BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE EXTENSION STUDIES Surigao City Study Center

A Paper Requirement in PA 201 (Theories and Practice in Public Administration)

Submitted to:

DR. FLORENCIO F. SUNICO, JR., CESO VI

Submitted by:

JOHN S. NATAD

March 2009

Lake Mainit Development Alliance

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ACRONYMS

AusAID - Australian Agency for International Development

AWFP - Approved Work and Financial Plan

BFAR - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

BOT - Board of Trustees

CBRMP - Community-Based Resource Management Project

DA - Department of Agriculture

DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DOST - Department of Science & Technology

DOT - Department of Tourism

EMP - Environmental Management Plan

FOCAS - Focal Community Assistance Scheme

FPE - Foundation for the Philippine Environment

GLAs - Government Line Agencies

GOPA - Governance of Philippines Agenda

HIPADA - Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance

IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development

LBDA - Lanuza Bay Development Alliance

LCE - Local Chief Executive

LGSP - Local Government Support Program

LGUs - Local Government Units

LMDA - Lake Mainit Development Alliance

MLGUs - Municipal Government Units

MSU - Mindanao State University

NEDA - National Economic Development Authority

NMCIREMP - Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives & Resource Management Project

NRM - Natural Resources Management

PLGUs Provincial Government Units

OMO - Operations Management Office

PACAP - Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program

PIA - Philippine Information Agency

PCAMARD - Philippine Council for Aquatic Management and Resources Development

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PMO - Program Management Office

ODA - Overseas Development Assistance

RDC - Regional Development Council

SEC - Security and Exchange Commission

SIPLAS - Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes

SNCAT - Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture & Technology

TAG - Technical Advisory Group

TWG - Technical Working Group

VSO - Voluntary Services Organization

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INTRODUCTION

Brief Background of Alliance

The Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) is an association created sometimes in March 1999 through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed among the eight municipalities, two provincial government units (PLGUs) like Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte and six government line agencies. The member local

government units (LGUs) are the Municipalities of Alegria, Mainit, Tubod and Sison in the Province of Surigao del Norte and the Municipalities of Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago and Tubay in the Province of Agusan del Norte. The government line agencies (GLAs) who are member of the Alliance is composed of the regional

government offices like National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The Alliance

recognized by the Regional Development Council through RDC Resolution No. 03 series of 2002.

Presently, Hon. Erlpe John M. Amante, the Provincial Governor of Agusan del Norte is the Chairman of the Board of

Trustees (BOT), the highest policy-making body of the Alliance which is composed of all member Municipal Mayors, Provincial Governors and Regional Directors of member government agencies. A Program Management Office (PMO) established and hosted by the Municipality of Kitcharao managed by a Program

Director and his two administrative personnel with the technical assistance of Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the Action Officers and Point Persons from the member LGUs and GLAs respectively. The BOT shall meet quarterly while the TWG shall meet monthly or as need arises.

Fund of the Alliance The Alliance shall have two sources of funds for project implementation and its operations. These are (a.) contributions of the eight municipal and two provincial LGUs as indicated in an approved work and financial plan; and (b.) other sources,

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local or international, (loans, grants and donations fall into this category) as may be accessed by the PMO (Manual of Operations, 1999). The Province of Surigao del Norte through the Provincial Treasurer was the custodian of LMDA fund from 1999-2001. In April 12, 2002, the BOT through its Resolution No. 03 approved the transfer of fund to the Municipality of Kitcharao one year after the transfer of LMDA-PMO in February 6, 2001 to Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte as the host municipality. The Municipality of Kitcharao and the PMO shall co-manage the funds using the government accounting procedures. As agreed in the MOA, the two PLGU shall contribute an initial amount of Php150,000.00 each while the eight MLGU shall give Php50,000.00 each respectively. All these fund contributions will be deposited to LMDA trust fund, which is under the custody of the Municipality of Kitcharao and the Municipal Treasurer as the designated custodian. Paper Research Methodology

This paper undertakes to present the feasible alternative policy on the Lake Mainit Development Alliance concerning the fund contribution from the member local government units and accessing of fund from other partners.

