111 para sa Makataong Paninirahan: Isinulong ni Risa Hontiveros

Na-file na ni Representative Risa Hontiveros ang Akbayan Urban Poor Bill (HB 6111) na naglalayong mas palakasin ang implementasyon ng Batas Laban sa Sapilitang Pagpapatalsik, o ang Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (RA 7279)

UDHA: Makalipas ang 17 taon…

Nitong nakaraang Marso 28, 2009, ginunita ang ika-17 taong anibersaryo ng UDHA, ang batas na nilikha upang i-angat ang kalagayan ng mga maralitang mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay sa kanila ng disente at abot-kayang pabahay, mga batayang serbisyo, at mga oportunidad na panghanap-buhay.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga mekanismong itinakda sa UDHA, nilayon ng mga may-akda ng batas na bigyang-solusyon ang ilang dekada nang problema sa pabahay sa kalunsuran. Ilang mahalagang halimbawa ng mga mekanismong ito ay ang:

• pagbuo ng isang kumprehensibong plano – ang National Urban Development and Housing Framework – upang tiyakin ang katuparan ng mga layunin ng UDHA;
• pag-imbentaryo ng mga lupain ng mga siyudad at munisipyo at pagtakda kung alin sa mga lupaing ito ang maaaring gamitin para sa programang Socialized Housing at bilang resettlement areas;
• pagtakda ng mga pamamaraan kung paano mapapasa-gubyerno ang mga lupaing ito upang mailipat sa kamay ng mga benipisyaryo;
• pagtiyak sa pagkakaroon ng mga batayang serbisyo at kabuhayan sa mga resettlement areas at housing sites;
• pagbawal sa demolisyon maliban lang kung umaayon ito sa mga patakarang nakalista sa batas; at,
• paglunsad sa Community Mortgage Program (CMP) bilang isang paraan kung paano mabibili ng mga maralita ang loteng kinatitirikan ng kanilang bahay;

Bakit nga ba binuo ang UDHA?

Binuo ang UDHA dahil, ayon na rin sa ilang pandaigdigang kasunduan at sa mismong mga batas ng Pilipinas, obligado ang pamahalaan na proteksiyunan ang  karapatan ng mga mamamayan nitong maralitang taga-lungsod.

Ayon, halimbawa, sa Article 11.1 ng International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR), ang Pilipinas ay obligadong “ihinto ang mga sapilitang pagpapalayas at tiyaking mananagot sa batas ang sino

mang patuloy na nagsasagawa ng mga sapilitang pagpapalayas.”

Ganitong klaseng proteksiyon din ang iginagawad sa mga maralitang taga-lungsod ng mga probisyon ng Saligang Batas na patungkol sa Urban Land Reform at Housing, lalu na ang Seksiyon 9 at 10 ng Article XIII (Social Justice) ng 1987 Philippine Constitution, na nagsasabing:

“URBAN LAND REFORM AND HOUSING:

Section 9. The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost, decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas. It shall also promote adequate employment opportunities to such citizens. In the implementation of such program the State shall respect the rights of small property owners.

Section 10. Urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted nor their dwelling demolished, except in accordance with law and in a just and humane manner.

No resettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be undertaken without adequate consultation with them and the communities where they are to be relocated.”

Sa madali’t sabi, inuutusan ng Section 9 ang pamahalaan na patuloy na magsagawa ng mga programang pabahay at itaguyod ang Urban Land Reform upang mabigyan ang mga mahihirap at walang-bahay na mamamayan ng sumusunod na serbisyo:

1. mura at disenteng pabahay na mayroong mga batayang serbisyo;
2. pagkaroon ng maayos na oportunidad panghanap-buhay;
3. proteksiyon sa karapatan ng mga maliliit na “property owners”

Ginagarantiya naman ng Section 10 ang proteksiyong ibibigay sa mga mahihirap at walang-bahay na mamamayan laban sa di-makatarungang demolisyon at pagpapalayas. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng:

1. pagbawal sa mga demolisyon/pagpapalayas na hindi umaayon sa mga patakarang itinakda ng batas;
2. pagtiyak na ang anumang demolisyon/pagpapalayas na papayagan ay makatarungan at hindi yumuyurak sa dignidad ng tao;
3. di pagpayag sa anumang “resettlement” kung walang tunay na konsultasyon na naganap.

Ang tanong ngayon – Nagtagumpay ba ang UDHA sa pagkamit sa mga tunguhin nito? Maaari siguro nating sagutin ang katanungang iyan sa pamamagitan ng isa pang tanong – lahat ba ng mga dapat ay benipisyaryo ng UDHA ay nakikinabang na sa isang programa para sa mura at disenteng pabahay?

Ang mga taglay na kahinaan ng UDHA ang mismong dahilan kung bakit isinulong ng Akbayan ang HB 6111. Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang batas na ito, nais ng Akbayan na ma-amyendahan ang UDHA upang gawin itong mas epektibo at mas makatarungan.

Ano ba ang mga mahahalagang panukala ng HB 6111?

Ang pinaka-mahalagang amyenda na isinusulong ng HB 6111 ay ang pagtanggal sa “cut-off date” na March 28, 1992 na itinakda ng UDHA, sapagkat napakaraming mga maralitang taga-lungsod at mamamayang walang sariling bahay ang pinagkaitan ng karapatan na maserbisyuhan ng gubyerno ng probisyong ito. Sa tingin ng Akbayan, napakalaking paglabag sa ating Saligang Batas ang pagtatakda ng “cut-off date” sa isang napakahalagang batayang serbisyong tulad ng pagkaroon ng mura at disenteng pabahay.

