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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project conducted the 3-day ODK Training of Trainers (ToT) for Mahintana, MINCODE, and other Networks on November 16-18, 2020 at the Mahintana conference room and online via Zoom. Attended by 24 participants (Male 11, Female 13), the training aims to capacitate the project officers to train the respective local experts of LGUs in their areas. In turn, the LGU local experts shall train other departments. This shall form part of the sustainability plan of the use of ODK.

Facilitator Mr. Aristotle Sunada presented the training preparation, presentation and facilitation, and the sustainability plan template. The trainees learned that communication, knowledge of the guiding documents, and managing the group dynamics are required skills to become a trainer/facilitator. Also, the trainer must be able to identify the participants, system requirements and venue before conducting a training. Mr. Sunada taught about the basics of Kobotoolbox and Kobocollect including the system features and the question types. The participants were also able to share their sustainability plans of the LGUs, and the case scenarios on the problems and solutions that can be addressed by using the ODK. The ToT was made more interesting because of the pre-test and post-test in Kahoot!, a quiz app that helped the participants understand the subject better.

The RESOURCEGov 2 Project team convened for the 10th PIT-PMT Meeting on October 15, 2020 via Zoom attended by 22 participants (Male 9, Female 13). The meeting discussed about the approved 3-month project extension, remaining project activities, and project financial updates.

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Among the remaining major activities include the Training of Trainers for identified experts in the LGUs, installation and turnover of 141 computer units to Sarangani BLGUs, publication of the best practices book, monitoring, end-of-project evaluation, and exit conferences in the partner LGUs.

Mahintana Foundation, Inc., seeks the services of a consultant/evaluator to do an end-of-project evaluation for one of its projects that will end in October 2020.

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The consultant/evaluator of end-of-project evaluation must have educational qualification, expertise and a minimum of 5 years work experience on project evaluation involving programs on CSO governance, participatory governance, public fiscal administration, revenue generation, budget tracking/management, legislation/legislative tracking, project monitoring, and data management system. The duration of the evaluation will be around 23 working days, starting September 21, 2020 to October 21, 2020.

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For parties interested in this consultancy/bidding, please address your CV to Ms. Liza D. Hora, Executive Director, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato and email to mahintana_mfi@yahoo.com.  Deadline of submission is on September 11, 2020.

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Mahintana Foundation, Inc., through its RESOURCEGov 2 Project, conducted the Mindanao-wide Talakayan Kontra COVID-19 with the theme “CSO-LGU Bayanihan: Mga Aksyon sa Kasalukuyang Panahon” on August 6, 2020. At least 58 participants were present including Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs & Communications Usec. Jonathan E. Malaya, DILG XII Regional Director Ms. Josephine Leysa, DOF-BLGF XII Regional Director Mr. Jeany Tedera, municipal mayors and representatives of partner local government units (LGUs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) from Regions XI, XII and XIII. The event was also aired through Facebook live.

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Organized with the DILG XII, RIATF-EID XII and RTF-COVID 19 XII, the event aimed to provide an avenue for sharing the various initiatives and learnings of the LGUs and the CSOs regarding COVID-19 crisis response and management. This activity also supports the Listong Ugnayan, COVID-19 ay Labanan Online Talakayan Series rolled out by the DILG thru the Local Government Academy (LGA).

The presenters are the following: Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, EnP for Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Ms. Jennifer C. Bretaña, EnP for the Provincial Government of South Cotabato on South Cotabato-COVID-19 Contact Tracing System, Ms. Yvonne Saliling for the University of Southern Mindanao, Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin for MINCODE and its member networks, Mr. Lyndon Arbes for the Action Against Hunger, and Mr. Garie Briones for the Conciliation Resources. Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Programme Manager Ms. Caroline Maningo sent a message of support encouraging the continuous partnership among the CSOs and LGUs. Mahintana Foundation Inc. President Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot shared the synthesis of the Talakayan stating the importance of active partnership and embracing the spirit of bayanihan. The Mindanao-wide Talakayan Kontra COVID-19 did not only affirm the positive impact of the CSO-LGU partnership but also enriched the experiences and strengthened the resolved to help their respective communities especially in this time of crisis.

Mahintana’s RESOURCEGov 2 Project teamed up with Action Against Hunger’s (AAH) RISE CSO-LGU to train the LGUs Magpet and Tulunan on ODK-based Business Tax Mapping on July 28-30, 2020 at Elai Resort Hotel and Recreation Center, Kidapawan City. A total of 26 participants (Male 14, Female 12) attended the 3-day activity. The partnership forms part of synergy actions of the EU-funded projects in Mindanao.

RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker and Project Coordinator Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao facilitated the training on ODK and Tableau Systems, while AAH’s RISE CSO-LGU Head of Project Ms. Cora Obra turned over the five Android tablets to the LGUs for ODK use. Part of the training is the mock business tax mapping in the respective LGUs where they appreciated the intervention and committed to implement the ODK-based tax mapping.

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​Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon Edrozo facilitated the orientation and the implementation of the CSIS survey for Malapatan, Sarangani on July 20-27, 2020. The 10 selected enumerators (Male 8, Female 2) were CSOs from the local health board, municipal development council, and farmers and fisheries cooperatives. The presentation of the CSIS results to the municipal mayor and department heads is set on 2nd week of August for the formulation of action plans.

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​RESOURCEGov 2 Project Officer Mr. Aristotle Sunada visited the expansion areas of South Cotabato on June 25, June 30 and July 2, 2020 for Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) monitoring. He met with SB Secretary and staff of LGUs Norala, Banga, Sto. Niño, Surallah, T’boli, Tantangan, Tupi, and Polomolok. Whilst the other seven LGUs continued to utilise the LITS, LGU Norala is not using the system due to poor transition from the previous LITS administrator to the current SB staff. The result of the monitoring shows that the LGUs encoded a total of 22,244 resolutions, 933 ordinances, and 376 sessions.

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Mahintana Foundation Inc. team led by its Executive Director Ms. Liza D. Hora conducted a brief meeting with the DILG XII Regional Director Ms. Josephine C. Leysa on July 6, 2020 at the DILG XII Regional Office, Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City. The meeting, aimed to plan for the online learning exchange, was attended by the 8 participants (Male 3, Female 4). The Mahintana team was composed of Ms. Hora, Program Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, RESOURCEGov 2 Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, and RESOURCEGov Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc while other DILG XII participants included Assistant Regional Director Ms. Lailyn A. Ortiz, Project Development Monitoring Unit Head Ms. Herminia S. Ontoy and Development Management Officer II Mr. Ruel B. Tuble.

DILG XII responded to the invitation of Mahintana by expressing their interest to co-sponsor the activity

along with the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force-Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-EID) XII and Regional Task Force-COVID19. RD Leysa suggested to change the title to Mindanao-wide Online Talakayan Kontra COVID-19. She said DILG XII will invite DILG Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communications Jonathan Malaya, and the Local Government Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) XII. The online sharing is scheduled on July 22, 2020, 9:00AM thru Zoom.

Also, Mahintana Team attended another meeting intended for the Holistic Undertaking Bridging Solutions for Governance (GHUBS) XII. Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to Mr. Tubigon and Mr. Blanker for training the DILG XII on Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System (RBMES) on June 10-11, 2020.

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Project Team headed by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker conducted the presentation of Citizen Satisfaction Index Survey (CSIS) to the local chief executive and the relevant department heads on June 17, 2020 at the SB Conference Hall. The presentation, facilitated by Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon Edrozo, was attended by 15 participants (Male 9, Female 6).

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Hon. Mayor Floro Gandam gave the opening remarks and thanked Mahintana Foundation for the unending support and partnership. Mr. Blanker, in turn, thanked the presence of the LCE and the heads during his short introduction about the CSIS presentation. Mr. Edrozo then presented the results of the CSIS survey conducted on February 17-27, 2020 in partnership with the Sta. Cruz Mission School Inc. (SCMSI). The mentioned local research institute (LRI) was also the LGU’s local school board member represented by Ms. Maria Gandam. She shared that the partnership with the LRI highlights the cooperation between the local government unit and the private sectors to achieve transparent and accountable local governance. Mr. Blanker assured that the results are not the gauge of the performance of the LGU, rather, how the citizens see the LGU’s service delivery. Hon. Mayor Gandam said that the CSIS results will help them improve the quality of the services for the Lake Sebu constituents. It was then agreed that the CSIS results will be presented during the ExeCom Meeting on July 14, 2020 for the LGU to plan their next steps.

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​As Mahintana Foundation Inc. co-chairs the Polomolok CoViD-19 Relief Operations, the foundation also promoted the use of ICT tools such as the Open Data Kit through the household profiling in partnership with the LGU. A total of 39 individuals (Male 24, female 15) including the Mun. Mayor Hon. Honey Lumayag-Matti, Mahintana represented by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker and Project Officer Mr. Aristotle Sunada, barangay captains, and SK chairmen attended the meeting and orientation on April 18, 2020 at Polomolok Municipal Gymnasium. The profiling shall commence on the 19th of April

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The European Union in the Philippines featured Mahintana Foundation Inc. again in its Facebook page on April 13, 2020. The article posted was about the organization cooperating with the Local Government Unit of Polomolok in its fight against COVID-19 through overseeing the LGU’s relief operations.  The organization also oversees the use of the ODK-based monitoring of the relief distribution.

The partnership between the RESOURCEGov 2 Project and the Sarangani Provincial Vice Governor’s Office (PVGO) is continuously forged. On the 3rd of March 2020, the project team was invited by the Sarangani PVGO for a meeting at the Vice Governor’s Office to discuss the updates of the cascade of the LITS to the barangays, coined as the BLITS by the PVGO, and the upcoming training of trainers on March 5-6, 2020. The meeting was attended by 7 participants (Male 3, Female 4).

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As agreed during the 2nd Annual Review and Planning Workshop, the Sarangani PVGO shared that the 5th level of its BLITS is the provision of the computer hardware to 141 barangays in Sarangani. This will ensure that the LITS will be used in the BLGUs that will help them in codifying, archiving and tracking of legislative documents.

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​The RESOURCEGov 2 Project conducted CSIS orientation on February 24, 2020 to the enumerators from the Lambayong Polytechnic College. Project Coordinator Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn Patoc-Capulso facilitated the mock survey on the 27th. The actual CSIS survey commences on February 28, 2020 and will end on March 5, 2020. Consolidation of the data will be done on the 6th of March 2020.

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​Mahintana Foundation thru the RESOURCEGov 2 was invited to present during the South Cotabato Provincial Development Council- Institutional Development Committee (PDC IDC) meeting on February 19, 2020. Representing the CSDO-SC, Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker shared the project interventions and accomplishments. This is an initiative for the upscaling data management system thru civic tech tools.

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To assess the awareness, availment and satisfaction of the citizens of a certain local government unit, the DILG designed the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) survey that requires a random 150 respondents to be interviewed regarding the services of the LGU. The RESOURCEGov Project made the CSIS survey one step higher by facilitating it using the ODK system instead of the traditional pen and paper.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Team headed by the Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker conducted a CSIS orientation to the Mun. Mayor Hon. Floro Gandam and the enumerators from the Santa Cruz Mission School Inc. (SMSCI) on February 17, 2020. Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon Edrozo attended an ABC (Association of Barangay Captains) meeting at ABC building, Lake Sebu on February 19th to inform and update all the barangay captains about the on-going CSIS survey in their respective barangays. In the following days, the project officer closely monitored the actual CSIS survey conducted by 13 enumerators until February 27, 2020 as far as Brgy. Ned. The data will be consolidated on March 5, 2020.

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The first round of ODK-based CSIS survey for the eight focal LGUs was conducted by the RESOURCEGov 1 Project in 2016. The results of 2016 and 2020 will be compared after the consolidation of the latter survey.

The RESOURCEGov 2 Project oriented the selected personnel of LGU Malapatan on ODK-based Real Property Tax (RPTax) and business mapping on January 29-31, 2020. The 18 participants (Male 6, Female 12) were the heads and staff from different LGU departments: Municipal Treasurer Office (MTO), Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), Municipal Assessor Office (MASSO), and Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO).

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The 3-day activity comprised of the orientation, mock mapping where the enumerators were assigned to different barangays, and presentation of the results. On the 1st day, the participants made their ODK-based forms. On the 2nd day, the MTO sent enumerators to 6 barangays, the BPLO enumerators went to 4 barangays, the MASSO mapped the Poblacion area, while the MPDO monitored three projects. On the 3rd day, the results were presented and analyzed. Mr. Edrozo coached the MASSO staff on how to make cadastral map on Tableau.

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For the RPTax Mapping, the MASSO plans to use the ODK and Tableau Systems on top of the ArcView System to make faster, better data collection, visualization, and data analysis regarding RPTax.

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The City Engineering Office (CEO) of LGU Koronadal City partnered with Mahintana Foundation thru the RESOURCEGov 2 Project to hasten its compliance to DILG on the inventory of roads and bridges using the Open Data Kit (ODK) system. The LGU has already underwent training with DILG about the online Road and Bridges Information System (RBIS), however, data collection on field remains a challenge. The initial ODK orientation of Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the project manager with Mr. Zaldy Gayosa, Engineer IV/Chief PDD of the CEO, led to the three-day ODK training-workshop on January 23-25, 2020.

On January 23, the participants were oriented in the Build, Collect, and Analyze processes and were able to make their own ODK forms and conducted a mock survey to test these forms. On the 2nd day, the participants created the ODK-form based on the RBIS of DILG. To ensure that no roads are missed by the system, the participants grouped themselves by barangay and coordinated with the planning to office to come up with an initial inventory of roads to be monitored. On the last day, the participants were deployed to the four barangays as a sample survey site. After the survey, they shared their experiences and learnings. Their learnings included the following: to check the tablets for updates before going to the filed, updating the road maps with planning office, arrangement of survey questions vis-à-vis survey process, removal of some irrelevant questions, and long tape for measuring road width. Next steps were also discussed which includes another round of reviewing and updating of the form based on the actual mapping experience and the actual survey. Overall, the LGU Koronadal CEO staff trained that the ODK-based monitoring is faster and easier than paper and pen.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project had another opportunity to share the project interventions to the 1st Congressional District of South Cotabato led by Hon. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles on January 22, 2020. Represented by the project manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the meeting with Mr. Malvin Hatulan and their staff was all about exploring the potentials of the Open Data Kit (ODK) system in addressing the project monitoring issues in the district which covers General Santos City and the municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan. The ODK orientation led to various possible uses of ODK such as profiling, mapping and other data collection requirements of the congressional district. As to date, there are no systems yet tailored to the data gathering needs of the district office. Both parties agreed to conduct a two-day ODK training workshop on February 7-8, 2020.

Cong. Nograles during her previous term as the Vice-Mayor of General Santos City is a project partner under the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) intervention. The same team responsible for the implementation of LITS will be trained with ODK.

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​To help the LGUs enhance their local revenue, the RESOURCEGov 2 Project rolled out real property tax (RPTax) mapping trainings using the ODK and Tableau systems. Project Coordinator Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao and Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon Edrozo conducted the RPTax Mapping orientation and mock mapping on January 20-22, 2020. The activity was participated by MLGOO Maria Fe T. Soto, Municipal Assessor Engr. Aurelio B. Alon and 10 enumerators coming from the Mun. Assessor’s Office who mapped 92 properties (Male 9, Female 3).

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project facilitated the 3-day orientation and mock ODK-based business mapping of LGU Lake Sebu on December 16-18, 2019. A total of fourteen participants (Male 10, Female 4) participated in the said activity. Participants included selected staff from Municipal Treasurer’s Office, Municipal Assessor’s Office, Municipal Health Office, and Human Resources Office, and MLGOO Ms. Maria Fe T. Soto.

On the first day, Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon Edrozo and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn Patoc-Capulso conducted the ODK workshop that aimed for the LGU staff to make ODK-based tax mapping form. The next two days, the participants mapped the businesses in the 8 barangays nearest the municipal hall namely: Poblacion, Lamdalag, Luhib, Lahit, Lake Seloton, Bacdulong, Talisay, and Takunel. Overall, the activity surveyed over 165 businesses. In the application status of the businesses mapped, 72% (119 of 165) business renewed their application, 23% (39 of 165) were still new in their status, and 4% (7 of 165) were not yet renewed.

Mr. Ernane V. Blonto, a staff of the Business Permit and Licensing Office, promised that their office will adapt and continue what the RESOURCEGov 2 project has initiated starting by ensuring their own tablets for business tax mapping purposes. Hon. Floro S. Gandam, the Municipal Mayor of Lake Sebu, also expressed his continual support to the projects of Mahintana, especially the RESOURCEGov 2 Project.

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Mahintana Foundation Inc., through its RESOURCEGov 2 Project, hosted the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Council (MSAC) Meeting conducted on December 13, 2019 at Viajera Hotel and Dine, Koronadal City. The meeting was attended by 25 participants (Male 14, Female 11) from DILG XII, NEDA, NAPOLCOM XII, BJMP XII, Chamber of Commerce, OCD XII, PNP XII, USM, SKSU, and Mahintana and was presided by Mahintana’s President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot.

DILG XII Regional Director Mr. Josephine Leysa delivered the opening message sharing the different awards harvested by the region in 2019. One of the announcements was that there are five C/MLGUs that are awardees to the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). After her message, Mr. Magdolot, the facilitator, declared anticipated quorum and the meeting was called to order. The body made corrections to the previous meeting minutes and business arising were culled out. One of the items was the provision of Mahintana to its RESOURCEGov areas the NAPOLCOM’s CSOP Manual. NAPOLCOM representative shared that the e-copy of the manual is yet to be given to Mahintana on the following week. During the information sharing, a DILG 12 Assistant Division Chief Ms. Jermie Yeger presented the new Memorandum Circular of DILG pertaining the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) – Efficient Government Service Delivery (EGSD).

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As a follow-through activity of the Annual Review and Planning Workshop, RESOURCEGov Team conducted its 8th Project Implementation Team – Project Management Team (PIT-PMT) Meeting on November 18-19, 2019 at Blue Lotus Hotel, Davao City. The 2-day activity, attended by 24 team staff and partners (Male 12, Female 12), aimed to refine the spending plan for Year 3 and discuss the next steps and schedules of the project implementation team.

After the preliminaries, Mahintana Pres. & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot gave the welcome address reminding the team that the project is already in its last year of implementation and must focus on building pool of experts to sustain the project gains. Project Head Bookkeeper Ms. Jovelyn Vilbar and (MINCODE) Bookkeeper Ms. Jessica Jose-Teves presented the consolidated spending plan per LGU as the result of the planning workshop conducted in October. During the presentations, issues and concerns were raised and discussed in the plenary. Suggestions and recommendations from participating DILG partners were noted. Financial workshops were conducted to do necessary revisions and refinements to the spending plan. On the 2nd day, the minor revisions were made and presented to the plenary. Key agreements include the following: 1) revisit the budget and consider to forego some activities to give way to the other proposed activities; 2) Inform the MLGOOs of the 2016 CSIS results before the conduct of the 2020 CSIS survey (Region 12) c/o project officers; 3) decide collectively on where to get budget for the LITS roll-out for the barangays of Sarangani, among others.  The next step is to submit the finalized annual interim and financial reports and request for budget realignment will be sent at the end of the month.