The research is primarily based on the actual interviews, reports, publication,

MOA, resolution and manual of operations of the Alliance.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

I. SOURCE AND BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

A. Description of Problematic Situation ……………….1

B. Outcome of Prior Efforts to Resolve Problem ……………….2

C. Assessment of Past Policy Performance ……………….2

D. Significance of Problematic Situation ……………….3

II. THE POLICY PROBLEM

A. Problem Statement ……………….4

B. Approach to Analysis ……………….4

C. Major Stakeholders ……………….5

D. Goals and Objectives ……………….5

E. Measures of Effectiveness ……………….6

F. Potential Solutions ……………….6

III. POLICY ALTERNATIVES

A. Description of Alternatives ……………….8

B. Comparison of Alternatives ……………….8

C. Spillovers and Externalities ……………….9

D. Constraints and Political Feasibility ……………….10

IV. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Criteria for Recommending Alternatives ……………….11

B. Description of Preferred Alternatives ……………….12

C. Outline of Implementation Strategy ……………….12

D. Provisions for Monitoring and Evaluation ……………….13

E. Limitations and Unanticipated Consequences ……………….13

REFERENCES ……………….14

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POLICY PAPER ON FUND CONTRIBUTION FOR LAKE MAINIT DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

I. SOURCE AND BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

A. Description of Problematic Situation

The source of fund for Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) is dependent largely from the contribution of the eight municipal local government units (MLGUs) and two provincial government units (PLGUs). According to the approved MOA signed in 1999, the PLGU shall initially contribute One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150,000.00) while the MLGU shall contribute the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) which are all deposited into the LMDA trust fund at the Municipality of Kitcharao. Subsequently then, the BOT agreed that same amount of contributions will be given to LMDA in annual basis.

Based on the status of the LGU contributions from year 1999-2008, the two

PLGUs are consistent with their annual contributions of Php150,000.00 each with a total of Php3,000,000.00 within the span of ten years. However, some MLGUs did not adhere to the agreement of contributing Php50,000.00 per year because of lean budget and urgent priorities. With the span of 10 years, LMDA received a total amount of Php 4,985,000.00 from the LGU fund contribution. The expected Php 700,000.00 contribution per year or a total of Php7,000,000.00 within 10 years was not realized. The supposed approved work and financial plan (AWFP) of the Alliance was affected wherein some of the expected programs and services especially to the MLGUs were not sufficiently delivered.

0.00

500,000.00

1,000,000.00

1,500,000.00

2,000,000.00

2,500,000.00

3,000,000.00

3,500,000.00

4,000,000.00

4,500,000.00

5,000,000.00Surigao Del Norte

Agusan del Norte

Sison

Tubod

Mainit

Alegria

Kitcharao

Jabonga

Santiago

Tubay

TOTAL

Figure 1. Status of LGU Contribution for LMDA 1999-2008

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The LMDA has been using the annual fund contributions from each partner LGUs in the implementation of the priority programs and services, which will be returned to partner MLGUs in form of projects like agroforestry and riverbank stabilization (Gidacan & Harting, 2008). However, some other environmental priority projects will not be implemented due to lack of operations budget.

B. Outcome of Prior Efforts to Resolve Problem

The PMO brought and discussed to the TWG the issue about some MLGUs

lapses on their annual contributions to LMDA. The Action Officers from the MLGUs and Point Persons from PLGUs and GLAs are members of the TWG. The Point Person of PLGUs, who are also the Deputy Directors of the PMO primarily demand during meetings for the fund contribution from the MLGUs to LMDA. The TWG as the coordinating, planning and fund sourcing body of the PMO recommended that the LMDA should implement and provide relevant projects and services to each partner MLGUs especially those who consistently giving their share as part of strategy. The PMO is expecting the favorable action of the concern Action Officers to report and appeal to the concerned Local Chief Executive (LCE) to give their committed contributions.

At the BOT level, the Chairperson of the board, who consistently contributed

the annual financial contribution to LMDA also appeal the municipal LCE to contribute the needed funds. However, only some LCE respond to the call due to some considerable reasons.

As part of the strategy, the PMO Director has been regularly visiting each

LGU partners to solicit feedbacks regarding LMDA operations and on the project implementation (LGUMTP, 2008). This is strategy would somehow facilitate to ensure the giving of LGUs annual contributions to LMDA. The LMDA also send demand letter signed by the BOT Chairperson to partner LGUs regarding their fund contribution. In spite of this, some MLGUs still have significant lapses in term of their fund contribution to LMDA.