Dahil sa “cut-off date” na ito, nagkaroon bigla ng dalawang kategorya ng mga maralitang taga-lungsod at mamamayang wa;ang sariling bahay – isang kategorya ay yung mga nagtayo ng bahay bago ang March 28, 1992, at ibang kategorya naman yung mga nagtayo ng bahay mula March 28, 1992, pataas.

Yung mga napailalim sa unang kategorya ay kabilang sa mga maaaring mag-benipisyo sa mga Social Housing Projects ng pamahalaan at, kung sakaling magkakaroon ng demolisyon, protektado ng Section 28 ng UDHA.

Subalit ang mga minalas na napabilang sa ikalawang katergorya, walang proteksiyong maaasahan sa Section 28 sakaling gibain ang kanilang mga bahay at patalsikin sila sa kanilang mga tirahan. Ang polisiyang “Summary Eviction” ang ipapataw sa kanilang kategorya. Dagdag pa rito, ang pagkakaroon ng isang “cut-off date” ay tila nagdadagdag ng isa pang requirement sa pagiging benipisyaryo sa Social Housing Program ng pamahalaan dun sa apat nang nakatakda sa Section 16 ng UDHA.

Sa katunayan, dahil sa pagkakaroon ng isang “cut-off date,” parang tinalikuran na rin ng pamahalaan ang polisiyang Continuing Urban Development and Housing Program, na siyang mandatong ibinibigay ng Sections 9 at 10 ng Article XIII ng Saligang Batas at maging ng UDHA Law mismo.

Pero bakit nga ba may “cut-off date” pang itinakda? Simple lang po ang dahilan – umasa kasi ang mga lumikha sa UDHA na sa pagdating ng March 28, 1992 ay resolbado na ang problema sa pabahay sa Pilipinas!

Dahil tuloy sa baluktot na paniniwalang ito ay natanggalan ng karapatang ma-proteksyunan ayon sa Section 28 ng UDHA ang sinumang maralitang taga-lungsod o mamamayang walang sariling bahay na magtatayo ng bahay mula March 29, 1992 pataas. Parang hindi tuloy isinasaalangalang ng batas ang iba pang mga kadahilanan sa likod ng problema sa kawalahan ng pabahay.

Layon din ng HB 6111 na ibalik ang mga mahahalagang karapatan ng mga komunidad ng maralita sa pamamagitan ng pag-amyenda sa mga sumusunod na prubisyon ng UDHA:

1. Section 16: Eligibility Requirements of Socialized Housing Program Beneficiaries. Dahil sa panukalang dagdag na paragraph sa HB 6111, pinipigilan na ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan at mga LGU na magdagdag ng ibang requirements para maging benipisyaryo ang isang tao ng Social Housing Program ng pamahalaan. Basta’t taglay ng isang maralita o mamamayang walang sariling bahay ang apat na requirements na itinakda ng Section 16, maari siyang maging benipisyaryo.

RA 7279 (UDHA)

HB 6111

SEC. 16. Eligibility Criteria for Socialized Housing Program Beneficiaries. To qualify for the socialized housing program, a beneficiary: a)     Must be a Filipino; b)    Must be an underprivileged and homeless citizen, as defined in Section 3 of this Act; c)     Must not own any real property whether in the urban or rural areas; and d)    Must not be a professional squatter or a member of squatting syndicates.

SEC. 16. Eligibility Criteria for Socialized Housing Program Beneficiaries. To qualify for the socialized housing program, a beneficiary: a)   Must be a Filipino; b)   Must be an underprivileged and homeless citizen, as defined in Section 3 of this Act; c)   Must not own any real property whether in the urban or rural areas; and d)   Must not be a professional squatter or a member of squatting syndicates. DAGDAG NA PARAGRAPH: These requirements are exclusive and any person who possesses them is entitled to registration as a beneficiary of the socialized housing proqram and may not be excluded based on any other grounds or consideration.”

1. Section 28. Eviction and Demolition. Dahil sa panukalang dagdag na paragraph sa HB 6111, kailangan nang tuparin ng mga awtoridad ang lahat ng requirements bago magsagawa ng demolisyon o pagpapatalsik, kahit pa lampas March 28, 1992 itinayo ang mga kabahayan.

RA 7279 (UDHA)

HB 6111

SEC 28. Eviction and Demolition. Eviction or demolition as a practice shall be discouraged. Eviction or demolition, however, may be allowed under the following situations: a)     When persons or entities occupy danger areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways, and other public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, and playgrounds; b)    When government infrastructure projects with available funding are about to be implemented; or c)     When there is a court order for eviction and demolition. In the execution of eviction or demolition orders involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, the following shall be mandatory; Notice upon the affected persons or entities at least thirty (*30) days prior to the date of eviction or demolition; Adequate consultations on the matter of resettlement with the duly designated   representatives of the families to be resettled and the affected communities in the areas where they are to be relocated; Presence of Local government officials or their representatives during eviction or demolitions; Proper identification of all persons taking part in the demolition; Execution of eviction or demolition only during regular office hours from Mondays to Fridays and during good weather, unless the affected families consent otherwise; No use of heavy equipment for demolition except for structures that are permanent and other of concrete materials; Proper uniforms for members of the Philippines National Police who shall occupy the first line of law enforcement and observe proper disturbance control procedures; and Adequate relocation, whether temporary or permanent; provided, however, That in cases of eviction and demolition pursuant to a court order involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, relocation shall be undertaken by the local government unit concerned and the National Housing Authority with the assistance of other government agencies within forty-five (45) days from service of notice of final judgement by the court, after which period the said order shall be executed: provided, further, That should relocation not be possible within the said period, financial assistance in the amount equivalent to the prevailing minimum daily wage multiplied by sixty (60) days shall be extended to the affected families by the local government unit concerned. The department of the Interior and Local Government and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the above provision.

