The Graduate School students of PA204: Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Systems Analysis class handled by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano undertook a return-demonstration of the Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop (BPPBW) as their Service Learning activity on 24 to 25 August 2019 in four (4)  Barangays in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, namely, Salvacion, Mabalodbalod, San Antonio and San Francisco. It an activity designed to develop understanding of the legal framework for local government planning and budgeting functions.

The BPPBW were simultaneously conducted in the four (4) barangays which were attended by the members of the Barangay Development Council (BDC). The Master in Public Administration (MPA) students the PA204 class finally demonstrated their capability to facilitate Barangay Development Planning and Budgeting Workshop. The students were assisted by the Ignatian volunteers, namely Larry R. Sucatre, Michelle Anne R. Morales, Roldan Emmanuel R. Bagacina, Christaine Mae. A. Bael and Camille Faye R. Badong.

Prior to the return-demonstration of the MPA students, a demonstration of the said workshop was conducted by the following volunteers: Christaine Mae A. Bael, Alma Jane L. Babilonia, Jay P. Abawag and Maricel F. Alinarte.  It was held on August 17-18, 2019 in Barangay Panagan of the same municipality.

To ensure preparedness of the student-facilitator for the conduct of BPPBW, they had to complete the Training on Technology of Participation-Level 1-Basic Facilitation Methods (ToP 1) carried on 25 to 26 July 2019 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at CLG Training Room and equipped them with the necessary skills to effectively conduct a workshop and employ methodologies for enabling public participation in local governance activities and processes.

The entire class was able to mobilize and implement the workshop in less than a month and was made possible through the combined efforts of the five (5) Sangguniang Barangays headed by Punong Barangays namely: Hon. Ritchie C. Corre (Panagan), Hon. Clarito B. Cielo (San Antonio), Hon. Joselito C. Pelo (San Franscisco), Hon Romeo M. San Gaspar, Jr. (Mabalodbalod) and Hon. Juan B. Ibarrientos, Jr (Salvacion) under the leadership of Hon. Pamela Rinah B. Fuentebella, Local Executive of Tigaon.

This Service Learning activity was conducted in coordination with the Center for Local Governance.

by Ms. Jocel L. Magistrado