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Mahintana Foundation Inc., represented by RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and HEALTH Plus Project Manager Ms. Margie S. Managuit, also the gender focal person of the office, attended the Gender and Development Training organized by EU Delegation of the Philippines to all CSO-EIDHR and CSO-LA program beneficiaries. Held at UP Diliman on November 13-15, 2019, the training seeks to integrate gender-responsiveness on project management, communication and visibility planning of the EU-funded projects. The participants of the activity as required are project managers and the documenters or the gender focal person of the beneficiary organizations.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project continued rolling out the LITS orientation and installation to the barangays of Sarangani. Thru the coordination efforts of the Vice-Governor’s Office of Sarangani, the project cascaded LITS  to the barangays under the municipality of Malapatan on November 5, 2019. The honorable Vice Governor Elmer de Peralta also joined the activity to inspire the barangays to do better in local legislation and their performance as the basic government units. A total of eight (8) barangays have installed the system.

The following barangays have installed LITS: Poblacion, Patag, Sapu Padidu, Libi, Kihan, Tuyan, Lun Masla, and Lun Padido.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project was featured in Mindanao Journal for its issue dated October 21-27, 2019. The paper, circulated in Davao City, wrote about the 2-year accomplishments of the project as reported during the 2nd Annual Review and Planning Workshop on October 24-25, 2019 at Dusit D2, Lanang, Davao City.

The Mindanao Journal and other media partners were invited during the said activity to witness the presentations of the project accomplishments and the LGU/CSO partners’ testimonies and feedbacks.

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Ending the Year 2 of project implementation, RESOURCEGov Project conducted the Annual Review and Planning Workshop on October 24-25, 2019 at Dusit D2, Lanang, Davao City. The activity was attended by 104 (Male 59, Female 45) comprised by guests from EU Delegation to the Philippines, DILG Central Office, DBM 12, BLGF 12, the Sarangani Vice Governor, local chief executives of the 14 LGU partners and their respective CSO representatives, project management and implementation teams, and the media.

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The 2-day activity became an avenue for presentations of the accomplishments and financial updates, as well as, sharing of best practices of the project areas in video testimonials and in open forums. Key messages of support and response to the accomplishments were given to wit: Program Officer Ms. Carol Maningo of the Delegation of European Union to the Philippines, DILG XI Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Atty. Abdullah Matalam, DBM XII Regional Director (RD) Mr. Akmad Usman, BLGF XII RD Mr. Jeany Tedera, and Sarangani Vice Governor Dr. Elmer De Peralta. During the open forums, challenges and opportunities were discussed and among the support gained for the project implementation is the Sarangani Province Vice Governor’s Office’s pledge of Php 3.5M worth of the computers for the cascade of LITS to the barangays of Sarangani. Also, RD Usman shared that national government is to increase the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and hopes that the LGUs will use the remaining year of the project to equip themselves. For the planning workshop, the spending plan per LGU was distributed to the respective LGU representatives to plan for the Year 3. The consolidated spending plan was presented by the project bookkeepers on Day 2.

RESOURCEGov Project Team conducted Pre-Annual Review Meeting on October 1, 2019 at Las Casitas Inn, Matina, Davao City to prepare for the upcoming Annual Review and Planning Workshop to be held on October 24-25, 2019. The meeting was attended by 16 project management and staff (Male 8, Female 8).

Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the provisional agenda to be finalized, as well as, the list of the invitees from the government line agencies and other adopters of the project interventions. MINCODE Executive Director Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin shared the workshop mechanics and the guide questions to be answered. Lastly, Project Head Bookkeeper Ms. Jovelyn L. Vilbar presented the budget performance report and the spending plan template. It was agreed that the accomplishment and financial reports, and spending plan will be sent to MINCODE and member networks for their reference.

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To update its associate partner on the project accomplishments, RESOURCEGov Project convenes with DILG 12 on Sept. 30, 2019 at Cicada Conference Room, Kalsangi Clubhouse, Polomolok, South Cotabato. It was attended by 34 (Male 16, Female 18) including the DILG 12 Regional Director Ms. Josephine Leysa, CESO V and Assistant Regional Director Ms. Lailyn Ortiz and the provincial directors.

The team, spearheaded by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, presented the project accomplishments particularly the LGUs who adopted the ODK, Qlik and LITS, and the other line agencies and organizations that adopted the systems such as the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 12, South Cotabato Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC), the commitments in the Open Government Partnership (OGP), and partnership with the Surigao del Sur Academy for Good Governance. Mr. Blanker also presented the flow of the Annual Review and Planning Workshop on October 24-25, 2019. He encouraged the presence of the DILG directors for the planning for the 3rd year and the sustainability of the project. DILG 12 RD Ms. Leysa encouraged the saturation of the systems in the regional line agency by utilisation of ODK in the monitoring and ISO Certification processes. She also suggested that the probable 3rd phase shall focus on the journey of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Program particularly on increasing the revenue of the LGUs of the region. Ms. Leysa hopes that the number of the Region 12 LGU SGLG passers will double in the next years.

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​Having attended the Mindanao Learning Exchange on August 29, 2019 and learned about the ODK System, Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC) expressed its interest to adopt the system to be used in profiling and data collection of the different member cooperatives. Thus, RESOURCEGov Project Team oriented the MASS-SPECC Manager and IT Manager in their office. Eventually, MASS SPECC might tap MINCODE and RESOURCEGOV Team in building capacity of cooperatives in using the systems and tools introduced by RESOURCEGov

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RESOURCEGov Project Officers of AADC, Kasilak Foundation, PhilDHRRA and MINCODE conducted an Operations’ Meeting on September 23, 2019 at Villa La Selva Agri-Tourism Resort, Lower Pisaan, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur. The team discussed the visibility action/plan, review on the draft partnership agreement with Academy for Good Governance, and draft program for the Provincial CSO Forum for Surigao del Sur.

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September 19, 2019 - RESOURCEGOV Phase 2 Project Implementation Team for Regions XI and XIII areas at Rue Mango Apartelle and Suites. It was attended by 11 partners from Agri Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao (AADC), Kasilak Foundation, Inc., Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in the Rural Areas-Mindanao (PhilDHRRA), MINCODE Secretariat and Mahintana Foundation, Inc.   The meeting aims to update and review the project implementation in the Municipalities of New Bataan and Maragusan for Compostela Valley Province, Tago, Tagbina and Barobo for Surigao del Sur Province and Remedios T. Romualdez for Agusan del Sur. Other matters included the program flow of the Annual Review and Planning Workshop to be held on October 24-25, 2019.

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In celebration of “Integrity Week”, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato conducted the 2nd Provincial Integrity Forum with the theme “A Smarter South Cotabato, Bringing Services Closer to the People” on September 18, 2019 at the EMR Convention Center, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. Being 1 of 9 pilot LGUs in the Philippines implementing Project I4J or Partnerships for Integrity and Jobs, Province of South Cotabato developed and implemented its own integrity program dubbed as iSouthCotabato or South Cotabato for Integrity and Jobs, and created the South Cotabato Integrity Circle (SCIC).

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The highlight event of the 2019 Integrity Week Celebration featured discussions among panelists coming from the civil society, private/business sector and government regarding how these institutions help enable people in accessing services. The discussion also touched on how to make government be more open, transparent and responsive to citizen needs. The panelists include: Hon. Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., Governor of the Province of South Cotabato, Ms. Teresita R. Antolin of the Civil Service Commission, Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot of the Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Mr. Michael Canares of Step-Up Consulting Services, and Mr. Gerry Constantino of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

The forum also featured the unveiling of the different online systems in relation to South Cotabato's commitment to the Open Government Partnership. These systems include: the Open Monitoring and Evaluation System using the Open Data Kit (ODK), the Open Mining Portal, the Open Contracting Webpage, and the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) for Open Legislation. These systems are still in its beta phase and will soon be available for public use and linked to the Integrated Provincial Online Database. RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the ODK and LITS.

The forum concluded with the awarding of the Dangal ng South Cotabato Enterprise Integrity Award for the Large, Medium and Small Enterprises. The winners are as follows:

▪Large Enterprise - ICTUS Premier Multi-purpose Cooperative
▪Medium Enterprise - Delibites Concepts Corporation
▪Small Enterprise - JV Enterprises

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In partnership with the Sarangani Vice Governor’s Office (VGO), the RESOURCEGov 2 Project Team, composed of Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon B. Edrozo and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc, oriented the barangay captains and their staff about the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) during the Liga ng mga Barangay Meeting on September 19, 2019 at Liga ng Barangay Hall, DILG Office, Glan, Sarangani Province. There were 25 participants (Male 20, Female 5) who were present during the LITS orientation. The initiative to roll out the system to the barangays other than Malapatan and Maasim is of the Sarangani VGOs who are also developing local experts for the system. The VGO intends to start rolling out the LITS to the BLGUs in 2020.

Before the orientation, the BGO and the project team conducted a courtesy visit to the Glan Mun. Mayor Hon. Vivien Yap, M.D. to inform her of the activity and intention of the VGO. Mr. Edrozo presented a short overview of the project particularly the LITS to inform the barangay chief executives of the benefits of adopting the system. Ms. Patoc enforced the presentation by saying that the system is given out for free and that their respective secretaries will be oriented on how to use the LITS. After the orientation, the barangay secretaries presented their laptops to be installed with the system. However, only one out of 10 units was installed with LITS on the same day. As agreed with the Vice Governor’s staff, the next installation will be done on the Liga ng mga Barangay Meeting on November 2019.

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As one of its interventions, the RESOURCEGov Project conducted the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Assembly of New Bataan on September 11-12, 2019 in collaboration with the LGU and DILG. Mayor Geraldford N. Balbin showed his support to the CSOs by encouraging them with a message to continue their active participation. CSO representatives were selected for the different local special bodies.

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On September 12, 2019, RESOURCEGov2 Team of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. led by Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the Project Manager, with Ms Myra G. Macla, MINCODE Project Officer met with the Office of the City Vice Mayor Janrey Gavina and Office of Sangguniang Panlungsod. The presentation is intended to show the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) and to look into how it will help the direction of Vice Mayor Gavina to make the services of the Legislative Department online and accessible to the public. The legislative team is very optimistic that LITS system and the ODK can help them realize this vision. According to them this is the one they were looking for. They signified their interest and that, as early as possible, they want to have the orientation/training to for their office to have easy access on the information and hasten delivery of services. “If this will help and will be applied, sooner or later, clients of the Department can conveniently access the services online,” says previous City Administrator, Atty. Jamail Lunar G. Macla sharing the outcome of the meeting on his social media account with a shoutout “Panaboans, are you ready?”

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The RESOURCEGov conducted a training on Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS): Installation, Operation and Maintenance on September 11, 2019 at the Municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte. A total of seventeen (17) learners attended from the SB Staff and the seven barangays who actively participated during the orientation. The participants were oriented about the project and the SB officer-in-charge expressed the commitment of the SB for a full support to the project. After, the participants were taught how to install LITS and perform operations through a step-by-step manual. The participants were also able to encode sample ordinances and resolutions to get the feel of using the system. As part of their impressions, they deeply appreciated that the invitation was extended to them because it can significantly help them on their data banking and documents filing. “Hope this will lessen the previous problems we were encountering, where records disappear and data are erased once a new set of officers come in,” says one of the participants. 

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​The RESOURCEGov Team conducted LITS Orientation to 30 barangay captains, secretaries, and Vice-Gov staff on Sept. 10, 2019 at the ABC Hall of LGU Maasim, Sarangani. Led by Mr. Blanker, he oriented and also installed LITS in 6 barangays who provided a computer unit that day. The barangay captains expressed their gratitude for having a free legislative information system that is at par with higher legislative offices such as the sangguniang panlungsod and panlalawigan. The rollout of LITS to the barangays is spearheaded by the Vice-Governor Office of Sarangani as part of its thrust in strengthening the capacities of the legislative offices down to the barangay level. The team also conducted courtesy visit to Mayor Pacquiao to inform him about the LITS rollout.

The RESOURCEGov Project was again featured in the European Union of the Philippines Facebook page on September 9, 2019 with the hashtag Cooperation Highlight. As read in the post, the EU Philippines has deemed the cooperation initiative of the project with the local government units. Mr. Cris Fuentes, Provincial Project Officer, was featured in the post sating the ODK and its benefits of using the system in the faster data collection and consolidation leading to more efficient work accomplishments. The post will be accessed through the link: https://www.facebook.com/EUDelegationToThePhilippines/posts/2260918590697818

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As one of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Program initiatives of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, the ODK-based project monitoring is being implemented in various departments of the PLGU especially in the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC).

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Team, led by it Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, facilitated the ODK and Qlik Training for Business Tax Mapping in LGU T’Boli, South Cotabato on September 3-4, 2019 at LGU T’Boli Conference Hall. It was attended by 28 participants (Male 14, Female 14), 25 of which came from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO), Municipal Assessor’s Office (MASSO), Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Tourism Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), Municipal Engineering Office (MEO) and Market Operations Office. The training, facilitated by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, Project Officer Mr. Jan Solomon B. Edrozo, and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc, aims to help the LGU T’Boli acquire skills and knowledge on ODK-based business tax mapping as mandated by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 12.

On the 1st day, the project team was welcomed by the Assistant Municipal Treasurer Rechie Calvo. After a round of introduction of the participants, Mr. Blanker presented a short project overview and proceeded to the ODK Training. In the afternoon, each office were given time to generate their own forms and present their outputs. For the 2nd day, Ms. Patoc facilitated the Qlik Training because Mr. Blanker was in the meeting with the South Cotabato Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC). She guided the participants through the Qlik tutorial. In the afternoon, Mr. Blanker came and helped the participants in their ODK forms and Qlik graphs. The participants also presented their Qlik-generated outputs. Moreover, they gave their impressions about the systems. Most of them said that the ODK will be very useful in mapping businesses and profiling because of the geotagging feature, as well as, fast data consolidation. As agreed after the training, the departments particularly the BPLO, MTO and MASSO will improve their ODK forms and use them in their business mapping/ assessment/ monitoring. They will also make a form for the Joint Inspection Team (JIT), composed by different LGU departments that will conduct a pre-inspection in October 2019.

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As one of the highlights of the 26th MINCODE General Assembly, RESOURCEGov hosted two simultaneous learning sessions of the Mindanao Learning Exchange on August 29, 2019 at Blue Lotus Hotel, Davao City. The activity became an avenue where CSO members of the network to learn, discuss, interact, and appreciate the different best practices of various political and socio-economic issues, as well as, technological advances that affect the engagement of CSOs with the government. The two sessions were attended by 19 (Male 11, Female 8) and 18 (Male 7, Female 11) participants respectively.

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The two sessions were all about the interventions of the RESOURCEGov 2 Project namely: “Innovate, Integrate, Motivate: Use of ICT in LGU Revenue Enhancement” (Session 1) and “Becoming Agents of Change: LGU-CSO Engagement” (Session 2). Other sessions are the following: “ICRC: Protection and Assistance to Civilian Population during Armed Conflict and Code of Conduct for NGOs in Disaster Relief” (Session 3), “Social Entrepreneurship: A Vehicle for People Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation” (Session 4), and “Exploring Possibilities: Strategies to Build CSO Financial Sustainability” (Session 5). For Session 1, the ODK, Qlik and LITS were featured presented by LGU partners from Maragusan (generation of ODK forms and forms that are currently used in the LGU Offices such as the OMAG and the MTOs), from President Quirino and President Roxas (Qlik-generated graphs of data coming from the ODK-based tax mapping results), and from New Bataan (the LITS and the benefits of using the system in the SB Office). The participants were able to ask questions and recommend ideas on how these ICT tools be used. The Session 2 presenters were LGU and CSO partners from Tagbina and Barobo.

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As one of the pilot areas in Region 12, the LGU President Quirino became a learning site for other LGUs from different regions because of their successful use of the ODK System in the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO). On August 23, 2019, RESOURCEGov Project Officer Mr. Gamaliel H. Moquete facilitated the learning visit of LGU President Roxas to LGU President Quirino for Business Tax Processing and Application with a total of 10 participants (Male 4, Female 6).

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President Quirino BPLO Officer Mr. Jimmy Sotelo presented how they do their Business Tax Processing and Application while BPLO Encoder Ms. Linlet Marohomsalic shared how they were able to target the business collections through the use of ODK. Mr. Sotelo showed the ODK graphs to the body.

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc attended the CSO Conference and Selection Representatives to the Local Special Bodies (LSBs) on August 20, 2019 at El Galong Waterpark Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The activity was attended by 37 participants (Male 17, Female 20). The CSO conference aims to encourage and assist the CSOs in the accreditation process and pre-select possible representatives to the LSBs.

MPDO Engr. Rex Salvador-Espigar gave the opening remarks saying that the CSOs’ participation is very important to the LGUs for they are part of the catalyst of change and that they must be seen as “helpers” rather than “kontra-gobyerno” or against the government. He also presented the schedule of the accreditation process. MLGOO Ms. Maria Fe Soto presented a video “Bantay Korapsyon” that discusses the government’s efforts against corruption encouraging the citizens to change themselves and be part of the change. She then presented the Relevance of Participatory Governance. DILG South Cotabato Community Development Officer Mr. Ruel Tuble, also former RESOURCEGov Project Officer, shared the Code-Mandated Avenues and discussed the different local special bodies which can be participated by CSOs. During the presentation, the CSOs raised questions about the members of Local School Board, the Special Education Fund (SEF) and other concerns showing their interest in participating in the LSBs. After, SB Secretary Mr. Rene T. Landayong presented the Guidelines for CSO Accreditation. He said that accreditation necessary to be recognized by the LGU and can participate to the LSBs. In the afternoon, the MLGOO Ms. Soto, CSO Desk Designate Ms. Nenita Kinan and Mr. Tuble facilitated the pre-selection of possible representatives to the LSBs.

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RESOURCEGov Project, spearheaded by AADC Project Officer Mr. Alvin Frasco, facilitated the ODK Training for the New Bataan Bureau of Fire Protection on August 19, 2019 at the BFP Station, New Bataan, Compostela Valley. The training was participated by 13 staff (Male 12, Female 1).

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The BFP personnel were able to formulate two ODK forms namely After Inspection Report (AIR) and Business Inspection Survey (BIS). The participants performed a mock survey using the said forms and presented the results. They were impressed that the system is easy to use and reports are readily generated after data consolidation. Agreed after the presentation that the BFP personnel will: 1) generate forms that are mandated by the government from the bureau, 2) do dry run of the forms, and that RESOURCEGov Team will conduct a monitoring and assessment activity by December 2019.

Representing the RESOURCEGov Project, Project Bookkeeper Ms. Jovelyn L. Vilbar attended the CSO Conference and Selection of CSO Representatives to the Local Special Bodies on August 8, 2019 at the Municipal Conference Room, Municipal Bldg., Tampakan, South Cotabato attended by 67 participants (Male 39, Female 28). The activity aims to guide the CSOs in the accreditation process, learn the importance of the local CSO network and relevance of participatory governance, and select the CSO representatives for specific local special bodies.