C. Assessment of Past Policy Performance

Engr. Kaiser B. Recabo, Jr., Director of LMDA, who is serving the Alliance since LMDA’s inception in 1999 said that there is no strict policy as to the collection of fund contribution from the partner LGUs and there is no new policy introduced. He described the fund contribution policy as stated in the MOA to be “a loss or flexible policy”. This is to give ample and favorable time for the LGU partners to provide their committed financial contributions. This flexible policy would facilitate complimentary considerations that will build positive relations and understanding among members of the Alliance. There is no legal sanction or coercive action to those members who neglected to pay their contribution because this would create adverse effect that will lead the gradual abolition of the Alliance.

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It is significant to note that there is no separate written policy with regards to guidelines or procedure for fund collection from partner LGUs except that it was stated in the MOA. The MOA serves as the basis on this policy while the actual guidelines for such policy are based only on the “verbal gentlemen’s agreement”. In here, the policy is considered as conservative policy.

This flexible policy may sometimes deem a workable policy since LMDA

highly considered those MLGUs who give their share. According to Engr. Recabo, Jr., the LMDA will prioritize in giving projects and services to MLGUs based on their fund contribution. It is for this reason that some MLGUs received more projects compared to other member MLGUs. The concrete example of this is the implementation of Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) projects funded by Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID) - Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), which are implemented in seven municipalities except Tubay, Agusan del Norte. It was the fruit of complimentary networking and collaborative effort of Province of Surigao del Norte and LMDA for the inclusion of the Lake Mainit area as part of the AusAID-PACAP intervention.

It is remarkable that the municipalities of Sison and Mainit have two FOCAS

projects each with an estimated of Php5.9 million PACAP grant fund each municipality. The municipalities of Santiago, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Alegria and Tubod received an estimated of Php3 million PACAP grant fund each. This is the limited but advantageous effect of the flexible policy. In this situation, the flexible or loss policy would be considered as the positive-generous policy of LMDA.

Despite of the favorable effect of the flexible policy which accommodates

projects to MLGUs, this does not always follow that MLGUs are assured to provide their regular fund contribution. Thus, in effect this erstwhile flexible policy would somehow considered inefficient policy.

D. Significance of Problematic Situation

The significant momentary failure in the fund contribution by some partner

MLGUs will really effect the implementation of priority projects and services of LMDA in Lake Mainit area (Gidacan & Harting, 2008). On the other hand, this has allowed the LMDA pursuing flexible policy and accommodating partner MLGUs for the delivery of limited projects and services. This would somehow encourage LGUs to give their committed fund contribute.

While there are considerable lapses on fund contribution by some MLGUs,

this does not discourages LMDA but rather it significantly pushes LMDA to find innovative but acceptable alternative policy.

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II. THE POLICY PROBLEM

A. Problem Statement

The loss or flexible policy of LMDA with contented “verbal gentlemen’s agreement” regarding to fund collection on the LGU contribution has hamper the delivery of programs and services of LMDA based on the approve AWFP. Nevertheless, LMDA has able to counter the problem on the collection of fund by giving some kind of privileges to MLGUs in form of projects, which is resulted from the positive-generous policy. This motivational strategy has somehow gained favorable effect to MLGUs who might entice to give their committed fund contribution. However, it takes time and lot of effort for LMDA to wait for their contribution since partner MLGUs are not regularly paying that certain amount of contributions as expected. Thus, the flexible policy of fund collection is not always considered efficient and effective.

In order to achieve the efficient and effective policy on fund collection, it is

sine qua non that the LMDA shall: 1. Introduced and apply another acceptable but written alternative policies

that will be useful to supplement and/or enhance the operative and resourceful fund collection; and

2. Institute an independent, effective and efficient strategy and policy for accessing of fund from external agencies other than present multi stakeholders (e.g. foreign donors) that would complement or intensify the present flexible policy.

B. Approach to Analysis

To come up with the possible policy options, LMDA needs the Mixed Scanning or the combination of Incremental Approach and the Rational-Comprehensive Approach.

Incremental Approach

Since LMDA needs to have acceptable policies, there is a requirement of

considering the old but prevailing flexible policy with customary oral gentlemen’s agreement. And in order to reinforce such kind of verbal covenant, it has to be put in the black and white document. A written policy and mechanism to be published is the incremental value of the customary gentlemen’s agreement.

