DILG holds orientation

for Performance Challenge Fund

Story on page 12

VOL. 6 NO. 6

www.dilg.gov.ph

June 2011

The Department is the primary

catalyst for excellence in local
governance that nurtures selfreliant, progressive, orderly, safe
and
globally-competitive
communities sustained by Godcentered
and
empowered
citizenry.

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.

20% devt fund use clarified

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo has allayed the common problems faced by local chief executives over the usage of their 20% development funds sourced from
Internal Revenue Allotment, saying it can be paid for expenses that are connected to or related with the implementation of a particular development project.

DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero during a meeting with members of the Puerto Princesa Underground
River Campaign Task Force at the Napolcom office in Makati City.
Photo by Lito Espelimbergo

The DILG chief issued the

clarification in reaction to the
common complaints and
confusion among local chief
executives about the usage of
the 20 percent development
funds which, under the latest
DILG-Department of Budget
and Management joint memo,
could only be used for local
projects that focus on social,
economic, environmental
development, and other related
projects covered under it.
For example, if an LGU is
engaged in a road construction
project, the cost of labor and
other related expenses that
would be incurred for that
project can be charged to the
20% percent development
fund, Robredo told local chief
executives who attended the
DILGs Tapatan Roadshow on
Full Disclosure Policy held
Friday at the City Coliseum in
Puerto Princesa City.
While it is specifically
provided for under Section 287
of the Local Government Code
(annual budget appropriation
of no less than 20 percent of its
IRA
specifically
for
development
projects),
governors, mayors and
barangay chairmen can use
them for expenditures that are
connected to or related with
the implementation of a
particular development project.
These
development
projects include the following:

Robredo

construction or rehabilitation
of evacuation centers, portable
water
supply
system,
evacuation centers, local roads
or bridges, sanitary landfills,
material recovery facility and
public facilities such as multipurpose halls; purchase or
repair of area-wide calamityrelated alarm or warning
system and appropriate
alarming-related
rescue
operations equipment; and
purchase and development of
land for relocation of victims of
calamities, among others.
The same DILG-DBM
memo circular also enumerated
the items that are not related to or
not connected with the
implementation
of
development projects and they
include cash gifts, bonuses,

For complaints and inquiries, text DILG to 2299

Continued on page 4

NEWS

Page 2

June 2011

Special units to handle retirement

benefits of uniformed personnel

Bureau of Local Government Development Director Manuel Q. Gotis explains the objectives of the Philippine Poverty
Environment Initiative during the Orientation and Leveling of Expectations with Responsible Parties at the Regalia
Tower Hotel Suites, Quezon City.

DILG, other NGAs join hands for PPEI

The Department of the
Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and other national
government agencies have
signified their commitment to
implement a two-year project
that aims to link environmental
management resources to
poverty alleviation.
The project dubbed as
Philippine
Poverty
Environment Initiative, which
shall be funded by the United
Nations
Development
Programme
(UNDP)
in
coordination with the UN
Environment Programme, aims
to support the government, civil
societies and the business
sectors to utilize revenues and
benefits from sustainable
environment and natural
resources (ENR) management
for poverty reduction through
improved
capacity
and
enabling conditions at national
and local levels.

During the Orientation

and Leveling of Expectations
with Responsible Parties on
PPEI
Implementation
conducted
recently,
representatives from UNDP,
DILG, Department of Finance
(DOF),
Department
of
Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), national
Anti-Poverty Commission
(NAPC), National Commission
on Indigenous People (NCIP)
and National Economic and
Development
Authority
(NEDA) developed the work
and financial plans, as well as
the terms of references for the
projects implementation.
Director Manuel Q. Gotis of
the Bureau of Local Government
Development said the first
phase of the project involves the
review of policies and
procedures and creation of a
framework on how to utilize
sustainable ENR management

for poverty alleviation, while the

second phase will focus on
bringing down the project to
local government units (LGUs).
Gotis also said that PPEI is
Secretary Jesse M. Robredos
complementary project to the
core programs on Local
Economic Development (LED)
and Disaster Resilient LGUs of
DILG and is aligned with the
Philippine Development Plan
(PDP) 2011-2016 as it promotes
and links proper environment
management and economic
progress.
On the other hand, UNDP
consultant Donna Urquico said,
Linkages between poverty and
environment including
climate change are visible
across the Asia Pacific region.
Environment issues that matter
to the poor have to be
mainstreamed into institutions
and development processes
and decisions.

The De partment has

established special units
within the police, fire and jail
bureaus that will manage and
administer the fund releases
for retirement, separation and
pension benefits of retirees
from the said offices.
The special unit to be
called the Retirement and
Benefits A dministr ative
Se rvice (RBAS) shall be
established in the central and
regional offices which shall
be solely responsible in the
management
a nd
administration of the pension
and gratuity benefits of PNP,
BFP and BJMP personnel.
It shall be unde r the
functional supervision of the
respective Directorate for
Personnel of the PNP, BFP,
BJMP.
Our
goal
is
to
consolidate the existing
policies/ monitoring system
in the administration of
retirement/ pension benefits
in the PNP, BFP and BJMP,
and to fasttrack the release of
these benefits and pension to
the retirees/pensioners and
their be nef iciaries, said
DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Under existing laws, the

retirement age of police, fire
and jail uniformed personnel
is 56 years old.
Robre do
said
the
establishment of a RBAS is
ne cessar y to fill-in the
organizational
a nd
functional gaps that exist in
the current system, as well as

to harmonize the contributory

efforts of the different offices
involved in the retirement and
pension system.
Specifically, he said the
new unit shall systematically
and promptly process and
monitor all requests/claims of
retired/pensioner/separated
uniformed personnel and
their legal beneficiaries
pursuant to retirement laws,
as well as maintain a nd
update a list of pensioner
/ retired / separated
personne l a nd act a s its
custodian.
Relat ive to the fund
monitoring system, Robredo
said the Dire ctorate f or
Personnel of the PNP, BFP
and BJMP are required to
prepare and submit to DBM a
roster of active uniformed
personnel that shall serve as
database and will be used in
counter-che cking special
budget request for gratuity
and terminal leave benefits.
The guidelines also
provide that the payment of
terminal leave benefits shall
be subject to pre-audit in
compliance with COA
Circular 2009-002.
A side from this, all
pensioners are required to
submit a Pensioner Update
Form to the national
headquarters and regional
RBAS which shall, in turn,
conduct
an
annual
pensioners/beneficiaries
inventory and/or audit via
home visitations, Robredo
said.

Use PHIVOLCS maps for disaster risk assessment, local execs told
In order to conduct a reliable and accurate
disaster risk and vulnerability assessment of their
respective areas, local chief executives should always
refer to the maps prepared by the Philippine Institute
of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS),
particularly on volcanic and seismic-related events.
This was stressed by DILG Secretary Jesse
Robredo in his directive to provincial governors, city
and municipal mayors and members of sanggunians
at all levels where he urged them to access whatever
useful information from PHIVOLCS and other
concerned agencies in doing risk assessment that can
be used as basis in mainstreaming DRRM and
Climate Change Adaptation in local government
systems and processes.

