The Master in Public Administration of the Graduate School (MPA-GS) thru the PA 204 with the course description of Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Systems Analysis and the Ateneo de Naga University – Center for Local Governance (AdNU-CLG) conducted the annual Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop (BPPBW) on August 19-20, 2017 at Barangay San Isidro and September 23-24, 2017 at barangays Pagatpat, San Antonio and San Roque, Calabanga, Camarines Sur, respectively.
The BPPBW intends to promote participatory process among the Barangay Development Council in formulating the barangay plan and budget. Specifically it aims to: generate a Practical Vision for the barangay; formulate a community development plan and budget that is responsive to the basic needs of the community using simple and highly participatory process; and come-up with an annual investment plan that will serve as the basis for barangay allocation and funding.
The workshop process covers the following sessions: Brief Orientation on Local Governance, Current Reality Dialogue, Shared Practical Vision Workshop, Strategic Directions Workshop, Annual Investment Planning and Prioritization, Barangay Budget System, Plan Budget Consolidation and Workshop Conclusion.
The conduct of this activity serves as a Service Learning of the class. It allows the students to assist the barangays in coming with the Barangay Development Plan.
The MPA-GS and AdNU-CLG conducted the 1st Workshop in Barangay San Isidro on August 19-20, 2017. The said activity was done to allow the students to get the entire process before they have to do it on their own and it was facilitated by the following: Benita Michele C. Verdadero, Julie Ann B. Barcelon, Errol A. Pederio, Jay P. Abawag, Rhina M. Chua, and Michelle Anne R. Morales.
The 2nd schedule of Workshops for the three (3) other barangays, namely Pagatpat, San Roque and San Antonio were done on September 23-24, 2017. The following MPA students were the facilitators: Barangay Pagatpat: Jezaniah L. Manaog, Athena Ma. Fiel P. Romero, Christaine Mae A. Bael, and Jeanly L. San Juan; Barangay San Antonio: Maria Jesusa L. Nieves, Harry Joseph S. Sartorio and Lou Antonette B. Miña; and Barangay San RoqueAlma Jane L. Babilonia, Justice Doroteo C. Valenciano, Publio M. Peyra III and Charmaine Mae A. Deveras.
The following CLG facilitators also assisted in the conduct of the workshop: Larry R. Sucatre, Maricel F. Alinarte, Francis Victor M. Ruizo, John Eduard B. Alejo and Mariz G. Diesta.
The BPPBW participants were the members of the Barangay Development Council composed of the of the Sangguniang Barangay along with the representatives of the different sectors such as the Lupong Tagapamayapa, Task Force on Youth Development, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Barangay Day Care Workers, Barangay Pastoral Council, Barangay Tanods and Non-Government Organizations, among others.
During the workshop the participants adopted outputs and its implementation through a barangay resolution.
The said workshop was greatly appreciated and had positive impression from the participants. The cooperation among the members of the community was highlighted so as to implement and achieve the progress of the barangay based on the plans they have formulated from the workshop.
In preparation for the BPPBW, the PA204 class – Planning, Programming, Budgeting and System Analysis class have undergone the 2-day training on Technology of Participation 1 (ToP1): Basic Group Facilitation Methods on August 3-4, 2017, wherein they were introduced to the three (3) Basic Group Facilitation techniques, namely: Basic Discussion, Workshop and Action Planning. Thus, ToP 1 is a pre-requisite in handling the BPPBW. It was held at the CLG Training Room, with Dr. Malu C. Barcillano as the Trainer.
ToP1 has been extensively utilized in many programs and activities implemented under the USAID funded Governance and Local Democracy (GOLD) Project. Since then, this has been successfully applied in generating participation from stakeholders in various ways for different objectives. This has also been useful in the attainment of the group consensus on important issues or targets that must be facilitated or when consultation or proposals with stakeholders (e.g. round table discussion, workshops, etc.) are desired.
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By Christaine Mae A. Bael