SEC 28. Eviction and Demolition. Eviction or demolition as a practice shall be discouraged. Eviction or demolition, however, may be allowed under the following situations: a)    When persons or entities occupy danger areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways, and other public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, and playgrounds; b)    When government infrastructure projects with available funding are about to be implemented; or c)    When there is a court order for eviction and demolition. In the execution of eviction or demolition orders involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, the following shall be mandatory; 1.    Notice upon the affected persons or entities at least thirty (*30) days prior to the date of eviction or demolition; 2.     Adequate consultations on the matter of resettlement with the duly designated representatives of the families to be resettled and the affected communities in the areas where they are to be relocated; 3.    Presence of Local government officials or their representatives during eviction or demolitions; 4.    Proper identification of all persons taking part in the demolition; 5.    Execution of eviction or demolition only during regular office hours from Mondays to Fridays and during good weather, unless the affected families consent otherwise; 6.    No use of heavy equipment for demolition except for structures that are permanent and other of concrete materials; 7.    Proper uniforms for members of the Philippines National Police who shall occupy the first line of law enforcement and observe proper disturbance control procedures; and 8.    Adequate relocation, whether temporary or permanent; provided, however, That in cases of eviction and demolition pursuant to a court order involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, relocation shall be undertaken by the local government unit concerned and the National Housing Authority with the assistance of other government agencies within forty-five (45) days from service of notice of final judgement by the court, after which period the said order shall be executed: provided, further, That should relocation not be possible within the said period, financial assistance in the amount equivalent to the prevailing minimum daily wage multiplied by sixty (60) days shall be extended to the affected families by the local government unit concerned. DAGDAG NA PARAGRAPH: Observance of the above requirements shall be mandatory in all cases involving the eviction and demolition of underprivileged ang homeless citizens, reqardless of whether or not their dwellinqs or residential structures were constructed after the effectivity of this Act. The department of the Interior and Local Government and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the above provision.

1. Section 30. Prohibition Against New Illegal Structures. Dahil sa mga panukalang dagdag na patakaran sa HB 6111, obligado nang sundin ng mga awtoridad na magsasagawa ng demolisyon ang walong (8) patakaran na itinakda sa ilalim ng Section 28 ng UDHA dahil sila ay papanagutin sa batas kapag kanilang nilabag ang alin man sa walong patakarang ito.

RA 7279 (UDHA)

HB 6111

SEC. 30. Prohibition Against New Illegal Structures. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct any structure in areas mentioned in the preceding section. After the effectivity of this Act, the barangay, municipal or city government units shall prevent the construction of any kind of illegal dwelling units or structures within their respective localities. The head of any local government unit concerned who allows, abets or otherwise tolerates the construction of any structure in violation of this section shall be liable to administrative sanction under existing laws and to penal sanctions provided for in this Act.

SEC. 30. Prohibition Against New Illegal Structures. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct any structure in areas mentioned in the preceding section. After the effectivity of this Act, the barangay, municipal or city government units shall prevent the construction of any kind of illegal dwelling units or structures within their respective localities. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY EVICTION OR DEMOLITION OF UNDERPRIVILEDGED AND HOMELESS CITIZENS CONDUCTED IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION MUST BE DONE WITH OBSERVANCE OF AND IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE EIGHT (8) MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 28 OF THIS ACT. The head of any local government unit concerned who allows, abets or otherwise tolerates the construction of any structure in violation of this section, OR WHO, IN IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF, CONDUCTS AN EVICTION OR DEMOLITION INVOLVING UNDERPRIVILEDGED AND HOMELESS CITIZENS WITHOUT COMPLYING WITH SECTION 28, shall be liable to administrative sanction under existing laws and to penal sanctions provided for in this Act.

Mga hamon sa pagbuo ng at pag-implementa sa Batas Pabahay

Maliban sa patuloy na paunlarin ang mga kasalukuyang batas na may epekto sa mga maralitang taga-lungsod, mahalaga ring maging aktibo ang sektor ng mga maralita sa pakiki-ugnay at pagbabantay di lamang sa mga pambansang ahensiyang pabahay kundi pati sa mga local na pamahalaan. Sa katunayan, binibigyan ng mandato ng UDHA ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na pangunahan ang pagsasagawa sa Land Inventory, tiyakin na makatarungan at makatao ang anumang demolisyon na isasagawa at, sa ilang kaso, bayaran ng kumpensasyon ang mga apektadong mamamayan.

Inilabas ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang Memorandum Circular No.2008-143 na nag-uutos sa mga LGU na magpasa ng mga ordinansa para itayo ang Local Housing Boards, alinsunod na rin sa Executive Order No. 708 na nag-devolve sa gawaing pag-apruba ng “demolition clearances” mula sa Philippine Commission on the Urban Poor (PCUP) tungo sa mga LGU na mismo. Mga Local Housing Boards na dapat ang mag-aapruba sa anumang planong demolisyon o pagpapatalsik.

Subalit magpasahanggang-ngayon, iilan pa lang sa mga LGU ang nagpasa na ng mga ordinansang hinihingi ng nasabing memoradum circular ng DILG.

Isa ring importanteng bagay na dapat bantayan ay kung anong klaseng ordinansa para sa local housing board ang isasabatas ng mga lokal na pamahalaan.  Baka ito ay magsilbi lamang clearing house sa demolition. Dapat ang mga Local Housing Boards ay itayo hindi lamang bilang clearing house, kundi ay upang maging isang body na magbabalangkas ng kumprehensibong programa para sa pabahay sa mga lokal na pamahalaan.

Kaya mahalaga na aktibong at seryosong iparating ng mga samahan ng maralitang taga-lungsod ang kanilang mga isyu sa pabahay sa mga nagnanais tumakbo sa halalan sa 2010, di lamang doon sa mga naghahabol ng pambansang posisyon kundi pati na rin sa mga tatakbo sa lokal.

