BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan or UBAS is a tripartite venture of
the barangays, faith-based organizations and the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) that aims to harness community participation in order to
uphold transparency and accountability measures in promoting good governance at
the local level.
Meanwhile, the Barangay Action Teams (BATs) are the implementing body of
the UBAS composed of barangay officials, religious leaders/lay ministers and
representatives of barangay-based civil society organizations.
In a bid to step up the mainstreaming efforts of the UBAS in the Province,
the DILG Nueva Vizcaya, in collaboration with the DILG Regional Office,
conducted an orientation with the members of the BATs on August 27, 2015 at the
Ammungan Hall, Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
The said orientation is aimed at making the BATs well-equipped in both the
UBAS and BuB programs as well as in filling out monitoring forms since they are
specifically tasked to monitor the proper implementation of various anti-poverty
projects, particularly those funded under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) and other
engagements in the barangay to achieve the goal of curbing corruption and
promoting good governance.
Aside from the presentations and lectures on good governance, another
salient part of the orientation was the covenant signing where all participants
affixed their signatures in the covenant, showcasing their commitment to sustain
UBAS in their respective LGUs.

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

The successful conduct of the BATs orientation was made possible through
the support of the Regional Office and the partnership of DILG with the
development partners.

RATIONALE
The UBAS program was launched in the region on February 12, 2015 in
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. Since then, few but meaningful activities have been
conducted in the Province of Nueva Vizcaya to include launching and covenant
signing. Moreover, the Department has heightened its campaign to create an
enabling environment for a meaningful collaboration with the Liga ng mga
Barangay and Inter-Faith Organizations (IFOs) based in the Province.
One of the key components of the UBAS program is the organization and
orientation of the Barangay Action Teams at all local levels. One (1) pilot barangay
per municipality was chosen for the pilot test run thus, necessary technical
assistance was afforded to them. Lastly, to fully implement the UBAS project at the
barangay level, the members of the UBAS Provincial Convenors Group and the
Technical Working Members also attended and provided input in the formulation of
the Plan of Activities.

OBJECTIVES
Generally, the activity aims to provide the BAT members a clearer vision on
the nature of the UBAS program as well as their areas of engagements in order to
facilitate other lined-up activities particularly on the evaluation of projects.
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

Specifically, the activity aimed to:
1. present the UBAS and BuB programs and their components;
2. explain the principles of good governance;
3. equip the participants on their roles on BuB monitoring;
4. orient the participants on the BuB monitoring forms; and
5. devise a plan of activities at the local level.

PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS

The activity was attended by fifteen (15) barangays:
1. Barangay Galintuja of the Municipality of Alfonso Castaeda
2. Barangay Labang of the Municipality of Ambaguio
3. Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Aritao
4. Barangay Murong of the Municipality of Bagabag
5. Barangay of Buag of the Municipality of Bambang
6. Barangay Don Mariano Perez of the Municipality of Bayombong
7. Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Diadi
8. Barangay Inaban of the Municipality of Dupax del Norte
9. Barangay Domang of the Municipality of Dupax del Sur
10. Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Kasibu
11. Barangay Besong of the Municipality of Kayapa
12. Barangay Aurora of the Municipality of Quezon
13. Barangay Bacneng of the Municipality of Santa Fe
14. Barangay San Juan of the Municipality of Solano
15. Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Villaverde
The participants of the activity were as follows:

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Punong Barangays
Representatives from CSOs
Representatives from IFOs
MLGOOs
DILG Regional and Provincial Office Personnel
PLGU Functionaries
Guests

The 78 registered participants are presented in the following graphs:

Participants
Punong Barangays

CSOs

IFOs

MLGOOs

DILG Reg'l and Prov'l Staf

Guests

14%

5%

16%

18%

24%
24%

Participants as to Gender
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

14
12
10
8
6
4

Male

Female

PRELIMINARIES
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

The activity commenced with an opening prayer which was followed
immediately by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the Nueva
Vizcaya Hymn. Afterwards, LGOO V Lilia P. Castillo, the Cluster Officer,
acknowledged the participants.
Following the acknowledgment of participants was PD Maribbays message.
He expressed his appreciation to the potential UBAS Action Team members for
their continued support in the programs of the Department most especially in the
UBAS program.
Also, Gov. Ruth Raa-Padilla and Board Member Merlie G. Talingdan each
gave a message. Gov. Padilla commended the DILG in coming up with a program
that involves the church in local governance. Further, she said that effective
monitoring is a key ingredient in the proper implementation of government projects
that is why she urged the BAT members to be committed in their tasks. On the
other hand, Board Member Talingdan encouraged the participants to make the best
out of this activity by paying close attention to the lecturers.
Subsequently, OIC-Program Manager Michael E. Camacam gave the
overview and the mechanics of the activity. He told the participants of the flow of
activities. He also informed them that they are free to raise queries, issues and/or
concerns for further clarification during the open forum.