Any available information and studies of

government agencies and other concerned
institutions should be taken into consideration by
our LGUs in crafting their DRRM plans, he said.
Robredo said local execs may access the
following information through the PHIVOLCS
website (phivolcs.dost.gov.ph): hazard maps, which
include active faults and liquefaction susceptibility
maps, earthquake-triggered landslide susceptibility
maps and tsunami-prone area maps; and multihazard maps, indicating earthquake-induced
landslide, ground rupture, ground shaking,
liquefaction and tsunami.
Also posted in the PHIVOLCS website are
guidelines on disaster preparedness, particularly

during earthquakes, and developing a tsunami

prepared community.
The DILG Secretary has been designated as ViceChair for Disaster Preparedness under the Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
As Vice-Chair, the DILG is mandated to enhance
the capacities of LGUs to effectively address and
mitigate the impacts of disasters and calamities.
Just recently, the government earmarked P40million for the project, Enhancing LGU Capacity
on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk
Management, to help build the resiliency of 360
disaster-prone LGUs in coping with and responding
to natural disasters and adapting to climate change
through training and infrastructure projects.

Page 3

SPECIAL FEATURE

June 2011

Integrated Solid Waste Management

Municipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur
Wao is one municipality in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that has
also institutionalized a successful Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) program.
Waos ISWM program covers all of the municipalitys 26 barangays in the Province
of Lanao del Sur and aims to establish a clean, green, and healthy environment by
regulating the disposal and recycling of solid wastes.
The LGU began implementing its ISWM program three years ago when the
Sangguniang Bayan issued Ordinance no. 262 regulating the collection of residual,
biodegradable and special wastes along designated routes and the imposition of penalties
for improper waste disposal.
The program entailed the segregation of waste material and the setting up of Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF).
At the municipalitys Sanitary Landfill (SLF), further segregation is being done by a
collection crew and the re-usable or recyclable materials are stocked at the central MRF
before being sold to authorized buyers. Biodegradable materials are also processed into
compost and sold as fertilizer. All the monies earned from the MRF and composting
operations are deposited into the ISWM Trust Account.
Issues relevant to the program are deliberated on by a Multi-Sectoral Body known as the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Council (MENRC) which
also acts as the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board.
As with all new government programs, the ISWM was met with skepticism and even outright opposition. But the LGU remained steadfast and strictly enforced the
law. The fines from apprehension in the first year amounted to P33,500.
Solid waste management enforcers are deployed at designated areas to apprehend violators
while street sweepers clean at their assigned areas daily. Personnel are on duty even during
weekends and holidays.
The diminishing trend in apprehensions in the succeeding years indicated that the program
was gaining momentum.
The LGUs incessant, organized, and effective information and education campaign eventually
encouraged households to utilize compost in vegetable gardening and to sell recyclable waste
materials to scrap buyers. Schools, offices, religious institutions, industrial and commercial
establishments have also complied and maintained the cleanliness of their premises because of the
strict enforcement of the
program. And the town
has become more elegant
as evidenced by cleaner
streets, spotless plazas,
neat schools, and even
tidy wet and dry markets.
In a locality where
indifference to ordinances
and disorderly conduct
were formerly the norm,
the strict implementation
of the program and the
subsequent compliance
come as a big surprise. The
ISWM of Wao is a major
accomplishment leading
towards better, healthier
and effective ways of
doing things.
(Source: Galing Pook in
ARMM 2010 Magazine)

DILG NEWS DIGEST

Page 4

20% devt ...

from page 1

medical assistance, food allowance, uniform meetings,

supplies, communication, water and light, petroleum
products, and the like, salaries, traveling expenses,
seminar and conference fees, construction and repair
of administrative offices, purchase of office furniture
and equipment and maintenance and repair of motor
vehicles.
An earlier Commission on Audit report indicated
that some 80 LGUs utilized the fund for regular
expenses such as salaries and wages, facilities
maintenance, travelling, celebration of festivities, and
financial assistance, while 102 other LGUs did not
implement or fully implement the development
projects funded as shown by an unutilized balance of
a total of P650.6-million.
The COA audit, which evaluated a compendium
of 1,351 Annual Audit Reports (AARs) of the LGUs
for 2008, covered various areas of LG operations such
as the 20% development fund, economic enterprises,
and accounts property, plants and equipment, and
cash advances because of their significant balances.
Robredo said the Departments latest memo was
also issued upon the instruction of the Office of the
President for a review on the existing guidelines on
the 20% development fund use to make it more
responsive and to include calamity/disaster
mitigation, preparation and response, as well as
climate adaptation such as reforestation and urban
greening.

DRRM workshops...

DILG holds...

from page 12

assistant regional directors, local government operations

officers as project management teams, key officials from
the DILG ARMM, as well as development partners from
World Bank and Asian Development Bank attended the
undertaking.
Among the topics discussed during the orientation
are the following: general guidelines, procedures for
accessing and releasing of funds, timelines and
implementation processes of the PCF; roles and
responsibilities of the central and regional offices as well
as development partners in its implementation;
preparation for the monitoring and evaluation of reports;

Public-private...

June 2011

and how to communicate the project to the public.

In order for an LGU to qualify for the PCF, it has to
pass the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which is a
mechanism to recognize good performance of LGUs in
the areas of good planning, sound fiscal management,
transparency and accountability, and performance
monitoring.
For 2011, the national government has set aside
Php500 million for the PCF which will be granted to
LGUs that shall fully comply with the Full Disclosure
Policy and not have adverse findings from the
Commission on Audit.

from page 12

Local governments should take on the challenge

posed by the President to explore mutually-beneficial
partnership agreements with the private sector for the
implementation of programs and projects that will further
push local economic development, Panadero said.
During the forum, the DILG Undersecretary also
stressed that PPP is not just a financing instrument, but a
tool for regional and local economic development.
He said the objective of the forum is to enhance the
knowledge of the participants on the fundamentals,
principles and benefits of PPPs, as well as on the various
modes of PPP agreements.
We are looking into ways by which PPP can be made
more digestible to local governments including
developing needed policies to help guide local PPPs,
he said.

The activity also allowed local government units and

national government agencies to learn from the
presentations on the successful PPPs in the country such
as those in Cebu, Bohol and Mandaluyong, he said.
Among those who shared their expertise on PPPs
were: former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, who
discussed the different modalities of PPP; Atty. Raul Bitoon, who gave a presentation on the role of LGUs in PPP;
and Director Eleazar Ricote of NEDAs PPP Center, who
gave updates on the services of his office.
Participants to the forum included representatives
from the DILG, NEDA and DTI, League of Municipalities
of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines,
the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Development Council, and the
LGUs of Guimaras, Leyte, Alaminos City, Bohol, Sorsogon
and South Cotabato.

from page 12

with enhanced CCA-DRRM mainstreaming

capacity, Sacendoncillo said.
Among the participants are the: 1) Mayor or
Administrator, 2) Municipal Planning & Development
Coordinator, 3) Municipal Social Welfare Officer, 4)
Municipal Health Officer, 5) Agriculture Officer, 6)
Engineering Officer, 7) Budget Officer, 8) Municipal
Local Government Operation Officer, 9) Deped
Representative, 10) ABC President and 11) NGO
representative engaged in CCA-DRRM initiatives. The
immediate output will be a Local DRRM-CCA Action
Agenda.
With the urgency and the substantial number of
participants, Sacendoncillo said LGA is accrediting
local partners that shall conduct similar training
activities in Nueva Ecija (1st, 3rd & 4th Dist.), CARAGA,
Bicol Region, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Zambales, Laguna, Capiz, Iloilo, Bohol, Leyte,
Lanao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno stresses the importance of the fight against human trafficking to the participants in the Laban
Kontra Human Trafficking forum conducted at Camp Crame, Quezon City late this month.
Photo by Noel Dayang

Robredo urges LCEs to develop good business climate in their areas

Local governments should develop good business
climate in order to attract informal and new emerging
businesses in their areas.
This was the gist of Secretary Jesse Robredos speech
during the launching of the Entrepreneurial Leadership
Development Program, the first of a series of capacitybuilding initiatives under the Local Economic
Development for Local Government Units (LED4LGUs)
held in Eastwood City.
As managers of their respective localities, local chief
executives (LCEs) have to make sure that the local
investment climate is conducive to economic activities by
developing a LED strategy that attracts, retains, expands
and help support informal and new emerging businesses

in their areas, Robredo said.