(Salamat kina Obet Belandres at Aki Nano ng Akbayan)

PAT Ordinance of Quezon City pending Approval by Mayor Belmonte

This is the copy of the ordinance passed by the City Council on July 20, 2009.  The ordinance is yet to be signed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte , for effectivity.

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Republic of the Philippines

QUEZON CITY COUNCIL

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2008-111

AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIP IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE BETWEEN THE QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF QUEZON CITY.

Introducer:  Councilor. JORGE B. BANAL, JR.

WHEREAS, PARTICIPATION is based on the premise that the right and responsibility to govern are equally shared by those who govern and who are governed. Both the representative of the state and civil society share in common the initiative to better governance. The government and the governed take collective responsibility for the welfare of the society. Thus the need to create an effective venue for the governed to participate in meaningful governance. Good governance is easily achieved if its responsibilities are shared by the people. A system of partnership between the governor and the governed gives impetus to the time-honored principle that, indeed, sovereignty resides in the people.

WHEREAS, ACCOUNTABILITY is entrenched on the rule that public office is a public trust.  It focuses on the regularity of fiscal transactions and faithful compliance with and adherence to, legal requirements and administrative policies. It is not only a government obligation but also an indispensable means to ensure responsiveness to the needs and rights of one’s constituency.    Effective accountability and responsiveness can only be assured through the meaningful participation of the communities involved.

WHEREAS, TRANSPARENCY gives attention to the information systems that will inform the public of the following: a)  policies, rules, and procedures, b) work programs, projects, and performance targets, c) performance reports, and d) all other documents as may hereafter be classified as public information.  Such information shall be utilized solely for the purpose of informing the public of such policies, programs, and accomplishment, thus, generate continuous people’s support and meaningful participation in the development of the city.

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlunsod of Quezon City, that:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE –  This ordinance shall likewise be known as THE PARTICIPATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ORDINANCE OF QUEZON CITY (PAT).

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES. The Quezon City Government shall at all times adhere to the following:

Right to Self-Organization. It shall be the responsibility of the people to  organize themselves into cooperatives, industrial labor organizations, interest groups, non-government organizations, sectoral organization, and/or people’s organizations, or to encourage and support their own efforts towards self-organization to address their common concerns, to promote their common welfare, and/or to serve the city or their communities and interests.

1. a. The Philippine Constitution

1).    “Art. X- Local Government, Sec. 14 – The President shall    provide for regional development councils or other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices, and representatives from non-governmental organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the units in the region”.

2).     “Art. XIII- Social Justice and Human Rights, a).  Sec. 15  The state shall respect the role of independent people’s organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.  b).  The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making shall not be abridged.  The state shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate consultation mechanisms”.

1. b. The Local Government Code 1991 (R.A. 7160)

1) “Book I, Title I- Basic Principles, Chapter 4-  Relations with People’s and Non-Governmental Organizations, Sec. 34-36

SEC. 34.  Role of People’s and Non-Governmental Organizations. – Local government units shall promote the establishment and operation of people’s and non-governmental organizations to become active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy.

SEC. 35.  Linkages with People’s and Non-Governmental Organizations. – Local government units may enter into joint ventures and such other cooperative arrangements with people’s and non-governmental organizations to engage in the delivery of certain basic services, capability-building x x x”.

“SEC. 36.  Assistance to People’s and Non-Governmental Organizations.  A local government unit may, through its local chief executive and with the concurrence of the sanggunian concerned, provide assistance, financial or otherwise, to such people’s and non-governmental organizations for economic, socially-oriented, environmental, or cultural projects to be implemented within its territorial jurisdiction”.

2).        “Book III, Title III- The City,  Chapter III- Officials and Offices Common to all Cities Sec. 458Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation”

SECTION 3. – DEFINITION OF TERMS–

As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean:

1. Governance –  the exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority to manage a nation’s affairs.  It embraces all methods that societies use to distribute power and manage public resources and problems.

1. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) – defined as non-stock, non-profit, non-membership voluntary organizations registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or any Government Agencies empowered by law or policy to register and/or accredit NGOs and other similar aggrupations, having a core staff delivering a mandate for acting as intermediaries for grassroots organizations, promoting self-help projects or doing community organizing work.  NGOs are also defined as privately funded, non-profit development organizations and self-help organizations engaged primarily in promoting, empowering and providing their members with legal means to improve their socio-economic and political status.

,

1. People’s Organization (POs) – are community-based, mass membership organizations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ), or any Government Agencies empowered by law or policy to register and/or accredit POs and other similar aggrupations, registered with a set of by-laws adopted through a membership assembly and duly elected officials.  POs are either sectoral or a multi-sectoral alliance pursuing a common goal and established to secure benefits for their membership and articulate aims and objectives in the general development discourse.

1. Council of Sectoral Representatives (CSR) – the fifty (50) representatives to the City Development Council (CDC) elected from the General Assembly of accredited NGOs / POs of Quezon City. This body is composed of different sectoral representatives tasked to participate in developmental planning, investment programming and monitoring and evaluation in the CDC.

e.       Interfaith and Church-based Organizations. Organizations and other faith-based aggrupations that are involved in assisting the church and in addressing the religious, socio-economic and welfare needs of its constituency.

1. Civic Organizations. Those engage in philanthropic and humanitarian programs and services.

1. Professional organizations. Organizations whose members belong to the practice of professional services such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, media workers and practitioners, academic persons.

1. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – are non-state organizations which aim neither to generate profits nor to seek governing powers.  They constitute the third sector, existing alongside and interacting with the state and market. They have a presence in public life, expressing the interest and values of their members or others, and are based on ethical, cultural, economic, scientific, religious considerations.