The activity started with preliminaries. Municipal Administrator Ms. Minihaha D. Escobillo, LLB gave the opening remarks and MLGOO Ms. Marijovy Manzano presented the objectives and schedule of activities. The MLGOO also discussed about the Critical Importance of Participatory Governance. DILG 12 Community Development Officer Mr. Ruel Tuble, one of the project officers of RESOURCEGov Phase 1, shared the topics on Codal Avenues of Participation and Relevance of Local CSO Network. He emphasized that a network is important because it can help achieve common goals faster and better. He said that there is strength in numbers when it comes to working towards the goal. He also shared that participatory government is promoted, thus, CSOs are encouraged to be accredited and join the local special bodies such as the Local Development Council, Local School Board, Local Health Board, Bids and Awards Committee, Local Peace and Order Council, and People’s Law Enforcement Board. Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Hon. Collado Domingo presented the Guidelines on LGU Accreditation. At the end of the presentations, the body selected the representatives to the local special bodies.

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To prepare the civil society organizations for the call for accreditation, the RESOURCEGov Project supported the DILG-and-LGU initiated CSO Conference on August 6, 2019 at the Liga Hall, New Bataan, Compostela Valley. The activity, attended by 28 participants (Male 10, Female 18), aims for the CSOs to understand their roles and get ready for the CSO accreditation.

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MLGOO Ms. Jessica Beau Molo oriented the CSOs on the DILG’s memorandum circular that states the time frame of the CSO accreditation and the four mandated local special bodies, while MPDC Ms. Lucresia Polinar facilitated the workshop on the needs and challenges of CSOs in actively participating with the local government.  CSO representatives articulated their need capacity building and venues to showcase and promote their organizational advocacies. A CSO Assembly will be held in September 2019 for the selection of representatives to the local special bodies.

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RESOURCEGov Team conducts the replication of the ODK and Qlik to various departments of LGU Barobo on August 5-7, 2019 at Curato’s Place, Barobo, Surigao del Sur. It was attended by 18 participants (Male 6, Female 12). A neighboring municipality, LGU Lianga joined the training to adopt the same systems. Kasilak Development Foundation Inc., the member network operating in the area, facilitated the activity led by Project Officer Ms. Llenie Grace Cebuala.

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The departments trained are the following: for LGU Barobo, the Municipal Health Office, Municipal Planning & Development Office , Assessor’s Office, Office of Municipal Agriculture, Municipal Economic Enterprise & Development Office, Business Permits & Licensing Office, and HR personnel; and for LGU Lianga, the Municipal Engineering and Municipal Planning & Development Offices. These departments were able to generate their own ODK-based forms and Qlik graphs. As agreed, the presentation of finalized ODK forms to the mayor and department heads is scheduled on 2nd Monday of October 2019.

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RESOURCEGov Team conducted courtesy visits to the newly elected local chief executives (LCEs) LGUs Malapatan and Maasim in the Province of Sarangani on July 31, 2019 attended by 13 participants (Male 4, Female 9). The activity aims to orient the LCEs, their staff and CSO desk/focal person of the on-going project being implemented in the said municipalities and discuss activities aligned to the project’s goals.

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In LGU Malapatan, MLGOO Ms. Maria Fritzie Español ushered Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc to the municipal mayor’s office. In the absence of the mayor, Municipal Administrator Ms. Mayette Suib convened department heads, SB staff and CSO desk officer to attend the project orientation. In the afternoon, the team traveled to LGU Maasim and met the new Mayor Hon. Zyrex Pacquiao and his Executive Secretary Mr. Ronald Carmelotes for a short project overview. The mayor assigned Mr. Carmelotes as the focal person for the project. Also, the team met with the CSO Desk Officer Ms. Jean Allera and active CSO representative Ms. Josephine Solidad to discuss on the upcoming CSO accreditation and what the project can do to assist the CSOs.

Initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12, RESOURCEGov Team conducted Open Data Kit (ODK) Training for the Areas-Based Standard Network (ABSNET) South Cotabato Cluster on July 30, 2019 at Hotel 105, Koronadal City.  The training aims to help the network make their own profiling and monitoring forms in the ODK System for easier data collection and consolidation. The 19 participants (Male 4, Female 15) were from DSWD 12 and the member non-government organizations (NGOs) and people organizations (POs) including the project team. ABSNET is a network of non-government organizations, people organizations and local government units licensed and accredited by the DSWD.

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ABSNET Regional President Ms. Ann Rabang gave the welcome address encouraging for the members to help other NGOs and POs to get their DSWD license and be part of the united network to work as partners of the LGUs. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the project overview and started the training proper. He guided the participants throughout the Build-Collect-Aggregate process to generate their own ODK-based forms. The challenge during the training was the very slow internet connection of the hotel, thus, instead of presenting their outputs, Mr. Blanker asked the participants about their impression of the ODK System and of the training. Most of the participants commented that the system will be very useful for their respective organizations in terms of monitoring. They also said that the training is very informative.

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As one of the key agreements of the 5th PIT Meeting for the Regions 11 & 13 areas, the RESOURCEGov Project Team staff of MINCODE and member networks underwent the Qlik refresher training during their updating meeting on July 26, 2019 at Kasilak Development Foundation Inc., Belisario Heights Subd., Davao City. The training, facilitated by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, was attended by 10 participants (Male 4, Female 6).

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After the short background of the Qlik System and tutorial, the project staff from MINCODE, Kasilak, AADC and PhilDHRRA project were able to make graphs of the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SREs) of their respective LGUs and tried to analyze the data presented. They also discussed how and when to present such data to the Municipal Treasurer’s and Assessor’s Offices before presenting to the local chief executives. For the admin and finance officers, they were able to see the expenses incurred per line item for certain period, thus, they were able to draw out conclusions on which line items are not moving.

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The RESOURCEGov Team met in preparation for the 7th Joint PIT-PMT Meeting on July 25, 2019 at Go Hotels, Lanang, Davao City attended by 50 participants (Male 24, Female 26). The meeting aims not only to update the team of the accomplishment and discuss the issues and concerns in the project implementation, but also, to welcome and orient the newly installed Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) and the new local chief executives and their representatives about the project.

The meeting was facilitated by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker. Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot welcomed the participants and gave a short history of the project conceptualization. DILG partners gave messages of support, all of them, new to the project team. DILG 11 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Abdullah V. Matalam, Maasim MLGOO Mr. Melencio Balanag, Jr. for DILG 12 and Tagbina MLGOO Mr. Roel Camba represented and spoke in behalf of their respective regional directors. The minutes of the 6th Joint PIT-PMT Meeting was reviewed, corrected and approved by the body, and business arising were raised and discussed. To update the body, Mr. Blanker presented a short project overview and the project accomplishments to date including the upcoming activities that will assist the CSOs in the accreditation process. Project Admin and Finance Officer Ms. Wilma C. Jumilla presented the project financial updates. Queries were raised and answered accordingly. For a more innovative way to update the body MINCODE Executive Director and Project Coordinator Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin facilitated a workshop session that aims for the participants to; a) recognize the project’s contributions to local governance; b) acknowledge the lessons learned in overcoming challenges in the course of the project implementations; and c) identify possible ways to sustain or build on the gains from the project. After the session, the body gained insights on the partners’ perspectives and takeaways from the project. Agri-Aqua Development Coalition (AADC) Executive Director Ms. Agnes Bolaños gave the closing remarks. The agreed schedule for the Year 2 Annual Review is on October 24-25, 2019.

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao conducted Real Property Tax Mapping Orientation for LGU Antipas on July 22-24, 2019 at HOF Mansion Inn, Kidapawan City with a total of 30 participants (Male 8, Female 22). The activity is in collaboration with Action Against Hunger (ACF) as the pilot LGU for the expansion areas of Region 12. The 4-day activity involved the ODK and Tableau Trainings, creation of the ODK-based real property tax mapping form and simulation of the RPTax mapping in Brgy. Magsaysay.

LGU Antipas is one of the five LGUs assisted by ACF in it EU-funded project namely Empowered Participatory Governance towards Progress in North Cotabato Communities. The implementation of the RPTax Mapping in LGU Antipas was launched in July 18, 2019 and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mahintana, ACF and the LGU to serve as guidelines in implementing the project.

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao conducted Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) Refresher Course to LGU Lambayong on July 17-19, 2019 at The Pinnacle Hotel, Davao City with a total of 30 participants (Male 15, Female 15) comprised of barangay captains, councilors, secretary, and treasurers. The activity was a realization of the plans during the former mayor’s term. Moreover, LGU Lambayong shouldered the expenses amounting to Php 198,000.00. For the BLGUs of Lambayong alone, the in-kind counterpart contribution (the equipment used for the utilisation of LITS) is amounting to an estimate of Php 630,000.00.

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The 1st day was dedicated to the preliminaries and the step-by-step installation of the LITS to the laptops and desktop units brought by the participants. Mr. Lumbao welcomed the participants and presented the rationale of the activity, and the project overview. Mr. Andrei Martinez shared that as the president of all the barangay secretaries, he commends all the effort and support of his colleagues even if there are some who have not attended. Mr. Lumbao discussed guidelines and procedures in creation of ordinances and resolutions. He used to work in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Kidapawan City as a transcriptionist who also do reviews on committee reports and other pertinent documents. Originally, the agenda included another resource speaker for the said topic. However, the resource speaker was not able to come. As an initiative, Mr. Lumbao referred to The Local Code of the Philippines, also known as the bible of secretaries in all levels, for the default guideline. The last day was dedicated to the presentation and review of the participants’ outputs. At the end of the training, the participants were able to: install the LITS, troubleshoot the system, create their own legislative documents and add these documents to the LITS.

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Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker was invited for an interview on the Brigada Insights Show in General Santos City on July 19, 2019. Mr. Blanker shared the project intervention ODK-based tax mapping in particular. Recently, the ODK-based tax mapping was launched in LGU Polomolok in partnership with the BLGF 12.

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Brigada Insights is broadcasted to SOCSKSARGEN area through Brigada TV Channel and the same episode was posted on Brigada Insights Facebook page with the link below: https://www.facebook.com/BrigadaInsights/videos/2439417982790784/

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Mahintana Foundation Inc., through the RESOURCEGov Project, and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 12 sealed their partnership with the signing of the MOU and project launching on July 16, 2019 at Viajer Dine and Café, Brgy. Morales, Koronadal City. The event was attended by BLGF 12 staff, provincial and city treasurers and assessors, Dole Philippines Inc. representative and the project team to a total of 33 participants (Male 17, Female 16). The partnership aims to popularize the use of the Open Data Kit (ODK)-based tax mapping and the Qlik as a data analytics tool in the region and aims to model the utilization of the systems to the whole country.

Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L.  Magdolot shared that the project interventions helped the eight beneficiary LGUs of the project increase their local collections in Phase 1. BLGF 12 Regional Director Mr. Jeany T. Tedera expressed his gratitude to Mahintana in sharing the ODK and Qlik for free, as well as, hopes that the partnership with the organization will be fruitful. Ms. Leamor Bañaga, Dole Philippines Inc. representative, commended the initiative of the partners in adopting IT-based tools that will benefit the LGUs and the communities.

BLGF, a bureau under the Department of Finance, oversees the provincial, city and municipal treasurers and provides them technical assistance on economic growth of the local government units.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Team, in cooperation with the LGU Polomolok Municipal Treasurer’s Office, conducted the Launching of the Open Data Kit(ODK)-based Tax Mapping on July 11, 2019 at the Municipal Lobby, Polomolok, South Cotabato. The event was attended by 49 participants (Male 18, Female 31) including the Municipal Vice Mayor Hon. Atty. Xavier Bayan, BLGF 12 Regional Director Mr. Jeany T. Tedera, Dole Philippines Inc. HR Director Ms. Julieta Burgos and CRD Manager Ms. Leamor Bañaga, Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Municipal Treasurer Ms. Constancia Licayan, ABC President Hon. Antonio Octavio, the project team and LGU employees particularly from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO). In partnership with the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) XII, the ODK-based tax mapping was popularized by the RESOURCEGov Project in the local treasurers of the region. This initiative helps LGUs set actual targets of business and real property tax collections, subsequently, enhancing the local revenue of the LGUs. ODK-based tax mapping training was conducted on June 28-29, 2019 for the MTO staff of LGU Polomolok.

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In partnership with the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) XII, the ODK-based tax mapping was popularized by the RESOURCEGov Project in the local treasurers of the region. This initiative helps LGUs set actual targets of business and real property tax collections, subsequently, enhancing the local revenue of the LGUs. ODK-based tax mapping training was conducted on June 28-29, 2019 for the MTO staff of LGU Polomolok.

RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker was invited by OND HESED Foundation Incorporation Exec. Director Sr. Susan Bolanio to conduct the ODK Training on July 8, 2019 at OND HESED’s Office, Cotabato City capacitating 27 OND HESED management and staff (Male 7, Female 20). The one-day activity aims to help the organization to map, profile and monitor the beneficiaries of at least 12 projects it implements in Mindanao and Samar Region.

Sr. Joanne Lorilla gave the welcome address stating that she hopes that there the monitoring of the projects will be more efficient. After the preliminaries, Mr. Blanker presented briefer of Mahintana and the project overview. Mr. Blanker guided the participants through the tutorials of the ODK and gave them ample time to make their own forms. At the end of the workshop, nine project teams presented their own ODK-based monitoring questionnaires. For the closing remarks, Sr. Susan Bolanio, OND HESED Foundation’s Executive Director thanked Mahintana for extending their time and expertise to the organization through the project intervention.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker together with Leonardo M. Rendon, former Project Officer visited the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City to conduct courtesy visit to the new LITS in-charge and troubleshoot their Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) on July 5, 2019.  The team met with Mr. Art Amoncio, the Computer Programmer of the office who is also the new staff in-charge of LITS. After a round of introduction, the group discussed about the malfunction of the LITS and deduced the cause of the problem. Initially, some staff were complaining that they can no longer encode in the system after the Security Firewall Software of the network’s main server has expired and uninstalled. During the troubleshooting, Mr. Blanker checked the error and it showed that the users of the system cannot connect to the database, however, the computers connected to the network can actually connect to each other and also can also detect the database. After an hour of checking the computer services, re-running of LITS installation, and reviewing the network configuration, the group found out that the issue was the Windows Firewall. Since the Server’s Firewall was uninstalled, the computers automatically shifted to its default Firewall software which blocks connections to the LITS. When the team added the LITS connection port as authorized and allowed in the firewall, all the computers using LITS have detected the database. The LITS staff were able to use the system again after being down for a few days.

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The Mahintana Foundation Inc. represented by the RESOURCEGov 2 Project Team met with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) partners on July 3, 2019 at Out of Nowhere Restaurant, Koronadal City for the complementation of the systems being shared to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato as part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitments of the said province.

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ECCP Team, headed by Ms. Zyra Pajarillo, requested the meeting to know how to link their system-based Open Contracting initiative with the ODK-based Open Monitoring and Evaluation. Ms. Parillo shared that their system where information about project bidders and other relevant data can be accessed online by the public. Meanwhile, Mahintana, represented by its RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager also shared to them the ODK-based project monitoring and evaluation tool which was also developed with the same provincial government. After discussions about the capabilities of both systems, they came up with an agreement. The links of the project being monitored under ODK system shall be shared to the Open Contracting System of ECCP by putting the link in one of its project data fields. This will allow the citizen or interested parties to check on the project documents as well as view the actual monitoring results of the projects implemented. This collaboration will further improve the OGP initiatives of the said province and forms part of the EU’s call for synergy of actions among EU-funded organizations.

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao conducted Training workshop on ODK/Qlik Systems for LGU President Roxas on July 8-12, 2019 at Elai Resort, Hotel and Recreation Center, Kidapawan City with a total of 37 participants (Male 19, Female 18). The activity is in collaboration with ACF Foundation (Action Against Hunger), another organization that currently implements an EU-funded project in five municipalities in North Cotabato. The 5-day activity consisted of the following: project launching (Day 1), ODK Training (Day 2), and the actual business mapping for the pilot barangays (Days 3-5).

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The project launching was attended by Municipal Mayor Hon. Jonathan Mahimpit and all the department heads. Mayor Mahimpit gave an inspirational message esp. to those who are attending the ODK and Qlik Training. He thanked Mahintana and ACF for collaborating in helping the LGU in attaining higher local revenues and committed his support in the implementing the systems.  ACF Head of Project Mr. William Baang turned over 10 Android tablets and 1 desktop unit to the CSOs of the municipality represented by Mr. Tawing Narciso of PROSESO, a cooperative. A signing of the Memorandum of Understanding of Partnership took place between Mahintana, ACF and LGU Pres. Roxas. Questions and suggestions were raised by the participants showing their interest on the training during the tutorial.

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On the second day, Mr. Lumbao continued the training and guided the participants with the Qlik. The participants were able to create their own graphs and present the results and finalize the form to be used for the ODK-based business mapping. For the last three days, the participants mapped assigned pilot areas and the results are the following: Without Business Permit – 297;  With Business Permit – 157; TOTAL: 454 active business establishments assessed/mapped

RESOURCEGov Project Team spearheaded by the Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker were invited by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 12 to conduct a two-day training on ODK and Qlik Systems on July 3-4, 2019 at BLGF 12 Office, Koronadal City.  The training was participated by 16 BLGF 12 employees (Male 8, Female 8) including BLGF 12 Regional Director Mr. Jeany T. Tedera and facilitated by three project team staff (Male 2, Female 1). The newly appointed regional director expressed his gratitude for the project and hopes that the partnership with Mahintana will be fruitful and meaningful. He shared his intention of rolling out of the trainings to capacitate all the city and municipal treasurers of Region 12 and ARMM LGUs.

Mr. Blanker guided the participants in the making of forms and graphs using their existing forms and data on hand. The outputs during the ODK workshop include: Performance Standards Evaluation of Local Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers, Leave Application Form, Quarterly Report on Real Property Assessment (QRRPA), Loans and Borrowing Forms, Monitoring of Designated Local Treasurers, and Profiling Forms for Municipal Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers (on progress). For Qlik System, the participants generated the following visualizations: Target vs. Actual RPT Collections 2018, Quarter Report of Sultan Kudarat Province of QRRPA, Local Collections Efficiency 2017 (on progress), and Fiscal Sustainability Scorecards (on progress).

The RESOURCEGov 2 Project conducted two (2) batches of Open Data Kit (ODK) training to the staff of LGU Polomolok- Treasurer’s Office on June 28-29, 2019 with the goal of upgrading its systems for digitized business records and mapping of business establishment. A total of 30 participants (14, Male, 16 Female) from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO) and the project joined the activity. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker guided the participants in generating their tax mapping form in ODK and allowed them to do initial mapping for greater appreciation of data collection and consolidation using their Android phones and tablets.

The LGU Polomolok, covered by the project as one of its expansion areas in Region 12, has been looking for ways to enhance its revenue by properly recording and locating the growing business establishments in the municipality; thus, it partnered with Mahintana thru the project. With ODK, the LGU will be able to set actual targets rather than based on previous estimates. Moreover, it gives the LGU an oversight of all the business establishments in the municipality thru maps, and allows it to analyse business compositions thru the information filters of ODK. The LGU and the project has set to formally launch its ODK-based Tax Mapping in the municipality on July 11, 2019

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Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao visited the LGUs of the expansion areas of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato to monitor the utilization of Legislative Information Tracking System on June 3-4 and 6-7, 2019. Schedules are as follows: June 3, 2019 – Pres. Roxas, Arakan and Antipas, June 4, 2019 – Banisilan, Alamada and Pigcawayan, June 6, 2019 – Bagumbayan and Esperanza, and June 7, 2019 – Kalamansig and Lebak .

