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The Department shall promote peace and order, ensure public safety and strengthen capability of local government units through active people participation and a professionalized corps of civil servants.
VOL. 7 NO. 11
www.dilg.gov.ph
November 2012
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NEWS
November 2012
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SPECIAL FEATURE
November 2012
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November 2012
from page 12
PNoy leads...
This gathering also stands as testament not only to the divinity of Saint Pedro Calungsod, but even more so, to the ideals that he has etched into our national consciousness: A sense of selfless sacrifice for faith and principle; an outward offering of oneself for the greater good, he added. With the President were Vice President Jejomar Binay, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and other government officials. Earlier, Roxas personally led the final ground preparations for the Thanksgiving Mass to ensure a safe, secure, and solemn event for the thousands of devotees expected to flock South Road Properties in Cebu on Friday. He presided over the final briefing
Civil society...
at the event site attended by top regional officials of the PNP, Napolcom, BFP and local government officials to ensure that all security preparations and contingencies are in place. Aside from conducting the final briefing, Roxas led the actual inspection of the site for the Mass and enlisted the support of barangay tanods, church members, LGU personnel, Coast Guard and Navy personnel to help secure the venue. Firemen, rescue, and emergency personnel were also stationed in strategic command posts to enable them to respond promptly and effectively for any eventuality, while fire trucks, ambulances and emergency vehicles were on standby and ready to respond to any emergency.
groups in the budget process to the government welcoming people to the kitchen so they can help decide what meals to prepare and what portions will be served to different sectors considering the available resources. Whereas before, only a few decide whether to cook adobo or kare-kare, and who gets what portions, now the PNoy government is saying, the door to the kitchen is open. And through strong and healthy engagement with civil society and non-government organizations, the national government and local government units will be able to arrive at whats really needed. Maaaring hindi adobo at kare-kare lang, Roxas said. The DILG secretary, however, cautioned civil society groups that the real challenge is not just in opening the door to the budget process, but in balancing the needs of all sectors through an enlightened and give-and-take process. Initially, the BUB was started in 600 municipalities last year and was further increased to 1,200 this year until all LGUs are able to prepare their budgets utilizing
inputs from members of their respective communities. We are on track and on schedule. We are currently organizing ways to determine what communities need and the process how to submit their specific budget requirements to different government agencies, Roxas added. But its a long process so we decided that from the start, the voices of all the sectors are already integrated. Roxas said President PNoy clearly sees that for the government to succeed, it needs a strong partnership with the citizenry, and civil society is the important link between the Presidents commitments to good governance and meaningful people participation. Ang gustong mangyari ni PNoy, is that the expectations of the people will fundamentally change to one of ownership of the government and its processes. He wants people to feel that, gobyerno namin yan. Nakita namin kung ano ang maaaring mangyari, kung anong kabutihan ang maaaring maidulot ng isang matuwid at matinong pamamahala, he said.
from page 12
New website...
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the website also aims to assist local government units in complying with the requirements of the Full Disclosure Policy of the Department. This is because by simply signing in to the site, local governments that have no websites may now use the common portal to post their financial documents. In 2010, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular 2010-083 titled, Full Disclosure of Local Budget and Finances, and Bids and Public Offerings, mandating provinces, cities and municipalities to fully disclose specific financial transactions to keep their constituents informed of how the LGUs budget is managed, disbursed and used. The same circular was subsequently adopted as a requirement
HIV-AIDS FORUM DILG-3 Regional Director Florida Dijan leads the awareness and advocacy drive against HIV-AIDS during a forum participated in by around 800 students from the different schools in the City of San Fernando. The forum, which was conducted in two batches, was initiated by the DILG regional office in cooperation with the Department of Health
in the General Appropriations Act. Through this portal, the difficulties faced by LGUs in posting the required documents, such as the absence of a website and the prohibitive cost of print space, will be addressed, said Assistant Secretary and concurrent BLGS Director Rolando M. Acosta during the recent launch at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City. More importantly, the portal also allows the public to view, download and print the financial documents of the LGUs. Present during the launch were DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero, World Bank Acting Country Director Chiyo Kanda, and Gladys Selosa of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, among others.