Other possible policy options must be explored and presented which shall

either contribute to the augmentation of the present flexible policy or contribute to the complementation to the gentlemen’s agreement. It could be also necessary to consider searching for reliable strategy and policy that could facilitate not only to supplement the current policy (i.e. flexible policy with customary gentlemen’s agreement on fund collection to LGUs) but also has incremental value that

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contributed to the general goal of the policy which is dependable fund sourcing and accessing independent from LGU fund contribution.

Rational-Comprehensive Approach

After considering all the possible policy alternatives, LMDA is necessary to select the best policy option with the greatest reliable value and/or incremental value. Criteria should be set while considering the comparison of advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. Presentation of difference of policy options will be thoroughly discussed in Comparison of Alternatives.

C. Major Stakeholders

In accordance to the membership of the Alliance being strengthened by MOA, the LGUs and the GLAs are the major stakeholders of LMDA. Additional stakeholders have been involved in the Alliance like the Civil Society Organizations (i.e. including Non-Government Organizations and People’s Organizations), Academic Institutions (e.g. SNCAT and MSU-Naawan) and business sector considering the vision of LMDA which is about the preservation of Lake Mainit ecosystem and resources sustainably managed by the empowered citizen. These stakeholders especially the LGUs and GLAs have played significant role in shaping strategies and policies towards the realization of vision, goals and objectives of the Alliance. However, they are also the reason for the inefficient implementation of the policy.

D. Goals and Objectives

The Alliance has implicitly defined the goals and objectives of its policy particularly on fund collection on their MOA and Manual of Operations. However, it could be understood that the Alliance was successfully established as the coordinating body for the Lake Mainit LGUs and the fund to be collected from LGUs are necessitate in the operation and delivery of relevant programs and services which are anchored from the goals and objectives of the Alliance.

The goal of the Alliance is to properly manage the Lake Mainit ecosystem and

develop potential resources in order to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in the area. Specifically, the Alliance is aiming to:

1. Conserve aquatic resources and enhance their economic, ecological and

recreational value; 2. Properly manage forestland and improved the land cover within the

watershed; and

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3. Promote greater involvement of the government, private sector, local communities and other stakeholder in the sustainable management of the lake and other critical resources. Its objectives are explicitly stated per major component programs concerning

the protection, preservation and promotion on:

• Upland & Lowland Development & Management

• River Management

• Lake Management

• Urban Settlement Areas

• Institutional Management and Strengthening

Generally, the policy of LMDA highly considers the above-mentioned goals

and objectives of the Alliance. E. Measures of Effectiveness

As explained earlier, the verbal-flexible policy of LMDA concerning fund collection from partner LGUs are highly considered as conservative and positive-generous policy but it also inefficient policy. In effect, the expected programs and services of LMDA as approved in the AWFP, which are culled and highly considered from the goals and objectives of the Alliance were not sufficiently delivered.

The endurance and determination of LMDA has been challenged by the

meager financial supports from LGUs. Nonetheless, LMDA has been successfully managing the constraint budget.

F. Potential Solutions

In spite of financial constraints, LMDA has successfully delivering its mandate

with the financial assistance from the foreign-funded project. This is the upshot of the effective and continuous networking and accessing of funds from other funding donors which has happen due to the endurance and determination of LMDA-PMO.

LMDA has been successfully initiating relevant project and services and

become an active partner in the implementation of projects. The meager budget for the operations of PMO has considerably amplified with the presence of foreign-funded projects (Gidacan & Harting, 2008) and other funding from the national government.

