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The Department shall promote

peace and order, ensure public

safety and strengthen capabilityof local government units through

active people participation and a

professionalized corps of civil

servants.

The Department is the primary

catalyst for excellence in local

governance that nurtures self-

reliant, progressive, orderly, safe

and globally-competitive

communities sustained by God-

centered and empowered

citizenry.

For complaints and inquiries, text DILG to 2299

VOL. 6 NO. 6 www.dilg.gov.ph June 2011

DILG holds orientationfor Performance Challenge Fund

Story on page 12

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

20% devt fund use clarifiedThe DILG chief issued the

clarification in reaction to thecommon complaints andconfusion among local chief

executives about the usage ofthe 20 percent developmentfunds which, under the latestDILG-Department of Budgetand Management joint memo,could only be used for localprojects that focus on social,economic, environmentaldevelopment, and other relatedprojects covered under it.

For example, if an LGU isengaged in a road constructionproject, the cost of labor andother related expenses thatwould be incurred for thatproject can be charged to the20% percent developmentfund, Robredo told local chiefexecutives who attended theDILGs Tapatan Roadshow onFull Disclosure Policy heldFriday at the City Coliseum inPuerto Princesa City.

While it is specificallyprovided for under Section 287of the Local Government Code(annual budget appropriationof no less than 20 percent of itsIRA specifically fordevelopment projects),governors, mayors andbarangay chairmen can usethem for expenditures that areconnected to or related withthe implementation of a

particular development project.These development

projects include the following:

Robredo

construction or rehabilitationof evacuation centers, portablewater supply system,evacuation centers, local roadsor bridges, sanitary landfills,material recovery facility andpublic facilities such as multi-purpose halls; purchase orrepair of area-wide calamity-

related alarm or warningsystem and appropriatealarming-related rescueoperations equipment; andpurchase and development ofland for relocation of victims ofcalamities, among others.

The same DILG-DBMmemo circular alsoenumeratedthe items that are not related to ornot connected with theimplementation of

development projects and theyinclude cash gifts, bonuses,

Continued on page 4

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


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Page 2 June 2011NEWS

The Department has

established special unitswithin the police, fire and jailbureaus that will manage andadminister the fund releasesfor retirement, separation andpension benefits of retireesfrom the said offices.

The special unit to becalled the Retirement andBenefits AdministrativeService (RBAS) shall beestablished in the central and

regional offices which shallbe solely responsible in themanagement andadministration of the pensionand gratuity benefits of PNP,BFP and BJMP personnel.

It shall be under thefunctional supervision of therespective Directorate forPersonnel of the PNP, BFP,BJMP.

Our goal is toconsolidate the existingpolicies/ monitoring systemin the administration ofretirement/ pension benefitsin the PNP, BFP and BJMP,and to fasttrack the release ofthese benefits and pension tothe retirees/pensioners andtheir beneficiaries, saidDILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Under existing laws, theretirement age of police, fireand jail uniformed personnelis 56 years old.

Robredo said theestablishment of a RBAS isnecessary to fi l l-in theorganizational andfunctional gaps that exist inthe current system, as well as

to harmonize the contributory

efforts of the different officesinvolved in the retirement andpension system.

Specifically, he said thenew unit shall systematicallyand promptly process andmonitor all requests/claims ofretired/pensioner/separateduniformed personnel andtheir legal beneficiariespursuant to retirement laws,as well as maintain and

update a list of pensioner/ retired / separatedpersonnel and act as itscustodian.

Relative to the fundmonitoring system, Robredosaid the Directorate forPersonnel of the PNP, BFPand BJMP are required toprepare and submit to DBM aroster of active uniformedpersonnel that shall serve asdatabase and will be used incounter-checking specialbudget request for gratuityand terminal leave benefits.

The guidelines alsoprovide that the payment ofterminal leave benefits shallbe subject to pre-audit incompliance with COACircular 2009-002.

Aside from this, all

pensioners are required tosubmit a Pensioner UpdateForm to the nationalheadquarters and regionalRBAS which shall, in turn,conduct an annualpensioners/beneficiariesinventory and/or audit viahome visitations, Robredosaid.

The Department of theInterior and Local Government(DILG) and other nationalgovernment agencies havesignified their commitment toimplement a two-year projectthat aims to link environmentalmanagement resources topoverty alleviation.

The project dubbed asPhilippine PovertyEnvironment Initiative, whichshall be funded by the UnitedNations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) incoordination with the UNEnvironment Programme, aims

to support the government, civilsocieties and the businesssectors to utilize revenues andbenefits from sustainableenvironment and naturalresources (ENR) managementfor poverty reduction throughimproved capacity andenabling conditions at nationaland local levels.

During the Orientationand Leveling of Expectationswith Responsible Parties onPPEI Implementationconducted recently,representatives from UNDP,DILG, Department of Finance(DOF), Department ofEnvironment and NaturalResources (DENR), nationalAnti-Poverty Commission(NAPC), National Commissionon Indigenous People (NCIP)and National Economic andDevelopment Authority(NEDA) developed the workand financial plans, as well as

the terms of references for theprojects implementation.

Director Manuel Q. Gotis ofthe Bureau of Local GovernmentDevelopment said the firstphase of the project involves thereview of policies andprocedures and creation of aframework on how to utilizesustainable ENR management

for poverty alleviation, while thesecond phase will focus onbringing down the project tolocal government units (LGUs).

Gotis also said that PPEI isSecretary Jesse M. Robredoscomplementary project to thecore programs on LocalEconomic Development (LED)and Disaster Resilient LGUs ofDILG and is aligned with thePhilippine Development Plan(PDP) 2011-2016 as it promotesand links proper environmentmanagement and economicprogress.

On the other hand, UNDP

consultant Donna Urquico said,Linkages between poverty andenvironment includingclimate change are visibleacross the Asia Pacific region.Environment issues that matterto the poor have to bemainstreamed into institutionsand development processesand decisions.

DILG, other NGAs join hands for PPEI

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

Special units to handle retirementbenefits of uniformed personnel

Use PHIVOLCS maps for disaster risk assessment, local execs toldIn order to conduct a reliable and accuratedisaster risk and vulnerability assessment of theirrespective areas, local chief executives should alwaysrefer to the maps prepared by the Philippine Instituteof Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS),particularly on volcanic and seismic-related events.