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LITS was installed and already used, with resolutions and ordinances uploaded and encoded. During the monitoring, he gathered the issues and concerns of the LGUs. Most of the LGUs have issues such as lack of staff assigned to administer the system and need for re-orientation on the use of the LITS. SB Secretaries requested for the refresher training on its maintenance and use.

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​As one of the follow-through activities for CSO interventions, RESOURCEGov Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc visited the Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Secretaries and CSO Desk Officers of the eight existing LGUs of Region 12 namely: Malapatan and Maasim (Sarangani), Lake Sebu and Tampakan (South Cotabato), Lambayong and Pres. Quirino (Sultan Kudarat), and Aleosan and Libungan (North Cotabato) to inquire about the CSO accreditation requirements per municipality. The documenter also acquired the lists of the accredited CSOs for the project to contact them one by one with the aim to assess their needs and provide technical assistance before the call for accreditation. The activity was participated by 46 participants (Male 12, Female 34) from the LGUs.

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The Open Government Partnership (OGP) selected Mahintana Foundation to represent the Philippines together with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato in the recently concluded OGP Global Summit in Ottawa, Canada from May 28 to June 1, 2019. The organization, thru Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, the RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager, shared the project initiatives to a global audience at the city hall of Canada’s capital city. His presentation got featured in the Scottish Government Blog (https://blogs.gov.scot/open-government-partnership/2019/06/06/10-things-we-learned-in-canada-global-summit-of-open-government-partnership/) after captivating the audience with the project’s innovative and digital ways of doing project monitoring, legislative information tracking, and ensuring citizen participation in local governance. Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato represented by Ms. Jennifer Bretaña, its Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator also shared the province’s integrity initiatives with partner CSOs in summit sessions.

Brief Rationale of Participation

Mahintana thru the RESOURCEGov 2 Project has capacitated the Provincial Government of South Cotabato on the use Open Data Kit and Qlik systems to a better and efficient monitoring of government projects. Specifically, the provincial government has institutionalized the use of the system thru its Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC) to monitor and evaluate projects that have implementation issues together with CSOs and community affected by the projects. Moreover, Mahintana also helped the tracking of the legislations of the province’s Sanggunian Panlalawigan by providing a Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) wherein legislative documents are digitally archived for easy access to public or interested parties, and performance of Sanggunian members and committees are evaluated. The systems provided by the project along with other integrity initiatives of the province promote transparency, accountability, and participation in local governance led to South Cotabato’s active participation in the Open Government Partnership (OGP). OGP is an organization of reformers inside and outside of government, working to transform how government serves its citizens, and Mahintana supports the province in its OGP Open Monitoring & Evaluation and Open Legislation commitments thru technical assistance on the implementation of ODK, Qlik and LITS systems thru the RESOURCEGov 2 Project. Recognizing the achievements of the province and its partners, OGP invited champions of South Cotabato’s OGP commitments to the 2019 OGP Global Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada including Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, Mahintana’s RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager, Ms. Jennifer Bretana, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, and other key commitment partners in the national level from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget Management (DBM), The Philippine Embassy, and OGP Philippines Steering Committee. Active CSOs who have helped implement OGP commitments in the country also joined the summit and they are from Bantay Kita PH, European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Hivos in the Philippines, LayerTech Software Labs, and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, to name a few.

The OGP Global Summit serves as an avenue for OGP participating countries to learn and share about their open governance initiatives, ideas, challenges, and solutions anchored to themes Participation, Impact, and Inclusion. According to the summit organizers, over 2,000 open government champions has attended from across the 79 OGP member countries. This year’s summit also featured digital initiatives thru civic tech salons, hackathons, and breakout summit sessions by thematic areas. Giant tech firms such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, GitHub and even the world wide web founder himself, Tim Berners Lee, graced the event along with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many more influential politicians across the globe. The summit also served as an opportunity for global participants to network, learn from other government and CSOs, and share their interventions to further improve their work on making the government more open and accessible to citizens.

RESOURCEGov Project Team conducted a 2-day training to the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and selected municipal treasurers of Region 12 on May 22-23, 2019 at the FB Hotel and Convention Center, Koronadal City. This is one of the networking and linkaging actions of the project with the government agencies to popularize the use of the systems in the region. The activity was participated by 43 (Male 16, Female 27) attendees including the BLGF 12, municipal treasurers, their staff and the project team. BLGF is the office to which the municipal treasurer’s offices submit their Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SREs), the data to which the RESOURCEGov project will gauge the increase of the local revenue collection of its project areas.

BLGF 12 Regional Director Mr. Jeany Tedera expressed his gratitude to Mahintana, through the project, in rolling out such useful tools for the agency, as well as, the treasurer’s offices. He shared that it will not only help them analyze the trend of the collections but also help them forecast collections in the next 5 years. Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc and Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao facilitated the training in behalf of Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker. The participants were able to generate ODK-based business mapping forms and generated Qlik graphs of their respective municipalities’ SREs which they presented at the end of the workshop. The BLGF and treasurers appreciated the systems and committed to utilize the tools for their own convenience. BLGF said that this is just the first leg of the many training and partnerships with Mahintana.

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RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker oriented the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 12 about the project to forge a partnership with the said government agency on May 17, 2019 at BLGF Office, Koronadal City. It was attended by the 14 participants (Male 9, Female 5) including the BLGF 12 Acting Regional Director Mr. Jeany T. Tedera and his staff.

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BLGF, being the source of the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SREs), Mr. Blanker focused the presentation of the use of Qlik System that can generate interactive graphs and data visualizations. Seeing the Qlik-generated graphs using the SRE data from the said office, Mr. Tedera expressed his interest to adopt the system and shared that he has heard of Qlik through the Municipal Treasurer’s Office of Lake Sebu. Mr. Blanker suggested that the data collection from each LGU in the region can be done through the use of ODK.

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DILG 12, the associate partner of RESOURCEGov Project, requested the project team to conduct the ODK and Qlik Systems for the Project Development Management Unit (PDMU) on May 15-16, 2019 at the DILG 12 Conference Room, Regional Center, Koronadal City. The 2-day activity was attended by 30 (Male 20, Female 10) composed of personnel from various programs and projects handled by DILG such as Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG), Assistance to Municipalities (AM), Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CGMP) and Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).  

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Project Roel Ian P. Blanker facilitated the training on the monitoring tool ODK on the 1st day where participants were able make their ODK-based project monitoring forms. Impressed as the system can readily consolidate the data after collection, the PDMU staff expressed their excitement to use the ODK in their project monitoring activities. On the other hand, the participants appreciated the Qlik System as an interactive data visualization tool for the data collected from ODK. The PDMU was able to present their outputs after the workshops.

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​The Mahintana Foundation, spearheaded by Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, the President & CEO graced the Europe Day Celebration held at Dusit Thani Manila, Makati, Philippines on May 9, 2019. Joining him are Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon and Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, the managers of the EU-funded projects of the organization and also Ms. Jean Jumilla, one of the project’s Admin and Finance Officer and Mahintana’s Accountant. The Europe Day marks the birthday of EU, a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The event highlights the friendship and partnership of the EU and the Philippines that was attended by various government officials, civil society organizations, embassies, and EU officers & staff. This also served as an avenue for organizations involved with EU to get to know each other and exchange contacts for possible collaborations. The Europe day is also celebrated worldwide thru its delegation offices.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project convened with its Provincial LGU counterparts in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitments of South Cotabato on April 30, 2019. Held at the Provincial Planning and Development Office - South Cotabato, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the RESOURCEGov2 Project Manager facilitated the updating of Open Monitoring & Evaluation commitment. A total of 9 individuals (5 Male, 4 Female) attended the activity.

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The team accomplished the following: updating of the ODK-based project monitoring forms of the province, linked the PPMC monitoring results to the RESOURCEGov 2 ODK account, integrated the website recommendations of the South Cotabato Integrity Circle, developed an ODK-based citizen satisfaction and feedback form, patterned the feedback form based on the feedback requirement of the DevLive app, and updated the official provincial government website of South Cotabato together with the Public Information Office (PIO). Aside from meeting the OGP Commitments, this activity is also a preparation to the regular meeting of the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee of South Cotabato on May 2, 2019 where Mahintana, through the project, provides technical assistance. As to date, the LITS has been installed and there is a pending staff orientation about the system due to elections. Aside from the LITS, the team agreed to schedule the setup of the livestream SP sessions as one of the deliverables of the Open Legislation commitment.

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The Project Team convened the project management and implementation teams for its 6th Joint PIT-PMT Meeting on April 23, 2019 at Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Lanang, Davao City. Thirty-three participants (Male 15, Female 18) attended including the 3 DILG Provincial Directors (PDs) from Sarangani, Compostela Valley and Surigao del Sur to discuss on the project updates and next steps of the implementation.

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Facilitated by Mahintana President & CEO Mr. and Project Director Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, the meeting started with prayer led by PHILDHRRA Project Officer Mr. Alfredo Latasa and a safety orientation by the hotel’s safety officer. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker acknowledged the participants as well as presented the admin concerns for the meeting. Each of the 3 PDs gave their welcome addresses. Compostela Valley PD Noel Duarte welcomed the participants in Davao City and shared that the LITS will be rolled out province-wide on May 23, 2019. Sarangani PD Rochelle Sero committed to promote and support the RESOURCEGov in Region 12 while Surigao del Sur PD Pedrito Alacaba thanked the project management for the implementation of the project. Mr. Blanker facilitated the reading of the summary of business arising and key agreements of previous minutes, and the discussion was actively participated by the body. For the project updated, Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc presented the project accomplishments for Region 12 areas while Project Officer Ms. Myra Macla for Regions 11 & 13. Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the financial updates. Mr. Blanker then presented the next steps and schedules and the key agreements.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Team met with the DILG 12 Provincial Directors, the MLGOOs and/or their representatives of the 8 existing areas of Region 12 on April 2, 2019 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. The meeting was attended by 19 (Male 8. Female 11) and focused on the updating the DILG partners for the developments in the project implementation.

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Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented a short project overview and project updates for March 2019. During the presentation, the body discussed about the following: selection local experts in the 8 existing LGUs, project team to sit-in during the existing LGUs’ ManCom Meetings, Real Property Tax Mapping Trainings and actual mapping, presentation of the LITS to the incoming vice mayors after the elections, the project requirement to help CSOs in their accreditation, and the ODK-based CSIS monitoring. Mr. Blanker also presented the accomplishments, current situation, issues & concerns, and recommendations per existing LGU. Moreover, the Provincial Directors identified and recommended qualified personnel in their offices who can be trained on the ODK, Qlik and LITS systems to become local experts who can, in turn, replicate the systems to the other LGUs in their respective provinces. The DILG partners also gave their suggestions and opportunities from the challenge presented. Mr. Blanker then gave the next steps and schedules, informing the body that the some activities are on hold due to the incoming elections.

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​To celebrate Women’s Month, EU in the Philippines featured stories of empowered women in the projects that they are funding in the Philippines on its Facebook page.  RESOURCEGov 2 Project chose Ms. Josephine Solidad, from Maasim, Sarangani Province, to share her story from being a housewife to an active CSO representative who is a member of the project monitoring committee of the LGU. The post earned 83 likes, 14 comments and 37 shares.

RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker conducted an ODK Orientation to Conciliation Resources represented by Ms. Mary Jean Liberato as part of the synergy of actions of EU-funded grantees on March 20, 2019 at Cotabato City. Joining the orientation was C.R.'s implementing partner, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), represented by Mr. Badrodw Mamendig (Bads). After sharing the project and its interventions, both organizations appreciated the systems and are looking forward to adopt them after the elections on May. According to Bads, whose areas cover the ARMM, this will be the first in the BARMM in implementing an efficient system to transparently monitor projects in the region.

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Open Government Partnership (OGP) Partnerships & Events Consultant for Asia Pacific Ms. Ivy Ong facilitated the meeting of its OGP Partners, the Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and Democracy Education Center (DEMO), for a peer learning experience regarding their OGP commitments. The two parties agreed to communicate through teleconference call on March 18, 2019, 8:00 AM. Mahintana Pres. & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc attended the teleconference call with DEMO Director Ms. Undral Gombodorj.

DEMO is a Mongolian NGO that launched the mobile app community-based monitoring tool called Check My Service. This initiative was selected by the OGP as one of the best Asia Pacific regional innovations in 2014 and 2016, and received an OGP Global Award in 2016. To date, Check My Services app has already monitored 101 government services of Mongolia. Mahintana, on the other hand, introduced the OGP Commitments such as Open Monitoring using the ODK and Open Legislation using the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS). As to date, the ODK-based project monitoring forms has already finished its dry run stage. Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC) has deemed the ODK system easy-to-use and time-saving in data collection and consolidation. The next step is for the ODK-result map to be linked to the provincial government’s website for public to access and provide feedbacks. For the LITS, the 1st phase, which is archiving of the legislative documents of the province, is already done. The 2nd phase is to make the LITS accessible online, and the 3rd phase is to provide a comment section where the citizens can leave their comments and suggestions.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 team represented by Mr. Roel Ian Blanker (MFI), Ms. Myra Macla (MINCODE), and Mr. Alvin Frasco (AADC-Mindanao) visited the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of Compostela Valley (ComVal) Province on March 13, 2019 to orient and install ODK and LITS. The team met Mr. Prime Rendon, the PPDO Project Evaluation Officer and oriented about the RESOURCEGov 2 Project and the ODK initiatives. Joined by the Province IT Department and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office representatives, they expressed their appreciation to the system and committed to adopt it. Mr. Rendon created an account in ODK and was able to understand the basics of creating forms and generating reports. Furthermore, the PDRRMO will send a representative to join the ODK training in Maragusan, ComVal Province on March 14. After the orientation, the team headed to the DILG Provincial Office and met with Provincial Director (PD) Noel Duarte to orient and install the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS).

The PPDO is planning to roll-out the use of ODK in its monitoring activities, especially now that the province has already purchased Android tablets. The DILG, on the other hand, is eyeing on launching LITS on a province-wide scale with a tentative date on May 23, 2019.

RESOURCEGov 2 Team conducted a series of activities in Davao City on March 11-13, 2019 namely: 4th PIT Meeting (for Regions 11&13), Financial Workshop, and Financial Monitoring. These activities were conducted to ensure the proper implementation of the project in the remaining years according to the financial policies of EU.

For the 4th PIT Meeting for Regions 11 & 13, RESOURCEGov Team from 25 participants (Male 9, Female 16) Mahintana, MINCODE and member networks met for updating. Consolidated accomplishment and accomplishment per member network were presented, as well as the consolidated budget performance, budget performance per implementation, counterpart complied, and spending plan. A small working group for visibility action was formed to ensure the faster implementation of visibility and communication plan including posters and press releases. During the Financial Workshop, the Financial Manual draft was presented and discussed per section. Inputs from team were considered and noted that do not come in conflict with EU financial policies were considered and noted. Lastly, the Financial Monitoring was attended by 7 participants (Male 1, Female 6) of the finance team of Mahintana. Financial monitoring is an internal monitoring & evaluation regularly conducted by Mahintana to MINCODE to ensure the proper documentation of financial records and necessary attachments.

The G-Watch Philippines, an independent national action research organization that works to promote dialogues in the Transparency-Participation- Accountability, conducted a field visit to Mahintana Foundation on March 8, 2019. Led by Ms. Joy Aceron, G-Watch Convener-Director, the organization aims to make a “guidepiece in doing social accountability in local governance” by taking the experience of the RESOURCEGov Project, Mahintana, and the province of South Cotabato. Mahintana, represented by their President & CEO Mr. Martiniano Magdolot and RESOURCEGov2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, shared its experiences particularly on engaging DILG as project partners and sitting as members of the provincial development committee of South Cotabato which allowed easier introduction of project interventions in the said province. More than that, MFI also shared its accomplishments, challenges, and resolutions in helping address the needs of the community. To further substantiate the research, Ms. Jennifer Bretaña, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator of South Cotabato also joined during the visit and shared about the involvement of CSOs such as MFI in attaining transparent, accountable, and participatory local governance.

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The Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC) of South Cotabato, with the technical assistance of the RESOURCEGov 2 Project of Mahintana, conducted monitoring of infrastructure projects in the province with more than -15% slippage using ODK on March 5, 2019. The activity started at 7:00AM and a short orientation was held in the PPDO office. There were three (3) projects monitored using the ODK system: Water System in Brgy. San Vicente in Banga, Barangay Covered Court in Brgy. Pulabato, Tampakan, and Box Culvert in Brgy. Tablu, Tampakan. Using ODK, the committee members were able to take pictures, tag project location using GPS, record interviews with the residents, contractors, and barangay officials, and document their findings, observations, and recommendations. During the exit conference held in Brgy. Miasong, Tupi, the ODK helped the members in reviewing its comments and recommendations.

The data were uploaded to the server and will be linked to the provincial government’s website as part of South Cotabato’s Open Government Partnership commitment under the Open Monitoring criteria. The   PPMC,  composed  of  members  from  the  provincial  government  and  the Civil Society Organizations    (CSOs) representatives,    conducts    quarterly    monitoring of infrastructure projects with more than -15% slippage or way behind schedule as per Programme Evaluation Review Technique-Critical Path Method (PERT-CPM). The monitoring also includes feedback from the surrounding communities of the project. Furthermore, this forms part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitment in promoting transparency, accountability, civic participation, and technological innovations at the local level.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) Partnerships & Events Consultant for Asia Pacific Ms. Ivy Ong facilitated the meeting of its OGP Partners, the Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP), for a peer learning experience regarding their OGP commitments. The two parties agreed to communicate through teleconference call on February 18, 2019, 10:30AM.

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Mahintana Operations Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc attended the teleconference call with ANSA-EAP Executive Director Mr. Redempto “Don” Parafina. Each party introduced their respective organizations and the programs and projects implemented by their organizations. ANSA-EAP, according to Mr. Don, works with projects about the governance particularly in citizen’s participation through technology. Mr. Blanker shared the programs of Mahintana focusing on the RESOURCEGov Project under the Institution-building & Governance Program. He said that Mahintana supports the OGP South Cotabato in Open Monitoring and Open Legislation using the Open Data Kit (ODK) and Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS).  On the other hand, Mr. Parafina shared the CheckMySchool app, an issue-based app that can be used as a reporting tool regarding issues and concerns of schools in the Philippines. Issues such as deficiencies in schools/classrooms to be fixed, frequent absences of teachers, etc. can be reported through the app. After the discussion, the parties agreed to coordinate for the updates in the OGP commitments to be met by each organization.