For the span of ten years, LMDA has successfully delivered relevant projects

and services with the help of PLGUs, GLAs and funding donors. The following are some funding donors that significantly complemented and contributed to the

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implementation of LMDA priority programs and services to partner MLGUs and Lake Mainit communities:

Funding Donor Projects & Services Rendered

� Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) thru Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) & Responsive Assistance Scheme (RAS)

Natural Resource Management (NRM) project like Agroforestry; sustainable organic agriculture; capability building trainings; enterprise/ livelihood, IEC and advocacy

� Department of Science & Technology (DOST) thru Philippine Council for Aquatic Management and Resources Development (PCAMARD)

Limnological study; profiling of Lake Mainit; and Sustainable Fishery Program for Lake Mainit conducted by Mindanao State University (MSU) at Naawan

� Voluntary Services Organization (VSO) Provision of volunteers with high technical services and researches especially on the study of lake resources and stock assessments

� International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) thru Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives & Resource Management Project (NMCIREMP)

Infrastructure (e.g. water & irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, multi-purpose building); NRM; enterprise; capability building

� Local Government Support Program (LGSP) “Localization of Governance of Philippines Agenda 21 (GOPA 21) for Fresh Water Ecosystem”

Enhancement of Lake Mainit Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and mainstreaming Civil Society Organization (CSO) in the LMDA structure

� World Bank thru Community-Based Resource Management Project (CBRMP)

Infrastructure (e.g. water system); NRM; enterprise; IEC and advocacy; capability building

� Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) thru Lake Mainit Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation Project

NRM, Biodiversity Monitoring & Evaluation, capability building, alternative livelihood

Nevertheless, there are some foreign donors who are hesitant in establishing

partnership with LMDA for simple reason that LMDA is not yet registered to Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any government registering agencies which will give the Alliance the legal personality. This issue should be highly considered as the policy option since it will affect the fund policy concern of LMDA.

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III. POLICY ALTERNATIVES

A. Description of Alternatives

Generally, the possible alternatives for the effective and efficient contribution of fund for LMDA is favorably complementing and contributing to the present flexible policy of LMDA to ensure its acceptability to all concerned partners. But in here, the alternative policy should be put in a black and white document which is quite formal and logical policy to fortify the traditional flexible-verbal policy.

Innovative-incremental policy especially on establishing external policy to

generate reliable funds also demonstrates the potential policy of LMDA which would enhance dependable and sustainable funds for the operations of LMDA-PMO.

B. Comparison of Alternatives

Policy Option #1: Ensure adaptable and flexible continuation of LMDA funding arrangement with active participation of major stakeholders and also ensure that the amount fund received is commensurate with the amount needed to undertake only priority services equally delivered to all partner LGUs and its communities.

This policy ensures the implementation of the current policy which will be enhanced or supported with proper black and white documentation after revisiting the flexible policy.

Advantage:

• Acceptable by all partner LGUs.

• It provides ample and elastic time for the partner LGUs to pay the committed contribution.

Disadvantage:

• Ineffective and unproductive collection of funds.

• Insufficient and poor delivery of services to all partners.

• No assurance for LGUs to regularly contribute their funds.

• More efforts for LMDA for the collection of fund contribution.

Policy Option #2: Ensure strict and inclusive continuation of LMDA funding

arrangement with active participation of major stakeholders and also ensure that the amount fund received is commensurate with the amount needed to undertake only priority services delivered to only

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consistent partner LGUs and its communities who significantly contribute.

In here, the revisited policy will be strictly implemented with the concealed

policy which is to give priority privileges to consistent partners while covert sanctioned policy for those who are inconsistent partners.

Advantage:

• Guarantee LGUs to contribute regularly in return of adequate and appropriate projects and services.

Disadvantage:

• It is rigorous policy which might result to the unwillingness of partners to contribute and in effect would lead to steady and drastic termination of the alliance.

Policy Option #3: Ensure expandable continuation of LMDA funding structure

with active participation of major stakeholders and institutionalized fund arrangement with other funding donors to ensure that the amount fund is commensurate with the amount needed to undertake priority services to all partners LGUs and its communities.

It is highly considered that LMDA in this policy should be registered to any

government registering agency like Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to secure financial assistance from other funding agencies like foreign donors/official development assistance.

Advantage:

• Allows LMDA to access additional external and equitable funds for projects to be implemented to all partner LGUs.

• Ignite partner LGUs motivation and active support which may include regular financial contribution to LMDA.

Disadvantage:

• Extra endeavor for LMDA to make and establish efficient and effective linkage and networking activities.

C. Spillovers and Externalities

The continue existence of LMDA for 10 years in building partnership with major stakeholders and complementally working as the coordinating body of both government and non-government organizations in Lake Mainit area has been considered a successful indicator that influences and replicates other focal areas

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who encourage to establish its own alliance. Example of this is the Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA), which established on August 25, 2004

(http://www.lbda.ph/background.htm) and the recently institutionalized Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA).