LED4LGUs is designed to provide LGUs with a solid
understanding of the principles of LED to enable them to
assess opportunities and threats leading to economic
development at the local level.
As key players in national economic development,
local government units (LGUs) directly contribute to
poverty reduction, influence investment decisions, business
retention and growth, and directly impact on local job
creation and productivity, he added.
The Entrepreneurial Leadership Development
Program is the first module of LED4LGUs being developed
by the DILGs Local Government Academy (LGA) in
collaboration with the Canadian-assisted Local

Government Support Program for Local Economic

Development (LGSP-LED).
The program stresses the importance of an
entrepreneurial mindset among local officials and
challenges the newly-designated Local Economic &
Investment Promotion Officer or LEIPO of provinces and
cities by reflecting on their role in creating and sustaining
LED.
LGUs are also provided with concepts, processes and
models that influence LED in local governments; analysis
of the issues and challenges facing LED in the Philippines;
and practical experiences that can be adapted for sustainable
LED including factors such as climate change adaptation
measures, among others.

Page 5

LGU EXEMPLARY PRACTICES

June 2011

Municipality of Maydolong, Eastern Samar

Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity & Mortality Program

Background

Project Results

There has never been a year without at least a mother or a baby dying the past
40 years in the history of the municipality of Maydolong in Eastern Samar due to
pregnancy-related emergencies. So much efforts and resources of individual families
have been wasted that cause negative feedback to the community and government.
Investment on maternal and child care has been proven to be very important in the
community and the government as well. Indeed, a healthy community is a wealthy
community as well.

The personal initiative of pregnant mothers to seek prenatal services and child
deliveries assisted by physician is the most successful outcome of the program.

Upon the initiative of local officials who realized the unfavorable health
situation of the mother and child, the municipality has financed the initial
construction of an annexed delivery space in the municipal health center.
Simultaneous efforts to mobilize external resources was conducted with the help
of the Department of Health as well as the assistance of foreign donors eventually
turned the annexed delivery room into a complete and separate lying-in clinic.
With the assistance of the barangay health workers (BHWs), the identification
and documentation of pregnant women is reported to the municipal health office.
Aside from the periodic barangay health services conducted by the municipal
health office personnel, house visits of the BHWs proved to be an effective approach
in encouraging pregnant women in farflung barangays to have regular prenatal
checkups.

Other observable impact and results of the program are the following:
Zero maternal death for the municipality in the past three years;

Reduced pregnancy-related complications;

Increased demand to available maternal and neonatal health care;

The utilization of the lying-in clinic;

Reducing the hazards of home-based deliveries;

Earned the local government several commendations specifically the

municipal health office.

Key Implementation Steps

1.

Responding to an authentic and urgent health necessity. To minimize if not

eradicate maternal death and pregnancy-related illnesses as well as
neonatal health hazards, the program has to be provided with legislative
support in order that administrative and financial requirements may be
satisfied. Specifically, an Ordinance on the Identification of Indigents
Entitlement and Memoranda of Agreements, among others have to be
passed.

2.

Capacitating the Health Personnel. Enhancement of management as well as

updating of health capacities and skills training must be imparted to health
personnel directly involved in the program. Attitudes and skills
specifically appropriate to the management and care of in-patients is also
necessary as well as training that may be needed in the future.

3.

Network Building with Partner Agencies. Program sustainability depends

so much not just on the material resources available but on the human
and institutional factor that it requires. Local organizations have to be
harnessed to provide augmentation services especially in the field of
volunteer works. Likewise, national government agencies have the
capacity to provide technical support for the program. Capacity
development may also be provided with the financial assistance from
international donors.

4.

Crafting Management and Referral System. Specific administrative protocol

workflows and guidelines in the lying-in clinic must be systematized for
the smooth conduct of activities and documentations. In complex cases,
clear cut policies must be formulated for immediate referrals and transport
of patients to nearest hospitals.

A demand driven program, the Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity and

Mortality of the municipality basically intends to provide all mothers and children
access to basic health care, from conception to delivery including neonatal care.
Since the projects implementation in 2001, maternal and child morbidity
radically changed. For the past three years, a zero maternal death was recorded in
the municipality. Among the benefits include reduced pregnancy-related
complications, increased availment of maternal and neonatal health care services,
and institutionalization of the program with regular support allocated by the
local government. The program proved to be successful that it has earned for the
Municipality of Maydolong especially its municipal health office several citations
and commendations.
Because of the programs achievements, it was recognized as one of the LGU
Exemplary Practices under the DILGs GO-FAR or Good Practices in Local
Governance: Facility for Adaptation and Replication.
Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity & Mortality Program
The program provides a facility where safe child delivery is professionally
assisted by a physician and paramedics in case of emergency. Immediate referral
system is available in case of complicated cases.
The objectives of the program are as follows: reduce pregnancy-related morbidity
and mortality, promote prenatal services, educate mothers on the importance of
prenatal and neonatal care, and alleviate financial burden during pregnancy.
The program has enabled to address pregnancy-related morbidity especially
loss of mothers lives by providing a facility where the ever increasing financial cost
of professionally-assisted birth deliveries are made available to the most vulnerable
sector.
In 2001, local initiatives have attracted national and foreign-assisted resources
for the establishment of the facility. Furnishing it with the necessary equipment
including the physical construction of the facility were hampered by lack of funds
but the municipal government gradually provided the equipment needed. Several
assistance were also sourced from the United Nations Program for Population
(UNFPA). The Maydolong lying-in clinic has been comparable now to the delivery
facility of the provincial hospital.

Analysis and Lessons Learned

At the onset, childbearing and rearing need not be a sad experience for
mothers and not every pregnancy is associated with risk. Bringing forth a precious
life into this beautiful world can be a sweet task. Pregnant mothers need the
proper health care from pre, during and post delivery with the help of professional
physicians and an available facility for them.
Political will and proper order of priorities coupled with the indispensable
cooperation of stakeholders as well as the collaboration of concerned agencies
are important factors in the success of the program. The program provides an
enlightened view that every endeavor no matter how financially hard-up need
not hinder its realization provided there is political will on the part of the local
officials.

EDITORIAL

Page 6

Central Fire Stations to serve LGUs

without firefighting units
To compensate the lack of
fire stations in the country, the
Bureau of Fire Protection shall
activate and operate Central
Fire Stations (BFP-CFS) that
would cover all localities
nationwide, particularly towns
without fire stations.
Under the guidelines
issued by the DILG recently,
the BFP-CFS shall serve as the
hub of a unified response
system that shall serve as the
starting point of operational
command in case a fire incident
and other related incidents
occur
in the
nearest
municipality without a fire
station.
DILG Secretary Jesse
Robredo said, The intention is
to develop a unified command
system that would cover all
localitie s/municipa lities,
specifically those without fire
stations, to be included in fire
response operations.