1. Private/Business Organizations – key actor in the realm of the economy where the central social concern and process is the mutually beneficial production and distribution of goods and services to meet the physical needs of human beings.  The private sector comprises private corporations, enterprises, individual businesses.

1. Vulnerable and marginalized groups – are those facing higher exposure to poverty, hunger, political, economic and cultural exclusion.

1. Partisan politics – shall refer primarily to any activity statement or manifestation which solely serves to campaign for or against any particular political party or any candidate for any elective public office.

1. Local Special Bodies. Other bodies created by the national and local laws, including task forces and committees.

1. Internal Rules and Procedures (IRP) – the systems, mechanisms, policies, rules and procedures that shall govern the operations of the PCQC.

SECTION 4. GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CSOs AND PRIVATE/BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE PEOPLE’S COUNCIL OF QUEZON CITY

This Ordinance shall institutionalize the regular convening of the General Assembly (GA) of CSOs and private/business organizations in Quezon City.  The City Government shall convene all CSOs and private/business organizations to be known henceforth as the People’s Council of Quezon City (PCQC).  The PCQC when created will be the standing and regular body and the umbrella of all accredited CSOs and private/business organizations of the City.  Its members and officers shall be co-terminus with the elected local chief executive and the Sangguning Panlungsod.  It shall function as a local special body created by Quezon City as defined in Section 5 of this Ordinance.

Through the Community Relations Office, City Planning and Development Office, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Accreditation Committee of the City Council, and the Council of Sectoral Representatives (CSR), the City Government shall initially convene all accredited civil society organizations and private/business organizations.  After convening, the same shall be known henceforth, as the PCQC.  Thereafter, the PCQC shall elect among themselves their representatives to sit in the city development council, various local special bodies, committees, task forces, and other similar government work groups.

The current General Assembly of CSOs and private/business organizations shall form the first PCQC to be recognized as such upon effectivity of this Ordinance with the CSR acting as its interim Executive Committee.  Thereafter, the PCQC shall be convened within 60 days after the assumption to office of the newly elected city officials.

SECTION 5. – FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.  The PCQC shall function as the accountability body of all accredited CSOs and private/business organizations.  It shall also act as the active partner of the local government in local governance.

1. Other functions and responsibilities include as follows;

1).  Conduct research and data bank for sectoral concerns, in coordination with the Quezon City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) which the city government may use as basic information for developmental planning;

2).   Document/Profile community initiative in development and best practices.

1. Upon recognition, the PCQC, in accordance with its policies and internal rules, shall elect from among its member organizations their respective representatives to the different local government bodies, boards, councils, committees, task forces and special bodies, which the city government or the national laws have created and may hereinafter create and/or which allows CSOs and private/business organizations representation and endorse the same to the city government.

1. PCQC shall submit to the City government joint ventures and other cooperative undertaking to engage in the delivery of certain basic services, capability-building and livelihood projects, and to develop local enterprises designed to improve productivity and income, promote ecological balance, and enhance the economic and social well-being of the people within the framework of equitable and sustainable development.

1. The PCQC shall enter into partnerships with other organizations, development funding agencies, and other entities/offices, locally and internationally, which are in line with its principles and programs, and for resource mobilization.  All partnerships and contracts entered into with the government shall be subject to the compliance with the national accounting and auditing procedures.  A Memorandum of Agreement shall be signed by the city government and the PCQC to ensure accountability and transparency of funds management.  Likewise, the PCQC shall assure that its internal fund management and programs, projects and activity reports are open to all inquiries from all concerned stakeholders including the local government.  (To be detailed in the IRP).

1. The PCQC shall be invited to observe and participate in the deliberation, conceptualization, and evaluation of projects, activities and programs of the city special bodies and participate at the committee level and/or act as the people’s representatives in consonance with their constitutional rights to information on matters of public concern and of access to official records and documents.

1. The City Government shall likewise ensure the PCQC participation during the conduct of regular barangay and sectoral hearings, and other public consultation on all matters affecting the general welfare, and/or submit all concerns and issues to the people for information and appropriate action.  (To be detailed in the IRR).

1. The PCQC shall assist the city government in guaranteeing the maintenance and conduct of regular and timely information and education program on city policies, program, projects and activities to adequately inform the people on issues and matters affecting their rights and welfare.

SECTION 6. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES of PCQC members –

As members, they shall:

1. Internally, vote on matters properly referred or endorsed for action.
2. Also, elect and to be elected as officer of the PCQC including the rights to represent the PCQC to local special bodies, task forces, committees, councils.
3. Observe, participate and/or act as resource persons in public hearings, consultations.
4. Participate and vote in local health board, local school board, local peace and order council, and other national and local government executive and legislative bodies in Quezon City with legally mandated CSOs and private/business representations; city development and investment planning.
5. Observe, participate and submit recommendations in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of city government’s programs and projects.
6. Member organizations elected to represent the PCQC shall have the sole prerogative to choose from among their bona fide members the persons who shall sit in the boards, councils, committees, task forces and/or special bodies concerned.  The PCQC shall develop criteria in selecting said representation.

SECTION 7. – STRUCTURE AND INTERNAL RULES OF THE PCQC

The PCQC shall provide for its own organizational structures and internal rules, including, but not limited to, appointing/designating members of its Secretariat and, shall at all times, maintain adequate consultation mechanisms for purposes of obtaining the views and suggestions of all political parties or movements, government employees’ organizations, other non-accredited but legitimate CSOs and private/business organizations; Provided, that no non-accredited CSOs and private/business organizations may be nominated by the Council for endorsement in the City’s special bodies nor they be granted the rights and privileges of accredited CSOs and private/business organizations under this Ordinance; and provided further, that no provision herein shall be interpreted to prohibit the Council from changing its name or from being organized other than for purposes stated in this Ordinance.