In Surigao del Norte, the intervention of AusAID-PACAP through FOCAS

projects are divided on three cluster areas namely, the Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS), HIPADA and LMDA. The SIPLAS area covers all municipalities in Siargao Island while HIPADA composed on main land municipalities like Malimono, San Franciso, Taganaan, Placer, Bacuag and Claver and the city of Surigao (http://surigaofocas.wordpress.com).

With the sharing of LMDA experience being the only successful and existing

alliance in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, the city of Surigao and municipalities along Hinatuan Passage agreed to formally institutionalized HIPADA. And with the assistance from AusAID-PACAP, HIPADA was successfully established in October 10, 2008. Like LMDA, the HIPADA has similar policy of fund contribution which partner municipalities shall contribute an initial amount of fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) each and shall be deposited to a trust fund of the host municipality. They have the HIPADA Council composed of City and Municipal Mayors; the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) composed of City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators and representatives from Province of Surigao del Norte and GLAs; and the Operations Management Office (OMO) manage by an Executive Director.

The institutionalization of HIPADA is one of the productive milestone

activities of PACAP-FOCAS intervention in Surigao del Norte and the positive spill over effect of LMDAs significant experience as functional alliance.

The LGUs and its communities will be benefited with the potentials of Lake

Mainit’s eco-tourism, agroforestry, hydro electric power and other relevant projects which have been identified by some funding donors and investors. These potentials have been made due to the existence of LMDA. Likewise, the agroforestry, NRM and enterprise development projects funded by AusAID-PACAP have spill over effects to economic and environmental aspects in Lake Mainit that give benefits not only to the areas where the project implemented but to the entire Lake Mainit ecosystem.

D. Constraints and Political Feasibility

The changes in LGUs direction and priorities may hinder the effective

implementation of contribution policy of LMDA. It has been an experience by LMDA that there are some newly elected LCEs who have indifferent understanding about the Alliance. Gidacan & Harting (2008) explains that, “newly-elected LCEs have sets of priorities for their respective LGUs which may or may not support the overall attainment of LMDA’s goals on sustainable development”.

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IV. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Criteria for Recommending Alternatives

1. Effectiveness. One of the desired result to say that LMDA policy effectiveness is that all partners are demonstrate consistency in giving their committed counterparts for LMDA to effectively provide relevant services in return.

2. Efficiency. Partner LGUs shall diligently contribute their share on regular schedule at a given period of time (assigned month or quarter of the year). It is expected that LMDA has less effort in collection of funds from partners.

3. Acceptability. Policy should no condition of coercion and should be clear

and understandable so that it will be acceptable to all partners especially the newly elected officials.

4. Adequacy. Most partners are expected to have inadequate fund

resources –a reason that opt them to ignore their financial obligation. But this might be solved if there is sufficient and proficient information regarding the policy to all concern in the LGUs especially the offices of the Mayor, Governor, Planning & Development Coordinator, the Sanggunian, and other concerned offices to ensure that budget for contribution to LMDA is available and appropriated for example in LGUs 20% development fund.

5. Flexibility. It is wise consideration that given timeframe of fund

contribution should be flexible and the amount of fund itself should be paid in stagger schedule since not all partners have stable and adequate money in their coffers.

6. Equity. As coordinating body, LMDA should always provide fair and just

delivery of programs and services to all concerned partners. This must be defined and explicitly stipulated in the policy.

7. Responsiveness. The need for economic benefits and development is the main and crucial direction and priorities of the partners. Thus, it is imperative that the policy should ensure efficient and just delivery of programs and services in response to this essential development agenda, vision and mandate of the partners.

8. Appropriateness. It is appropriate that there is black and white document

for a formal implementation of the policy. Registration of LMDA to SEC is extremely appropriate for LMDA to have legal personality.

9. Complementation. The policy should harmonize and work with the

acceptable policy of the partners (vision, mission, mandates, and development agenda) and the customary policy of LMDA.