This was stressed by DILG Secretary JesseRobredo in his directive to provincial governors, cityand municipal mayors and members of sangguniansat all levels where he urged them to access whatever

useful information from PHIVOLCS and otherconcerned agencies in doing risk assessment that canbe used as basis in mainstreaming DRRM andClimate Change Adaptation in local governmentsystems and processes.

Any available information and studies ofgovernment agencies and other concernedinstitutions should be taken into consideration byour LGUs in crafting their DRRM plans, he said.

Robredo said local execs may access thefollowing information through the PHIVOLCSwebsite (phivolcs.dost.gov.ph): hazard maps, whichinclude active faults and liquefaction susceptibilitymaps, earthquake-triggered landslide susceptibilitymaps and tsunami-prone area maps; and multi-

hazard maps, indicating earthquake-inducedlandslide, ground rupture, ground shaking,liquefaction and tsunami.

Also posted in the PHIVOLCS website areguidelines on disaster preparedness, particularly

during earthquakes, and developing a tsunamiprepared community.

The DILG Secretary has been designated as Vice-Chair for Disaster Preparedness under the DisasterRisk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

As Vice-Chair, the DILG is mandated to enhancethe capacities of LGUs to effectively address andmitigate the impacts of disasters and calamities.

Just recently, the government earmarked P40-million for the project, Enhancing LGU Capacity

on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster RiskManagement, to help build the resiliency of 360disaster-prone LGUs in coping with and respondingto natural disasters and adapting to climate changethrough training and infrastructure projects.


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Page 3 June 2011SPECIAL FEATURE

Wao is one municipality in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that hasalso institutionalized a successful Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) program.

Waos ISWM program covers all of the municipalitys 26 barangays in the Provinceof Lanao del Sur and aims to establish a clean, green, and healthy environment byregulating the disposal and recycling of solid wastes.

The LGU began implementing its ISWM program three years ago when theSangguniang Bayan issued Ordinance no. 262 regulating the collection of residual,biodegradable and special wastes along designated routes and the imposition of penaltiesfor improper waste disposal.

The program entailed the segregation of waste material and the setting up of MaterialsRecovery Facility (MRF).

At the municipalitys Sanitary Landfill (SLF), further segregation is being done by acollection crew and the re-usable or recyclable materials are stocked at the central MRFbefore being sold to authorized buyers. Biodegradable materials are also processed intocompost and sold as fertilizer. All the monies earned from the MRF and compostingoperations 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) whichalso 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 thelaw. The fines from apprehension in the first year amounted to P33,500.

Solid waste management enforcers are deployed at designated areas to apprehend violatorswhile street sweepers clean at their assigned areas daily. Personnel are on duty even duringweekends and holidays.

The diminishing trend in apprehensions in the succeeding years indicated that the programwas gaining momentum.

The LGUs incessant, organized, and effective information and education campaign eventuallyencouraged households to utilize compost in vegetable gardening and to sell recyclable wastematerials to scrap buyers. Schools, offices, religious institutions, industrial and commercialestablishments have also complied and maintained the cleanliness of their premises because of thestrict enforcement of theprogram. And the townhas become more elegantas evidenced by cleanerstreets, spotless plazas,neat schools, and even

tidy wet and dry markets.

In a locality whereindifference to ordinancesand disorderly conductwere formerly the norm,the strict implementationof the program and thesubsequent compliancecome as a big surprise. TheISWM of Wao is a majoraccomplishment leading

towards better, healthierand effective ways ofdoing things. (Source: Galing Pook inARMM 2010 Magazine)

Integrated Solid Waste Management

Municipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur


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DILG NEWS DIGESTPage 4 June 2011

medical assistance, food allowance, uniform meetings,supplies, communication, water and light, petroleumproducts, and the like, salaries, traveling expenses,

seminar and conference fees, construction and repairof administrative offices, purchase of office furnitureand equipment and maintenance and repair of motorvehicles.

An earlier Commission on Audit report indicatedthat some 80 LGUs utilized the fund for regularexpenses such as salaries and wages, facilitiesmaintenance, travelling, celebration of festivities, andfinancial assistance, while 102 other LGUs did notimplement or fully implement the developmentprojects funded as shown by an unutilized balance ofa total of P650.6-million.

The COA audit, which evaluated a compendiumof 1,351 Annual Audit Reports (AARs) of the LGUsfor 2008, covered various areas of LG operations suchas the 20% development fund, economic enterprises,and accounts property, plants and equipment, andcash advances because of their significant balances.

Robredo said the Departments latest memo wasalso issued upon the instruction of the Office of thePresident for a review on the existing guidelines onthe 20% development fund use to make it moreresponsive and to include calamity/disastermitigation, preparation and response, as well as

climate adaptation such as reforestation and urbangreening.

20% devt ... from page 1

Local governments should develop good businessclimate in order to attract informal and new emergingbusinesses in their areas.

This was the gist of Secretary Jesse Robredos speechduring the launching of the Entrepreneurial LeadershipDevelopment Program, the first of a series of capacity-building initiatives under the Local EconomicDevelopment for Local Government Units (LED4LGUs)held in Eastwood City.

As managers of their respective localities, local chiefexecutives (LCEs) have to make sure that the localinvestment climate is conducive to economic activities bydeveloping a LED strategy that attracts, retains, expandsand help support informal and new emerging businesses

Robredo urges LCEs to develop good business climate in their areas

assistant regional directors, local government operationsofficers as project management teams, key officials fromthe DILG ARMM, as well as development partners fromWorld Bank and Asian Development Bank attended the

undertaking.Among the topics discussed during the orientation

are the following: general guidelines, procedures foraccessing and releasing of funds, timelines andimplementation processes of the PCF; roles andresponsibilities of the central and regional offices as wellas development partners in its implementation;preparation for the monitoring and evaluation of reports;

DILG holds... from page 12

with enhanced CCA-DRRM mainstreamingcapacity, Sacendoncillo said.

Among the participants are the: 1) Mayor orAdministrator, 2) Municipal Planning & DevelopmentCoordinator, 3) Municipal Social Welfare Officer, 4)Municipal Health Officer, 5) Agriculture Officer, 6)Engineering Officer, 7) Budget Officer, 8) MunicipalLocal Government Operation Officer, 9) DepedRepresentative, 10) ABC President and 11) NGOrepresentative engaged in CCA-DRRM initiatives. Theimmediate output will be a Local DRRM-CCA ActionAgenda.

