Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

RDC XII SECRETARIAT REPORT: SELECTION OF PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES (PSRs) TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RDC) XII, 2010-2013 Section 14 of Executive Order (E.O) No. 325 sets the term of office of the Chairperson, Co-chairpersons and the Private Sector Representatives of RDC to three years, coinciding with the regular term of local elective officials. The term of office of the current officials and PSRs in RDC XII ended on June 30, 2010. Following the foregoing provision, RDC XII undertakes its process of reorganization every three years, beginning with the selection of the new PSRs to the Council. On June 22, 2010, RDC XII passed Resolution No. 28 approving the Supplemental Guidelines for the Selection of PSRs to RDC XII for the term 2010-2013. The selection began in July and shall culminate on 24 August 2010 with the selection of nominees for RDC XII officials for the consideration of the Office of the President. PSRs comprise one-fourth of the members of the fully constituted Council. A total of 11 PSRs for RDC XII for CY 2010-2013 were selected, five (5) of them for sectoral representation and six (6) for geographic representation. However, an additional seat for PSR of Koronadal City has been allocated with the status of Regionally Designated Voting Member (RDVM) in consideration of Koronadal City being the Regional Government Center of Region XII. This brings the total number of PSRs to twelve, to serve the term 2010-2013. I. Pre- Selection Process and Activities The RDC XII Secretariat facilitated the selection process through the following activities: a) Generation of list of accredited PSOs from Local Government Units (Provinces and cities) and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) b) Conduct of meeting with City/Provincial Planning and Development coordinators or representatives on July 13, 2010. Among the significant matters discussed was the guideline for PSR selection to the RDC. Assistance of the PPDCs/CPDCs was sought in the generation of list of PSOs by area.

c) Approval of the supplemental guidelines and calendar of activities for the selection of PSR to the RDC for 2010-2013. The guidelines stipulate the Sectoral and Geographic Allocation of PSRs. The geographical and sectoral allocation of PSRs is patterned from the 2007 allocation by area and sector. The said distribution was likewise guided by regional development concerns, thrusts and priorities as contained in the 2004-2010 MTRDP (Table 1). Table 1 PSR Allocation by Area and Sector RDC XII, Region XII AREA/GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION City Highly Urbanized City (HUC) General Santos City Independent Chartered City (ICC) Cotabato City Koronadal City (Regional Govt. Center) Province North Cotabato/Kidapawan City Sarangani South Cotabato Sultan Kudarat/Tacurong City

SECTORAL REPRESENTATION Economic Development Social Development

Infrastructure Development Governance & Institutions Development Labor Sector (EO 384)

d. Pre-Screening Activities o Short listing of NGOs/POs to determine eligible PSOs Sending out of General Information Forms and Nomination and Voter forms. Members of the RDC Secretariat personally coordinated and delivered the letter of invitations for the PSOs to the PPDOs/CPDOs to assist in the distribution of the letter of invitations. Evaluation of the PSOs using GIFs to determine the qualified PSOs that may participate in the area selection Invitation to qualified PSOs

to attend the PSO Convention by area at the identified venue, through the help of the PPDOs and CPDOs

2.

Selection and Proclamation o The selection of PSRs to the RDC was conducted in two categories: by area, for the geographical representation; and regional, for the sectoral and labor representation.

For geographic/area representation: o Coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) through the City/Provincial Planning and Development Offices (C/PPDOs) was closely done to ensure wider and quality participation of PSOs at the local level. Previous PSRs were also tapped to help identify active PSOs with proven track record in socio-economic development undertakings. Information dissemination through the websites of NEDA XII with RDC link was done, making all forms accessible, downloadable and printable. The Secretariat sought the help of some LGUs in identifying the venue for the PSO convention and also in assisting the Secretariat disseminate the invitation letters to qualified PSOs. Coordination was also done using the new technologies like cell phones and internet to contact the PSOs. Further, some of the outgoing PSRs were also tapped to help in information dissemination particularly those from General Santos City, Sarangani and South Cotabato.