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B. Description of Preferred Alternatives

Based on the comparison of alternatives, the Policy Option #3 is most appropriate and favorable policy which is highly recommended and to be undertaken. This policy help ensure dependable financial resources for LMDA provided however that LMDA must ensure extra effort needed for the networks and linkage to the funding donors other than the LGUs. Nevertheless, it is an important requirement that LMDA should be first registered to government registering agencies such as to SEC as this is one of the best considerations needed in establishing partnership with the funding donors especially the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)

The very crucial criterion for the Policy Option #3 is that it complements and

supports to the old policy which is more considerate, flexible, and acceptable by the LGUs which would later produce into strong and dynamic Alliance with the policy that are then efficient, effective, equitable, responsive and appropriate.

C. Outline of Implementation Strategy

Regular activities of LMDA such us meetings, proper coordination and courtesy with the partner LGUs must always be ensured. This is to give enough and favorable ways for the implementation of the policy. Below are some considerable activities in the strategy implementation of policy:

Activity Timeframe Logistics Responsible Output

Inquiry for SEC registration

April Travel documents, allowances

LMDA-PMO Acquisition of pro-forma of legal documents and relevant information

TWG meeting May-June Communication letter, venue & logistics, meeting kits including policy

LMDA-PMO, Action Officers and Point Persons

Policy paper, registration paper, endorsement to BOT

BOT meeting July Communication letter, venue & logistics, meeting kits including policy & registration documents

LMDA-PMO, Action Officers and Point Persons, Mayors, Governors, Regional Directors

BOT resolution for the approval of LMDA registration, commitment resolution

Finalization of registration documents

July Relevant documents

LMDA-PMO Complete documents

LMDA registration to SEC

August Travel documents, registration documents, allowances

LMDA-PMO Approved SEC registration papers

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Activity Timeframe Logistics Responsible Output

Presentation to RDC Meeting

September Travel documents, approved SEC registration, allowances

LMDA-PMO, NEDA-Caraga

Obtained RDC resolution endorsement

Information dissemination to partners

September Relevant documents, policy paper, communication letter

LMDA-PMO Publication to The Lake Mainit Chronicle and to LMDA websites

Staff Development

• Hiring of Project Development Officer

• Training on Project Proposal Preparation

October November- December

Job qualification standard & other hiring documents Training design, funding, venue and other logistics

LMDA-PMO NEDA-Caraga

1 Project Development Officer hired Training conducted

Project proposal submission

January Project proposals LMDA-PMO, NEDA-Caraga

Submitted project proposal to ODA for funding considerations

Multi-Stakeholder Project Proposal Workshop

February Workshop design, funding supports, venue and other logistics

LMDA-PMO, ODA fund donor

Identification of priority projects proposals, commitment of fund donor for the project implementation

D. Provisions for Monitoring and Evaluation

The PMOs Administrative staff shall regularly monitor on monthly bases the contribution payments of the partner LGUs. The PMO Director shall ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the newly hired Project Development Officer base on the number of project proposal formulated and submitted.

Accomplishments updates and issues and problem must be discuss and

resolve at the TWG level during the regular meetings. The TWG shall help ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the LMDA policies and plans.

E. Limitations and Unanticipated Consequences

Lack of political will and support and lean financial resources of the partner

LGUs will really affect and hinder the implementation of LMDAs policies and plans.

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REFERENCES BOT Resolution No. 03 S. 2002 “Approving the transfer of funds to the Municipality

of Kitcharao from the Province of Surigao del Norte”

Gidacan, E. Z & Harting, G. C. 2008. A Case on Networking for the Conservation of a Shared Lake Ecosystem: Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) in the Caraga Region (Local Government Unit Management Training Project Benchmark Case Study # 10). Local Government Unit Management Training Project and National Economic and Development Authority – Caraga.

Lake Mainit Environmental Management Plan

Lake Mainit Executive Agenda

LMDA Status of LGU Contribution 1999-2008

Manual of Operations of Lake Mainit Development Alliance, April 1999

Memorandum of Agreement forming Lake Mainit Development Alliance, 1999

RDC Resolution No. 11 S. 1999 “Resolution officially recognizing the Lake Mainit

Development (LMDA)”

Internet Sources: About LMDA, http://lmda.wordpress.com/about-lmda/ Date accessed: February 25,

2009

Background of Lanuza Bay Development Alliance http://www.lbda.ph/background.htm Date accessed: March 27, 2009

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February 25, 2009

Surigao del Norte FOCAS, http://surigaofocas.wordpress.com Date accessed: February 23, 2009