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November 2012
Construction of One-Storey Covered Market Phase III (Fruits and Vegetables Market)
Background The town of Tiwi, Albay is a first class municipality situated at the northern most tip of the province of Albay. It has a population of 49,476 (Community-Based Management System data, 2008) thriving in 11,628 hectares of land. Of the total 25 barangays, 16 are geothermal barangays, 12 coastal barangays, and one urban barangay. Tiwi is making trends for its development efforts in the sectors of geothermal operation, ceramics production and eco-tourism programs. But its people are still highly dependent on agriculture and fisheries as their major sources for living. The local folks depend on their farm and fishery produce for their daily subsistence. As such, the locality has to make the economic site for farmers readily accessible, clean, well-maintained, secured and permanent. While there is already an existing public market, it cannot accommodate the increasing number of vendors peddling their goods and wares even on weekdays. On weekends, the old market even becomes especially overcrowded with vendors and consumers alike spilling over in the streets because of the crowded aisles and narrow stalls. The municipality saw the need to expand the already existing public market, particularly one for fruits and vegetables, which shall serve as trading post for farmers, buyers and consumers. A unique opportunity came in 2010 when the municipality of Tiwi was granted a P1million incentive under the Department of the Interior and Local Governments (DILGs) Performance Challenge Fund (PCF). The PCF is a program that aims to recognize LGUs that subscribe to the principles of accountability and transparency and for showing excellence in local governance. LGUs that passed the Seal of Good Housekeeping criteria are eligible to access the fund to help them jumpstart local development projects such as public market, school buildings, rural health units, water and sanitation system, local roads and bridges, among others. With the PCF grant and other resources, the municipality had enough budget and decided to embark on the expansion of the existing market. Tiwi Public Market Phase III The construction of public market phase III is an LGU-initiated venture with the DILGs incentive of P1-million under the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF). The municipality of Tiwi, Albay was also awarded the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi (GPL) for the municipal category which entitled the LGU to receive another P1-million as cash prize. The total project cost of the new market was P14.47- million with P1-Million coming from the PCF incentive, P1-million as cash prize of Tiwi for being a GPL winner, and the remaining amount from the counterpart fund coming from the LGUs 20 percent Local Development Fund, royalty tax, general fund, realigned budget, and other revenue savings. The one-storey covered market accommodated 85 vendors of fruit, vegetables, grains and groceries, composed mostly of women. The building consists of 36.70 meters long Good results The project has benefited its constituents in more ways than one. Domingo Dacillo, the municipal engineer, said the newly-constructed market has helped the vendors in securing a place for their wares. From previous dilapidated stalls with only old tarpaulins to protect them during rainy days, the new market provided a permanent roof above their heads. Hindi na po sila nauulanan at ang kanilang paninda, di tulad ng dati, Dacillo beamed. David Beato, First Kagawad and member of the market committee, said the new market provided clean and secure stalls that eliminated stealing of the vendors goods. Dati nananakawan sila dahil tatakluban lang nila ng tarpaulin at itatali ang kanilang paninda. Ngayon may sarili ng lock at secure ang stall nila, Beato said. He said the market committee also conducts regular dialogues with the market vendors to listen to their issues and concerns. Araceli Clutario, President of the Federation of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (Kalipi), opined that the new market has helped increase the income of vendors who are mostly women. Ochenta porsyento (80%) po ng mga nagtitinda rito ay kababaihan at malaking tulong po ang proyektong ito sa kanila. Clutario noticed that the project has helped the women sector in particular because the market benefited not just the women vendors but also the women consumers. Dati po ang mga nanay ay kailangan pa maglakad sa maputik na palengke, ngayon mas maayos at malinis na po ang bagong pwesto para sa mamimili, she said. Asuncion Orlain, one of the vendors in the new public market said their income has increased for they only pay P4.95 per day as compared to when they were outside the new market. Dito po kasi sa bagong palengke, nasa P4.95 lang po kada araw ang bayad sa pwesto. Nung nasa labas kame P20.00 po ang bayad namin. Kumikita po kame ngayon ng mula 500 hanggang 800, Orlain added. Manuel Damo, Tiwis internal auditor, said the new public market is just one of the many good projects of the mayor. In kee ping wi th t ran spar ency an d full di scl osur e p oli cy, he sai d T iwi s fina nci al documents are prominently displayed in a bulletin board at the the entrance of the newly-constructed public market. Another bulletin board with the towns financial documents can be seen at the entrance of the municipal hall, while a third one is near the treasurers office. Mahalaga po na makita ng tao ang mga dokumento ng pinagkakagastusan ng munisipyo para po may transparency at accountability. Makakatulong po yang nakapaskil ang record ng lahat ng expenses at income ng Tiwi para walang duda ang publiko sa pamamalakad ng gobyerno he added. In all its efforts, the Municipality of Tiwi has provided an accessible, clean and modern public market for its constituents to contribute to its goal of promoting healthy, self-reliant and motivated citizenry. Its well-plann ed and maint ained infra structure brought by a n hone st, transparent, responsive, and competent governance proved to be a significant ingredient in the success of Tiwi and its PCF project.
