Rules on proposals for ‘poverty fund’ out soon

 By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Guidelines for release and implementation of poverty alleviation funds to local government units  shall be issued this November, said Senior  Technical  Officer  Maria Cristina  Lorenzo of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

This, following the conduct of consultations with community organizations and the making of local poverty reduction action plans of local government units.

               

Consultations are expected to note project proposals from civil society groups.

               

Approval of projects requires the endorsement of the municipal mayor, the Sangguniang Bayan and a representative of a community organizations, Lorenzo said.    

               

The guidelines to be issued by the Department of Budget and Management  in partnership with NAPC is currently being worked out, she added.

               

“The first run is finished and for this quarter we will be working on how the budget will be released,” Lorenzo said.

               

Earlier, the amount of P8 million was to be given by NAPC for poverty alleviation projects of  Sagada LGU.

               

Out of the P8 million NAPC aid, P2 million for waterworks was endorsed by the Sagada Sangguniang Bayan and the remaining P6 million to be reprogrammed to meet requirements.

               

Vice Mayor Richard Yodong said the Sangguniang Bayan remains  part in the identification of the reprogramming of the P6 million funds for the said LGU.        

DBM shall release the said  amount directly to LGUs with seals of  good housekeeping  and  who  attended sessions on  public financial management, while LGUS with no seals  of good housekeeping  awarded by the Department of  Interior Local Government shall be coursed through respective  national government  agencies  to co-implement  the project.

               

Lorenzo said DBM in its requirements include proper project proposals as proposed by civil society organizations and LGU plans.

               

Release of the fund by the DBM shall be done early 2013.

               

To monitor the use the fund within the implementing   guidelines and the intentions of anti-poverty programs and good governance, local anti-poverty action teams shall be created composed of representatives from LGU and civil society organizations.

               

The P8 million fund allotted per municipality is sourced  from the Office of the President’s Fund for Poverty Reduction under the cabinet Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster headed by Se. Joel Rocamora and with NAPC as secretariat. 

               

A memorandum circular was signed by four authorities- the late DILG Sec Jessie Robredo, DSWD Sec Dinky Soliman, DBM Sec Florencio Abad and Rocamora as lead convenor.

               

The circular contains the policy guidelines and procedures in the implementation of bottoms up budgeting and planning for 2013 ensuring that civil society has strong participation.  

               

These include desired projects on poverty reduction, livelihood opportunities, asset reforms, social protection and other basic services.

               

Preparations are underway for the second run of the planning and budgeting for 2014.