BFP records show that 654

local government units
nationwide have no fire
stations and 666 others do not
have functional fire trucks.
The DILG chief said the
BFP Regional Director, in
coordination with the District/
Provincial Fire Marshal, shall
establish a Central Fire Station
nearest to municipalities
without fire station according
to their geographical location
and accessibility, which shall
be headed by the city/
municipal fire marshal of that
fire station.
He said the Central Fire
Marshal
should
then
coordinate
with
the
designated Fire Prevention
Officer of the municipality
without a fire station in
reviewing the pre-fire plan
and the organization of the
fire brigade.
The Regional Directors, in

coordination with the fire

marshals at all levels, are also
tasked to revise or update their
respective running card
systems, which shall be
submitted to the Office of the
Fire Chief, along with the list
of established Central Fire
Stations
with
the
corresponding clustered
municipalities.
On the operational aspect,
the guidelines provide that the
fire ground commander (FGC),
regardless of rank, has the
overall responsibility for the
command of an emergency,
and fire volunteer brigades
shall be under his direct
operational supervision in the
event of fire occurrence.
He (FGC) can motu
proprio file the proper charges
against any BFP officer who
fails to respond in fire and
other emergency situations,
said Robredo.

North Cotabato tribes confer

honorary datu title onRobredo
For his strong advocacy
and support for indigenous
peoples (IP), Secretary Jesse
Robredo has been conferred
the title Datu during his
recent visit to Makila, North
Cotabato for the First
Provincial Indigenous Peoples
Congress.
Complete with the required
rituals fit for a Datu, Robredo
was named as Honorary Datu
of Bae Catalina Dapan Clan with
the title Datu Makauyag, which
means Savior for his
commitment in fighting for the
representation
of
the
Indigenous Peoples in the
policy-making of their own
local government units.
I am very honored to
receive this title and be
considered as one of your
own, he said.
In October last year, the
DILG Secretary issued DILG
Memo Circular 2010-119
calling for the mandatory
representation of indigenous
cultural communities or
indigenous peoples in policy-

making bodies and other local

legislative
councils
in
accordance
with
the
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act
of 1997.
In the said directive,
Robredo reiterated to local chief
executives the guidelines issued
by the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples that
provides that IP representation
shall be proportionate to
population, and shall have the
same privileges, compensation
and benefits as the regular
representatives in legislative
and policy-making bodies.
During the Congress, the
DILG Secretary said IP
representatives, whose manner
of selection shall be in
accordance
with
local
guidelines adopted and
formulated by concerned IPs,
are expected to communicate
the collective interest of IPs he
or she represents and to ensure
support for the sustained
constitution and operations of
the Indigenous People
Consultative Body (IPCB) in the

area of representation.
He or she should also
maintain the development and
practice of their traditional
leadership titles and structures,
justice systems, conflict
resolution, and peace building
mechanisms and processes, he
said.
To qualify for IP
representation, one has to be a
natural-born citizen; a
registered voter in the LGU
where he intends to assume
office; bonafide ICC/IP by
blood or consanguinity;
acknowledged leader of the
ICCs of which he is a member;
NCIP-certified as continuously
engaged in ICCs/IPs in a given
LGU; able to read and write; and
knowledgeable of, and practices
the customary ways of the ICCs
of which he is a member.
An IP representative shall
serve for a period of three years
from the date of assumption to
office and can be re-indorsed for
another term as long as he or
she would not serve for more
than three consecutive terms.

June 2011

Editorial

Bare fund use online

Thats one small step for fiscal disclosure but one giant
leap for honesty inpublic service.
Isang malaking hakbang tungo sa Tuwid na Daan.
Uploading information on the sourcing and use of public
funds enables taxpayers to know where their money is going
and fosters confidence in government officials and institutions.
The fast and easy access to such information may also be
useful to private individuals or businessmen whose decisions
could impact on host communities. Never mind that only a
little over 30 percent of the countrys population have access
to the Internet.
Apparently in pursuit of good governance goals, the
Department of the Interior and Local Government has thus
asked the Supreme Court to affirm the validity of three
memorandum circulars issued by Secretary Jesse Robredo,
which laid down policy guidelines on the use of Internal
Revenue Allotments of local government units.
In a comment, the DILG, through Solicitor General Jose
Anselmo Cadiz, urged the tribunal to uphold the
constitutionality of the circulars mandating LGUs to disclose
their incomes and expenditures on their websites to ensure
accountability and transparency.
Quite ironically, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond
Villafuerte Jr. had assailed the legality of Robredos circulars.
Villafuerte said Robredos instructions expanded what
was provided by the Local Government Code and the
Government Procurement Act, which mandates that income
and expenditures of LGUs must be posted or published in
three publicly accessible and conspicuous places in the
LGU.
But what could be more accessible and conspicuous than
official websites of government agencies which are regularly
updated? The fact is, these websites are already there. Why
not make full use of them?
But Cadiz stressed that the DILG chief did not violate the
1987 Constitution in issuing the circulars and said Villafuertes
allegations were bereft of merit.
The required posting and publication on the LGUs
website are germane to the purposes of fundamental
principles of transparency and accountability under the
Constitution and prevailing statutes. They are not
inappropriate provisions as sweepingly averred by petitioner
(Villafuerte), Cadiz was quoted by a broadsheet as pointing
out in his comment. The Solicitor General argued that to
question the circulars would be also tantamount to questioning
Section 90 of the General Appropriations Act of 2011.
Well, the ball is now in the SCs court, so to speak.
We know our truly supreme magistrates would find the
wisdom to decide in the best interest of the people and the
nation as it has done in the past and continues to do so.
Reprinted from Peoples Journal, June 06, 2011
DILG NEWS DIGEST is the official newsletter of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government published by the Office of
Public Affairs with editorial offices at A. Francisco Gold
Condominium II, Edsa cor. Mapagmahal St., Diliman, Quezon
City. Tel. Nos. 925-0349 & 51/920-6849; Fax No. 925-0345
BOARD OF EDITORS
Feliciano C. Regis-Editor-in-Chief; Anna-Lissa K. Cariaso,
Marilou E. Dominguiano, Rowena Taliping, Rose Ann Limon,
and Jun Meneses-Associate Editors; all PIOs of Napolcom,
PNP, BJMP, BFP, PPSC, LGA and the DILG RIOs-Contributing
Editors; Gaudencio Ordoa-Editorial Consultant; Louie N. MuniLayout Artist; Jun Villanueva, Rudy Sanchez, Noel Dayang and
Lito Espelimbergo-Photographers

Page 7

LEGAL OPINIONS

June 2011

On the appointment
to the local sanggunian
Issue:
Can a losing candidate of the local sanggunian substitute and be appointed
as a member of the said council following a vacancy after the one year mandatory
ban on appointments?