ORIENTATION PROPER
After the morning preliminaries, the orientation proper ensued. An audiovisual presentation was shown which provided insights on how the UBAS program
came into being. The said presentation contained a brief background on how the
Department conceptualized the program.

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

LGOO V Michelle D. Dinamling gave the overview on BuB programs while
LGOO IV Amor L. Dapiawen updated the participants on the status of completed
and on-going BuB projects and other locally-funded projects in the Province.

In the afternoon, LGOO V Mariel S. Maramag, LGOO V Princess Joy L.

Ramos and LGOO II Rukmini V. Valencia discussed the barangay government,
guideposts in promoting and sustaining barangay good governance and barangay
full disclosure policy, respectively.
LGOO V Genevieve A. Calimag, the UBAS RFP, also provided the
participants with inputs on the BuB process and engagement of UBAS in BuB
projects monitoring. BAT members were also taught how to fill out BuB monitoring
forms. She ended her presentation with some thoughts to ponder. After her
presentation, the issues were raised and attended to by LGOO V Calimag during the
open forum.

After the discussions was the commitment signing which was spearheaded by
the Provincial Convenors Group followed by the commitment response of the
following: Ptr. Delfin M. Asis, Jr., a representative of the CSOs; Ptr. Agusto T.
Edwas, a representative of the IFOs; and Hon. Rhodora F. Bilog, the Punong
Barangay of Poblacion, Diadi.

ISSUES, CONCERNS AND AGREEMENTS

The following issues and concerns were raised during the open forum:
ISSUES AND

CLARIFICATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/

CONCERNS

AGREEMENTS

Does the monitoring

As an initial step, only DILG projects are subject to the

involve only DILG BuB

monitoring of the BATs. However, as the project

Projects? Diadi

progresses, it will also involve other projects

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

undertaken in their respective LGUs.
What gives the BAT the

A pro forma Executive Order (EO) will be released by

authority to monitor the

the office and to be used as a basis for the authority of

projects? Diadi

the BATs to monitor projects in the LGU.

Is there a fund available

The UBAS program does not have a fund allocation to

for the monitoring

cover monitoring expenses. Expenses incurred for the

expenses? Kasibu

activity, however, can be charged to BuB.

Will monitoring include

The monitoring of projects include not only on-going

only on-going projects?

projects. It includes finished projects as well.

In case of an on-going

As a general rule, the BAT does not have the authority

project and we find the

to stop the implementation of the project. However,

implementation below the

should there be negative findings on the

standards or not in

implementation of the project, the same should be

conformity with the

reported using the monitoring form (Form 1) reflecting

contract, do we have the

therein the negative findings. The form should then be

authority to stop the

submitted to the UBAS Technical Working Group

implementation? Father

(TWG) of the LGU (the MLGOO). It is then the

Iking (Convenors Group)

responsibility of the MLGOO to report the findings to

the Local Poverty Reduction Action team (LPRAT) who
has the authority to stop the implementation of the
project.

What if during the process In as much as the TWG is also within the LGU, it is
the project is already

expected that an action will be undertaken the soonest

finished before the LPRAT possible time. The process for filing negative findings
takes action?

should be followed.

Dupax del Sur

What if the MLGOO is

As all projects are contract bound, it is expected to be

not in his AOR and the

completed at an estimated date of completion as stated

on-going project continues

in the contract. The BAT should follow the process.

and is completed? What

Should there be negative findings, it is now within the

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

can the BAT do? Dupax

LPRAT TWG to take action on the matter. The LPRAT

del Norte

can either disapprove or refuse the acceptance of the

project.

Is it possible to include

Yes. There will be a forum on BuB Monitoring and

the BAT in the BuB

Evaluation and the same will tackle the composition of

inspectorate team?

the BuB Inspectorate Team so as not to have

Dupax del Norte

duplication of activities. The BAT is strongly considered

to be a member of the team.

Are LGUs aware of the

Yes. LCEs were informed of the UBAS and the BATs.

BATs? Is there a next

activity of the BATs? Can

To give LCEs a deeper understanding of the role of the

LCEs be part of the

BATs, they can be invited on the next activity of the

activity? Dupax del Sur

team.

How can we be identified

An identification (ID) card will be given to BATs

as member of UBAS and

members as a way of identification. As to uniforms

the BATs? Aritao

(shirts), it would have to await funds. Hence, in the

meantime, IDs will be provided.