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​The RESOURCEGov 2 Project thru its Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and MINCODE Project Officer Ms. Myra Gazo, met with KAPWA Foundation on February 9, 2019 in their office at Davao City to share about the ODK initiatives of the project, collaborate in popularizing ODK in the region, and assist the latter with ODK problems they have encountered. Represented by Ms. Alma de La Paz, KAPWA Foundation Executive Director, the KAPWA officers shared their utilization of ODK in profiling their farmer beneficiaries. However, KAPWA uses the first and original version of ODK wherein they ran into problems in uploading the gathered data. Worried about losing around 500 survey profiles, and with the hope of resolving their ODK uploading issues, KAPWA then coordinated with MINCODE and Mahintana upon knowing that the said CSOs were rolling-out ODK in Regions 11, 12 and 13. The RESOURCEGov Team conducted the troubleshooting and found out that the uploading issue is an internal server problem which cannot be resolved given the server’s storage limit and lack of server-side technical support. The issue was addressed by allowing KAPWA to create an account with Kobotoolbox.org, the ODK version which Mahintana uses. The RESOURCEGov team also helped them how to technically format their collected ODK data to make it Kobotoolbox-compatible, and migrate the data to their Kobotoolbox account. KAPWA successfully migrated all their collected farmers profile and was able to generate the summary report of their profiling activities. Their profiling team appreciated the user-friendliness of Kobotoolbox over the original ODK version which compelled them to use Kobotoolbox version in the continuation of their profiling activities. The KAPWA foundation has expressed their gratitude to the RESOURCEGov 2 Project and is looking forward for more collaboration with the project group in advocating the use of ODK for transparent, accountable, and participative local governance.   

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RESOURCEGov conducted its 5th PIT-PMT Meeting on February 7, 2019 at LGU Tagbina Seminar Hall, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. On the same day, the Unveiling of the RESOURCEGov Billboards in LGU Tagbina and LGU Barobo was conducted. The activities were attended by 61 participants (Male 35, Female 26) from the RESOURCEGov Team, the DILG 11, 12 & 13, LGU partners of Regions 11 and 13.

The Unveiling of RESOUREGov Billboard Ceremony in LGU Tagbina was attended by Mun. Mayor Hon. Generoso Naraiso and his staff. Messages were given by Mahintana Pres. & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Kasilak Executive Director Mr. Joemil Montebon, MINCODE Executive Director Ms. Raizsa Anayatin, and was responded by the municipal mayor after the unveiling of the billboard. The 5th PIT-PMT Meeting was then held in LGU Tagbina Seminar Hall followed by fellowship lunch sponsored by the host LGU. In the afternoon, the different offices who utilised the ODK, Qlik and LITS Systems presented the advantages and recommendations in using the systems. After the short presentation, the participants visited the department offices of LGU Tagbina particularly the SB Office, the MPDO, the Assessor’s and Treasurer’s Offices. The participants traveled to LGU Barobo for the unveiling of RESOURCEGov Billboard in the said municipality. A short program prior to the activity was held where the Mun. Mayor Hon. Joey S. Pama and Hon. Vice-Mayor Allan Bernal expressed their gratitude and support to the project implementation in Barobo. DILG Provincial Director for Surigao del Sur Mr. Pedrito Alacaba shared that the systems rolled-out by the project are helpful to the municipalities. The billboard was then unveiled.

The RESOURCEGov Billboard is one of the visibility actions of the project. For the Phase 2, the 6 LGU partners in Regions 11 & 13 are set to unveil the billboards this year.

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Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker conducted a series of monitoring of the use of the ODK and LITS in the South Cotabato Provincial Government with PPDO’s OGP Program Assistant Ms. Doreen Vallar in January 2019. Mahintana’s commitment includes the utilization of the LITS in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the ODK in the project monitoring activities of the PPMC (Provincial Planning and Monitoring Committee).  

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As to date, the ODK-based project monitoring forms were already finalized by the PPDO-REM (Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring) Office and ready for use on the data gathering on March 2019. LITS was already installed in the SP Office in January 2019. An orientation is scheduled in February 2019 for the SP members and staff. Moreover, with the help of Mr. Blanker, the PIO Office in-charge of the South Cotabato website, has successfully drafted a web page integrating the charts/maps of the project monitoring results in ODK. South Cotabato Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ms. Jennifer Bretaña expressed her joy of the fast progress during the updating meeting.

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The LITS and ODK are part of the OGP commitments for Open Legislation and Open Monitoring criteria which is rolled out by the RESOURCEGov Project.

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To address the financial concerns with the implementation of the EU-funded projects of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and its partners, an Orientation on EU Financial and Contractual Policies and Procedures was conducted on January 24-25, 2019 at The Pinnacle Hotel & Suites, Davao City. It was attended by 46 participants (Male 17, Female 29) from Mahintana, Peace & Equity Foundation (PEF), MINCODE, Kasilak, AADC, PHILDHRRA, and Yamog Renewable Energy Development Group Inc. (Yamog). The 2-day activity aims for the EU grant beneficiaries the common understanding on the EU policies and was facilitated by RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker.

Mahintana and SOLARES Project Admin & Finance Officer Ms. Liza D. Hora acknowledged team leaders PEF Program Manager Mr. Omar Salvo, MINCODE Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin, and Yamog Program Manager Porterio R. Jabla who introduced their team to the body. Ms. Hora welcomed the EU Delegation to the Philippines Programme Officer Ms. Caroline “Carol” Maningo and Contracts & Finance Officer Ms. Michelin “Chie” Alvarez. Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot gave the opening message expressing the combination of excitement and apprehension in implementing two (2) projects funded by EU. He thanked the funding donor for the continued support and trust to Mahintana and hopes to keep its credibility in running the projects. Mr. Magdolot introduced the members of the SOLARES and RESOURCEGov 2 Projects. Ms. Maningo gave a message of support to the grant beneficiaries, encouraging them to take time in understanding EU’s policies. After the expectation check and presentation of the activity overview by Mahintana Operations Manager and SOLARES Project Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Ms. Alvarez started the discussion of the Implementation of Grants Contracts by Beneficiaries. The participants were able to ask relevant questions which were answered by Ms. Alvarez during the course of the presentation. Questions about cash counterpart, exchange rates, procurement procedures, and 60,000 EUR limit support to the third parties were among the concerns raised. Ms. Maningo discussed the two required reports and the deadlines. On Day 2, a recap was conducted, as well as, more discussions and clarifications were made by the participants. The body was divided to two for the breakout sessions to discuss specific concerns with the EU officers. Mr. Magdolot closed the activity saying that the nervousness did not put out the fire and passion to help the depressed communities esp. in the GIDA (geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas).

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Mahintana Operations Manager and RESOURCEGov 2 Project Coordinator Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon oriented heads of SEAOIL Foundation Inc. (SFI) and Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) on Open Data Kit (ODK) on December 19, 2018 at SRC Conference Room. It was attended by 6 participants (Male 4, Females 2). The two partner foundations tapped Mahintana for help in using the paperless collection and consolidation of data during in project monitoring specifically in Sarangani areas.

Mr. Tubigon started by introducing the project brief of the RESOURCEGOV and the possible uses of the ODK. While Mr. Tubigon is presenting, the participants asked questions about the system. SFI Executive Director Mr. Jess Lorenzo asked about the competency of those who can operate the ODK. Mr. Tubigon answered that anyone who is computer literate and know how to use the Facebook can learn how to use the ODK. ZFF Vice President Mr. Ramon Derige asked if the data can be grouped according to the province and/or region. Mr. Tubigon answered that the forms can be customized according to the need of the organization and can generate the graphs, tables and maps after the data consolidation. After the questions were answered, Mr. Tubigon showed a demo on how to use the Kobocollect app, answered the app, submitted to the server, and showed the consolidated data, graphs and maps. SFI Project Associate Ms. Karren Mae Arado and Project Officer Mr. Earl Gio Manuel shared that one of the key agreements during the meeting with the NGOs implementing projects in Sarangani Province, Mahintana will provide technical assistance on project monitoring using ODK. Thus, SFI will submit its proposed schedule of training on January 2019.

On December 10-12, 2018, G-Watch Organization sent two of its researchers to check on and document the best replicable practices of RESOURCEGov Project. A total of 31 (Make 16, Female 15) participated in the 3-day activity. RESOURCEGov Project Coordinator Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon and Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc escorted Ms. Maria Victoria Manlanque and Ms. Anna Margarita Bueno to project sites in South Cotabato and Sarangani. The LGUs visited were: LGU Polomolok (ODK in the MPDO and LITS in the SB Office), LGU Lambayong (ODK in the BPLO), LGU Tampakan (LITS in the SB Office), Sangguniang Panlungsod General Santos City (LITS Nook and LITS cascade in the 26 barangays), and LGU Maasim (CSO Participation in the local government). Aside from the replicable practices, the researchers found out that the success of the project also lies on the relationship between the LGUs and the project implementer.

This activity aims to document the best practices of the different EU-funded projects under its CSO-LA Programme in the country to be compiled and made into an EU Guidepiece.  

RESOURCEGov Project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker was the resource speaker during the "Appreciation Course on Maximizing Open Data Kit (ODK) and Qlik Systems for Improving Local Revenue” for the five (5) LGUs of North Cotabato assisted by the Action Against Hunger (ACF) through the Reinforcing, Instituting and Scaling up Efficient CSO-LGU Interaction Towards Enhanced Local Governance (RISE-LGU) Project. The training was held on November 28-29, 2018 at Hof Mansion Hotel, Kidapawan City. It was attended by 21 (Male 8, Female 13) participants.

 ACF Head of Project Mr. Isabelo Julio “Jules” Cesar Benitez gave the welcome address, acknowledging the partnership with Mahintana Foundation, Inc. in the said activity to capacitate the LGUs under RISE-LGU Project in enhancing their revenues using the ODK and Qlik Systems. DILG Cotabato Province Outcome Manager Mr. Jay Abdillah gave a message of support saying to the participants, “You are blessed to have been invited to attend this training on these systems.” He thanked Mahintana and ACF for rolling out the ODK and Qlik Systems in Cotabato Province. Mr. Blanker was then introduced and he welcomed the participants. Mr. Blanker presented the project overview and the possible uses of ODK and Qlik.

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At the end of training, the participants from Provincial Treasurer’s Office, Provincial Assessor’s Office, LGU Pres. Roxas, LGU Magpet, and LGU Antipas were able to make their own ODK-based monitoring forms and used the data of Region 13 SREs to make data visualizations in Qlik. The RISE-LGU Team and their assisted LGUs appreciated the systems for better, faster, paperless collection and aggregation of data.

RESOURCEGov 2 Team Staff Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc visited LGU Banisilan, LGU Alamada and LGU Pikit to monitor their use of the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) on November 26, 2018. This activity was participated by 15 (Male 5, Female 10) including the SB secretaries and their respective staff.

The team first visited Banisilan SB Secretary Mr. Relly Deocampo and his staff Mr. Julius Peter Dominado. Mr. Deocampo said that they had only encoded around 30 ordinances and that they were not able to buy the hub and the LAN cables for networking more computers to the LITS’ main server. He promised to note and buy the needed materials before the year ends. After, the team went to LGU Alamada. They were received by SB staff Ms. Corazon Soriano and Ms. Maylyn Saldua. Ms. Saldua said that the she tried to install LITS to the newly bought system, however, the LITS was not successfully installed. Mr. Lumbao checked the computer’s operating system and found out that the OS didn’t meet the requirements of LITS. The project officer suggested that the computer be reformatted. The team traveled to LGU Pikit and was welcomed by SB Secretary Jaime Gornez and his staff Ms. Tifanny Cabaa. The staff told the team that she wasn’t able to encode yet. Mr. Lumbao suggested that the encoding will be done from present legislative documents backwards.

Other LGUs are scheduled to be monitored on December onwards.

PHILDHRRA, as the implementer of EU-funded CCCE PAG-PR Project, tapped Mahintana to conduct the CCCE PAG-PR- RESOURCEGov Peer Learning Exchange on November 19-21, 2018 to the RESOURCEGov-assisted LGUs. The learning activity aims to replicate the best practices of the LGUs in South Cotabato and Sarangani including the use of ODK/Qlik?LITS Systems, revenue generation and The PHILDHRRA Team, headed by its National Coordinator Ms. Caridad R. Corridor and Regional Coordinators, and the LGU and CSO representatives from 27 LGUs of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The 3-day activity included the orientation, visit to the LGUs with replicable practices and the presentation of the learnings. Around 60 participated in the said peer learning exchange activity.

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The 1st day was orientation and division of the participants to 3 groups. Ms. Corridor gave the welcome address and PHILDHRRA Regional Coordinator for Visayas Mr. Hally Atienza presented the house rules. RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker oriented the participants about the RESOURCEGov 2 Project and introduced Mahintana Foundation Inc. through its video briefer. Group 1’s facilitators are RESOURCEGov Project Manager Mr. Blanker and PHILDHRRA Regional Coordinator from Luzon Ms. Germaine De Runa. Group 2’s facilitators are RESOURCEGov 2 Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc and PHILDHRRA Regional Coordinator for Mindanao Mr. Mr. Glenn Bais. Group 3’s facilitators are RESOURCEGov Project Officer Mr. Byron Delandrino and CCCE PAG PR Project Manager Ms. Katlea Zarra Itong. On the 2nd day, Group 1 visisted LGU Polomolok, South Cotabato and LGU Tampakan, South Cotabato. Group 2 went to LGU Polomolok, South Cotabato and LGU Maasim, Sarangani. Group 3 went to LGU Tampakan, South Cotabato and LGU Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. ODK, Qlik and LITS systems sparked the interest of the participants as they were presented by LGUs assisted by the RESOUCEGov Project. Moreover, Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) was featured during the visit to LGU Tupi. On the last day, each group presented their participants’ learnings, impression and action plans from community exposure. They expressed their high hopes in replicating the best practices and that there will be a CCCE PAG-PR Project Phase 2.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Team conducted its PIT-PMT Meeting on November 16, 2018 at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. It was attended by 33 (Male 13, Female 20) project staff from Mahintana, MINCODE, AADC, Kasilak, PhilDHRRA, and partner DILG of Regions 11, 12 and 13.

The meeting started a prayer led by Project Cashier Ms. Rhogelyn G. Diana. DILG 11 MLGOO for New Bataan Ms. Rosalie Agunod and DILG 13 Provincial Director for Surigao del Sur Mr. Pedrito Alacaba spoke their messages of support and gratitude. Security Dept. Supervisor Mr. Charlie Jose oriented the participants of the Hotel Safety and Emergency and the house rules. Mr. Blanker then presented the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) for Years 2 & 3. During the presentation, comments and suggestions from the body were welcomed. Partnered form DILG were also encouraged to speak and comment on the activities and schedules. MLGOO Ms. Gultiano suggested to do the CSO activities on the 2nd quarter to prepare them for the call of accreditation 90 days after the election period. It was agreed by the body to efficiently implement the empowerment of CSOs. After the lunch break, Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the Consolidated Spending Plan. Partners raised their financial concerns. After reaching the agreements, MINCODE Executive Director and Project Coordinator Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin presented the key agreements.

RESOURCEGov 2 Team composed of Project Officers Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao, Ms. Myra macla and Ms. Llenie Grace Cebuala and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc, facilitated the learning visit of LGU Tagbina to the two existing partners of the project in Sultan Kudarat Province: LGUs Lambayong and President Quirino. It was attended by 43 (Male 21, Female 22). LGU Tagbina Team was spearheaded by Vice Mayor Hon. Antonio Adlaw and included the department heads and their respective staff.

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The benchmarking activity aims to help LGU Tagbina to replicate the best practices of LGU Lambayong and LGU President Quirino particularly on the use of ODK-based forms to increase revenue collection. Lambayong Mayor Hon. Ramon Abalos welcomed the delegates and joined the body during the presentation. Business Permits and Licensing Officers (BPLO) of both municipalities presented how ODK has helped them increase their revenue collection by mapping business establishments using the forms they had generated. They entertained and answered questions asked by the visitors.

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Mahintana Operations Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, together with the President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot and Admin & Finance Ms. Liza D. Hora, attended the Open Government Partnership (OGP)  Asia Pacific Regional Meeting on Nov. 5-6, 2018 at The Westin Chosun, Seoul, South Korea. The team was with the South Cotabato District I Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes to represent the Philippines on the synergy between the local government and CSOs in implementing OGP programs.

The delegates shared the implementation of programs, outcomes and challenges during the roundtable discussions on Civil Society Day. During the Open Ceremony, one of the speaker was Gov. Fuentes who shared the local governance initiatives of the province and the OGP commitments such as open legislation, open monitoring, open contracting, etc. On one of the breakout sessions, Mr. Tubigon spoke of Legislative Information Tracking Systems (LITS) as CSO initiative and a tool for open legislation. He said that LITS in advancing open data and improving legislative openness and performance in local governments.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker was invited by South Cotabato Provincial Project Monitoring Committee (PPMC) for the Open Data Kit (ODK) Training Workshop on October 29-30, 2018 at Cinco Nias, Koronadal City. Mahintana supports the Open Monitoring and Open Legislation Commitments of the Open Government Program (OGP). It was attended by 50 participants (Male 26, Female 24) of the different provincial offices part of the PPMC.

The first day was composed of the following activities: creation of Kobotoolbox account per department, discussion on the form generation, making their participants’ own forms, and presentation of generated forms. On the 2nd day, the participants used their ODK forms for the mock monitoring of two on-going projects namely the: 1) Alteration of the Grandstand and Construction of Control Tower in the South Cotabato Sports Complex; and 2) the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CGMP) funded road construction in Brgy. Cabuling, Tantangan, South Cotabato. After the mock monitoring, the participants presented their results and learnings. The participants also shared their optimism that the ODK system will be of great help to them in mapping and monitoring.

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The RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project conducted its 1st Annual Review & Planning Workshop on October 23-24, 2018 at Go Hotels, J.P. Laurel Ave., Lanang, Davao City. The 87 (Male 45, Female 42) attendees were composed of EU Delegates, DILG partners, representatives of the 14 LGU beneficiaries, CSO federation presidents, EU partners in Mindanao, the project team, and the media.

Project Coordinators Mr. Jobe “Obet” C. Tubigon and Ms. Raizsa Mae “Bai” Anayatin acknowledged the participants per province.  President & CEO and Project Director Mr. Martiniano “Dodoy” L. Magdolot gave the opening remarks, thanking and welcoming the participants for coming. Partners from EU Delegation to the Philippines Ms. Caroline Maningo, Dole Philippines Inc. representative Atty. Melquiades Hernandez, MINCODE BOT Chair Ms. Andrea Maria Patricia Sarenas, DILG 11 Compostela Valley Provincial Director Mr. Noel Duarte, and DILG 12 Cotabato Provincial Director Mr. Ali Abdullah gave their messages of gratitude, congratulations, and support to the project. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the project work plan, targets and accomplishments for November 2017 to September 2018. Questions regarding the project operations were welcomed. Then, Project Admin and Finance Officer Ms. Wilma C. Jumilla presented financial updates. She also shared the challenges experienced by the team during implementation and asked the EU delegates if the recommendations given were right. Ms. Divina Somera, EU Finance Manager, addressed some of the concerns. In the afternoon, 7 out of 14 LGUs were given task to present their learnings and challenges in the project implementation based on specific interventions. After the LGU testimonials, the participants were grouped according to LGUs for the planning workshop. The LGU representatives were given time to think of activities to be conducted aligned with the interventions and its respective budget. The project officers and finance team guided the LGU partners in their budgeting.