With the urgency and the substantial number ofparticipants, Sacendoncillo said LGA is accreditinglocal partners that shall conduct similar trainingactivities in Nueva Ecija (1st, 3rd& 4thDist.), CARAGA,Bicol Region, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Pampanga,Tarlac, Zambales, Laguna, Capiz, Iloilo, Bohol, Leyte,Lanao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

from page 12DRRM workshops...

in their areas, Robredo said.LED4LGUs is designed to provide LGUs with a solid

understanding of the principles of LED to enable them toassess opportunities and threats leading to economicdevelopment at the local level.

As key players in national economic development,local government units (LGUs) directly contribute topoverty reduction, influence investment decisions, businessretention 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 developedby the DILGs Local Government Academy (LGA) incollaboration with the Canadian-assisted Local

Government Support Program for Local EconomicDevelopment (LGSP-LED).

The program stresses the importance of anentrepreneurial mindset among local officials andchallenges the newly-designated Local Economic &Investment Promotion Officer or LEIPO of provinces andcities by reflecting on their role in creating and sustainingLED.

LGUs are also provided with concepts, processes and

models that influence LED in local governments; analysisof the issues and challenges facing LED in the Philippines;and practical experiences that can be adapted for sustainableLED including factors such as climate change adaptationmeasures, among others.

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 amechanism to recognize good performance of LGUs in

the areas of good planning, sound fiscal management,transparency and accountability, and performancemonitoring.

For 2011, the national government has set asidePhp500 million for the PCF which will be granted toLGUs that shall fully comply with the Full DisclosurePolicy and not have adverse findings from theCommission on Audit.

Local governments should take on the challenge

posed by the President to explore mutually-beneficialpartnership agreements with the private sector for theimplementation of programs and projects that will furtherpush local economic development, Panadero said.

During the forum, the DILG Undersecretary alsostressed that PPP is not just a financing instrument, but atool for regional and local economic development.

He said the objective of the forum is to enhance theknowledge of the participants on the fundamentals,principles and benefits of PPPs, as well as on the variousmodes of PPP agreements.

We are looking into ways by which PPP can be mademore digestible to local governments includingdeveloping needed policies to help guide local PPPs,he said.

The activity also allowed local government units and

national government agencies to learn from thepresentations on the successful PPPs in the country suchas those in Cebu, Bohol and Mandaluyong, he said.

Among those who shared their expertise on PPPswere: former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, whodiscussed the different modalities of PPP; Atty. Raul Bito-on, who gave a presentation on the role of LGUs in PPP;and Director Eleazar Ricote of NEDAs PPP Center, whogave updates on the services of his office.

Participants to the forum included representativesfrom the DILG, NEDA and DTI, League of Municipalitiesof the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines,the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Development Council, and the

LGUs of Guimaras, Leyte, Alaminos City, Bohol, Sorsogonand South Cotabato.

from page 12Public-private...

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


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LGU EXEMPLARY PRACTICESPage 5 June 2011

Background

There has never been a year without at least a mother or a baby dying the past40 years in the history of the municipality of Maydolong in Eastern Samar due topregnancy-related emergencies. So much efforts and resources of individual familieshave 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 thecommunity and the government as well. Indeed, a healthy community is a wealthycommunity as well.

Upon the initiative of local officials who realized the unfavorable healthsituation 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 helpof the Department of Health as well as the assistance of foreign donors eventuallyturned the annexed delivery room into a complete and separate lying-in clinic.

With the assistance of the barangay health workers (BHWs), the identificationand documentation of pregnant women is reported to the municipal health office.Aside from the periodic barangay health services conducted by the municipalhealth office personnel, house visits of the BHWs proved to be an effective approachin encouraging pregnant women in farflung barangays to have regular prenatalcheckups.

A demand driven program, the Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity andMortality of the municipality basically intends to provide all mothers and childrenaccess to basic health care, from conception to delivery including neonatal care.

Since the projects implementation in 2001, maternal and child morbidityradically changed. For the past three years, a zero maternal death was recorded inthe municipality. Among the benefits include reduced pregnancy-relatedcomplications, increased availment of maternal and neonatal health care services,and institutionalization of the program with regular support allocated by thelocal government. The program proved to be successful that it has earned for theMunicipality of Maydolong especially its municipal health office several citations

and commendations.

Because of the programs achievements, it was recognized as one of the LGUExemplary Practices under the DILGs GO-FAR or Good Practices in LocalGovernance: Facility for Adaptation and Replication.

Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity & Mortality Program

The program provides a facility where safe child delivery is professionallyassisted by a physician and paramedics in case of emergency. Immediate referralsystem is available in case of complicated cases.

The objectives of the program are as follows: reduce pregnancy-related morbidityand mortality, promote prenatal services, educate mothers on the importance ofprenatal and neonatal care, and alleviate financial burden during pregnancy.

The program has enabled to address pregnancy-related morbidity especiallyloss of mothers lives by providing a facility where the ever increasing financial costof professionally-assisted birth deliveries are made available to the most vulnerablesector.

In 2001, local initiatives have attracted national and foreign-assisted resourcesfor the establishment of the facility. Furnishing it with the necessary equipment

including the physical construction of the facility were hampered by lack of fundsbut the municipal government gradually provided the equipment needed. Severalassistance were also sourced from the United Nations Program for Population(UNFPA). The Maydolong lying-in clinic has been comparable now to the deliveryfacility of the provincial hospital.

Reducing Mother-Child Morbidity & Mortality Program

Project Results

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

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 themunicipal health office.

Key Implementation Steps

1. Responding to an authentic and urgent health necessity. To minimize if noteradicate maternal death and pregnancy-related illnesses as well asneonatal health hazards, the program has to be provided with legislativesupport in order that administrative and financial requirements may be

satisfied. Specifically, an Ordinance on the Identification of IndigentsEntitlement and Memoranda of Agreements, among others have to bepassed.

2. Capacitating the Health Personnel.Enhancement of management as well asupdating of health capacities and skills training must be imparted to healthpersonnel directly involved in the program. Attitudes and skillsspecifically appropriate to the management and care of in-patients is alsonecessary 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 humanand institutional factor that it requires. Local organizations have to beharnessed to provide augmentation services especially in the field ofvolunteer works. Likewise, national government agencies have thecapacity to provide technical support for the program. Capacitydevelopment may also be provided with the financial assistance frominternational donors.

4. Crafting Management and Referral System. Specific administrative protocolworkflows and guidelines in the lying-in clinic must be systematized forthe 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.