SECTION 8. NON-PARTISAN NATURE OF THE PCQC. – The representatives of the PCQC are prohibited from engaging nor allowing themselves to be used for purposes of partisan politics and shall adopt measures to ensure that the PCQC is adequately shielded from any political partisanship or influence.

SECTION 9. RECOGNITION. –  There shall only be one (1) PCQC which shall be recognized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

SECTION 10. ACCREDITATION OF CSOs and PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. – Any city-based non-governmental organization or people’s organization in active operation for at least one (1) year may be registered and accredited by the Sangguniang Panlungsod upon submission of and/or compliance with the requirements provided in R.A. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 and its IRR, DILG MC 2007-81, Q.C Ordinance Nos. SP-23, S-1992 and SP-1494, S, 2005, to wit:

1. Duly accomplished application form;
2. Board Resolution duly approved or adopted by at least two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board signifying intention for accreditation for the purpose of accreditation in the local special bodies and the names of the duly authorized principal and alternate representatives and their respective addresses signed by the approving members of the board of directors and duly certified by the secretary of the organization;
3. Duly Certified Photo copies of Certificate of Registration issued by government agencies concerned;
4. List of current officers and members of the organization/associations indicating their names, residence/address, citizenship (based on Art. IV, 1987 Phil Constitution), contact number and other related information, duly certified by the secretary of the organization;
5. Annual Accomplishment Report/List of projects and activities undertaken;
6. Financial Statement;
7. Minutes of the annual/organizational meeting, and the attendance therein of the majority of the officers and members with their affixed signatures, duly certified by the board secretary of the organization;
8. Duly Certified Photo copies of Constitution/Articles of Association and By-Laws, minutes of the adoption or ratification thereof, as well as list of members who participated therein as evidenced by their signatures;
9. Certification from the Punong Barangay attesting to the existence of the organization in the barangay;

All CSOs and private/business organizations whose application for accreditation has been approved shall be issued a certificate of accreditation containing, among others, the terms and conditions for the maintenance of their accreditation status. Their accreditation shall be co-terminus to that of the approving Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The PCQC representatives to the different City’s special bodies must have a proven track record of three (3) years of operation/experience in its line of work or sector.

SECTION 11.   TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PCQC. – The People’s Council of Quezon City, as a self-regulating body, after due process, may terminate any representative of member CSOs and private/business organizations for violation of any provision of this Ordinance, its Internal Rules and Procedures or any of the terms and conditions of its accreditation.

The PCQC shall inform the Sangguniang Panlungsod all decisions pertaining to membership termination.

SECTION 12. – MEMBERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT BODIES –

All City Government’s committees, boards, councils, task forces, and special bodies, including other bodies mandated by the national government, shall have equitable and substantial representation and involvement of the members of the PCQC or its representatives subject to the provisions of Book 1, Article V, VI, and VII of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.   As such, the term of PCQC representatives as members to City’s government bodies shall be co-terminus with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and shall not exceed three (3) terms or nine (9) consecutive years.

SECTION 13 – LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. – The Quezon City Government shall give support to the People’s Council of Quezon City pursuant to Chapter IV, Section 35 and Section 36 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The PCQC shall generate its own funds and shall be allowed to accept donations.  With funds coming from government and quasi-government institutions, the PCQC shall comply with the prescribed national accounting and auditing procedures.  However, with funding from private organizations, the PCQC shall apply its own internal auditing procedures.

Consistent with Section 5, par. 6, PCQC shall observe transparency and accountability in its fund management.

SECTION 14. – PCQC Office. – The City Government shall provide an office and authorize its maintenance and operation to serve as its place for cooperation, coordination and joint actions on matters affecting the local government and its constituencies’ interest.

The Community Relations Office shall provide secretariat support and assistance to the PCQC.

Section 15.  Oversight Committee. An oversight committee shall be established to monitor, evaluate and introduce corresponding recommendations to enhance this ordinance.    The City Vice Mayor or the Presiding Officer and the Chairperson of Committee on People’s Participation of the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall be the chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively, which shall be convened  annually on the  first Wednesday of July.  The committee shall be composed of the members of the Committee on People’s Participation, at least two (2) from the Minority bloc, Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, six (6) members of the PCQC, CPDO Head, the City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) and the CRO Head as secretariat.

Section 16.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. There shall be an IRR to be drafted immediately within 60 calendar days after the publication of this ordinance in, at least one (1) major newspaper of wide circulation.  After undergoing thorough public consultation, the IRR shall be crafted with the participation of CSOs and private/business organizations, through the existing CSR, the Committee on People’s Participation, Head of the CPDO and Head of the CRO.  This IRR shall be ratified by the City Council immediately or within seven (7) calendar days.

SECTION 17. –  SANCTIONS. – Non-compliance with this Ordinance shall be dealt with accordingly in accordance with pertinent national and local laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 18. – REPEALING CLAUSE. –  All resolutions, ordinances and executive issuances, or provisions thereof, which are inconsistent with any of the provisions hereof are hereby repealed accordingly, amended and/or modified.

SECTION 19. – SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – Should any provision of this ordinance be subsequently declared unconstitutional or ultra vires, the rest of the provisions not so declared shall remain to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 20. – EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval and publication in, at least one (1) major daily newspaper of wide circulation in Quezon City.  Publication shall be done within one (1) week after the approval of this Ordinance.

ENACTED: ______________, 2009.

Submitted By:

JORGE B. BANAL, JR.