On the 2nd day, a representative per province presented the proposed activities for Years 2 and 3. Another open forum was conducted. Recommendations were given and agreed. Ms. Maningo appreciated the LGUs consciousness of the budget. Mr. Blanker shared the body the key agreements and next steps. He emphasized that the activities planned in the workshop are just indicative and are still subject for review and approval. Kasilak Development Foundation Inc. Executive Director Mr. Joemil S. Montebon gave the synthesis of the 2-day event. Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) Regional Coordinator Mr. Glenn Bais gave the closing remarks.

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​In preparation for the upcoming Annual Review, RESOURCEGov 2 Project Teams from Mahintana, MINCODE and its member networks met for the Pre-Annual Review Meeting on October 11, 2018 at the Cicada Room, Kalsangi Clubhouse, Polomolok, South Cotabato. It was attended by 25 project staff (Male 9, Female 16). The agenda of the meeting includes the following: review of project targets and workplan, presentation project accomplishment based on indicators, presentation of interim narrative report, presentation of financial report as of Sept. 30, 2018, presentation of BPR per LGU, presentation of agenda for the annual review, delegation of tasks for annual review, presentation of spending plan, and other matters.

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To help the staff of Mahintana in the project monitoring and data gathering, Training for Maximizing the Other Productive Use of ODK for Mahintana Projects was conducted on September 19, 2018 at MFI Conference Room, Polomolok, South Cotabato. It was attended by 19 participants (Male 8, Female 11) ― project coordinators and officers of Dole-Assisted Project (DAP), Health Plus Project, Community Relations Department (CRD), RESOURCEGov Project and the MFI finance team. The training aims for the MFI team, especially the newly hired, to be know how to use the ODK for monitoring and reporting.

Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker facilitated the whole day training. He presented the project overview of RESOURCEGov Phase 2, and the ODK system, its uses and benefits. He guided the participants through the process of registering in the KoboToolbox site, the building of forms, collection of data and the aggregation of data. In the afternoon, the staff were given time to make their own monitoring and profiling forms to be presented before the end of the training. The following were the ODK forms generated by the participants: ARH (Adolescent Reproductive Health) Profiling Form, HealthPlus NBB (No Balance Billing) Compliance, Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring Form V2.0, CRD (Community Relations Department) Pinaskuhan School Profiling, and Mahintana Staff Profiling. 

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The RESOURCEGov Project Team provided follow-through assistance and support on the other productive use of ODK and QLIK systems to the Lake Sebu technical staff on September 18, 2018 at the Municipal Treasurer’s Office (MTO) Conference Hall, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. It was attended by four (4) technical staff of MTO, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) and Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino visited the said offices and heard their concerns. MTO will use Qlik in their monthly tax collection progress report presentations. Municipal Treasurer Mr. Ferdinand Lopez and his staff lauded the system for its simplicity and its interactive data visualization. Through this system, the department can also efficiently monitor the office collection and gauge the performance of their respective collectors. BPL Officer Mr. Arthur Bautista and his requested the team to review the ODK forms they created for business permit applications and renewals. The said department intends to integrate ODK to the processing because of its efficiency and practicality. Real Property Tax (RPT) mapping using ODK and Qlik systems was also introduced to the IT staff of MPDO. MPDO Staff Mr. Joey Fungan was thrilled to use the systems. Unfortunately, he can only provide the cadastral map of the LGU at the moment. It was agreed that the Municipal Assessor’s Office will provide the data. The team also assured Mr. Fungan that a separate activity focusing on Real Property Tax mapping using ODK/QLIK will be conducted for the concerned departments.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino visited the Barangays of Kipalbig and Maltana, Tampakan, South Cotabato on September 17, 2018 for the installation of the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS). Mr. Delandrino oriented the Barangay Councils of Tampakan about the LITS during its Barangay New Elected Officials Orientation (BNEO). To replicate the system to the barangays, Mr. Delandrino consulted MLGOO Ms. Heidy A. Agustin to identify the barangays best-suited to adopt the LITS. She identified Brgys. Kipalbig and Maltana, which are strategically closest to the municipal hall. Ms. Agustin coordinated with the punong barangays to inform them about the planned installations of the system.

The project officer went to Brgy. Kipalbig and was assisted by the brgy. secretary and treasurer during the installation. Mr. Delandrino oriented the barangay staff including the barangay councilor who was the officer-of-the-day. It was agreed that the project officer will visit time to time for the system monitoring and troubleshooting. After, he proceeded Brgy. Maltana and installed LITS. He then oriented Punong Barangay Mr. Michael Escobillo and his staff. The barangay council were excited to use the system because it can generate reports. Another date was scheduled for installation nd networking of client stations.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted its weekly meeting for its updating of schedules, preparation for the 4th Joint PIT-PMT Meeting and Annual Review & Planning Workshop and BPR Presentation on September 12, 2018 at MFI Conference Room. It was attended by eight (8) staff members.

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In the afternoon, the technical team underwent a training-of-trainers (ToT) session on Real Property Tax Mapping using Tableau tool. MFI Operations Manager & Project Coordinator Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon taught the team how to platform works and its advantages. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Officers Mr. Byron E. Delandrino & Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao were able to follow the tutorial while Mr. Tubigon explains the significance of the features of Tableau.

RESOURCEGov Phase Project supported the Mindanao Learning Exchange during the 25th MINCODE General Assembly on August 6, 2018 at Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center, Davao City. It was attended by 10 member networks of MINCODE and the EU partner organizations operating in Mindanao. Four simultaneous sessions were conducted focusing on these following topics: 1) #MindanaoYouthTalk: Conversations on Philippine Democracy, Peace and Development; 2) CSO and Governance Engagement: Towards Transparent, Accountable, Participatory and Responsive Governance; 3) Social Enterprises: Supporting People, Planet and Profit; and 4) Family Conversations: Listening Sessions on Survivor-Led Marawi Rehabilitation. After the sessions, the presentor of each learning group shared to the plenary its respective highlights, insights and recommendations.

Mahintana President and CEO, and RESOURCEGov Project Director Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot was the moderator of the Session 2 ― CSO and Governance Engagement: Towards Transparent, Accountable, Participatory and Responsive Governance. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented Topic 1: Revenue Generation and the Use of ICT Programs. He presented RESOURECGov Phase 2 Project, its interventions, positive impact to LGUs and encouraged the organizations to use ODK and Qlik for project monitoring and data gathering and presentation. Mr. Isabelo Julio Cesar L. Benitez, Project Manager for RISE CSO-LGU, talked about Topic 2: Community Organizing and CSO Engagement with Provincial Government. It is a joint project implemented in North Cotabato Province by the AAH (Action Against Hunger) and MINLAND (Mindanao Land Foundation), funded by European Union. The RISE (Reinforcing and Scaling Up Efficient) CSO-LGU Project seeks to create impact through institutionalizing CSO Desk Officer and expanding the role of MLGO to independently organize, mobilize and mainstream CSOs for participatory governance. PHILDHRRA Mindanao Membership Development Officer Mr. Alfredo Y. Latasa gave the third topic: Proposed Policy Reforms and Advocacy Agenda with National Government. He presented Consolidating CSO Networks for Citizens’ Engagement Towards participator and Accountable Governance for Poverty Reduction (CCCE PAG-PR) implemented by PHILDHRRA (Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas) and ANSA-EAP (Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific), and funded by European Union, in 27 MLGUs (9 Provinces) of the Philippines. The project’s objectives include the strengthening of the capacities of local CSOs in development planning, budget advocacy and monitoring & evaluation, and contributing to enhancing further national government policies and programs that seek to promote and sustain transparent, accountable and participatory local governance. After the presentations, the body were given the opportunity to ask clarificatory questions to the presentors. Among the questions were: sustainability of using the ODK and Qlik softwares as project tools for the LGU and interested organizations, government programs for CSOs to engage into and participate, the budget allocation for CSOs to participate in the LGU, and the any move from Mahintana for the ODK and Qlik systems to be implemented nationwide as it is proven to be of great help to the revenue enhancement and project monitoring during its implementation to the 56 LGUs in Mindanao. The presentors, the moderator and LGU partners were able to answer the queries coming from the member networks. The session’s insights and highlights were synthesized by MINLAND Executive Director Mr. Damaso Vertido who will also be the presentor of the session to the plenary.

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As one of the outputs of the planning workshop, RESOURCEGov Project conducted a CSO Assembly Meeting and Orientation scheduled on August 31, 2018. It was attended by 50 (Male 22, Female 28) LGU representatives and CSOs duly registered and identified by DILG Tampakan. The meeting aims to reorganize the CSO Federation in Tampakan by re-electing a new set of officers, discussing the accreditation process and planning the mapping of the accredited CSOs in the municipality. 

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After the preliminaries, Municipal Administrator Ms. Minihaha Escobillo LLB, gave the welcome address congratulating the CSO participants for actively participating in the RESOURCEGov Project activities. Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino presented the objectives of the meeting, as well as, the Mahintana briefer video and the project overview. MLGOO Ms. Heidy A. Agustin discussed about the CSO Accreditation Process and encouraged the body to help the non-accredited CSOs to get accreditation as part of the strengthening of the CSO Federation. Other agenda of the meeting include the following: a) presentation of the activities and programs that CSOs can participate per LGU department representative; b) presentation of the institutionalization of Tampakan Federation of Civil Society Organization (TFCSO) and its functions by the CSO Desk Officer Ms. Roselily T. Joyno; c) election of new set of officers; d) planning of activities per organization; and e) formulation of the federation’s next steps.

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At the end of the meeting, the body agreed the submission of organizational structure per organization, extend assistance to non-accredited CSOs to be registered in the barangay and/or municipality, and to conduct another meeting on October 3, 2018. 

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Newly elected officers of the TFCSO: 
President: Felipe M. Malibago
Vice President: Roy M. Cagas
Secretary:  Roselily T. Joyno
Treasurer:  Ma. Neda Godmaling
Auditor:  Norman Blanca
PIO: Efren A. Villarina
Business Manager: Teodulfo Lumanta
TFCSO Desk Officer: Roselily T. Joyno

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The LGU representatives of Sarangani Province have acquired the free and mobile-based Open Data Kit (ODK) and Qlik Systems thru the European Union-funded RESOURCEGov 2 Project implemented by Mahintana Foundation on August 30-31, 2018 at the Q Citi Park Hotel, General Santos City. ODK and Qlik are free software that can be utilized for efficient project monitoring, data analysis, and trend analysis. Furthermore, it can help in enhancing revenue collection and transparency in governance thru digital profiling/mapping of revenue-generating sources and interactive data visualizations of projects and LGU financial records. Along with the systems, the LGUs also received manuals and underwent orientation and hands-on training. A total of 33 individuals (19 Male, 14 Female) have attended the activity.

The training started with introduction of participants and a brief project orientation by Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager and the resource person of the training. The first day of the activity focused on how to use ODK thru Kobotoolbox. The participants were able to register in the Kobotoolbox, build forms, collect ad aggregate the data. Each LGU presented output using the features of ODK such as the interactive map, flexible table, and customizable chart reports. On the second day, the participants were oriented on Qlik software and how can it be utilized by the various LGUs. They created an account with Qlik and made simple interactive charts and graphs of LGU financial data. After learning the basics of Qlik, the participants made their own Qlik App tailored to the needs of their LGUs.

A. ODK orientation and workshop outputs per LGU:

1. Project Monitoring (LGU Glan)

2. Construction of Kolonbarak Potable Water System, Electrical Permits, Malungon Quick Response Team Profiling, Locational Clearance, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Community Tax Profile (LGU Malungon)

3. Business Profiling, Business Permit Monitoring (LGU Maasim)

4. Building Permit Monitoring, Kiamba Projects (LGU Kiamba)

5. Project Accomplishment Reporting (LGU Alabel)

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 B. Qlik orientation and workshop outputs per LGU

1. Tax Collection, Project Child of Engineering Office, BUB Projects (LGU Malungon)

2. Household Trends Per Barangay, Business Permits, Road Classifications (LGU Kiamba)

3. Real Property Units Assessed vs Market Value (LGU Alabel)

4. CBMS Data Presentation, Household Sanitation, Informal Settlers (LGU Glan)

5. Projects Per Barangay (LGU Maitum)

6. Business Profile (LGU Maasim)

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At the end of the 2-day workshop, the participants shared their experiences in using the systems. They signified that the programs are very useful to various departments of LGUs considering its flexibility in making the questionnaires. Unlike other software being rolled-out to LGUs, they found the systems as very user-friendly and easier backing-up of data. The participants desire to implement the use of the systems in their project monitoring and other office use. With the systems, they expressed that it is easier to present their data and figures with added confidence to their respective local chief executives. It gives them a clearer picture of the situations of their LGUs.

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One of the key agreements during the planning workshop is to conduct a CSO Federation Meeting on August 10, 2018 held at El Galong Waterpark and Garden Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The said meeting is in preparation for the CSO Assembly and was attended by 21 CSO representatives (Male 8, Female 13).

              The activity started with a prayer led by Mr. Jorie Sabal, one of the CSO participants, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino welcomed the participants and a message of support was given by the Mun. Mayor Hon. Antonio B. Fungan, encouraging the CSOs to engage in the implementation of the municipal programs and thanked Mahintana for the RESOURCEGov Project. After the preliminaries, the meeting was presided by COWHED Representative Ms. Nenita Kinan and presented the agenda of the meeting which includes the identification of existing CSOs, election of technical working group (TWG) for the general assembly, the general assembly, and other matters. The body identified 45 existing CSOs including the 2 registered to the DILG Lake Sebu. Mr. Delandrino suggested the profiling of all the identified CSOs through the ODK app. Next, the body conducted an election of the TWG who will be responsible for the preparation of the general assembly. After the election, the suggestions for the agenda of the CSO General Assembly were collated and discussed. During the discussion, LAMFA President Mr. Rodel Companero suggeste the creation of the federation logo while Mr. Sabal volunteered the printing and distribution of the invitations and coordination with the LGU. The body agreed to meet again a week before the General Assembly.

              After the meeting, Mr. Delandrino oriented the technical working group about the Kootoolbox for the profiling of the CSOs in Lake Sebu. The team created an account in the KoboToolbox and downloaded its app. The project officer then discussed the basic form generation and deployment, and collection of data. It was then agreed that Mr. Sabal will generate the form with the help of Mr. Delandrino.  

Results of the Elections of the Federation TWG:

1. President: Ms. Nenita Kinan

2. Vice President: Mr. Jorie Sabal

3. Secretary: Ms. Vanessa Mae Duhig

4. Treasurer: Ms. Marlyn Mamarion

5. PIO: Mr. Vicente Convicto

Agenda for the Upcoming CSO General Assembly on September 28, 2018 at the Municipal Gym:

1. Roles of CSOs – resource person from DILG

2. Profiling of all CSOs present

3. Presentation of the Federation By-Laws, Vision and Mission

4. Election of Federation Officers

5. Signing of Pledge of Commitment

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Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino was invited by Lake Sebu MLGOO Ms. Debbie Grace B. Pendon in the Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) Training-Seminar on August 8 and 11, 2018 at Anchor Hotel, General Santos City to orient the 19 Barangay Councils about the Legislative Information Tracking System. The system was warmly welcomed by the Punong Barangays, thus, it was agreed that the project officer will start the installation of the LITS in the barangays the following week.

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Mr. Delandrino was able to install the LITS in the 6 out of 19 barangays of Lake Sebu on August 14-17, 2018. These are the following barangays: Bgry. Talisay (1 laptop with estimated cost of Php 30,000.00), Brgy. Lahit (1 desktop with estimated cost: P22,000.00),  Brgy. Poblacion (2 units with estimated cost of Php 38,000.00), Brgy. Lamlahak (1 desktop and 1 laptop with an estimated cost of P36,000.00), Brgy. Bacdulong (1 desktop with an estimated cost of Php 16,000.00), and Brgy. Lower Maculan (1 desktop with an estimated cost of Php23,000.00). The project officer also was able to orient and teach the barangay secretaries how to use the LITS. The installation for other barangays are yet to be scheduled.
 

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted monitoring of Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) in LGU Bagumbayan on August 9, 2018 with a total of 9 participants (6 Females/3 Males) including the 2 Project Officers Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao and Mr. Byron E. Delandrino.

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On August 9, 2018 the project team monitored LGU Bagumbayan as one of LGU beneficiaries of the LITS. Mr. Lumbao conducted a courtesy call to the SB Secretary and was introduced by Mr. Delandrino as the new Project Officer assigned for Sultan Kudarat areas. After, Mr. Lumbao checked the specifications of the computers and selected from the SB office staff who will observe the installation of the system. SB Secretary Ms. Mildred M. Villanueva was happy and grateful that the Project Officers visited the LGU. She also expressed that they are excited to use the system down to barangay level. The team were able to install the LITS to two (2) units of newly purchased desktop and two (2) existing desktop computers. The four (4) units have an estimate cost of Php120,000.00. After the installation, Mr. Lumbao convened the staff for quick orientation on how to use the LITS and explained further the basic functionalities of the system. Mr. Delandrino also added that the use of the system was implemented to 56 LGUs covering Regions 11 to 13. Moreover, the SB Secretary together with her staff explored the LITS and added a sample entry to the functionalities.
 

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project rolled out training of open-source applications ODK and Qlik to the DILG and LGUs of South Cotabato on August 6-7, 2018 at Microtel Hotel in General Santos City. The training aims to capacitate the LGUs in maximizing the use of these free software to help enhance their revenue and better manage their resources through efficient monitoring and analytical tools. This activity is the third leg of popularizing the use of the free software in Region 12. Around 48 representatives (27 Male, 21 Female) of DILG and the LGUs of South Cotabato participated in the activity.

The activity started with a welcome remarks and a brief project orientation from Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, the RESOURCEGov2 Project Manager. The training then proceed to an orientation about the ODK and Qlik systems and their significant use in the government operations and transactions. For the first day, the training focused on ODK. The ODK training proper started with an online registration of accounts of the trainees and installation of Kobocollect, an instance of ODK, in their Android smartphones and tablets. The participants then learned about the build, collect, and aggregate data process, a cycle followed when using ODK and applied the concept during their hands-on building of forms, collecting data, and aggregating the data. Mr. Danny Pelias of the Municipal Planning and Development Office of Polomolok, as an active partner of RESOURCEGov 1,  also shared updates of the ODK and Qlik and their use in his municipality during the ODK exercises session. After the training, the participants were able to create forms in ODK using their actual office forms and generated interactive maps out of their mock survey.

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On the second day, Mr. Blanker taught the participants how to use Qlik and how to import data from the results of the ODK. After a brief orientation, the participants were able to create Qlik accounts and generate Qlik apps for their respective offices through a guided tutorial and Qlik exercises. The government representatives expressed that the tools are very useful in the collection of taxes and fees, surveying purposes without any additional personnel, project monitoring, and census among others. Mr. Ruel Tuble, DILG South Cotabato representative, in his closing remarks, committed that the use of ODK and Qlik will be monitored as well by the DILG during its regular monitoring in the LGUs of South Cotabato to ensure that the systems are utilized and gauge its impacts to the LGUs.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted Training on the Other Productive Use of ODK/Qlik systems to LGU President Quirino at Elai Resort, Hotel & Recreation Center, Kidapawan City, on August 2-3, 2018 with a total of 20 participants (10 Female, 10 Male).