On the revocation of a business permit

Facts:
The officer-in-charge of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) of
one city revoked the business permit of an establishment because the owner
allegedly provided false information regarding his tax declaration in his
application.
Issues:
1) Is the OIC of the BPLO authorized to cause the revocation of a business
permit issued by the mayor?
2) Is there a legal basis for the revocation of the business permit based on the
alleged false statement provided by the establishment owner?
3) Could false information be the basis for the revocation when the owner
had sought the reclassification of the property based on its actual use?
4) Considering that an ordinance is required for the reclassification of parcel
of land from residential to commercial, would the passage of a sanggunian
resolution and a zoning ordinance that categorizes the land as General Residential
Zone 1 and which allows it to be used commercially suffice as a basis for the
assessor to reclassify the land?
5) Can the BPLO unilaterally adjudicate on the validity of a resolution
reclassifying a parcel of land without recourse to the proper courts?
6) Should the BPLO insist on the revocation of the permit, what are the
available remedies for the owner of the establishment?
Held:
As to the first, second and third issues, a BPLO head or an OIC, by himself,
may not cause the revocation of the business permit issued by the Office of the
Mayor. He can only recommend the revocation of the permit after due process has
been accorded to the holder of the license.
Permits and licenses are issued for regulatory purposes and under condition
upon which they are issued pursuant to a law or an ordinance.
In a previous case decided by the Supreme Court, it explained that a license or
a permit is not a contract between the city government and the licensee, and is not
a property in the constitutional sense. A license is rather in the nature of a special
privilege, a permission or an authority to do what is within its terms. It is not in
any way vested, permanent or absolute.
Hypothetically, a gross misinformation or false statement may be a ground for
the revocation of a business permit and a license if the act constitutes any violation
of the conditions upon which it is issued, particularly if the misinformation pertains
to the data supplied in the application for permit and license.
In terms of the fourth issue, Section 20 of the Local Government Code provides
for the reclassification of the land which may be validly made through an ordinance
passed by the sanggunian concerned after the conduct of a public hearing held for
the purpose.
Local government units shall, in conformity with existing laws, continue to
prepare their respective comprehensive land use plans enacted through zoning
ordinances which shall be the primary and dominant bases for the future use of
land resources.
With regard to the fifth and sixth issue, a BPLO cannot unilaterally adjudicate
on the validity of a resolution.
An ordinance or resolution duly enacted and passed by the sanggunian is
presumed valid. The adjudication on whether an ordinance or resolution is valid
or not is left to the courts to decide. Until the declaration of nullity, an assailed
ordinance or resolution is presumed consistent with the law and therefore valid.
(DILG Opinion No. 33, S. 2011)

Held:
Yes. As provided both in Section 6, Article IX (B) of the 1987 Constitution and
Section 94 of the Local Government Code of 1991, no candidate who lost in any
election, shall within one year after such election, be appointed to any office in the
government or any government-owned or controlled corporation or in any of its
subsidiaries.
Based on these provisions, the prohibition of appointment to any public office
of a losing candidate to a recently concluded election is only within one year after
the election. After the period of prohibition, the losing candidate may be appointed
to any office in the government or any government-owned or controlled
corporations or in any of their subsidiaries as long as he possesses all the
qualifications to the post. (DILG Opinion No. 27, S. 2011)

Punong Barangay should seek DILG

permission to practice profession
Issue:
Is there a need for a Punong Barangay to seek prior written permission from
the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) before
he/she can practice or engage in any profession?
Held:
Section 90 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that governors,
city and municipal mayors are prohibited from practicing their profession or
engaging in any occupation other than the exercise of their functions as local chief
executives but there is no mention of sanggunian barangays hence, the
presumption is that they are allowed to practice their profession.
While they are allowed to practice their occupation, punong barangays as
public officials must first obtain written permission from the Secretary of the DILG
as required under Section 12, Rule XVIII of the Revised Civil Service Rules which
states that no officer or employee shall engage directly in any private business,
vocation, or profession or be connected with any commercial credit agriculture or
industrial undertaking without a written permission from the head of the
Department. (DILG Opinion No. 29, S. 2011)

On reenactment of 20% Development Fund

Issue:
Is the 20% Development Fund among those considered as re-enacted in a reenacted budget?
Held:
No. Section 323 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides the
consequence in case the Sanggunian fails to enact the annual appropriations, that
is, the budget of the preceding year is reenacted. In case of a reenacted budget,
only the annual appropriations for salaries and wages of existing positions,
statutory and contractual obligations, and essential operating expenses authorized
in the annual and supplemental budgets for the previous year shall be deemed
reenacted.
Accordingly, in a reenacted budget, there will be no creation of positions, no
filling of positions, no new programs, projects and activities. The increase in
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) allocation for the year cannot be utilized since
the same is not covered by an Appropriation Ordinance, and non-recurring
activities cannot be undertaken no matter how vital they may be.
Since, there can be no implementation of new projects under the reenacted
budget, the 20% development fund is not included in the reenacted items. (DILG
Opinion No. 30, S. 2011)

THE REGIONS AT A GLANCE

Page 8

June 2011

PNoys flagship program on water to benefit 6 Masbate towns

Six towns in the province of Masbate are among the
115 local government units in the country that shall each
receive P10-M worth of water system project under the
Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat, a flagship
program of the Office of the President.
The program which is being implemented by the
DILG, Department of Health (DOH) and the National
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) is anchored on
Millennium Development Goal No. 7 that aims to
decrease by half the population without access to safe
and potable water.
The six Masbate municipalities that have been
identified as beneficiaries based on the NAPCs National
Household Targeting System are: the municipalitiesof
Cataingan, Cawayan, Mandaon, Milagros, Placer and

Uson.
Specifically, the LGU beneficiaries were identified
and ranked based on thematic concerns such being the
poorest LGU, high incidence of waterless and poverty
incidence.
As an initial activity for the implementation of the
project, the Municipal Planning and Development
Coordinator (MPDC), Municipal Engineer, In-Charge of
Water Supply System/Sanitary Inspector and the
respective MLGOO of the six municipalities attended
the orientation and training on the preparation of
simplified feasibility study for water supply systems held
in Sto. Domingo, Albay recently.
During the opening ceremony, DILG Masbate
Provincial Director Renato Alaurin stressed that the

challenge to national and local leaders is for Masbateo

to be provided with good water system in order to
minimize water-borne diseases and address the other
MDGs.
On the other hand, Engr. Wally Sabater of the
Department of Health reminded the participants of the
mandatory requirements of the project namely Feasibility
Study, Approved MOA Resolution Authorizing the LCE
to enter into a MOA with DOH V and compliance to the
Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG.
The localized training on FS preparation and Water
Supply Projects was facilitated by DILG V-PDMU
headed by Engr. Renato C. Bolon and staff with
assistance from the DILG WUSSU-OPDS.
Ma. Grace Joy Tango

RPOC 4B holds initial meeting

The Regional Peace and Order Council of Region
IV-B held its initial meeting for the year with
discussions focusing on the campaign against
insurgency and criminality.
The meeting started with updates on the
insurgency problem and the internal security
operations of the 2nd Infantry Division presented by
Col. Cristobal Zaragoza of the AFP and on PRO 4Bs
accomplishments for the first semester of the year by
P/Supt. Herminio M. Callueng.