and 19.30 meters wide of permanent structure, concrete foundations, flooring and beam roofing. It also includes a lobby measuring 33.55 square meters located at the entrance. The municipality organized a Market Committee headed by Municipal Mayor Jaime Villanueva and members composed of the municipal treasurer, Sangguniang Bayan representative, President of Vendors Association, and the President of Vegetables Vendors Association. The committee conducted the drawing of lots and opening of bids for vacant and newly constructed stall in the municipal public market. With the new market, thousands of residents from the nearby 12 barangays can now benefit from a clean and well-maintained market facility, not to mention quality and fresh fruits and vegetables.
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November 2012
Editorial
Working for Secure and Fair Elections in 2013
Elections in the country during the recent past have seen the rise and proliferation of warlord politicians, along with their minions of private armies, who capitalize on the proverbial 3Gs of guns, goons and gold in their quest for power and dominance. As a result, those elections have been marred by confusion, cheating, vote-buying, terror and intimidation as politicians stake their claims to the title of honourable. They thrive mostly in rural areas and far-flung municipalities, away from the prying eyes of the public and the media. Who could ever forget the Maguindanao massacre of 2009, when at least 58 people, mostly journalists, were intercepted and summarily executed by heavily armed men in broad daylight while on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of now Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who challenged the incumbent and powerful Ampatuan clan? The massacre, which earned the country the ignominious distinction as the most dangerous place in the planet for journalists, also gave the world a sorry image of how brutal and deadly elections could become in the Philippines. For the upcoming May 2013 mid-term elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 889 areas of concern based on previous incidents of election violence, intense political rivalry, presence of private armed groups and other threat groups, and the proliferation of loose firearms, among others. For its part, the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by Secretary Mar Roxas has initiated various programs and implemented a number of measures as part of the Departments mandate to ensure free, peaceful and honest elections in May. Secretary Roxas views the May elections as a most crucial test since it will be the first elections to be held under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The Secretary stressed that the upcoming elections must truly reflect the will of the people because such is the most durable foundation for any democracy. As such, he has personally led the Departments efforts to achieve this goal. Together with the Philippine National Police, the DILG launched in November 2012 the Secure and Fair Elections 2013 or SAFE 2013 program to help prevent poll violence in coordination with theComelec and other stakeholders. Under SAFE 2013, the PNP published a Handbook on Personal Security for Candidates of Elective Positions, which contains practical tips and measures for candidates on personal security, threat detection and threat assessment in the workplace, at home, during travel and while in campaign activities. Copies of the 60-page handbook were subsequently distributed free of charge to all candidates running for national and local positions in the May polls. Secretary Roxas has also led other activities like unity walks and peace covenant programs in areas where there is an urgent need to promote and ensure peace and order before, during and after the mid-term elections. He was in Samar for the signing of a peace covenant among candidates for governor, Sangguniang panlalawigan, congress, mayor and city Sanggunian in the province. Samar is the only province in the entire Eastern Visayas identified as a potential concerned area due to past incidents of election-related violence and the presence of private armies. Similar activities were conducted in Region III, particularly in the LGUs of Nueva Ecija, namely: Licab, Nampicuan, Quezon, Sto. Domingo, Talavera, Lupao, Pantabangan, Talugtug, Science City of Munoz, Gabaldon, Gen. Natividad, Laur, Palayan City and San Leonardo. Peace covenants were also conducted to seal the commitment of LGUs in Tarlac, Olongapo, and Pampanga to secure and fair elections. All of these efforts are expected to be replicated in all LGUs especially in the 889 identified hotspots in the country for a smooth, peaceful and orderly conduct of elections. The PNP has likewise heeded the call of the Comelec for the establishment of checkpoints in each of the countrys 140 cities and 1,494 municipalities to minimize the movement of firearms which could be used by private armed groups and to ensure the safety of the general public. The Comelec-supervised checkpoints and on-the-spot gun check operations of Comelecdeputized agents have resulted in the confiscation of hundreds of firearms, grenades, explosives and other assorted weapons. The checkpoints have thus far resulted in the arrest of civilians, government officials, military and PNP personnel, even security guards and wanted persons who violated the Comelec ban on the bearing, carrying or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons. Much is at stake in the May 2013 elections and there are difficult challenges ahead for the DILG, the PNP and the Comelec. But with the steely determination and political will of the government of President PNoy, together with the active and eager participation of all stakeholders, including the candidates and our countrymen, we shall overcome. MED