Analysis and Lessons Learned

At the onset, childbearing and rearing need not be a sad experience formothers and not every pregnancy is associated with risk. Bringing forth a preciouslife into this beautiful world can be a sweet task. Pregnant mothers need theproper health care from pre, during and post delivery with the help of professionalphysicians 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 agenciesare important factors in the success of the program. The program provides anenlightened view that every endeavor no matter how financially hard-up neednot hinder its realization provided there is political will on the part of the localofficials.

Municipality of Maydolong, Eastern Samar


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Page 6 June 2011EDITORIAL

DILG NEWS DIGEST is the official newsletter of the Departmentof 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; Ann a-Li ss a K. Cari aso ,

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. Muni-

Layout Artist; Jun Vil lanueva, Rudy Sanchez, Noel Dayang and

Lito Espelimbergo-Photographers

Editorial

Thats one small step for fiscal disclosure but one giantleap for honesty in public 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 goingand fosters confidence in government officials and institutions.

The fast and easy access to such information may also beuseful to private individuals or businessmen whose decisionscould impact on host communities. Never mind that only alittle over 30 percent of the countrys population have accessto the Internet.

Apparently in pursuit of good governance goals, theDepartment of the Interior and Local Government has thusasked the Supreme Court to affirm the validity of threememorandum circulars issued by Secretary Jesse Robredo,which laid down policy guidelines on the use of InternalRevenue Allotments of local government units.

In a comment, the DILG, through Solicitor General JoseAnselmo Cadiz, urged the tribunal to uphold theconstitutionality of the circulars mandating LGUs to disclosetheir incomes and expenditures on their websites to ensureaccountability and transparency.

Quite ironically, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis RaymondVillafuerte Jr. had assailed the legality of Robredos circulars.

Villafuerte said Robredos instructions expanded what

was provided by the Local Government Code and theGovernment Procurement Act, which mandates that incomeand expenditures of LGUs must be posted or published inthree publicly accessible and conspicuous places in theLGU.

But what could be more accessible and conspicuous thanofficial websites of government agencies which are regularlyupdated? The fact is, these websites are already there. Whynot make full use of them?

But Cadiz stressed that the DILG chief did not violate the1987 Constitution in issuing the circulars and said Villafuertesallegations were bereft of merit.

The required posting and publication on the LGUswebsite are germane to the purposes of fundamentalprinciples of transparency and accountability under theConstitution and prevailing statutes. They are notinappropriate provisions as sweepingly averred by petitioner(Villafuerte), Cadiz was quoted by a broadsheet as pointingout in his comment. The Solicitor General argued that toquestion the circulars would be also tantamount to questioningSection 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

Bare fund use onlineTo compensate the lack of

fire stations in the country, theBureau of Fire Protection shallactivate and operate CentralFire Stations (BFP-CFS) thatwould cover all localitiesnationwide, particularly townswithout fire stations.

Under the guidelinesissued by the DILG recently,the BFP-CFS shall serve as thehub of a unified responsesystem that shall serve as the

starting point of operationalcommand in case a fire incidentand other related incidentsoccur in the nearestmunicipality without a firestation.

DILG Secretary JesseRobredo said, The intention isto develop a unified commandsystem that would cover alllocalities/municipalities,

specifically those without firestations, to be included in fireresponse operations.

Central Fire Stations to serve LGUswithout firefighting units

BFP records show that 654

local government unitsnationwide have no firestations and 666 others do nothave functional fire trucks.

The DILG chief said theBFP Regional Director, incoordination with the District/Provincial Fire Marshal, shallestablish a Central Fire Stationnearest to municipalitieswithout fire station accordingto their geographical location

and accessibility, which shallbe headed by the city/municipal fire marshal of thatfire station.

He said the Central FireMarshal should thencoordinate with thedesignated Fire PreventionOfficer of the municipalitywithout a fire station inreviewing the pre-fire plan

and the organization of thefire brigade.The Regional Directors, in

coordination with the fire

marshals at all levels, are alsotasked to revise or update theirrespective running cardsystems, which shall besubmitted to the Office of theFire Chief, along with the listof established Central FireStations with thecorresponding clusteredmunicipalities.

On the operational aspect,the guidelines provide that the

fire ground commander (FGC),regardless of rank, has theoverall responsibility for thecommand of an emergency,and fire volunteer brigadesshall be under his directoperational supervision in theevent of fire occurrence.

He (FGC) can motuproprio file the proper chargesagainst any BFP officer who

fails to respond in fire andother emergency situations,said Robredo.

For his strong advocacyand support for indigenouspeoples (IP), Secretary Jesse

Robredo has been conferredthe title Datu during hisrecent visit to Makila, NorthCotabato for the FirstProvincial Indigenous PeoplesCongress.

Complete with the requiredrituals fit for a Datu, Robredowas named as Honorary Datuof Bae Catalina Dapan Clan withthe title Datu Makauyag, whichmeans Savior for hiscommitment in fighting for therepresentation of theIndigenous Peoples in thepolicy-making of their ownlocal government units.

I am very honored toreceive this title and beconsidered as one of yourown, he said.

In October last year, theDILG Secretary issued DILG

Memo Circular 2010-119calling for the mandatoryrepresentation of indigenouscultural communities orindigenous peoples in policy-

North Cotabato tribes conferhonorary datu title onRobredo

making bodies and other locallegislative councils inaccordance with the

Indigenous Peoples Rights Actof 1997.

In the said directive,Robredo reiterated to local chiefexecutives the guidelines issuedby the National Commission onIndigenous Peoples thatprovides that IP representationshall be proportionate topopulation, and shall have thesame privileges, compensationand benefits as the regularrepresentatives in legislativeand policy-making bodies.

During the Congress, theDILG Secretary said IPrepresentatives, whose mannerof selection shall be inaccordance with localguidelines adopted andformulated by concerned IPs,are expected to communicatethe collective interest of IPs he

or she represents and to ensuresupport for the sustainedconstitution and operations ofthe Indigenous PeopleConsultative Body (IPCB) in the

area of representation.He or she should also

maintain the development and

practice of their traditionalleadership titles and structures,justi ce sys tems, conflictresolution, and peace buildingmechanisms and processes, hesaid.