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On the first day, Project Officer Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao conducted training on the other productive use of the Open Data Kit system to the participants coming from LGU President Quirino. After the preliminaries, Mr. Lumbao presented the project overview, and ODK overview explaining that the same system was already introduced to the LGU during the 1st phase of the project. The participants were taught how to the build forms, collect data and aggregate the collected date. They were also given time to present their output.The next day, the training started with a recap using the “cabbage roll” game. After, Mr. Lumbao presented the Qlik system. The participants were able to learn how create graphs and charts using the Qlik application. At the end of the 2-day training, the participants expressed their appreciation and assured the project officer that they will use the systems because they saw the advantages of using these systems.

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ODK Output: ODK forms generated by the LGU department:
1.    Project Monitoring Evaluation Form (MPDO) 
2.    Development Projects Monitoring Form (Engineering Office)
3.    RPT Collection Tracker (Municipal Assessor’s Office)
 

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In partnership with DILG 12, the DILG representatives, LGUs and other government agencies of Sultan Kudarat Province underwent ODK and Qlik training at Elai Resort, Kidapawan City on August 1-2, 2018. The training aims to help the government offices in upgrading their systems in project monitoring, survey, mapping, and financial trend analysis with free software such as ODK and Qlik. The activity, conducted through the RESOURCEGov 2 Project also seeks to develop local resource persons in the LGUs by embedding the knowledge of ODK and Qlik within the government. It is also envisioned that with these tools, the LGUs will be able to enhance their revenues, manage their resources better; thus, improve their local service deliveries. Around 46 individuals (26 Male, 20 Female) participated in the activity.

 Mr. Samuel Camaganacan, DILG Sultan Kudarat Province Outcome Manager welcomed the participants and encouraged the representatives from the different LGUs of Sultan Kudarat to use the technical skills acquired from the training to their respective LGUs. RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker facilitated the training which started with a brief orientation of the project. The first day focused on ODK orientation where the participants registered user accounts and learned how to install Kobocollect app, an instance of ODK, in Android tablets and smartphone. The trainees learned ODK through a guided tutorial on how to build forms, collect data, and aggregate the data surveyed using the mobile phones. The participants, having known the flexibility of the ODK features, have enumerated the various possibility of using ODK in their offices.

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On the second day of the training, Qlik was introduced to the participants. The government representatives learned how to register Qlik user accounts, its basic features and how to create applications. They  were able to create apps and generate interactive graphs to analyze the sample statement of receipt and expenditures. After grasping the Qlik process of making apps, the participants were able to generate various apps relevant to their office needs.

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After the training, the participants realized that the ODK and Qlik tools were very useful in many ways like business monitoring, nutrition planning, project monitoring, barangay profiling activities, and LGU services performance evaluations. The trainees have committed to share and apply the tools to their respective government offices. Despite the internet connection issues that delayed some parts of the training such as during creation of accounts and previewing of outputs, the training was a success. The team resolved this challenge by providing pocket Wifi connections and some participants utilized their mobile data connections.

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As the lead implementing organization of the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, the Mahintana Foundation and its implementing partners in Regions 11 and 13 held an organizational meeting vis-a-vis training on ODK, Qlik, and LITS. The capacity building activity aims to update the team about the recent updates of the systems, cascade the knowledge, and develop more resource persons in the partner organizations MINCODE, AADC, PhilDHRRA, and Kasilak Development Foundation. Moreover, the activity also aims to enable the partner organizations to successfully conduct on their own the roll-out of the systems to their assisted communities both including and outside the RESOURCEGov 2 Project sites. At least 18 individuals (6 Male, 12 Female) coming from the partner organizations attended the activity including their executive directors, finance, admin, and project officers. The manager of the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, facilitated the 2-day training.

For the first day, the partners were oriented about ODK and its recent updates including the new user interface and the ability to add layer files in its mapping features. The activity taught the participants how to create an ODK account using the Kobotoolbox as the instance, built forms using the form builder, and collected data using the Android tablets and smartphones. The partner CSOs were able to generate forms useful for MINCODE member networks profiling, flood risk assessment, and project monitoring. On the second day, the participants were oriented about Qlik and were able to install the software in their 64-bit computers while others have utilized the cloud-based version of the software. A tutorial on generating analysis of the sample statement of receipts and expenditures was used when they were taught how to create an application that visualizes the financial trends of the LGUs. During the exercise, the participants have generated an app about the budget distribution of the project and the utilization rate of the budget. After the Qlik training, the project manager conducted a refresher orientation about LITS to the participants.

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RESOURCEGov Project Team conducted the Cascading LITS to Barangay LGUs of President Quirino on July 27, 2018 held at the SB Hall of the Legislative Building of LGU President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. It was attended by 35 participants composed of the SB Secretary and his staff, 17 punong barangays and their secretaries including the 3 staff from Mahintana (Male 21, Female 14).

The SB Secretary Mr. Andrei Vonn Pascua welcomes the punong barangays saying that the RESOURCEGov Project specifically the LITS had helped the Sangguniang Bayan of President Quirino in archiving and keeping the legislative documents in electronic form. He hopes that the BLGUs will be able to install and use it in their respective barangay halls. After, the Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao presented the LITS overview explaining the advantages of having such system in the LGUs. Then, the punong barangay raised a concern because according to him, he is not good in computers, thus, he suggested to have their barangay secretaries called to attend the LITS orientation. Mr. Lumbao explained that he purposely invited just the punong barangays for them to be informed about the LITS and to ask their permission to have the LITS installed in computers available in their barangay halls. Some secretaries came with laptops for LITS to be installed. Mr Lumbao discussed how to install the LITS and let other secretaries have the “feel” of how to use the system. During the orientation, two (2) laptops were installed the LITS, while other barangays helped the officer schedule the LITS installation in their areas. In the afternoon, the project team proceeded to Brgy. Poblacion, President Quirino to install the LITS in their laptop and/or desktop.

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The different department offices of the LGU Lake Sebu of South Cotabato underwent ODK and Qlik training on July 26-27, 2018 at Mountain Eco Resort, Lake Sebu through the support of the European Union-funded RESOURCEGov 2 Project. The training, participated by 25 LGU Lake Sebu representatives (Male 13, Female 12), is aimed towards equipping the LGU with open-source software for productive purposes such as project monitoring, assessments, tax mapping and financial monitoring among others.

Project Officer Mr. Byron Delandrino, assigned in South Cotabato areas, facilitated the training. The activity started with a round of introduction from the participants followed by a welcome message and expectation setting by the Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker. The project overview and Mahintana briefer were also presented to them. Participants were then guided to register accounts to Kobotoolbox and to install the KoboCollect app and successfully connected the app to their user accounts. The participants then learned how to create forms and how to deploy them to the Android smartphones/tablets. A mock survey of the forms was conducted to ensure that the participants complete the cycle of the ODK process---build, collect, aggregate. The participants were able to generate forms tailored to the needs of their respective departments. Some outputs of the training include Lake Water Rental monitoring forms for Mun. Treasurer’s Office, Population Profiling forms for MSWDO, Business Permit Licensing and Renewal forms for BPLO and Project Monitoring forms for MPDO. Each department presented their output to share how ODK can be helpful in their office. The department representatives expressed their appreciation to the free tools and to the project, and are looking forward to utilize it in their offices. Among the challenges experienced during the training is the intermittent internet connection which is believed to be caused by the weather and the service of the internet provider, both beyond control of the project. The team addressed this concern by bringing portable internet hotspot which improved the internet connection in the venue.

On the second day of the training, the participants continued on developing the forms needed for ODK creation. After, Mr. Delandrino oriented the participants about Qlik and how it can be effective in analyzing statement of receipts and expenditures as a sample. After briefing about Qlik, the training proceeded with the registration of Qlik accounts per office. Mr. Delandrino showed the attendees step-by-step on how to make a basic Qlik application involving filter panes and interactive graphs. The participants were then given the time to design their own Qlik app. Among the applications made graphs of Statement and Receipts of Expenditures of Lake Sebu, MSWD Assistance per Barangay and Budget Plan of Lake Sebu by Mun. Budget Office in which the participants realized that data is more appreciated when visually presented. The interactive design of Qlik made it easier to navigate data as needed by the viewer.

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RESOURCEGov Project Team conducted the Training on the Other Productive Use of ODK/Qlik Systems in LGU Lambayong on July 24-26, 2018 at Elai Resort, Hotel and Recreation Center, Kidapawan City. It was participated by 18 representatives from LGU Lambayong and 3 staff from Mahintana (Male 12, Female 9).

On July 24, 2018, the half day activity was dedicated to presentation of the ODK and Qlik Systems overview, registration to Kobotoolbox and Qlik Sense, and download of the KoBoCollect app to their Android phones through Playstore. SB Secretary Ms. Emelinda Abalos gave a short message in behalf of the Municipal Mayor Hon. Ramon Abalos. Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao presented the project overview, Mahintana briefer video and discussion of the advantages of using the ODK and Qlik systems in project and budget monitoring. He also shared that because of the having the highest revenue collection among the eight (8) existing areas during the phase of the project, LGU Lambayong is used as an example to other LGUs.

On the second day, the project officer presented the tutorial on how to “build” forms. At the end of the given time, they were able to present nine (9) forms from different departments namely: Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Form (LDRRM), Project Monitoring Form (MPDO), Employee’s Credentials Form (HRMD), Agreement Requisition Equipment (GSO), Profiling of Day Care Centers of Lambayong (MSWD), Tax Due Form and Tax Declaration System Tracker (Treasury), Building Permit Form (Engineering Office), and Business Permit Form (BPLO). He helped the participants to “get the blank forms” from the Kobotoolbox to the app. After the presentation of the forms, Mr. Lumbao proceeded to the tutorial on how to use the Qlik system. The participants were able to use the Qlik to generate the graphs.

The team and the participants traveled from Kidapawan City to LGU Lambayong for the mock mapping. After lunch break, the participants proceeded to the public market to do mock business tax mapping. The participants were able to gather data of at least 30 businesses and realized how much the LGU loses due to delinquent tax payers.

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In partnership with DILG 12, the DILG representatives, LGUs and other government agencies of Cotabato Province underwent ODK and Qlik training at Elai Resort, Kidapawan City on July 23-24, 2018. The training aims to help the government offices in upgrading their systems in project monitoring, survey, mapping, and financial trend analysis with free software such as ODK and Qlik. The activity, conducted through the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, also seeks to develop local resource persons in the LGUs by embedding the knowledge of ODK and Qlik within the government. At least 48 individuals (27 Male, 21 Female) participated in the activity.

 Mr. Guianodin Abdilah of the DILG Cotabato Province welcomed the participants and expressed its gratitude that after 3 months of planning to conduct the training, it finally happened. RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker facilitated the training. The first day focused on ODK orientation where the participants registered user accounts and learned how to install Kobocollect app, an instance of ODK, and use Android tablets and phones in conducting project monitoring and survey.  The participants, having known the flexibility of the ODK features, have enumerated the various possibility of using ODK in their offices. They have expressed that ODK is a user-friendly app which can be used in mapping disaster risk reduction activities, data gathering of planning offices, zoning applications, geotagging of beneficiaries and houses. Among the features which are useful include form builder, the automatic and interactive maps, inclusion of GPS coordinates in the survey, and adding multiple media in the forms such as pictures, audio, video.

On the second day, Qlik was introduced to the participants. The government representatives were taught how to register Qlik user accounts, its basic features and how to create applications. They  were able to create apps and generate interactive graphs to analyze the sample statement of receipt and expenditures. After grasping the Qlik process of making apps, the participants were able to generate various apps relevant to their office needs. The apps created and presented include the livelihood projects relevant to women, local sources vs population analysis, business permit monitoring, cattle dispersal program, population projection, and high value crops production in Kidawapan City.

Although the activity was successful, there were challenges experienced by the implementing team and the participants. The internet connection was still intermittent for the recent months and this is true to all project areas.

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RESOURCEGov Team represented by Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino conducted the technical working group (TWG) meeting on July 23, 2018 at the MLGOO Conference Hall and was attended by various LGU departments and CSO representatives. This meeting is in preparation for the activity entitled Training on Other Productive Use of ODK and QLIK Systems in the LGU which was proposed to be conducted on July 26 – 27, 2018.  

The objective of the activity is to finalize the venue, number of the participants and identification, thereof. Mr. Delandrino assigned two of the TWG members to coordinate with possible venues in the municipality. Also, the number of participants were increased from 15 to 25. Next, the team agreed that the participants must be IT staff and those who are adept in computers. The criterion for the selection and identification of participants is that he/she should be the one handling the field monitoring/survey and preparation of reports. Afterwards, the team was informed on what the participants should bring during the training, that is, Laptops, android phones or mobile tablets and forms used in their day-to-day operations in their respective departments. Communications as well as activity programs were also provided to the team for them to relay to the identified personnel.

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RESOURCEGov Project Team, including the MINCODE and partners, conducted the 3rd Joint PIT-PMT Meeting on July 20, 2018 at Microtel by Wyndham, General Santos City. It was attended by 43 (Male 21, Female 22) delegates from Regions 11, 12 and 13 comprising the DILG, LGU and the project team and partners.

Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker facilitated the introduction of project staff and acknowledgment of the attendees. He also gave short overview of the project for those attended the meeting for the 1st time. DILG North Cotabato Provincial Director Mr. Ali Abdullah gave the welcome address in behalf of DILG XII Regional Director and thanked Mahintana for the project implementation in partnership with the agency. Also, DILG XI Mr. Joel Accion, in behalf of the Regional Director Mr. Alex Roldan, and MLGOO LGU Remedios T. Romualdez Ms. Mechora Grana, in behalf of DILG XIII Regional Director Ms. Lilibeth Famacion, gave their messages of thanks and commitment to support the project implementation in their respective regions. Mr. Blanker did a run-through of the kits provided. He proceeded presenting the 2nd Joint PIT-PMT Meeting minutes for correction and the reading of the summary of key agreements of the last 3 meetings.

During the lunch break, Brigada News Team came to conduct interviews regarding the project. The event will be featured in the Brigada News NGO Beatline. In the afternoon, 10 out of the 14 partner LGUs were given time to testify about the interventions of RESOURCEGov Project both in its 1st and 2nd phases. The LGU representatives were grateful and hopeful for the successful implementation of the project in their respective municipalities. After, Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the financial updates of the project as of June 2018. Other matters were discussed after.

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RESOURCEGov Project Team was invited to join the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) General Santos City Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) Launch on July 20, 2018 at SP Hall, Legislative Building, General Santos City. The launch was participated by the City Mayor Hon. Ronnel Rivera, the Vice Mayor Hon. Shirlyn l. Bañas-Nograles, the DILG City Director Ms. Rilimin H. Sandoval, the SP members, barangay captains and officials, Mahintana Foundation Inc. represented by RDIP Coordinator/RESOURCEGov Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc, and the media.

Vice Mayor Hon. Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles gave the welcome remarks and the overview of the project. She said that the SP Gensan had worked on having proactive lawmaking processes and services using paperless transactions through electronic copies of ordinances and resolutions, SP Gensan website and live streaming sessions on Youtube. Added to those mentioned is the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) Nook, a customized touchscreen computer unit where anyone can search for any ordinance and resolution. This will be put up in the lobby of the Legislative Building’s entrance. Also, the SP had prepared copies of the resolutions and ordinances of the last 10 years for the 26 barangays of General Santos City and distributed these copies to the barangay representatives. The vice mayor encourages the barangays to use the LITS. Mayor Hon. Ronnel Rivera gave the message saying that the LITS will help them access comprehensive reporting of ordinances and resolutions. DILG City Director Ms. Rilimin H. Sandoval and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn Patoc were given the opportunity to speak in behalf of DILG and Mahintana as the project implementers of the RESOURCEGov Project. In response to the LITS Launch, three (3) stakeholders from barangay LGUs and the student sectors were given the time to say something about this innovation. Ms. Wyselle Role Corea, a Political Science student from Mindanao State University – General Santos City, said that there is a need for constituents to be informed of the laws of the land and that the LITS will be of great help for their research and studies.   Punong Barangay Mr. Rock Eliseo D. Garay and Punong Barangay Mr. Jose Paulo Natividad both said that the LITS will be able to combat the fake news and compilation and access to the legislative documents will be much easier. The ceremonial launching and countdown followed. On behalf of Mahintana and RESOURCEGov, Ms. Patoc received the Certificate of Appreciation from SP General Santos City.

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As part of the Philippine/South Cotabato delegation and being one of the 12 presenters in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local Innovation Exchange, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., represented by Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Operations Manager, participated in the OGP Global Summit 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia on July 16-19, 2018.

The Global Summit was aimed at promoting peer learning, inspiring OGP reformers to raise the level of ambition, and pushing the open government agenda forward to address new challenges and improve the lives of citizens around the world. The Summit was also focused on civic engagement, the fight against corruption, and public service delivery. The Summit Agenda include (1) OGP Local Workshop/Innovation Exchange – Day 1, (2) Civil Society Day/ Government Point of Contact Day/Parliament Meeting – Day 2, (3) Summit Opening Plenary/ Summit Sessions – Day 3, (4) Summit Sessions – Day 4.

The OGP Global Summit was hosted by the Republic of Georgia. At least 2,000 representatives/ delegates from more than 70 countries around the world had gathered in Tbilisi, Georgia to promote their achievements and discuss the challenges in upholding the principles of open government.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted a User’s training on Other Productive Use of ODK, QLIK with 30 identified participants (Male 13, Female 17) from LGU Maasim on July 18-19, 2018 at East Asia Royale Hotel, General Santos City. The activity was attended by the various department IT staff and monitoring team of the municipality.

The activity started at around 9:10 in the morning with a prayer led by one of the participants and followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. LGU Maasim’s Executive Secretary Mr. Apollo Novicio acknowledged the participants as well as introduced the project officers of RESOURCEGov. Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino gave the welcome address in behalf of the Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker thanking the support of the LGU in the project implementation. The team presented the Mahintana briefer video and project overview. ODK hands-on training started grouping the participants per department. Registration to Kobotoolbox, downloading of the KoBoCollect app and creation of forms were conducted. For testing of the generated form per department, the participants conducted the on-site mock mapping with co-attendees as respondents.

On the second day, hands-on on Qlik System was conducted. Mr. Delandrino conducted a recap of the other day’s learnings. Then, the participants were instructed to download and install Qlik Sense in 64-bit laptop and how to open an account in Qlik Sense. After the tutorials on how to create and generate apps in Qlik Sense and add data, the participants were given time to upload their own raw data, visualization of financial data and generate reports, and to present per group. After the presentation, the team agreed to finalize their ODK and QLIK forms per Department and these will be checked by Mr. Apollo Novicio.

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RESOURCEGov Project Team conducted the Training on the Other Productive Use of ODK/Qlik Systems in LGU Aleosan on July 11-13, 2018 at Kakubo Gardens and Pension, Midsayap, North Cotabato. It was attended by 19 participants (Male 11, Female 8) composed of representatives from various departments of LGU Aleosan and the project team staff.