Further validation of PSOs and PSR nominees were conducted prior to the start of selection proper. A total of One hundred-three (103) qualified PSOs participated in the selection activities. Seventy (70) of the PSOs vied for the geographical representation in the 4 provinces and 3 cities of the region. About thirty-three (33) qualified PSOs participated in the sectoral selection. These PSOs were invited based on coverage of operation (covering at least two or more provinces and/or cities in the region) with active involvement in socio-economic and other development activities for at least three years since their existence (Figure 1). There was a noticeable increase in the number of PSOs that participated in the selection of PSR for the term 2010-2013 (around 37 percent increase). The number of those who participated in the selection for sectoral representation in 2007 (11 PSOs) has tripled in 2010 (33 PSOs). The program of activities during the selection activity generally flowed in this manner: Preliminaries Recognition of Participating PSOs official nominees/voters or representatives Welcome and opening statements of RDC OIC-Secretary Briefing on RDC Structure, mandate and functions Guidelines on PSR selection, and the Mechanics of the Selection open forum presentation of qualified PSOs and their nominees, Recess for consultation and caucus (optional) Self introduction by the Nominees themselves or by the representatives/voters (in case the nominee is absent) Selection by secret balloting, canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning nominee; and Acceptance speech by the winning nominee.

Table 2 Number of Participating PSOs and Date of PSR Selection No. of Participati ng PSOs 13 9 8 17 7 5 11 70 26 7 103

Province/City 1. Sultan Kudarat 2. North Cotabato and Kidapawan City 3. Sarangani 4. General Santos City 5. South Cotabato 6. Koronadal City 7. Cotabato City Sub-Total Sectoral Selection (social, economic, governance and labor) Infra Sector selection Total

Date of Selection August 2, 2010 August 3, 2010 August 5, 2010 August 6, 2010 August 9, 2010 August 9, 2010 August 10, 2010 August 12, 2010 August 18, 2010

Participation of PSOs in Region XII PSR Selection/Convention

North Cotabato & Kidapawan City 9% Sarangani 8% Cotabato City 11% Koronadal City 5% South Cotabato 7%

Sectoral/Regional 32%

Sultan Kudarat 12%

General Santos City 16%

II.

The New Private Sector Representatives (PSR) to RDC XII, 2010-2013

Of the twelve newly elected PSRs to RDC XII for the period 2010-2013, only four were re-elected PSRs of whom two are on their third term (PSR Alfredo Bronx Hebrona, PSR Rolando Doria) and two are on their second term (PSR Karl Vincent Queipo and PSR Vispocious Ramos). All elected PSRs for 2010-2013 are male. As to their organizations, six (6) of them represent the nongovernment organizations (NGOs), four (4) from business organizations, one from peoples organization, and one from the labor unions/associations in Region XII (Table 2). In their acceptance speeches, the new PSRs expressed their commitment, willingness and readiness to participate in RDC meetings and activities. Some of the PSRs promised to help organize and institutionalize the consultation mechanisms at the local levels among other PSOs in the area, like reactivating the NGO councils and organizational coalitions. Some PSOs especially in General Santos City mentioned about activities already initiated by their NGO (KPS) toward strengthening alliances and coalitions with other PSOs that shared common aspirations and objectives. They also proposed to draw up private sector agenda at the beginning of their term. Concomitant to that would be the reporting and feedback mechanism to ensure a truly meaningful private sector partnership with the public sector in regional development. Majority of the PSRs and PSOs also appreciated the process of selection at the local level considering that their selection as PSRs was mandated by their fellow PSOs. This mandate gives them some assurance of their support and cooperation in bringing into fruition the principle of private sector participation in local and regional governance.

Table 2 List of Newly Selected PSRs to RDC XII 2010-2013 PSR/AREA/SECTOR Mr. Vispocious E. Ramos, Sr. PSR Sultan Kudarat Province Mr. Ramon N. Floresta PSR North Cotabato Province & Kidapawan City DATE/PLACE OF SELECTION/PROCLAMATION August 2, 2010 Kings Hall, SK Provincial Capitol Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Province August 3, 2010 Lady M Restaurant Kidapawan City