To qualify for IPrepresentation, one has to be anatural-born citizen; aregistered voter in the LGUwhere he intends to assumeoffice; bonafide ICC/IP byblood or consanguinity;acknowledged leader of theICCs of which he is a member;NCIP-certified as continuouslyengaged in ICCs/IPs in a givenLGU; able to read and write; andknowledgeable of, and practicesthe customary ways of the ICCsof which he is a member.

An IP representative shallserve for a period of three years

from the date of assumption tooffice and can be re-indorsed foranother term as long as he orshe would not serve for morethan three consecutive terms.


7/12

LEGAL OPINIONSPage 7 June 2011

Facts:The officer-in-charge of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) ofone city revoked the business permit of an establishment because the ownerallegedly provided false information regarding his tax declaration in hisapplication.

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 sanggunianresolution and a zoning ordinance that categorizes the land as General ResidentialZone 1 and which allows it to be used commercially suffice as a basis for theassessor to reclassify the land?

5) Can the BPLO unilaterally adjudicate on the validity of a resolutionreclassifying a parcel of land without recourse to the proper courts?

6) Should the BPLO insist on the revocation of the permit, what are theavailable 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 theMayor. He can only recommend the revocation of the permit after due process hasbeen accorded to the holder of the license.

Permits and licenses are issued for regulatory purposes and under conditionupon 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 ora permit is not a contract between the city government and the licensee, and is nota property in the constitutional sense. A license is rather in the nature of a specialprivilege, a permission or an authority to do what is within its terms. It is not inany way vested, permanent or absolute.

Hypothetically, a gross misinformation or false statement may be a ground forthe 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 pertainsto the data supplied in the application for permit and license.

In terms of the fourth issue, Section 20 of the Local Government Code providesfor the reclassification of the land which may be validly made through an ordinancepassed by the sanggunian concerned after the conduct of a public hearing held forthe purpose.

Local government units shall, in conformity with existing laws, continue toprepare their respective comprehensive land use plans enacted through zoningordinances which shall be the primary and dominant bases for the future use ofland resources.

With regard to the fifth and sixth issue, a BPLO cannot unilaterally adjudicateon the validity of a resolution.

An ordinance or resolution duly enacted and passed by the sanggunian ispresumed valid. The adjudication on whether an ordinance or resolution is validor not is left to the courts to decide. Until the declaration of nullity, an assailedordinance or resolution is presumed consistent with the law and therefore valid.(DILG Opinion No. 33, S. 2011)

On the revocation of a business permit

Issue:Is the 20% Development Fund among those considered as re-enacted in a re-

enacted 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, thatis, 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 authorizedin the annual and supplemental budgets for the previous year shall be deemedreenacted.

Accordingly, in a reenacted budget, there will be no creation of positions, nofilling of positions, no new programs, projects and activities. The increase inInternal Revenue Allotment (IRA) allocation for the year cannot be utilized since

the same is not covered by an Appropriation Ordinance, and non-recurringactivities cannot be undertaken no matter how vital they may be.

Since, there can be no implementation of new projects under the reenactedbudget, the 20% development fund is not included in the reenacted items. (DILGOpinion No. 30, S. 2011)

On reenactment of 20% Development Fund

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 mandatoryban on appointments?

Held:Yes. As provided both in Section 6, Artic le IX (B) of the 1987 Constitution and

Section 94 of the Local Government Code of 1991, no candidate who lost in anyelection, shall within one year after such election, be appointed to any office in thegovernment or any government-owned or controlled corporation or in any of itssubsidiaries.

Based on these provisions, the prohibition of appointment to any public officeof 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 appointedto any office in the government or any government-owned or controlledcorporations or in any of their subsidiaries as long as he possesses all thequalifications to the post. (DILG Opinion No. 27, S. 2011)

On the appointment

to the local sanggunian

Issue:

Is there a need for a Punong Barangay to seek prior written permission fromthe Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) beforehe/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 orengaging in any occupation other than the exercise of their functions as local chiefexecutives but there is no mention of sanggunian barangays hence, thepresumption is that they are allowed to practice their profession.

While they are allowed to practice their occupation, punong barangays aspublic 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 whichstates that no officer or employee shall engage directly in any private business,vocation, or profession or be connected with any commercial credit agriculture orindustrial undertaking without a written permission from the head of theDepartment.(DILG Opinion No. 29, S. 2011)

Punong Barangay should seek DILGpermission to practice profession


8/12

THE REGIONS AT A GLANCEPage 8 June 2011

TUGUEGARAO CITY. Villaverde, a small town in the province of Nueva Vizcayawith 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 55 thFounding Anniversary.

The program is in line with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2011-21encouraging each of the more than 42,000 barangays of the country to produce 25,000tree seedlings for the massive tree-planting activity during the Arbor Day celebrationon June 25, 2011.

To be able to plant the said number of FBTs in two years time, there are eightprogram components which require the planting of FBT a prerequisite for governmentclearances, 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 TricycleOperators Permit, Business Permit, Mayors Clearance, Police Clearance, ZoningCertification and Building Permit to plant one FBT; the Tree of Love asking everycouple applying for a Marriage License to plant two FBTs before the issuance of

Villaverde goes green, aims to plant 555,555 treesthe said document; the Tree for the Future component obliging parents to plantone 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 del inquent and violator of municipal/provincial ordinances to plant oneFBT under the supervision of the Philippine National Police and the Departmentof Social Welfare and Development, while the Tree to Excellence requires theplanting of FBT before one can enroll or graduate in elementary of high schoolwithin the school with the assistance of his or her parents.

The school Tree Park Competition aims to encourage both public and privateschools in the municipality to develop their respective tree parks, while theCommuni-Trees component enjoins the towns 4,130 households as well as non-government 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 ninebarangays are required to implement reforestation programs, protect riverbanksand creeks, and join in the Urban Greening activities of the municipal government.

Vincent Dela Rosa

Six towns in the province of Masbate are among the115 local government units in the country that shall eachreceive P10-M worth of water system project under theSagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat, a flagshipprogram of the Office of the President.

The program which is being implemented by theDILG, Department of Health (DOH) and the NationalAnti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) is anchored onMillennium Development Goal No. 7 that aims todecrease by half the population without access to safeand potable water.

The six Masbate municipalities that have beenidentified as beneficiaries based on the NAPCs NationalHousehold Targeting System are: the municipalitiesofCataingan, Cawayan, Mandaon, Milagros, Placer and

PNoys flagship program on water to benefit 6 Masbate townsUson.

