CPD-13 charts for localized population program
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- The Caraga Regional Population and Development Committee, during its 1st quarter 2024 meeting held on February 28, 2024, recommended a strategic approach to enhance the localization of population and development (POPDEV) programs across the region.
Led by Commission on Population and Development (CPD)-Caraga Director Alexander A. Makinano, the committee emphasized the importance of building on strengths and addressing gaps identified in the assessments conducted for each local government unit (LGU) and supporting organization.
The recommendations aimed to strengthen capacities, competencies, and systems further to ensure effective localization of POPDEV programs. The population officers and workers fully adopted the findings and recommendations put forth by RD Makinano. These findings were based on the localization of the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP) that commenced in 2022.
Among the recommendations extended to the LGUs were:
1. Sustain partnerships with CPD-Caraga to
address high demand for coaching/assistance.
2. Prioritize competency building on analytical
skills and program communication.
3. Craft local POPDEV policies expanding on passed
ordinances.
4. Improve staff competencies in monitoring and
evaluation.
5. Fill gaps in technical competencies related
to service delivery and planning.
6. Enhance organizational competencies in
documentation and reporting.
Moreover, Director Makinano recommended to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to:
1. Encourage more LGUs to establish dedicated
POPDEV offices and secure budgets.
2. Promote integration of POPDEV plans into
local development plans.
3. Assist LGUs in improving management systems
to meet criteria related to POPDEV.
4. Coordinate with CPD-Caraga on policy support
and capacity building initiatives.
As action areas for CPD-Caraga, Dir. Makinano proposed:
1. Expand competency development programs
focused on technical skills for program management, planning, and
implementation.
2. Provide more coaching and mentoring support
matched to the needs identified by LGUs.
3. Assist LGUs in crafting monitoring and
evaluation (M&E) frameworks to monitor POPDEV progress.
4. Support policy advocacy efforts for more LGU
ordinances supporting POPDEV pillars.
The assessment findings and plans for the localization of the PPDP in Caraga Region were discussed under Executive Order No. 138, which mandated the devolution of major programs, activities, and projects (PAPs), and functions services, and facilities (FSF) of CPD in 2022-2024. These outputs were derived from LGU assessments conducted during the Year-end Program Assessment and Planning Workshop held on November 23-24, 2023, in Butuan City.
CPD-Caraga has been extending technical, logistical, and financial assistance to build the capability and capacity of LGUs to manage devolved POPDEV programs, as defined under CPD's approved Devolution Transition Plan. The assessment findings and proposed plans are directly representative of the specific provinces, city, and select municipalities in Caraga region, contributing to understanding localization readiness within the different classifications of LGUs in the region. (May Ann O. Escobal, CPD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