Alfredo Bronx P. Hebrona, Jr. PSR Sarangani Province Mr. Rodrigo G. Olarte, Jr. PSR General Santos City Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot PSR South Cotabato Province Mr. Nestor S. Lumawig PSR Koronadal City Mr. Yusoph Mohammad PSR Cotabato City Dr. Rolando S. Doria PSR-Economic Development Sector Mr. Karl Vincent M. Queipo PSR Social Development Sector Mr. Enrique V. Marcelino PSR Governance & Institutions Development Mr. Joemarie P. Angeles PSR Labor Sector Mr. Richlie Lyndon L. Magtulis PSR Infrastructure Development Sector

August 5, 2010 Isla Parilla Resort, Alabel Sarangani Province August 6, 2010 Emerald Room, Phela Grande Hotel General Santos City August 9, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 9, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 10, 2010 Casa Blanca Restaurant Cotabato City August 12, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 12, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 12, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 12, 2010 EMR Center, Koronadal City August 18, 2010 Villa Princesita, Koronadal City

III. Issues and concerns raised during the selection process The table below summarizes some of the major issues and concerns raised during the PSR selection, to wit: Issues/Concerns Lack of linkage with private media Recommendations/Agreements Include a private media representative (as member) in the RDC. Also, RDC should have a system of sharing or bringing information to media who can reach the grassroots, especially those with no access to internet. IEC should be top to bottom.

RDC Private Sector Representative (PSR) Accountability to Private Sector Organizations (PSOs)

Institutionalization of PSOs into a coalition/federation in General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, and other areas

RDC PSR to consider doing the following: 1. Come up with a Three -year private sector agenda; 2. Have some sort of a performance contract; 3. Consult PSOs in his area on critical issues/concerns for RDC information/action; 4. Feedback what transpired in the RDC/SECOM meetings to the PSOs in his area; and 3. Prepare a valedictory accomplishment report of what he has done as an RDC PSR Request the City Government of General Santos City to support the institutionalization/organization of PSOs in the City as a mechanism for consultation, putting up, consolidating private sector agenda, etc. In partnership with the LGU and other NGOs, the Katotohanan, Pagkakaiisa at Serbisyo (KPS) Inc. shall raise funds, assist and support the institutionalization/organization of PSOs in the City. KPS, at present, has funding support from the British government till next year which include this concern.

Other queries raised are as follows: 1. How can RDC assist in sourcing out assistance from ADB to improve the CotabatoDavao National Road? 2. How can RDC help advocate the investment potentials of North Cotabato to the BIMP-EAGA? 3. How can the PSOs sustain the conduct of conventions or meetings to ensure that the PSR truly represents the sentiments and concerns of the private sector, and how would they be informed of RDC work and actions on concerns of their interest? III. Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Enhancement of Selection Process 1. Update the inventory of PSOs and other related database The updating of database on PSOs is deemed important not only for facilitating the PSR selection process at the regional level (RDC) but at the local level (PDC/CDC), as well. Improved database would ensure a more efficient and effective management of the PSO accreditation and pre-qualification processes. It is recommended that the NGO/PO/PSO database be updated regularly, at least annually. The information would likewise serve other purposes such as the conduct of RDC public consultations on plan and policy concerns of the region.

2. Strengthen and/or sustain coordinative and collaborative networking with local planning units of LGUs, and with PSO federations, coalitions or alliances. This strategy effectively addressed the concerns of the RDC XII Secretariat in the conduct of the selection activities, particularly in terms of generating lists of accredited organizations, dissemination of information and invitation to qualified PSOs, confirmation of PSO participation and the conduct of activity at the local level. The sharing of experiences by past PSRs also helped enlighten the participating PSOs on their expectations once they sit in the council, as well as, the councils expectations from the PSRs. 3. Heighten advocacy and information dissemination on the PSR selection process and other RDC XII activities To ensure wider and quality participation in the PSR selection, it is proposed that the organizations of PSOs at the provincial and city levels be pursued. It is further encouraged that an active PSO should champion and lead in the organization, with the involvement of the PSR for the area and/or for the sector, and more importantly with the sustained support of the LGUs. Technical and capacity building component may be provided by the Council itself. 4. Review the guidelines for RDC PSR selection to possibly synchronize with LGU PSO accreditation processes and PSR selection for Provincial Development Councils (PDCs) and City Development Councils (CDCs). Linkage of area PSR with PDCs and local PSRs need to be improved, as well.