Specifically, the LGU beneficiaries were identifiedand ranked based on thematic concerns such being thepoorest LGU, high incidence of waterless and povertyincidence.

As an initial activity for the implementation of theproject, the Municipal Planning and DevelopmentCoordinator (MPDC), Municipal Engineer, In-Charge ofWater Supply System/Sanitary Inspector and therespective MLGOO of the six municipalities attendedthe orientation and training on the preparation ofsimplified feasibility study for water supply systems heldin Sto. Domingo, Albay recently.

During the opening ceremony, DILG MasbateProvincial Director Renato Alaurin stressed that the

challenge to national and local leaders is for Masbateoto be provided with good water system in order tominimize water-borne diseases and address the otherMDGs.

On the other hand, Engr. Wally Sabater of theDepartment of Health reminded the participants of themandatory requirements of the project namely FeasibilityStudy, Approved MOA Resolution Authorizing the LCEto enter into a MOA with DOH V and compliance to theFull Disclosure Policy of the DILG.

The localized training on FS preparation and WaterSupply Projects was facilitated by DILG V-PDMUheaded by Engr. Renato C. Bolon and staff withassistance from the DILG WUSSU-OPDS.

Ma. Grace Joy Tango

The Regional Peace and Order Council of RegionIV-B held its initial meeting for the year withdiscussions focusing on the campaign againstinsurgency and criminality.

The meeting started with updates on theinsurgency problem and the internal securityoperations of the 2ndInfantry Division presented byCol. Cristobal Zaragoza of the AFP and on PRO 4Bsaccomplishments for the first semester of the year byP/Supt. Herminio M. Callueng.

RPOC 4B holds initial meetingOn the other hand, Commander Rommel Oropesa

of the Western Command of Palawan brought up theissue of poaching in Palawan ending on the note thatthe laws and sanctions related to these kinds ofoffenses should be strictly implemented and imposed.

Meanwhile, Dir. Aspacio of PDEA 4B briefed thebody on the worsening problem of illegal drugs inresorts and with the opening of nautical highway.

The problem on illegal fishing was also tackledwhich seemed to stem from the unclear delineation of

boundaries of the municipal waters between andamong the provinces of Marinduque, OrientalMindoro and Romblon.

DILG RD Atty. Calabazaron also brought up theissue on barangay officials being murdered or killedby still unknown assailants in the region.

There was also a presentation of a study onmining in the province of Romblon, putting emphasison the provinces stand NO TO MINING inROMBLON. 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.


9/12

THE REGIONS AT A GLANCEPage 9 June 2011

22 LGUs learn from DagupanCitys disaster programsMayors, vice-mayors and local government functionaries of 21 pilot local

government units visited Dagupan City recently to witness the citys GoodPractice 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 LGUCapacity on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management, thatexposed 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 actionson disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation which arerequirements under this project.

After a briefing on Dagupan Citys CBDRM and on the salient provisionsof DRRM Law (RA10121) and Climate Change Act (RA 9729), the participantswitnessed West Central Schools readiness during earthquakes and fireincidence, Barangay Pugaros early warning system and drill for tsunami, andBarangay Mangins early warning system for flooding.

One of the highlights of the two-day field visit was the signing ofMemorandum of Agreement (MOA) between 15 municipal mayors of the pilotLGUs and the DILG regional directors to implement the project MainstreamingCCA and DRRM in Local Government Systems and Processes.

The project focuses on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction a nd climatechange adaptation into (i) local government systems and processes, informulating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), ComprehensiveDevelopment Plan (CDP), Annual Investment Plan (AIP), investmentprogramming, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluationundertaken at the local level.

Likewise, the project hopes to facilitate LGUs to come up with risk-sensitiveeco-profiles, multi-hazard map and DRRM/CCA tools available to LGUs andinstitutions with capability on map overlay analysis and DRRM/CCA-compliant CLUPs and CDPs.

The pilot LGUs are Bayambang, Bautista and San Carlos City of PangasinanProvince, Iguig, Solana, Peablanca and Tuguegarao City of Cagayan Province,Gerona, Cpapas and Tarlac City of Tarlac Province, Roxas City, Sapian andSigma 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.

DILG implements P1-billion worthof foreign-assisted projects in Caraga

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has already implementedaround P1-billion worth of foreign-assisted projects in Caraga region.

DILG CARAGA regional director Rene Burdeos said one of such projects is theProvincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) under the Australian Agency forInternational Development (AusAID) which has allocated Php898 Million for a 5-year program on infrastructure and capacity development for the recipient-provincesof Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

Under the project, DILG Region XIII has completed the road rehabilitationprojects of Taganaan-Himamaug-Cabongbongan Road (3.34 Km. GravelRoad),Mainit-Pacu-Bobonaon-Sison Road (2.70 Km Gravel Road), Sta. Monica-RoxasGravel Road, Pisaan-Borbon Road (6.10 Km.) and the National Road Junction-Crossing Luna-Duangan Road

On the other hand, the grants under the Capacity Development Component ofPRMF include provision of GPS and GIS Data Development On-the-Job Training,

eTRACTS user and Administration, Advance Windows 2008 Training, MaterialsTesting 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 ActiveParticipation of the Poor which is financed by United Nations Development FundProgram (UNDP) and United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) that has allocateda total Php486,500.00 for capacity development to its recipient-province, Agusandel Sur.

MDGF 1919 which started last June 2009 has already conducted several capacitydevelopment workshops particularly on water and sanitation and other skillstraining 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 LocalGovernments in the Philippines Project (SLGP) funded by Agencia Espanola deCooperacion para el del Desarrollo (AECID) for the implementation of capacitydevelopment trainings, capacity development support and ecopark development inthe region. The project is in its third phase of implementation which started lastApril 2011 and will end on February 2012. May-Anh M. Salise

A barangay official alerts r esidents to evacuate during the tsunami evacuation drill in Barangay

Pugaro, an island barangay in Dagupan City.

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


10/12

THE INTERIOR SECTOR AT A GLANCEPage 10 June 2011

The National PoliceCommission (NAPOLCOM) enbanchas endorsed to PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III aproposed Executive Orderauthorizing the creation ofPROARMM-A andPROARMM-B in theAutonomous Region of MuslimMindanao.

NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive OfficerEduardo U. Escueta said thatthe creation of two (2) Police

Regional Offices (PROs) in theARMM was necessary in orderto maximize the utilization ofPhilippine National Office(PNP) personnel in theenforcement of laws relative tothe protection of lives andproperties in the region.