On the other hand, Commander Rommel Oropesa

of the Western Command of Palawan brought up the
issue of poaching in Palawan ending on the note that
the laws and sanctions related to these kinds of
offenses should be strictly implemented and imposed.
Meanwhile, Dir. Aspacio of PDEA 4B briefed the
body on the worsening problem of illegal drugs in
resorts and with the opening of nautical highway.
The problem on illegal fishing was also tackled
which seemed to stem from the unclear delineation of

boundaries of the municipal waters between and

among the provinces of Marinduque, Oriental
Mindoro and Romblon.
DILG RD Atty. Calabazaron also brought up the
issue on barangay officials being murdered or killed
by still unknown assailants in the region.
There was also a presentation of a study on
mining in the province of Romblon, putting emphasis
on the provinces stand NO TO MINING in
ROMBLON.
R.Stephanie C. Trovela

The Officers and members of the Regional Peace and Order Council of Region IV-B discusses important issues during their first meeting for 2011 held at NIA, EDSA, Quezon City.

Villaverde goes green, aims to plant 555,555 trees

TUGUEGARAO CITY. Villaverde, a small town in the province of Nueva Vizcaya
with only nine barangays, is aiming to plant more than half-a-million trees in two
years.
Municipal Mayor Ronelie U. Valtoribio said his town has launched its Make
Villaverde Green program, which targets to plant 555,555 fruit-bearing trees (FBTs)
within the municipality by September 3, 2012, the towns 55th Founding Anniversary.
The program is in line with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2011-21
encouraging each of the more than 42,000 barangays of the country to produce 25,000
tree seedlings for the massive tree-planting activity during the Arbor Day celebration
on June 25, 2011.
To be able to plant the said number of FBTs in two years time, there are eight
program components which require the planting of FBT a prerequisite for government
clearances, services and the like.
These are: the Tree for Life component, which requires a recipient of LGU aid
to plant one FBT within his backyard for every P100 worth of aid that he received;
the Tree-mits component requiring those applying for Municipal Tricycle
Operators Permit, Business Permit, Mayors Clearance, Police Clearance, Zoning
Certification and Building Permit to plant one FBT; the Tree of Love asking every
couple applying for a Marriage License to plant two FBTs before the issuance of

the said document; the Tree for the Future component obliging parents to plant
one FBT before their child could be registered at the Municipal Civil Registry
Office.
On the other hand, the tree of Peace and Understanding imposes upon each
juvenile delinquent and violator of municipal/provincial ordinances to plant one
FBT under the supervision of the Philippine National Police and the Department
of Social Welfare and Development, while the Tree to Excellence requires the
planting of FBT before one can enroll or graduate in elementary of high school
within the school with the assistance of his or her parents.
The school Tree Park Competition aims to encourage both public and private
schools in the municipality to develop their respective tree parks, while the
Communi-Trees component enjoins the towns 4,130 households as well as nongovernment organizations operating in the municipality to plant trees on June 25,
2011 and September 3, 2012. The tree shall be named after the family or organization
they represent.
In return to the aid they get from the municipal government, all the nine
barangays are required to implement reforestation programs, protect riverbanks
and creeks, and join in the Urban Greening activities of the municipal government.
Vincent Dela Rosa

Page 9

THE REGIONS AT A GLANCE

June 2011

DILG implements P1-billion worth

of foreign-assisted projects in Caraga

A barangay official alerts residents to evacuate during the tsunami evacuation drill in Barangay
Pugaro, an island barangay in Dagupan City.

22 LGUs learn from Dagupan

Citys disaster programs
Mayors, vice-mayors and local government functionaries of 21 pilot local
government units visited Dagupan City recently to witness the citys Good
Practice on Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Mangement
(CBDRM) and its Early Warning System.
The field visit was one of the activities under the project, Enhancing LGU
Capacity on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management, that
exposed the key officials from the pilot provinces of Cagayan, Tarlac, Iloilo,
Capiz, Lanao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur and Pangasinan to Dagupan Citys
disaster mitigation programs. It also served as a venue to trigger LGU actions
on disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation which are
requirements under this project.
After a briefing on Dagupan Citys CBDRM and on the salient provisions
of DRRM Law (RA10121) and Climate Change Act (RA 9729), the participants
witnessed West Central Schools readiness during earthquakes and fire
incidence, Barangay Pugaros early warning system and drill for tsunami, and
Barangay Mangins early warning system for flooding.
One of the highlights of the two-day field visit was the signing of
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between 15 municipal mayors of the pilot
LGUs and the DILG regional directors to implement the project Mainstreaming
CCA and DRRM in Local Government Systems and Processes.
The project focuses on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate
change adaptation into (i) local government systems and processes, in
formulating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), Comprehensive
Development Plan (CDP), Annual Investment Plan (AIP), investment
programming, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
undertaken at the local level.
Likewise, the project hopes to facilitate LGUs to come up with risk-sensitive
eco-profiles, multi-hazard map and DRRM/CCA tools available to LGUs and
institutions with capability on map overlay analysis and DRRM/CCAcompliant CLUPs and CDPs.
The pilot LGUs are Bayambang, Bautista and San Carlos City of Pangasinan
Province, Iguig, Solana, Peablanca and Tuguegarao City of Cagayan Province,
Gerona, Cpapas and Tarlac City of Tarlac Province, Roxas City, Sapian and
Sigma of Capiz Province, Igbaras, Alimodian and Tubungan of Iloilo Province,
Lala, Kapatagan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo of Lanao Del Norte, and Sta. Cruz,
Matanao and Bansalan of Dvavao Del Sur.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has already implemented
around P1-billion worth of foreign-assisted projects in Caraga region.
DILG CARAGA regional director Rene Burdeos said one of such projects is the
Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) under the Australian Agency for
International Development (AusAID) which has allocated Php898 Million for a 5year program on infrastructure and capacity development for the recipient-provinces
of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.
Under the project, DILG Region XIII has completed the road rehabilitation
projects of Taganaan-Himamaug-Cabongbongan Road (3.34 Km. Gravel
Road),Mainit-Pacu-Bobonaon-Sison Road (2.70 Km Gravel Road), Sta. Monica-Roxas
Gravel Road, Pisaan-Borbon Road (6.10 Km.) and the National
Road
JunctionCrossing Luna-Duangan Road
On the other hand, the grants under the Capacity Development Component of
PRMF include provision of GPS and GIS Data Development On-the-Job Training,
eTRACTS user and Administration, Advance Windows 2008 Training, Materials
Testing Workshop, Quantum Geographical Information System Seminar Workshop,
Civil 3D AutoCAD Seminar Workshop.
Another foreign-assisted project is the Millennium Development Goals Fund
(MDGF 1919): Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active
Participation of the Poor which is financed by United Nations Development Fund
Program (UNDP) and United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) that has allocated
a total Php486,500.00 for capacity development to its recipient-province, Agusan
del Sur.
MDGF 1919 which started last June 2009 has already conducted several capacity
development workshops particularly on water and sanitation and other skills
training with representatives from the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur
and the Municipal Governments of Sibagat and La Paz as participants.
Meanwhile , a total of Php21,000,000.00 was allocated by Strengthening of Local
Governments in the Philippines Project (SLGP) funded by Agencia Espanola de
Cooperacion para el del Desarrollo (AECID) for the implementation of capacity
development trainings, capacity development support and ecopark development in
the region. The project is in its third phase of implementation which started last
April 2011 and will end on February 2012.
May-Anh M. Salise

DILG R3 Director Florida Dijan leads members of the Regional Management Coordinating
Committee in Central Luzon during a tree planting activity in support to the Arbor Day
celebration at Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
DILG-R3