DILG Central Office employees during the Oplan Broadcastreeing Project which is a joint activity of the DILG and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) held at Pintong Bocawe, San Mateo Rizal. Photo by Noel Dayang
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LEGAL OPINIONS
November 2012
1. What are the grounds for disciplinary actions against erring elective officials? 2. To whom shall administrative complaints for elective officials be lodged? Held: Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991 enumerates the grounds for disciplinary action against erring elective officials. Under this provision, an elective local official may be disciplined, suspended, or removed from office if he/she commits the following: disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines; culpable violation of the Constitution; dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence, or dereliction of duty; commission of any offense involving moral turpitude or an offense punishable by at least prision mayor; abuse of authority; unauthorized absence for 15 consecutive wor king d ays, exc ept in the case of members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod , sangguniang bayan, and sangguniang barangay; and application for, or acquisition of, foreign citizenship or residence or the status of an immigrant of another country, among others. The same Code provides that a verified complaint against any elective official of a province, highly urbanized city, an independent component city or component city shall be filed before the Office of the President. In the case of any elective official of a municipality, the complaint shall be filed before the sangguniang panlalawigan whose decision may be appealed to the Office of the President, while that of an elective barangay official shall be lodged before the sangguniang pablungsod or sangguniang bayan concerned whose decision is final and executor. It bears noting, however, that the power to remove any public official from office is exclusively vested with the courts. (DILG Legal Opinion No. 61, s. 2012)
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November 2012
GPL REGIONAL WINNER Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (center) of Iloilo City was joined by Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III (2nd from right) and Iloilo City Councilor Perla Zulueta (1st from right) in receiving the awards for Iloilo City as regional winner in the city category given by DILG Usec Francisco Fernandez (2nd from left) and DILGR6 Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta (1st from left).
KABUGAO ROAD PROJECT Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut, Jr. (center), Kabugao Mayor Joseph Amid and DILG OIC PD Marvin Basquez (in checkered polo) pause for a prayer shortly before the cutting of the ribbon of the 20 linear meter road in Kabugao, Apayao, a completed project under the DILGs Performance Challenge Fund project. Cecile Eugenio/ Edward Errol Ucol
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November 2012
Sec. Roxas hands over the Seal to Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and city officials. Looking on are DILG RD Dijan, USEC Panadero and CD Fabia.
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November 2012
BFP-NCR regional director, Chief Supt. Santiago Laguna poses with the security guards who were commended for their immediate response to suppress the fire that tranfired in Gateway Mall, in Quezon City.
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November 2012
GOOSE ART Inmates from GMA Municipal Jail in Cavite are the makers of these colorful Goose Art containers made of cartolina, which can be given as gifts, tokens or give-aways. Goose Art is a booming livelihood opportunity at the jail and the inmates even accept orders for weddings and other special occasions.
VOL. 7 NO. 1
January 2012
VOL. 7 NO. 11
November 2012
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas leads police personnel during preparations for the Thanksgiving Mass for Saint Pedro Calungsod in Cebu. Photo by R. Santos
DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero leads the launching of the Full Disclosure Policy Portal (FDPP) thru fdpp.dilg.gov.ph where the public can be updated on the finances and other transaction of local government units. Photo by N. Dayang