Escueta said that thealarming and increasingincidence of criminality,insurgency, and terrorism

activities against innocentcivilians pose a serious threatto the peace and order in theregion and undermines theeconomic gains achieved by thegovernment.

Through these policeregional offices, we will be ableto contain the threats andstrengthen our law enforcementcapabilities to effectively

NAPOLCOM wants additional

police regl offices in ARMMaddress all forms of criminality,insurgency and terroristactivities in the region, he said.

The proposed creation oftwo (2) police regional offices inARMM is aimed to address theenhancement of tacticalexpediency, improvement ofpolice visibility, prevention ofethnic rivalry, strengthening theimage of ARMM Governor andprovision of more opportunitiesfor promotion of Muslim seniorpolice commissioned officers

(PCOs), he added.PROARMM-A shall be

composed of the provinces ofMaguindanao, Lanao del Surand the cities of Cotobato Cityand Marawi City, whilePROARMM-B shall becomposed of Basilan, Sulu andTawi-Tawi and Isabela City.

The Napolcom ViceChairperson said that thenecessary support for

personnel, logistics, funds andother requirement for theimplementation of this directiveshall be withdrawn from theContingent Fund and otheravailable funds in the 2011General Appropriations Act(GAA). For the succeedingyears, the amount required shallbe incorporated in the budgetof the PNP and the GAA.

Building owners havebeen given two years to installa fire sprinkler system in theirbuildings, which is one of therequirements under theComprehensive Fire Code ofthe Philippines or Republic Act9514 and its implementingrules.

BFP chief RolandoBandilla Jr. said the two-yearmoratorium period onestablishments affected by theFire Code requirement will givebuilding owners enough timeto install the automatic firesuppression system (AFSS) orsprinkler systems incompliance with the saidprovision of the law.

Section 14.0.07 of the IRR

of RA 9514, as amended, statesthat: The owner, administratoror occupant of buildings orstructures existing at the timeof the effectivity of RA 9514 andits IRR is given two (2) years tocomply with the provisions onthe requirements forinstallation of the AFSS,provided, however, that thebuildings or structures must be

compliant to the provisions offire safety and requirements ofPD 1185 (the old Fire Code)during the period ofcompliance.

Building owners given two years

to install fire sprinklersThe amendment was

necessary as many buildingsthat were affected by the Codeprovision found it difficult toimmediately comply with thesaid requirement, Bandillasaid.

The Fire Chief said theinstallation of AFSS in

buildings is one of the newrequirements under the newFire Code which is now morestringent in implementing firesafety measures.

He said automatic firefacilities such as the AFSS haveproven to be of great help inensuring fire safety inestablishments by preventingthe loss of life and of mitigatingdamage of property caused by

fire.Covered by the two-year

moratorium are the following:buildings or structuresexisting at the time of theeffectivity of the IRR of RA 9514on Nov. 18, 2009 and werecompliant to the provisions ofPD 1185; buildings that werenot required AFSS installationby PD 1185 and its IRR but are

now required to install AFSSunder the new law; and newbuildings whose fire safetycorrection sheets wereapproved prior to the effectivity

of the IRR and are nowapplying for FSIC.

Under the guidelinesreleased by the fire bureau,upon application of a buildingowner for FSIC, the fire marshalor his representative shallevaluate the necessarydocumentary requirements

and inspect the building on itscompliance with PD 1185.After evaluation and

inspection, the Fire Directorsaid the building administratorwill then be required to executean affidavit of undertakingstating that he will install theAFSS within the two-yearmoratorium period.

After complying with theother requirements of the Fire

Code, an FSIC will then beissued in accordance with theprovisions of RA 9514 and itsIRR, he said.

Bandilla, however, saidthat if the building is notcovered under the two-yearmoratorium period, theadministrator shall apply foralternative/remedial fire safetymeasures.

In this case, the issuanceof the FSIC shall be dependenton their compliance to theapproved alternative/remedialmeasure, he pointed out.

Amateur and professionalshooters of the Bureau of JailManagement and Penology(BJMP) and other nationalgovernment agencies andprivate organizationsshowcased their skills inpractical shooting during theFirst Chief BJMP Cup at the

QCPD Firing Range, CampKaringal, Quezon City recently.

BJMP Chief, Jail DirectorRosendo Dial said the three-dayshootfest aims to enhance the

jail personnels mastery in gunswhich is important in theirduties as jail officers.

Through this competition,we also hope to raise sufficientcapital for persons incarceratedunder BJMP facilities, Dial

said.Proceeds of the event willbe used for programs andprojects geared towardsinmates welfare and

BJMP holds 1STChief BJMP Cupdevelopment.In the past, the jail bureau

always sends participants todifferent firing competitionsconducted by otherorganizations and agencies andhas fared well in the differentstages of the competitions.

In another development,

personnel from the BJMPNational Headquarters andfrom nearby regional officesparticipated in a tree plantingactivity as part of the agencysweeklong 20 th Anniversarycelebration.

Our annual tree plantingis part of the Bureaus advocacyto promote environmentalawareness and our simple wayto alleviate the adverse impact

of climate change, said Dial,who led the planting of a totalof 200 Nymph Tree seedlings atthe Congressional Village inQuezon City.

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


11/12

THE INTERIOR SECTOR AT A GLANCEPage 11 June 2011

New guidelines for lateral entrants in the PNP setTo 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 theprescribed sequential procedures in the processing of lateral entrants in thePhilippine National Police (PNP), are intended to ensure the entry of physicallyand mentally fit lateral entrants.

Under the guidelines, the procedure will start with the Psychological and/orNeuro-Psychiatric Test to exclude applicants who may be suffering from any mentaldisorder. Afterwards are the physical and medical examination; characterbackground investigation; drug test; physical agility test; final interview; and thefinal deliberation and selection of highly qualified candidates for appointment.

Section 33 of Republic Act No. 6975 (PNP Law) provides that all originalappointments of commissioned officers in the PNP starts with the rank of policeinspector (equivalent to lieutenant) to include those with highly technicalqualifications, namely, dentists, optometrists, nurses, engineers and graduates offorensic sciences.