Page 10

THE INTERIOR SECTOR AT A GLANCE

June 2011

NAPOLCOM wants additional

police regl offices in ARMM

F/SInsp Cristina Solero, Fire Marshal Supt Felix Medes, F/SInsp Joel Diwata and other staff of the New Manuela
Fire Sub-Station in Las Pias City pose for posterity after a meeting on fire prevention and safety campaign.
Photo by Julian Meneses

Building owners given two years

to install fire sprinklers
Building owners have
been given two years to install
a fire sprinkler system in their
buildings, which is one of the
requirements under the
Comprehensive Fire Code of
the Philippines or Republic Act
9514 and its implementing
rules.
BFP
chief
Rolando
Bandilla Jr. said the two-year
moratorium period on
establishments affected by the
Fire Code requirement will give
building owners enough time
to install the automatic fire
suppression system (AFSS) or
sprinkler
systems
in
compliance with the said
provision of the law.
Section 14.0.07 of the IRR
of RA 9514, as amended, states
that: The owner, administrator
or occupant of buildings or
structures existing at the time
of the effectivity of RA 9514 and
its IRR is given two (2) years to
comply with the provisions on
the
requirements
for
installation of the AFSS,
provided, however, that the
buildings or structures must be
compliant to the provisions of
fire safety and requirements of
PD 1185 (the old Fire Code)
during the period of
compliance.

The amendment was

necessary as many buildings
that were affected by the Code
provision found it difficult to
immediately comply with the
said requirement, Bandilla
said.
The Fire Chief said the
installation of AFSS in
buildings is one of the new
requirements under the new
Fire Code which is now more
stringent in implementing fire
safety measures.
He said automatic fire
facilities such as the AFSS have
proven to be of great help in
ensuring fire safety in
establishments by preventing
the loss of life and of mitigating
damage of property caused by
fire.
Covered by the two-year
moratorium are the following:
buildings or structures
existing at the time of the
effectivity of the IRR of RA 9514
on Nov. 18, 2009 and were
compliant to the provisions of
PD 1185; buildings that were
not required AFSS installation
by PD 1185 and its IRR but are
now required to install AFSS
under the new law; and new
buildings whose fire safety
correction sheets were
approved prior to the effectivity

of the IRR and are now

applying for FSIC.
Under the guidelines
released by the fire bureau,
upon application of a building
owner for FSIC, the fire marshal
or his representative shall
evaluate the necessary
documentary requirements
and inspect the building on its
compliance with PD 1185.
After evaluation and
inspection, the Fire Director
said the building administrator
will then be required to execute
an affidavit of undertaking
stating that he will install the
AFSS within the two-year
moratorium period.
After complying with the
other requirements of the Fire
Code, an FSIC will then be
issued in accordance with the
provisions of RA 9514 and its
IRR, he said.
Bandilla, however, said
that if the building is not
covered under the two-year
moratorium period, the
administrator shall apply for
alternative/remedial fire safety
measures.
In this case, the issuance
of the FSIC shall be dependent
on their compliance to the
approved alternative/remedial
measure, he pointed out.

The
National
Police
Commission (NAPOLCOM)en
banchas endorsed to President
Benigno S. Aquino III a
proposed Executive Order
authorizing the creation of
PROARMM-A
and
PROARMM-B
in
the
Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao.
NAPOLCOM
ViceChairman and Executive Officer
Eduardo U. Escueta said that
the creation of two (2) Police
Regional Offices (PROs) in the
ARMM was necessary in order
to maximize the utilization of
Philippine National Office
(PNP) personnel in the
enforcement of laws relative to
the protection of lives and
properties in the region.
Escueta said that the
alarming and increasing
incidence of criminality,
insurgency, and terrorism
activities against innocent
civilians pose a serious threat
to the peace and order in the
region and undermines the
economic gains achieved by the
government.
Through these police
regional offices, we will be able
to contain the threats and
strengthen our law enforcement
capabilities to effectively

address all forms of criminality,

insurgency and terrorist
activities in the region, he said.
The proposed creation of
two (2) police regional offices in
ARMM is aimed to address the
enhancement
of
tactical
expediency, improvement of
police visibility, prevention of
ethnic rivalry, strengthening the
image of ARMM Governor and
provision of more opportunities
for promotion of Muslim senior
police commissioned officers
(PCOs), he added.
PROARMM-A shall be
composed of the provinces of
Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur
and the cities of Cotobato City
and Marawi City, while
PROARMM-B
shall
be
composed of Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-Tawi and Isabela City.
The
Napolcom
Vice
Chairperson said that the
necessary
support
for
personnel, logistics, funds and
other requirement for the
implementation of this directive
shall be withdrawn from the
Contingent Fund and other
available funds in the 2011
General Appropriations Act
(GAA). For the succeeding
years, the amount required shall
be incorporated in the budget
of the PNP and the GAA.

BJMP holds 1ST Chief BJMP Cup

Amateur and professional
shooters of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology
(BJMP) and other national
government agencies and
private
organizations
showcased their skills in
practical shooting during the
First Chief BJMP Cup at the
QCPD Firing Range, Camp
Karingal, Quezon City recently.
BJMP Chief, Jail Director
Rosendo Dial said the three-day
shootfest aims to enhance the
jail personnels mastery in guns
which is important in their
duties as jail officers.
Through this competition,
we also hope to raise sufficient
capital for persons incarcerated
under BJMP facilities, Dial
said.
Proceeds of the event will
be used for programs and
projects geared towards
inmates
welfare
and

development.
In the past, the jail bureau
always sends participants to
different firing competitions
conducted
by
other
organizations and agencies and
has fared well in the different
stages of the competitions.
In another development,
personnel from the BJMP
National Headquarters and
from nearby regional offices
participated in a tree planting
activity as part of the agencys
weeklong 20 th Anniversary
celebration.
Our annual tree planting
is part of the Bureaus advocacy
to promote environmental
awareness and our simple way
to alleviate the adverse impact
of climate change, said Dial,
who led the planting of a total
of 200 Nymph Tree seedlings at
the Congressional Village in
Quezon City.

Page 11

THE INTERIOR SECTOR AT A GLANCE

June 2011

133 cops sacked, 525 punished for offenses

Manifesting keen resolve to weed out misfits
among the ranks, the Philippine National Police fired
133 police personnel and meted disciplinary
sanctions against 525 others from December to May
this year.
Records from the Discipline, Law and Order
Division (DLOD) of the Directorate or Personnel and
Records Management (DPRM) showed that from the
period December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011, the 133
dismissed personnel were involved in cases ranging
from grave misconduct, serious irregularities, and
involvement criminal activities, while 525 personnel
were penalized with demotion in rank, suspension,
forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters,
and withholding of privileges.
Just as we are responsive to the morale and

welfare needs of police personnel, and quick to give

due recognition for exemplary performance of duty,
the PNP is also swift and decisive in addressing
issues on misconduct and breach of discipline, PNP
chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo said.
The Chief PNP noted, however, there are fewer
police personnel involved in administrative and
criminal cases this year compared to previous years.
Bacalzo said the latest number of PNP personnel
meted with disciplinary punishment were among the
1,412 personnel who were investigated and charged
in 1,435 cases handled by the different summary
hearing boards over the past six months.
All these 1,435 administrative cases stemmed
from complaints which were all investigated and
acted upon at the different levels of command, some

of the respondents were meted non-disciplinary

sanctions while others were either exonerated or their
cases dropped, Cruz explained.
During the six-month period from December 2010
to May 2011, 83 PNP personnel were also dropped
from rolls, mostly for going on absence without
official leave (AWOL).
Task Force Patnubay of the DPRM keeps track
of all administrative and criminal cases involving
PNP personnel. At present, there are only 199
pending administrative cases awaiting resolution in
the summary hearing boards, mostly carry-over or
cases from the previous years.
The Chief PNP gave the Police Regional Office
and National Support Unit Directors 30 days to
resolve all remaining unresolved cases in the backlog.