Councilor, 3^rd District

Participation, Accountability and Transparency (PAT) Ordinance of Quezon City Passed by City Council

CSO leaders huddle with Councilor Banal during the second reading

Proponents consult TF PAT on amendments being tabled on the floor

Councilor Bolet Banal, principal author of PAT Ordinance

Leaders packed the gallery of Albert Hall during the Jan. 30 NGO-PO Assembly for PAT

Pass the PAT Ordinance!

The Quezon City Council passed on third and final reading on July 20, 2009, PO 2008-111 entitled AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIP IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE BETWEEN THE QUEZON CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF QUEZON CITY.

The ordinance was filed by Quezon City District 3 Councilor Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jr., and was pushed by Task Force PAT, a network of more than 200 organizations in Quezon City. CPE acts as the convener of the task force.

The measure which is also called PAT Ordinance of Quezon City, aims to establish the People’s Council of Quezon City (PCQC) which will serve as the self regulating umbrella organization of all accredited Civil Society Organizations and business/private organizations in the City. The PCQC will have a mechanism in selecting CSO/Private sector participation in the city development council, other local special bodies, task forces, and legislative committees.  It aims to promote transparency in governance, accountability through effective allocation of resources and implementation of basic services through active people’s participation.

The ordinance is now awaiting the approval of  Mayor Sonny Belmonte, also a promoter of good governance who brought the city back to life, to make the ordinance operational.

The ordinance was also advocated by the Council of Sectoral Representatives (CSR), the 50 NGO-PO Representatives to the City Development Council. It was claimed by CSR as one of its major accomplishments by institutionalizing people’s participation in city governance. La Salle Institute of Governance, through Mr. Mon Padilla also took active participation in the task force.

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Press Release / Letters to the Editor

The Editor

Philippine Daily Inquirer

July 30, 2009

The piece by Dr. Brillantes entitled, “Local Governance: Reform Stalled by Politics”, succinctly discusses the many obstructions that hinder effective local governance.  Many local governments, for instance, are still adjusting and undoubtedly struggling with the costs of the various social service functions devolved to them by law.  The spectrum of national-level directives ordering the implementation of nationally designed programs and interventions, without accompanying financial support, only further strains the economic resources of local governments.  These issues, of course, may be remedied through the reform of relevant the statutes.  The current mode of dividing the Internal Revenue Allotment of local governments, for instance, may be made more just and equitable.  As Dr. Brillantes points out however, partisan politics have gotten in the way of reform measures such as this.

Despite the hurdles of present statutes and political partisanship, Dr. Brillantes also underscores the fact that several local administrations have still managed to excel through creative interventions.  Some local governments, for instance, have improved their fiscal situation through improved revenue generation.  Others have enhanced the relevance of their service delivery programs through extensive community consultations.

Just recently, the Quezon City Council passed an ordinance creating the People’s Council of Quezon City.  The principal author of the ordinance, Councilor Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jr., inspired by the Naga City People’s Council, envisions the People’s Council of Quezon City as the primary mechanism through which the citizens of Quezon City may help ensure that local governance can progressively become more participatory, accountable and transparent.  The People’s Council of Quezon City, for instance, will facilitate the participation of NGOs, people’s organizations, church groups, and business associations in local policy formulation processes, thus enhancing the overall responsiveness of the city government.  The People’s Council can also serve as the means through which local citizens may hold their local representatives accountable.

That Quezon City has progressed and developed under the leadership of Mayor Feliciano “SB” Belmonte, Jr. is unquestionable.  Sound fiscal administration and strategic development planning has produced a vibrant, diverse, and progressive city.  The People’s Council of Quezon City, as passed by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Quezon City, may be seen as precisely the type of innovation necessary to overstep the present weaknesses of prevailing national statutes.  Equally concrete, the People’s Council of Quezon City, once approved by the mayor, may be what is necessary to safeguard what Quezon City has already gained through the Belmonte Administration.

Ed Chavez, Convenor

Task Force PAT of Quezon City

25-B Matiyaga St., Bgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City

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It’s time to promote ‘PAT’ in Quezon City now

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:50:00 08/11/2009

Filed Under: Local authorities, Governance, Legislation

With the people of this country craving for good governance both at the national and local levels, there is a proposed ordinance in Quezon City, which seeks to promote people’s participation, accountability and transparency (PAT) in local governance.

Inspired by the experience of the Naga City People’s Council, Councilor Bolet Banal filed in August last year an ordinance that would create the People’s Council of Quezon City. The ordinance will also allow other task forces, councils and special bodies, including legislative committees, to be represented in the council (wherein civil society and the private sector are already represented). Through the People’s Council, the people will have the opportunity to exercise their right to public information and to participate in the social and political decision-making processes.

The ordinance, once passed and approved, will be a true people’s ordinance because it has gone through a series of public consultations—conducted in the communities—during which inputs from various sectors were considered as part of the process of improving the ordinance.

The ordinance is now being readied for second reading, to which it was reverted for content-enhancement. Task Force PAT and the Council of Sectoral Representatives humbly ask our city councilors and Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to pass and approve the measure. We would like to ensure that the city’s ability to deliver services, which has improved under the current administration of Mayor Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, will undergo more improvements, with the people participating in the identification of programs and allocation of the city budget. The measure, once approved, will also safeguard that whatever the Belmonte administration has built will be sustained. It will be another landmark ordinance and a legacy of the current set of city officials to the people of Quezon City.

Through the PAT ordinance, the people will become active partners in the governance of the city’s affairs, by promoting accountability and transparency. This will lead to a more effective delivery of basic services, the basic characteristics of good governance. If we can’t make it happen immediately at the national level, we can start at the local level. From Naga City to Quezon City, this ordinance will make possible the making of completely a Quality City.

