Project Proposal for Committee on Special Events By Nikole S.

Alicer, NCPAG Representative to the USC Bayanihan ng Sambayanan Vision: To inculcate the value of volunteerism and nationalism among the students, exercise talents and skills to its fullest potential and integrate efforts of different sectors to achieve local developmental goals of communities Mission: 1. To identify and know problems and challenges within and among communities through dialogues and consultative assemblies 2. To mobilize all colleges to utilize technical skills and expertise of the students to create comprehensive and sustainable plans to address developmental challenges 3. To partner, organize and execute good governance practices to generate clear and real outcomes 4. To utilize information generated for improved policy-making Rationale: The University Student Council recognizes the significant role of the studentry in nation building anchored on the development of the society. As such, the proponent seeks to reestablish the role of the UP community in initiating reform at the local level. The proponent would like to create a student committee that utilizes the full potential of students talents and capacities to create innovative ideas to help local communities address their respective challenges through tested and proven initiatives. Local Governance is increasingly becoming an important concept in the country as localities experience varying degrees of development resulting from peculiar challenges. Based on a study conducted by ADB, among the factors to consider to adequately assess the performance of local governments are disparity in the budget allocated or funding support for activities, difference in the level of local autonomy and appreciation of the functions of a decentralized government, contrast in the level of political maturity, varied needs and composition of local governments among others 1. The main focus areas of performance indicators systems include social conditions and poverty, economic productivity, equity, governance and participation,

Philippines, Performance Measurement at the Local Level, Final Report, May 2006, ADB, p-9-10

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financial capability and performance, transportation and environment 2 With the era of decentralization, more management responsibilities are required of the local government units particularly in the mobilization, utilization and delivery of basic services. As such, it is imperative that LGUs exercise good governance to ensure promotion of development at the local level. However, as it stands poverty remains the major challenge of LGUs attributed by the lack of services from access to education, livelihood opportunities, health and other basic services. From poverty incidence of 31.8% in 1997 it has increased to 34.20 in 2000. 3 The poor and excluded live in rural communities, they are landless, homeless, jobless, underemployed, uneducated, sick, and malnourished and discriminated Filipinos whom are women, Muslims, indigenous and tribal. The call for a nationwide consensus to end poverty and achieve sustainable development is the driving imperative of the Filipino people. To achieve this, social protection program best practices should start at local communities and eventually scaled up and professionalized to an over-all poverty reduction strategy. Anti-Poverty Programs of Government 1. Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), a community driven poverty reduction project aimed to increasing local incomes, access to social infrastructure and decision-making, development of new skills and higher levels of collective action, social capital and local empowerment. 2. Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran is a micro credit program available to peoples organizations and effectively targets women at the community level 3. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a cash conditional transfer, fiver year program for one million poorest families with the objective of improving human development and breaking intergenerational poverty CSO initiatives 1. Gawad Kalinga is worldwide initiative aimed in building communities guided by a developmental roadmap composed of three stages: (1) Social Justice through donations of land and resources to build homes for the homeless, (2) Social Artistry using science and technology to create major innovations that will concretely and permanently improve the quality of life for the poorest of the poor and, (3) Social Progress that builds and sustains best practices. 2. Galing Pook is a leading resource institution that promotes innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment and excellence in local governance. Its mission is to promote
2 3

Ibid, p.10 Presidential Task force on the 20/20 initiative, The 20/20 Report 2003, DAP, Pasig City 2003 (based from NSCB)

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excellence in local governance through recognition, sharing of information and support of efforts from capacity building to technical resources to replicate best practices at the local level. Governance Structure
Academe Volunteers

CSOs, Private Sector, International

Local Government and Communities

This flagship program will build on existing successful efforts and partner with Gawad Kalinga (GK), Galing Pook, and other stakeholders centered on integrating the students and the academe to lead innovative practices that will increase wealth and improve the quality of life of poor communities. As future leaders, USC holds a vital role in nation-building within the university and more importantly to the society at large. Through this program, students will become immersed in the real conditions of various local communities and understand the real challenges that constrain developmental growth. Student excellence in their respective fields will be exhibited as innovative practices are conceptualized and implemented in partnership with local government units, civil society organizations, private sector and other stakeholders. Mr. Tony Meloto, founder of GK, has expressed his commitment to partner with USC to maximize the talents and skills of the students towards serving the people. Committee Structure: Project Manager Oversight and monitoring of progress towards expected outcomes Provides a macro perspective on local-national building Project Coordinator Coordinates all stakeholders (USC, LGUs, CSOs, Private Sector, Communities) Coordinates and integrate projects outputs and outcomes Technical Officer Mobilizes experts in sector areas sourcing from the students and faculty
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Documentation and Publicity Officer Records developments, best practices, challenges and foreseeable opportunities Mobilizes mechanisms for information dissemination and educational campaigns Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Conceptualizes M&E plan for each project detailing indicators for each expected output and outcome Closely coordinates with the Documentation and Puiblicity Officer on the utilization of information/data Finance and Administration Officer Manages all financial and operational matters relating to each project Liaises with selected local units on counterpart contributions Activities Calendars: TIMELINE May-June PROJECT DESCRIPTION Galing Pook Lecture Series To propagate good governance practices of different localities nationwide in sectoral developmental issues/challenges Consultative Assembly To call for commitments from all stakeholders towards unified goals Academe-LGU partnership and immersion To create a communitarian praxis across sectors spearheaded and reinforced by the academe and local communities ACTIVITY/IES Coordination with Galing Pook Coordination with LGUs, NGOs, other organizations, and communities Coordination with other UP Student Councils and other UP Student Organizations Invitation of LGUs, SCs/CSCs, students, and other stakeholders

1st week of July 2nd week to 3rd week of July

AugustDecember January February March

In partnership with Gawad Kalinga, students will be integrated in communities and global volunteers sharing visions and insights on research. Identification of problems in local communities through LGUs (Assessment or Gap Analysis) Resource and technical skills mobilization and creation of a comprehensive plan of action for the partner LGUs, in coordination with different stakeholders Monitoring and Evaluation Documentation Presentation of Outcomes Compilation of best practices

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