Can we expand the

A prop forma EO will be given by the office which is a

membership of the BATs?

basis for the composition of the BATs. It is now the

Aritao

teams initiative to expand its membership.

When are we expected to

After the conduct of the BuB Monitoring and

start the monitoring?

Evaluation forum.

Aritao
As an agreement, the group is tasked to practice filling
out the monitoring forms which are expected to be
submitted until the 3rd week of September 2015 to their
respective MLGOOs.

COMMITMENT RESPONSE
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

From the CSOs
We find the objectives of UBAS truly beneficial to the people. As a member of
a CSO, we find great pleasure to participate in an activity that will uplift our lives
as members of the community. To serve as overseers in the implementation of
projects, we signify our full support in the program because we know that in the
end, it will be for the benefit of the greater good.
-

Pastor Delfin M. Asis, Jr. from the Municipality of Quezon

From the IFOs

It had always been said that there is a separation between the church and the
state. From my point of view, I say there is only separation when it comes to
financial transactions or matters governing disbursement of government funds for
the church. In all other activities, however, the church works hand in hand with the
government. As mentioned, the church is made part of the UBAS program with the
contention that as a member of the church, we will serve as the conscience of the
group, finding action only to that which is true and to that which is beneficial. Our
role in this program is very promising. As member of the Convenors Group, we

have big plans for the UBAS. We hope that this program will withstand the test of
times and that includes the changes that may happen in the administration. As a
team, we will work with all the members of the society to guard the implementation
of government projects.
-

Pastor Agusto T. Edwas of the Bambang Assembly Christian Center

From the Punong Barangays

The partnership created by the BATs is not new to us. In all the activities
conducted in our LGUs, there had always been a participation of the church and the
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

CSO. This only proves that even before its implementation, UBAS had been
recognized in our barangays. The formal organization of the team now strengthens
that unity that has kept us as a team. Now that we are recognized, we should
continue to work together for the betterment of our community. Ipagpatuloy natin
ang programa ng UBAS!
-

Hon. Rhodora F. Bilog, Punong Barangay of Poblacion, Diadi

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

The Registration

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

Participants to the Barangay Action Teams (BATs) Orientation on

UBAS register upon arriving
at the Ammungan Hall.

The Morning Preliminaries

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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

Everyone rises during the invocation and the singing of the

Philippine National Anthem
and the Nueva Vizcaya Hymn.
V Lilia E.
P. Castillo,
the
LGOO LGOO
V Michael
Camacam,
the OIC-Program Manager, provides the overview and mechanics of the activity.
Cluster Officer, as she
acknowledges the
participants.

Provincial Director Ruperto B.

Maribbay, Jr.
as he delivers a welcome

Gov. Ruth Rana Padilla and Board Member Merlie G. Talingdan

both express their appreciation to the DILG for coming up with a
program that involves the church in local governance.

The Lecture Proper

LGOO V Genevieve

LGOO V
Michelle D.
Dinamling
enlightens
the
participants
Calimag, the UBAS RFP, provides the participants
with inputs on the
on BuB
programs
while LGOO
IV Amor L.
13
Dapiawen
updates
Simbahan at Barangay Nakikiisa sa Pamahalaan
Para sa Tuwid na
them
the
LGOO V Mariel S. Maramag, LGOODaan
V Princess Joy on
L. Ramos
and LGOO II Rukmini
status of

BuB process

BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

The Open Forum

After her presentation, the UBAS RFP, LGOO V Calimag

answers in great detail the issues that were raised by
the BAT members during the open forum.

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The Covenant Signing

The BAT members

affixNakikiisa
their signatures
in the covenant,
Simbahan
at Barangay
sa Pamahalaan
Para sa Tuwid na
showcasing their commitment and
willingness
to sustain UBAS in
Daan

BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

The Commitment Response

Pastor Delfin M. Asis, Jr. from the

Municipality of Quezon signifies
his full support in the activities
of UBAS.

Pastor Agusto T. Edwas of

the
Bambang
Assembly
Christian
Center
acknowledges the crucial
role of the church in

Hon. Rhodora F. Bilog,

Punong Barangay of
Poblacion,
Diadi
encourages
the
participants to work
together
for
the
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BATs Orientation on the UBAS Program

The Barangay Action Teams

The Barangay Action Teams pose for a photo with the

UBAS Regional Focal Person, LGOO V Genevieve A.
Calimag and the Provincial Director, Mr. Ruperto B.
Maribbay Jr. together with the MLGOOs and the DILG

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