BJMP-NCR implements total smoking ban

As early as March this
year, smoking is not allowed in
all jails in the National Capital
Region.
BJMP National Capital
Region Director, Chief Supt.
Benito Dorigo, said the
smoking ban, which was
implemented even before the
total smoking ban in July, is not
only applicable to inmates and
visitors, but also included all
the jail guards and officers in
Metro Manila jails.
According to Dorigo,
when he assumed the post as
NCR Director last January, he
strictly implemented the
smoking ban in jail premises
to prevent respiratory disease
among inmates.
Ang sikip-sikip na nga ng
mga jails natin, maninigarilyo pa
sila, he said.
He further said that one of

the main concerns against the

smoking ban is the rise in the
number of inmates/patients
who have tuberculosis (TB).
He also said that when he
conducts jail inspection on
various jails, he always makes
it a point to check out the
trash cans to see if there
are cigarette butts inside.
At the same time, Dorigo
also ordered the dismantling of
all kubols or makeshift
partitions inside Metro Manila
Jails, which are allegedly used
by VIP (very important
persons) inmates.
In his directive, Dorigo
instructed his men to conduct
clean-up operations, destroy
makeshift partitions, remove
excess clothing and prohibited
appliances/ gadgets inside
cells, bladed weapons and the
like
Julian Meneses

Officers and jail guards of the Manila City Jail on formation for their Weekly Personnel Information and Education
Program Briefing which is being implemented by their warden J/Supt Ruel Rivera (inset).
Photo by J.Meneses

New guidelines for lateral entrants in the PNP set

To continuously ensure that only the best and most qualified individuals are
admitted in the police service, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has
set new guidelines for lateral entrants in the police service.
Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta said Memo
Circular 2011-05 prescribing the new guidelines, which effectively amend the
prescribed sequential procedures in the processing of lateral entrants in the
Philippine National Police (PNP), are intended to ensure the entry of physically
and mentally fit lateral entrants.
Under the guidelines, the procedure will start with the Psychological and/or
Neuro-Psychiatric Test to exclude applicants who may be suffering from any mental
disorder. Afterwards are the physical and medical examination; character
background investigation; drug test; physical agility test; final interview; and the
final deliberation and selection of highly qualified candidates for appointment.
Section 33 of Republic Act No. 6975 (PNP Law) provides that all original
appointments of commissioned officers in the PNP starts with the rank of police
inspector (equivalent to lieutenant) to include those with highly technical
qualifications, namely, dentists, optometrists, nurses, engineers and graduates of
forensic sciences.

Doctors of medicine, members of the Philippine Bar, chaplains and

psychologists are qualified for appointment to the rank of police senior inspector
(equivalent to captain) in the PNP technical service offices.
The same circular also provides guidelines on the termination of service of a
PNP lateral entrant for unsatisfactory conduct of performance while under
probationary period.
The termination of service may be initiated by the appropriate Regional
Director, Police Regional Office (PRO) or Director, National Support Unit (NSU)
based on the investigation/official report of the case against any PNP member or
upon a verified complaint of any person accompanied with sworn statements and
documents. The case shall then be referred to the designated Termination Hearing
Officer (THO) at the PNP National Headquarters, PRO or NSU for review and
Summary Termination Proceedings. The THO concerned shall render its findings
and recommendations within ten (10) days upon receipt of the case folder and
submit a recommendation to the Chief, PNP based on the merits of the case.
Through these guidelines, we will be able to expedite the resolution of cases
involving termination of officer on probationary period, and save resources on the
part of the PNP, Escueta said.

VOL. 6 NO. 6

June 2011

DRRM workshops
for LGUs begin

Secretary Robredo discusses imporatant matters with local officials of Region III during the Tapatan Roadshow
on Full Disclosure Policy, a program to ensure the commitment of local chief executives to fully disclose , through
newspapers, websites or in conspicuous places, their public fund allocations and expenditures.
Photo by L. Espelimbergo

DILG holds orientation

for Performance Challenge Fund
As more and more local
government units (LGUs) are
aspiring for a Performance
Challenge Fund (PCF) grant,
the Department through the
Bureau of Local Government
and Development (BLGD)
recently conducted a three-day
orientation program on the PCF
in order to provide a clear
guidelines and procedures on
how to access the fund.
PCF is a financial
incentive given to LGUs that

have exhibited excellent

performance in key governance
areas in order to jumpstart local
development projects.
Secretary Jesse Robredo
said that through the PCF, local
governments will be able to
improve and provide programs
and projects that will improve
the lives of the people.
PCF
will
promote
transparency and good
performance among local
governments which will

The Local Government

Academy (LGA), the DILGs
training arm, is taking great
strides to develop or enhance
the capacities of local
government units (LGUs),
particularly disaster-prone
localities,
disaster
preparedness and climate
change adaptation (CCA).
Just recently, LGA started
its series of basic orientation
and skills enhancement
workshops for key LGU
officials involved in disaster

risk reduction management

and CCA from the second
district of Nueva Ecija.
LGA Executive Director
Marivel Sacendoncillo said the
orientation aims to make LGUs
understand the concepts and
principles of DRRM and CCA,
know their roles and functions
in mainstreaming, enage their
local communities and identify
their key actions.
We want to produce
CCA-DRRM compliant LGUs
Continued on page 4

ultimately result to the

attainment of development
outcomes at the local level,
Robredo said.
During the activity,
members of the PCF Steering
Committee composed of DILG
assistant secretaries and
bureau directors provided
directions and guidance in the
implementation of the PCF.
A total of 80 participants
composed of regional and
Continued on page 4

LGA Executive Director Marivel Sacendoncillo delivers her welcome message

to the participants in the Basic Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction
Management and Climate Change Adaptation for LGUs.

Public-private partnerships
in LGUs pushed

DILG Assistant Secretary Eubert Gutierrez provides the necessary guidance and inspiration to all the participants
of the Orientation/ Roll Out Seminar to implement the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) program of the Department
at the local levels.
Photo by Rudy Sanchez

In support of the
governments thrust toward
greater and more meaningful
participation of the private
sector in development, the
Department
recently
conducted a forum entitled
Public-Private Partnerships
(PPPs) for LGUs in order to
deepen the understanding of
the participants on the
importance of PPPs to help fuel
local economic development.
The two-day forum, which
is a collaborative undertaking
among the Department, the
Local Governance Support

Program for Local Economic

Development (LGSP-LED),
and the Regional Economic
Development of the German
Cooperation Agency (RED
STEER), was held at the AVenue Hotel in Manila.
Interior
and
Local
Government Undersecretary
Austere Panadero said that the
thrust of the Department to
push for PPP is in response to
President Benigno S. Aquinos
call for a more active LGU-led
PPP undertakings to carry out
local development projects.
Continued on page 4