PDF Working Group on Decentralization and Local Government (WG-DLG) Accomplishment Report for CCD Meeting 20 March 2013 PHILIPPINES DEVELOPMENT FORUM Working Group on Decentralization and Local Government

The PDF WG-DLG The importance of decentralization in achieving development outcomes led to the constitution of the PDF WG-DLG in 2005; WG-DLG is a venue for discussing policy and achieving consensus on policy reforms and priorities in local governance; In 2010, the Philippine Decentralization and Local Government Trust Fund (DIALOG TF) was established as a mechanism for pooling resources to support the WG-DLG’s Work Plan

The PDF WG-DLG: Members WG-DLG RoleInstitution/Organization ConvenorDepartment of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Co-convenorWorld Bank MembersNational Government Oversight Agencies: Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Local Government Leagues of Philippine Provinces; Cities; Municipalities of the Philippines; Liga ng Barangay National Secretariat; Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines Development Partners: ADB, AusAID, EU, Agence Francaise de Developpement, GIZ, JICA, KFW Development Bank, Embassy New Zealand, UN organizations (UNDP, UN Children’s Fund, Population Fund), USAID, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)

WG-DLG Work Plan Development Agenda Three broad development agendas/goals of the WG-DLG are: 1.Improving Fiscal Autonomy for Local Development; 2.Promoting Good Local Governance; 3.Accelerating Local Economic and Sustainable Development

WG-DLG Work Plan Structure: Basic Results Framework WG-DLG Development Agenda or GoalDesired Outcomes Actual Outputs/Deliverables of Projects/Activities

Steps in drafting the accomplishment report for WG-DLG Work Plan Established the structure of the report to follow the Work Plan framework 2.Define accomplishment and assess progress. This was challenging since: – there were no benchmark indicators identified for outcome/development agendas/goals. – outcomes/development agendas/goals are also not defined or quantified. – Because of this accomplishments are defined as completed and ongoing projects. 3.Draft the accomplishment report: – Discussed the development agendas, highlighting completed projects attempting to link goals to policy efforts – Presented accomplishments and ongoing efforts in more details according to desired outcomes

Accomplishments for Development Agenda 1: Improving Fiscal Autonomy for Local Development GOAL: LGUs with improved fiscal capacities for accelerating development OutcomesActivities/Projects Increasing own source revenues Development of local business taxpayer database Guidelines for the use of presumptive gross sales figures to estimate business tax liability Facilitating and monitoring compliance on updating of the schedule of market values (SMV) of real property and the collection of idle taxes. Increasing LGU access to external financing through borrowing Strengthening the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) capacity to provide credit information and development financing More efficient allocation of resources Improving LGU utilization of Local Development Fund More efficient local policies and procedures Enhancement of the e-SRE modules and capacity building for treasurers

Accomplishments for Development Agenda 2: Promoting Good Governance GOAL: Accountable LGUs exercising transparency and participatory local governance OutcomesActivities/Projects More transparent and accountable local operations Institutionalize the public disclosure of documents for the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) and the creation of the FDP web portal Technical assistance and analytical activities in support of national government programs that strengthen incentives for better local governance and performance such as the Seal of Good Housekeeping Promote constructive engagement of civil society Capacity building of CSOs to engage in local special bodies, promoting volunteerism among citizens and CSOs, and mapping and profiling of CSOs nationwide.

Accomplishments in Development Agenda 3: Accelerating Local Economic and Sustainable Development GOAL: To create an enabling environment for local economic and sustainable development and effective delivery of basic services OutcomeProjects/Activities Streamlined business registration system Technical assistance for scale-up of business permit and licensing systems (BPLS) among LGUs Improved LGU capacity to encourage investments Technical assistance and capacity building to promote local investment and competitiveness through draft policies on Local Economic Development Support sustainable inter-local cooperation through the Local Governance Support Program-Local Economic Development alliances Disaster resilient LGUs in communities Technical assistance to vulnerable LGUs to assess vulnerability to DRR and CC and include these in the Comprehensive Development Plan

General Findings The structure of the Work Plan was clear and easy to understand however it was difficult to get a sense of progress or accomplishment; It was challenging to identify and quantify progress/accomplishment in the attainment of desired outcomes and progress in development agendas because: – the desired outcomes are not quantified; – there is no benchmark to measure progress There was no clear-cut strategy and effort of the Secretariat to update the Work Plan periodically.

Moving forward in the next Work Plan 1.Identification of government priorities in DLG. – Are the development agendas and outcomes still relevant? – Is there a need for a more detailed results framework? 2.Agree on the structure of the next Work Plan 3.Do an inventory or stock of ongoing and forthcoming activities and projects of the members of the WG-DLG. If a more detailed results framework is to be agreed upon this list should include more details such as objectives, benchmark/situationer and targets to easily quantify progress. 4.Agree on administrative matters such as the frequency of updating the Work Plan and discussing accomplishments

Thank you