—ED CHAVEZ,
convenor, Task Force PAT,
executive director, Center for Popular Empowerment (CPE),
vice chair-internal, Council of Sectoral Representatives to the
City Development Council,
25-B Matiyaga St. Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City

Bayanihan sa Kaunlaran sa CSJDM, Bulacan:Barangay Development Planning through Participatory Learning and Action

Mayor Rey San Pedro of City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan commends the BDP-PLA process and wants it to be replicated in 58 barangays of the city.

The Center for Popular Empowerment, together with the Sangguniang Barangay of Graceville and the local chapter of Akbayan! Citizens’ Action Party in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, conduct BDP-PLA which will facilitate the formulation of the 5 years comprehensive and multi-sectoral development program of Barangay Graceville. It will start on August 27-30, 2009.  CPE acts as the capacity building partner and facilitator for the BDP-PLA process.

Punong Barangay Len Garcia, who is also a member of Akbayan, initiates a participatory process in development planning. “ We should involve people in identifying priority programs that will be funded by the local development fund.  It is only through people’s participation that genuine development will be achieved, “ said the multi-awarded Punong Barangay.

The planning process will be participated in by not less than 50 community members, wherein issues , vision, goals and objectives, as well as projects, programs and activities will be slated for the barangay. The community will plan for the economic,

Unlike before, where annual investment plans are focused only on infrastructure projects, the BDP-PLA process will address and promote holistic and sustainable approach to local development. It will have an integrated and comprehensive plan on economic, environmental, physical/land use, social and institutional development sectors,” said Ed Chavez, Executive Director of CPE. He also added that the process to be done will be aligned with the Rationalized Local Planning System (RLPS)—the planning process being encouraged by the DILG, DBM and NEDA through the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that facilitates a simpler but participatory and rationalized process of local development planning in the country.

Akbayan Citizens Action Party also took part in the process because according to their local party leaders, participatory local planning and budgeting is part of their vision in pursuing participatory democracy. Gerry Bautista, local Chair of Akbayan in the city said that in progressive countries being ran by progressive political parties, participatory budget process helps in building  alternatives and institutionalizing people’s participation in the development process.

Participatory Mapping

Barangay Captain Len Garcia (in blue) actively participates in the discussion

Mayor Rey San Pedro of City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan commends the BDP-PLA process and wants it to be replicated in 58 barangays of the city.

Community members collectively analyze their situation and identify priority programs that will be included in the barangay budget. The programs are based in a community vision that they themselves formulated.

The process can also facilitate the process of empowering citizenry because it will give them opportunities that may increase their self confidence in engaging the state by airing their views and ideas on how to pursue development and change in their situation

Participatory Local Development Planning in Mindanao for Peace and Development BDP-PLA in Zamboang Sibugay

Poverty remains to be major problem being experienced in the 16 municipalities of the province.  In 2003, Zamboanga Sibugay, still part of Zamboanga del Sur, was one of the 10 poorest provinces in the country. There are now 76 provinces in the Philippines.  Currently, the province is listed as still part of the 10 poorest provinces. The situation did not improve overtime because the province is still listed as one of the food poorest provinces. Even in terms of education, the province’s Net Enrolment Ratio went down drastically,  having the largest decrease in 2006 at 12.1%.  Poverty threshold also  increased from

Php9,580  in 2003 to Php12,188 in 2006.

One major intervention to address the problem of poverty and delivery of services was for all the local government units to have a clear development plan. Priority programs were identified –from the barangay level, up to municipal and provincial. In 2008, the provincial administration, in partnership with the Center for Popular Empowerment (CPE), embarked on building the capacities of local governments and civil society organizations by formulating participatory barangay development planning and budgeting. This endeavour covered 150 barangays as pilot projects, out of the total 389 barangays in the province in 8 out of 16 municipalities.

However, amidst the inflow of various funds from donor agencies , local planning system in the province, as well as all of the municipalities, has been generally weak,.  There is a lack of both horizontal linkages among sectoral concerns and vertical linkages (barangay to munic

ipalities, municipalities to barangay and vice versa).  Plan-to-budget linkage was also found wanting.. To compound problems even more, the supposed body mandated by law to formulate comprehensive plans and integrate them—the local development councils—are mostly inactive. These factors lead to inefficient and ineffective delivery of basic services and allocation of local government resources.

Zamboanga Sibugay has 16 municipalities and 389 barangays.. These municipalities are Ipil, Kabasalan, Naga, R.T. Lim, Siay, Titay, Tungawan, Alicia, Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Mabuhay, Malangas, Olutanga, Payao and Talusan. The whole province has a total of 101,131 households. There are 38,868 families categorized as poor families, according to 2006 survey of the National Statistics and Coordination Board. The province is home to diverse ethnic communities:  Tausug, Subanen, Maguindanao, Samal, Kalibugan, Maranao and Yakan.

As to income levels, Zamboanga Sibugay is classified as third-class province. Among the sixteen (16) municipalities, one (1) is classified as second-class municipality, one (1) as second-class municipality, nine (9) are classified as fourth-class municipalities, and five (5) municipalities are classified as fifth class.

The partnership was established when Mr. Jet Hofer sought the assistance of CPE early 2009. A team was organized to

assist in the implementation of participatory local development planning and budgeting in 60 barangays in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. The project head is Mr. Gromeo Bilugan, a veteran and trained BDP-PLA facilitator.

A pledging session is being prepared for October 2009. The pledging session is expected to bring in support and pledges from different agencies and institutions for the development programs of the pilot barangays.

The participatory local development planning in the province is a step towards realizing an accountable and responsive type of local governance. Being a province where traditional politics have reigned for decades, the process of people identifying themselves priority development programs is a welcome development in allocating budget and prioritizing projects by local governments. It also helps in the process of building empowered citizenry wherein people are being drawn in to participate in local decision-making process and analyzing their situation.