Canaman, Camarines Sur, October 17, 2023 – The vibrant community of Barangay Tibgao in Canaman, Camarines Sur came together for a transformative two-day event, the Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop (BPPW) held on October 14-15, 2023. This momentous occasion, orchestrated by a group of dedicated students pursuing their Master in Public Administration has marked a significant step towards empowering local communities in the Philippines.
The workshop was brought to life by students enrolled in the PA204 course – Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Systems Analysis as their Service Learning Activity (SLA) this 1st Semester for the School Year 2023-2024. With invaluable assistance from the Ateneo de Naga University – Center for Local Governance and the Graduate School, under the stewardship of the esteemed Director and Dean, Dr. Malu Barcillano, the event was a resounding success.
Participating in this collaborative endeavor were the members of the Barangay Development Council (BDC) of Barangay Tibgao, as well as representatives from various community groups, including the Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholar, and Senior Citizens. Hon. Amalia Ibasco Demesa, the Punong Barangay of Tibgao, led the charge as the Barangay Council and Sectoral Representatives comprising the BDC convened to discuss the priority development issues within the barangay.
The primary objective of the workshop was to create a tangible vision for the barangay and craft a community development plan and budget that would effectively address the fundamental needs of the community. This was achieved through a straightforward and highly participatory approach. Additionally, the workshop yielded an Annual Investment Plan, which will serve as the foundational document for allocating funds and budgeting within the barangay.
In a dynamic and spirited opening plenary, Ms. Camille Faye R. Badong kicked off the two-day workshop by juicing out the participants’ hopes, fears, and excitements about the workshop’s objectives. Ms. Jaira Kim Linatoc further underscored the importance of participation, teamwork, creativity, consensus, reflection, and action in strategic planning, emphasizing the demand for collaboration among various sectors.
The first-day workshop commenced with an enlightening discussion on the Local Government Code by Joshua Carl Barcelon and Karr Hendrick Pascual. The discussion emphasized the significance of crafting an inclusive community development plan, as the Local Government Code serves as the foundational legal framework guiding the governance and operations of barangays and similar local government units. An in-depth understanding and proper application of this code are crucial for ensuring effective, transparent, and accountable local governance while promoting the overall well-being of the community at the barangay level.
In an effort to understand and address the needs of the community and bringing together community leaders and residents, the Current Reality Dialogue was facilitated by Jeni Roen Villareal and Carlo Tobit Biccan. The focus of this segment was to gain a better perspective on the current state of the Barangay, identify trends, issues, major accomplishments, and strengths, and ultimately pave the way for better planning and projects.
One of the highlights of the dialogue was the statement of the Barangay Address, delivered by the Punong Barangay. This address provided an overview of the key achievements, ongoing issues, and strengths that the Barangay possesses. The Punong Barangay’s insights were particularly valuable as they offered a first-hand account of the community’s situation.
A significant step towards realizing the vision of the Barangay was taken in a “Strategic Directions Workshop” facilitated by Annie Kaye L. Celorin and Marianne Mendoza. This workshop played a pivotal role in charting the course for the Barangay’s future, as participants brainstormed actions to improve local government performance over the next five years.
The relevance of this segment cannot be understated, as it serves as the roadmap to turn the community’s aspirations into reality. During the workshop, participants engaged in a collaborative effort to identify key actions that would enhance the Barangay’s governance and overall well-being. Ideas were shared and discussed in groups, and the results were presented, providing a comprehensive view of the community’s goals. Facilitators, Annie Kaye L. Celorin and Marianne Mendoza played a crucial role in clustering the ideas into actionable columns, streamlining the vision for practical implementation.
The output of this workshop is the formulation of six distinct actions that the participants aspire to undertake for the betterment of the Barangay. These include implementing livelihood programs, fostering cooperation with government agencies, initiating housing projects, conducting seminars for farmers, encouraging youth participation, and ensuring the right taxes are paid. Each action represents a critical step towards the vision of the Barangay.
During the Annual Investment Planning and Prioritization segment led by Earl Gabrielle Basera and Jett Sur, attendees worked together to identify and rank the Priority Programs and Projects (PPAs) that would be included in Barangay Tibgao’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for the fiscal year 2024.
The workshop began by defining what a PPA is and stressed the importance of meticulously planning and prioritizing these projects based on the community’s needs and the barangay’s vision. The discussion also covered the sectors eligible for funding through the 20% Barangay Development Fund (BDF).
Participants were divided into small groups to strategize and prioritize the PPAs, and the outcomes were shared with the entire assembly.
In the last session was the Barangay Budgeting System, facilitated by Ivy P. Rojo and Elaine Grace Bombase, where the primary objective was to refresh participants’ knowledge about the diverse budgetary requirements they need to adhere to. Additionally, the session aimed to educate attendees on the proper procedures for crafting the Annual Investment Plan (AIP). The event commenced with a theoretical exploration of the fundamental principles governing barangay budgeting, encompassing key aspects such as its definition, sources of Barangay Income, Budgetary Requirements, Constraints on the Use of Local Funds, Barangay Expenditures, and the Barangay Budgeting Process.
Following this instructive discussion, participants engaged in hands-on activities, including the preparation of essential financial documents such as the Summary of Actual and Estimated Barangay Income, the Summary of Actual and Estimated Barangay Expenditure, and the pivotal process of Budget Consolidation.
One notable feature of this budgeting approach is its emphasis on participatory budgeting, which empowers citizens to actively partake in the decision-making process. This strategy guarantees that funds are allocated in alignment with the genuine needs of the community, fostering a more community-centric allocation of resources. Furthermore, it enhances transparency by ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the planned utilization of funds in the upcoming year, thereby fortifying public trust in the governance process.
By the workshop’s conclusion, the council had reached a consensus on their priority initiatives for implementation. Given their status as an agricultural community, their primary focus will be on advancing organic farming and enhancing the irrigation system for their farmlands within the barangay.
The Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop in Barangay Tibgao stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that real change begins at the local level. Through the dedication of the students, the guidance of esteemed mentors, and the participation of the community, Barangay Tibgao has taken a momentous step towards a brighter and more empowered future.
This holds true for Barangay San Francisco, Canaman, Camarines Sur – the barangay covered as a precursor to their own return demonstration. This experience was pivotal in familiarizing the students with the workshop process and ensuring their preparedness for their Service Learning Activity’s essential component. The same process for two days was demonstrated by the invited facilitators who were former students of the course, namely Alma Babilonia, Michille Morales, Jay Abawag and Maricel Alinarte-Abundo.
The students’ performance on their return-demonstration was evaluated by the Center for Local Governance (CLG) team with Larry Sucatre of the Center for Community Development (CCD) and Christaine Mae Bael of the Graduate School. They were invited to assist the CLG team.
To prepare the AdNU- MPA students for their SLA, they were asked to attend the Training on Technology on Participation (ToP) on September 6-7, 2023 held at the Center for Local Governance Training Room and the Thesis Room. During this training, the students were introduced to practical tools aimed at facilitating highly engaged, productive, and meaningful participation in processes vital for proactive and responsive local governance. The training covered various aspects, including running well-structured discussions, conducting workshops, and undertaking highly participatory action planning.
Prepared by:
Joshua Carl Barcelon
Graduate School Student
Master in Public Administration