Manifesting keen resolve to weed out misfitsamong the ranks, the Philippine National Police fired133 police personnel and meted disciplinary

sanctions against 525 others from December to Maythis year.Records from the Discipline, Law and Order

Division (DLOD) of the Directorate or Personnel andRecords Management (DPRM) showed that from theperiod December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011, the 133dismissed personnel were involved in cases rangingfrom grave misconduct, serious irregularities, andinvolvement criminal activities, while 525 personnelwere penalized with demotion in rank, suspension,forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters,and withholding of p rivileges.

Just as we are responsive to the morale and

133 cops sacked, 525 punished for offenseswelfare needs of police personnel, and quick to givedue recognition for exemplary performance of duty,the PNP is also swift and decisive in addressing

issues on misconduct and breach of discipline, PNPchief, Director General Raul Bacalzo said.The Chief PNP noted, however, there are fewer

police personnel involved in administrative andcriminal cases this year compared to previous years.

Bacalzo said the latest number of PNP personnelmeted with disciplinary punishment were among the1,412 personnel who were investigated and chargedin 1,435 cases handled by the different summaryhearing boards over the past six months.

All these 1,435 administrative cases stemmedfrom complaints which were all investigated and

acted upon at the different levels of command, some

of the respondents were meted non-disciplinarysanctions while others were either exonerated or theircases dropped, Cruz explained.

During the six-month period from December 2010to May 2011, 83 PNP personnel were also droppedfrom rolls, mostly for going on absence withoutofficial leave (AWOL).

Task Force Patnubay of the DPRM keeps trackof all administrative and criminal cases involvingPNP personnel. At present, there are only 199pending administrative cases awaiting resolution inthe summary hearing boards, mostly carry-over orcases from the previous years.

The Chief PNP gave the Police Regional Officeand National Support Unit Directors 30 days to

resolve all remaining unresolved cases in the backlog.

Doctors of medicine, members of the Philippine Bar, chaplains andpsychologists 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 underprobationary period.

The termination of service may be initiated by the appropriate RegionalDirector, Police Regional Office (PRO) or Director, National Support Unit (NSU)based on the investigation/official report of the case against any PNP member orupon a verified complaint of any person accompanied with sworn statements anddocuments. The case shall then be referred to the designated Termination HearingOfficer (THO) at the PNP National Headquarters, PRO or NSU for review andSummary Termination Proceedings. The THO concerned shall render its findings

and recommendations within ten (10) days upon receipt of the case folder andsubmit 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 thepart of the PNP, Escueta said.

As early as March thisyear, smoking is not allowed inall jails in the National CapitalRegion.

BJMP National CapitalRegion Director, Chief Supt.Benito Dorigo, said thesmoking ban, which wasimplemented even before thetotal smoking ban in July, is notonly applicable to inmates andvisitors, but also included allthe jail guards and officers inMetro Manila jails.

According to Dorigo,when he assumed the post asNCR Director last January, hestrictly implemented thesmoking ban in jail premises

to prevent respiratory diseaseamong inmates.Ang sikip-sikip na nga ng

mga jails natin, maninigarilyo pasila, he said.

He further said that one of

BJMP-NCR implements total smoking banthe main concerns against thesmoking ban is the rise in thenumber of inmates/patientswho have tuberculosis (TB).

He also said that when heconducts jail inspection onvarious jails, he always makesit a point to check out thetrash cans to see if there

are cigarette butts inside.At the same time, Dorigo

also ordered the dismantling ofall kubols or makeshiftpartitions inside Metro ManilaJails, which are allegedly usedby VIP (very importantpersons) inmates.

In his directive, Dorigoinstructed his men to conduct

clean-up operations, destroymakeshift partitions, removeexcess clothing and prohibitedappliances/ gadgets insidecells, bladed weapons and thelike Julian Meneses

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


12/12

June 2011VOL. 6 NO. 6

The Local GovernmentAcademy (LGA), the DILGstraining arm, is taking greatstrides to develop or enhancethe capacities of localgovernment units (LGUs),

particularly disaster-pronelocalities, disasterpreparedness and climatechange adaptation (CCA).

Just recently, LGA startedits series of basic orientationand skills enhancementworkshops for key LGUofficials involved in disaster

DRRM workshopsfor LGUs begin

risk reduction managementand CCA from the seconddistrict of Nueva Ecija.

LGA Executive DirectorMarivel Sacendoncillo said theorientation aims to make LGUs

understand the concepts andprinciples of DRRM and CCA,know their roles and functionsin mainstreaming, enage theirlocal communities and identifytheir key actions.

We want to produceCCA-DRRM compliant LGUsDILG holds orientation

for Performance Challenge FundAs more and more localgovernment units (LGUs) are

aspiring for a PerformanceChallenge Fund (PCF) grant,the Department through theBureau of Local Governmentand Development (BLGD)recently conducted a three-dayorientation program on the PCFin order to provide a clearguidelines and procedures onhow to access the fund.

PCF is a financialincentive given to LGUs that

have exhibited excellentperformance in key governanceareas in order to jumpstart localdevelopment projects.

Secretary Jesse Robredosaid that through the PCF, localgovernments will be able toimprove and provide programsand projects that will improvethe lives of the people.

PCF will promotetransparency and good

performance among localgovernments which will

ultimately result to theattainment of developmentoutcomes at the local level,Robredo said.

During the activity,members of the PCF SteeringCommittee composed of DILGassistant secretaries andbureau directors provideddirections and guidance in theimplementation of the PCF.

A total of 80 participants

composed of regional andContinued on page 4

Continued on page 4

Public-private partnershipsin LGUs pushed

In support of the

governments thrust towardgreater and more meaningfulparticipation of the privatesector in development, theDepartment recentlyconducted a forum entitledPublic-Private Partnerships(PPPs) for LGUs in order todeepen the understanding ofthe participants on theimportance of PPPs to help fuellocal economic development.

The two-day forum, whichis a collaborative undertakingamong the Department, theLocal Governance Support

Program for Local Economic

Development (LGSP-LED),and the Regional EconomicDevelopment of the GermanCooperation Agency (REDSTEER), was held at the A-Venue Hotel in Manila.

Interior and LocalGovernment UndersecretaryAustere Panadero said that thethrust of the Department topush for PPP is in response toPresident Benigno S. Aquinoscall for a more active LGU-ledPPP undertakings to carry outlocal development projects.

Continued on page 4

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

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

LGA Executive Director Marivel Sacendoncillo delivers her welcome messageto the participants in the Basic Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction

Management and Climate Change Adaptation for LGUs.

Documents

DILG Resources 201195 01bea4c3f6