The 1st day of the 3-day training was focused on the Open Data Kit system. Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc presented the rationale of the training and ODK/Qlik overview. After which, Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao presented the step-by-step process of the ODK registration, app installation and the making of forms. He discussed the features of the ODK and its advantages. At the end of the day, they were able to register their departments to the Kobotoolbox online, downloaded and installed the KoBoCollect app in their Android tablets and phones, and explored the features of ODK by “building” forms. On the second day, the project officer presented the Qlik and its uses. Mr. Lumbao gave the participants the time to explore the Qlik and input data in their department accounts. In the afternoon, the participants presented their output to the group. At the end of the day, they were able to register a Qlik account online, input data and use the features of Qlik. Before the session ended, the representative of the municipal mayor Mr. Renato Gilera said that in behalf of LGU Aleosan and Mayor Sorupia, the RESOURCEGov Project is very helpful to the LGUs, and he hopes for its successful implementation.

On July 13, 2018, the project team traveled to LGU Aleosan for the mock mapping of businesses using the ODK. The participants convened in the Office of the Mayor for a short orientation on what to do and what form to use. The team and the participants proceeded to the Aleosan public market to do the business permit mapping. Since the only one form was used, the participants were able to map and input at least 30 businesses. Most of these business owners/representatives said that they don’t have business permits yet because they are new. The participants realized the loss in the local revenue due to these unregistered businesses and appreciated the ODK-based tax mapping more including its ability to locate the business because of its GPS point feature. As a result, they are very willing to use ODK in the business tax mapping, project monitoring, and other uses that will serve the LGU best.

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The European Union-funded RESOURCEGov 2 Project assisted the LGU RTR (Agusan del Norte) and LGU Tago (Surigao del Sur) for the conduct of the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS), a tool designed to collect and generate relevant citizens’ feedback on local governments’ service delivery performance and on the citizens’ general satisfaction. The LGUs find the CSIS as an important tool in gauging the citizen’s awareness, availment, satisfaction, and perception of importance of the services provided by LGUs. For LGU RTR, a total of 20 participants (11 Male; 9 Female) including the implementing team have been oriented about CSIS on July 11, 2018. For LGU Tago, a total of 15 participants have attended on July 17, 2018 and same orientation was given. Both LGUs were supportive of the activity and have sent representatives to learn about CSIS to ensure that the knowledge and skills of conducting it will be sustained by the LGUs in the future.

The participants were oriented about the purpose of the CSIS and the different service areas of the LGUs. The enumerators of the CSIS, coming from the academes & CSOs, were taught how to use multi-stage probability sampling in getting the appropriate respondents of the survey and also how to properly conduct the survey. The project provided survey kits to the enumerators to ensure smooth conduct of CSIS. Using Android tablets and the Open Data Kit software, the survey was digitally conducted from July 12 onwards for RTR, and July 18 onwards for Tago; thus, a faster time to consolidate all the data collected. Some of the challenges encountered during the survey was the occurrence of heavy rains which delayed the deployment of the enumerators and loss of GPS signal due to bad weather. The implementation team addressed the issues through agreement of schedules with the enumerators and noting the locations of the survey manually. It is expected that after the survey, a Community Priority Action Plan (CPAP) will be formulated which can be used as reference of the LGUs in creating/updating of their local development plans, executive legislative agenda, and annual investment plans among others.

The RESOURCEGov 2 Project in LGUs RTR and Tago are implemented in partnership with the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA), a member network of the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE).

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RESOURCEGov Project Team visited LGU Banisilan for the installation of the LITS in the SB Office on July 10, 2018. It was the same day as the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, thus, the team was able to present the LITS overview during the session. It was attended by 15 participants (Male 11, Female 4).

Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn Patoc was welcomed by the SB Secretary Mr. Relly Deocampo and his staff. The SB secretary said that the SB members are having their regular session and were expecting the RESOURCEGov team. Mr. Lumbao presented to the body the LITS Overview and the benefits of using the system. He also said that the sessions may become paperless because of instead of printing many pages of legislative files to review, they can just actually project it on the screen during the session. A question was raised by SB Member Mr. Julius M. Valdez regarding the counterpart of the LGU whenever they will adopt the LITS. Mr. Lumbao answered that the LGU will provide the hardware units of the computer, not necessarily new, because the project can only give the system and the technical assistance to the LGU partners. The project officer also informed the body about the upcoming ODK and Qlik systems Training for North Cotabato LGUs on July 23-24, 2018. After the orientation, the project officer proceeded to install the LITS to the available computer unit. He also taught the SB Secretary Staff Mr. Julius Peter Dominado how to use the features and the functionalities of LITS.

The team also went to LGU Alamada to install the LITS, Unfortunately, the computer unit to be used solely for the system is not yet available. They have already procured it, and they are expecting it to be delivered on the last week of July. The SB staff told the team to update them during the arrival of the unit.

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To help the project staff of Mahintana in project monitoring and data gathering, the RESOURCEGov Team conducted a brief training on ODK and Qlik Systems on July 9, 2018 at MFI conference room. There were 13 participants (Male 8, Female 5).

The activity was conducted after the weekly staff meeting of the team, and is a training for the RESOURCEGov technical staff to know how to roll-out the training themselves including the facilitation and assistance to the participants. However, due to poor internet connection, the participants were just able to use only one (1) laptop to generate a form based on the tutorial. At the end of the day, the RESOURCEGov technical staff was able to learn how to do the facilitation for the ODK and Qlik Systems Training.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted Cascading of Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) to Barangay LGUs of Libungan and Aleosan on July 5-6, 2018 held at the SB Hall of LGU Libungan and Rooftop of LGU Aleosan, respectively. It was attended by a total of 65 participants (Male 37, Female 28). Project Officers Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao and Mr. Byron E. Delandrino facilitated the activities with the goal to introduce LITS to the punong barangays and secretaries.

On July 5, 2018, the LGU of Libungan was first to be oriented on the use of LITS to barangay level. Libungan SB Secretary Mr. Jay R. Sanchez gave message to the participants saying that he is very thankful to Mahintana because of its partnership to the LGUs, and now the foundation also wanted to share their services down to barangay level. He added that everyone would benefit in the fulfilment of its goal to help the legislative process in remote barangays. The next day, the team conducted the same activity in LGU Aleosan, North Cotabato. Municipal Mayor Hon. Vicente C. Suropia, Jr. gave the message to the participants. He said that he is grateful to the partnership of Mahintana with LGU Aleosan and he emphasized that he will support the organization’s interventions in the LGU. Hence, he encouraged that each barangay to take part in the activity because they will enhance their skills and gain knowledge through participation.

The punong barangays of LGUs of Libungan and Aleosan approved of the adoption of the LITS in their respective barangays, however, most of them will have to procure computer sets to be used for the system.

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The RESOURCEGov Team, spearheaded by the Kasilak Development Foundation, conducted a joint orientation about the CSIS to LGUs Tagbina and Barobo of Surigao del Sur on June 4, 2018 at Curato’s Place, Barobo, Surigao del Sur. CSIS is a planning and research tool designed to collect and generate relevant citizens’ feedback on local governments’ service delivery performance and on the citizens’ general satisfaction. A total of 42 participants (18 Male; 24 Female) including the implementing team joined the activity.

Mr. Samuel Ursales, Executive Assistant of LGU Tagbina, welcomed the participants as the training venue was hosted in their LGU. In his message, it was the first time the system was introduced and they were eager to learn more about it knowing the usefulness of the previous systems rolled out (ODK, Qlik, LITS) their municipalities. Kasilak Development Executive Director Mr. Joemi Montebon was also present and expressed his support to the activity. During the program proper, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager, conducted the orientation about CSIS including the overview of methodologies of implementing the surveys. In addition, he also shared and discussed about the CSIS scorecards which is the final output when conducting CSIS covering the four sections—awareness, availment, assessment, and need for action. The participating LGUs appreciated the system and expressed its interest to conduct it since it will allow them to gauge the feedback/satisfaction of the constituents that can be used as a grounded reference in planning. Furthermore, it can also be used to evaluate the services provided by the local government and come up with necessary actions to address low index score areas. After the orientation, the LGUs had an action-planning for their next schedule of activities which includes actual CSIS survey and mapping. Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Ms. Jane Moreno concluded the activity by expressing her gratitude to the project and to the donors and implementing team in behalf of the municipalities for rolling out CSIS.

The CSIS is a tool cascaded by the DILG as stated in the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2012-13 and also forms part of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 2013-2016 in which a national satisfaction index is desired as a common measuring tool of efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, integrity,        transparency and accountability of government agencies in the delivery of public services. To date, at least 142 cities have conducted CSIS thru DILG and this is being replicated by the project to the 14 municipalities assisted by the RESOURCEGov 2 Project in Regions 11, 12, and 13.

RESOURCEGov Project Team visited the SB Offices to do the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) monitoring in LGU Kalamansig and LGU Lebak of Sultan Kudarat Province on July 3 and 4, 2018, respectively. In addition, the project team presented the other interventions of RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project, as well as, the other projects and programs of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. as part of networking and linkaging in the said municipalities. The team was spearheaded by the Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Mahintana’s President and CEO and Project Director, and was joined by other Mahintana project managers. There were 29 (Male 12, Female 17) participants from LGU Kalamansig and 19 (Male 15, Female 4) participants from LGU Lebak.

On July 3, 2017, the team conducted courtesy call to Mun. Mayor Hon. Ronan Eugene Garcia and his department head. The mayor welcomed the Mahintana team and gave a brief message about Kalamansig and the reason of the meeting. Mr. Magdolot introduced the team members and showed the Mahintana briefer video for the participants to know about organization. After, Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the RESOURCEGov 2 interventions esp. the ODK-based tax mapping and project monitoring. Mr. Blanker announced that there is an upcoming ODK/Qlik Training province-wide for Sultan Kudarat LGUs on August 1-2, 2018.  The mayor is interested with the technical assistance that he scheduled a separate ODK/Qlik Training for LGU Kalamansig department heads on August 8-9, 2018. After which, Ms. Yvonne L. Templonuevo, the Project Coordinator of Nutripan BREAD Project of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. and Ms. Margie S. Managuit, Project Manager of HEALTH Plus, presented their projects. Hon. Mayor Garcia expressed his interest in the mentioned projects especially with the ODK and Qlik as tools for monitoring. Mr. Blanker also presented the monitoring tools to the On the other hand, Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao checked the SB Office for its use of the LITS. The SB Secretary Mr. Christopher Norbe said that there were already 200 resolutions and 100 ordinances that were uploaded to the LITS. After the LITS monitoring, Project Documenter Lorielyn P. Patoc and Mr. Lumbao conducted a courtesy call to the vice mayor.

The next day, the team went to LGU Lebak to monitor the usage of LITS and to meet with the Vice Mayor, some SB members, the department heads and staff for the RESOURCEGov, Nutripan BREAD and HEALTH Plus Projects of Mahintana Foundation, Inc.  In behalf of Mun. Mayor Hon. Deonesio B. Besana, Hon. Vice Mayor Gerardo Delasan welcomed the team. After the presentations, the Executive Secretary called for the team for a short meeting in his office to discuss about the possible partnership and financial counterpart of the municipality in the projects. As for the LITS monitoring, Mr. Lumbao was able to reinstall the LITS to a reformatted computer unit and install the system to a newly purchased laptop bought for the purpose of bringing and cascading LITS to the barangay LGUs. There were already a total of 3,800 resolutions and 100 ordinances uploaded in the system.

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On June 29, 2018, RESOURCEGov Phase 2 team conducted planning workshop with MLGU Lake Sebu for the next steps/plans of the remaining budget for year one activities and follow-through monitoring on the other productive use of ODK/Qlik systems in Lake Sebu MLGOO Conference Hall. The activity was attended by various department heads and CSO representatives of the municipality with a total of 29 participants (Male 13, Female 16).

After the invocation and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, the participants introduced themselves and their representation. RESOURCEGov Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino gave the welcome address. He thanked the LGU as well as the CSOs for the support they have given since the initial phase of the project, without the success of which RESOURCEGov Phase 2 would not be possible. At the same time, he congratulated the participants for the next three years of fruitful partnership. In response, Mr. Zaldy Artacho of OMAG stated that the LGU is very grateful as the project still selected the LGU as one of the beneficiaries of the project. He added that any good interventions coming from NGAs and NGOs are very much welcomed by the LGU. Lastly, he declared that the RESOURCEGov project will have all the support and assistance of the LGU to make the Phase 2 of the Project successful as the initial phase. At the end of the planning workshop, the LGU and CSO representatives were able to come up with tentative dates and proposed activities.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team conducted planning workshop with LGU Maasim for the next steps and schedules of activities for Year One of project implementation on June 27, 2018 held at Maasim Conference Hall, Maasim, Sarangani Province. It was attended by 28 participants (Male 15, Female 13) including the LCE, various Department Heads and CSO representatives. The goal of the workshop is to engage the LGU in the planning and a measure of the awareness of the LGU partnership in the implementation of the project in Maasim.

Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker gave the welcome address acknowledging the overwhelming support shown by the LGU, the success of the 1st phase of the project and welcomed the partnership with LGU Maasim for the next three (3) more years. As a response message, Municipal Mayor Hon. Uttoh Salem Cutan said that the partnership with Mahintana and RESOURCEGov Phase 1 had greatly helped them in their revenue generation especially with the rafting of the updated Revenue Code and RS-BPLS. He added that the participation of CSOs is very important to the LGU, thus, he challenged the CSOs to be better versions of themselves to strengthen their partnership. Lastly, Mayor Cutan extended his gratitude to the President and CEO of Mahintana Foundation Inc. Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot for always supporting the Municipality of Maasim. After the preliminaries, the team presented a short video presentation of the Mahintana Foundation Inc. to familiarize the partners about the foundation and afterwards the project officer presented the RESOURCEGov Project overview, its interventions, and the objectives of the planning workshop. The participants were given worksheet and time to convene. At the end of the planning workshop, the LGU and CSOs were able to present activities and schedules for the rest of year one project implementation.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team attended the Lambayong Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) General Assembly on June 27, 2017 at Training Center, Municipal Hall, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. It was attended by 147 participants (Male 78, Female 69) from the CSOs of Lambayong and guests like the Municipal Mayor and his staff, MLGOO, DILG and Department of Agriculture representatives, and the newly elected and incumbent barangay captains. The activity is part of strengthening the CSOs and empowering them to participate to the LGU.

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The General Assembly was facilitated by the CSO Desk Focal Person Ms. Jomarie Caniedo and CSO Federation President Ms. Prescilla B. Baldonado gave the opening remarks. Also, messages from the Hon. Mayor Ramon Abalos and the MLGOO Mr. Ricii Exiomo were awaited. The mayor said, “Lahat tayo may pagkukulang, wag nating palakihin ang pagkukulang natin. Bagkus, paliitin natin ang pagkukulang natin. Ating palakihin ang pagtulong natin sa mga barangay, at sa communities natin. [We all have our weaknesses, but we don’t have to magnify those weaknesses. Instead, we have to not focus on them.  We have to magnify what we can do to help our barangays and our communities.]” As part of the agenda, the CSO Strengthening Orientation was presented by the DILG Community Development Officer II Mr. Bernardo Taperla, Jr. including the legal basis of the participation of the CSOs in the local special bodies and the CSO Accreditation Process. Then, the updates for Department of Agriculture was presented by Agricultural Technologist/P4MP Coordinator Mr. Dennis Sagabaen. He said that the DA can lend accredited farmer associations for their startup. An open forum followed, and was facilitated by the CSO Federation President. Ms. Prescilla Baldonado. After the questions were answered, the closing remarks was given by Mr. Jaime Baldonado, Committee Chair on Accreditation.

RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team conducted the planning workshops with the LGU heads for the next steps/plans and follow-through monitoring on the other productive use of ODK/Qlik Systems to LGU President Quirino at the SB Hall, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat  and LGU Lambayong at the Conference Hall,  Mayor’s Office, Lambayong Sultan Kudarat on June 26 and June 27, 2018, respectively. The meeting was attended by the LGU department heads and their representatives with 29 participants (Male 16, Female 13) in LGU Pres. Quirino and 32 participants (Male 14, Female 18) in LGU Lambayong.

Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn Patoc and Project Officer Mr.  Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao facilitated the workshops in LGUs Pres. Quirino and Lambayong, respectively, while Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot discussed the breakdown of budget to give the LGU representatives idea on what activities to plan ahead. At the end of the planning workshops, each LGU and CSO federation were able to come up with their desired schedule of activities in line with the proposed budget and presented the plan to the body.

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The RESOURCEGov Project team, spearheaded by MINCODE and its network member Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao (AADC), conducted the LITS orientation to the Sanggunian members and staff of LGU Maragusan, Compostela Valley on June 25, 2018. A total of 22 participants (12 Male, 10 Female) from the said office and project team participated and it was followed by an actual installation of the system.

The project team did a courtesy visit to the Hon. Maricel Colina-Vendiola, municipal mayor of Maragusan, and updated about the recent accomplishments of the project. The training started after the regular SB Session where Ms. Cherrylyn Dapiton, AADC Project Officer briefed the SB members and staff about the activity. After a quick round of introductions of the participants, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager explained the rationale of the project and its targets. Since the group was not familiar about Mahintana, he played the orientation video of the foundation which helped them understand what the organization is all about. The orientation proper followed which highlighted the common problems in the Sanggunian in terms of legislative document tracking in their offices—archiving issues, retrieval problems, and expensive to acquire system—and the benefits of adopting the LITS. Mr. Blanker also demonstrated the various functions and features of LITS which roused the interest of the Sanggunian office to include the barangay LGUs in implementing the system. Moreover, the Sanggunian office also expressed its desire to develop the capacity of its staff as training officers in rolling out the LITS to their barangays and other nearby LGUs. After the successful installation of the system conducted together with the SB IT Staff, the LGU thanked European Union and partners for funding and implementing the project in their LGUs.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team and partners conducted the 2nd PIT Meeting for Region 12 on June 21, 2018 at Sitio Maupot Family Resort, Magpet, Cotabato Province. It was attended by 20 participants (Male 16, Female 4) from the project team, DILG and LGU representatives of the eight (8) existing areas in the said regions. 

The meeting was facilitated by Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker. After a round of introduction of each attendee, Mahintana President & CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot and DILG Cotabato Provincial Director Mr. Ali Abdullah welcome the participants to the meeting.   After, Mr. Blanker facilitated the reading and correction of the previous minutes (1st Joint PIT-PMT Meeting for Region 12 Areas and 2nd Joint PIT-PMT Meeting).   Mr. Magdolot updated the body regarding the SOLARES project and the EU financial audit to the RESOURCEGov Phase 1 Project.  Then, Mr. Blanker read the Key Agreements during the 2nd Joint PIT-PMT Meeting and updated the body per line item. He also presented the project accomplishment s and updates for the November 2017 to May 2018.  Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the approved budget and discussed the budget allocation, expenses incurred during the implementation and the projections for the incoming activities. For other updates, Mr. Magdolot announced that EU has commissioned Publicus Asia to document EU Projects and asked apology for the postponement of the visits to the eight (8) partner LGUs. The visits are deferred until the finalized schedule to be set by EU. Mr. Blanker read the final key agreements of the meeting.

RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino visited the Municipality of Lake Sebu for the scheduling of planning workshop for the other productive use of ODK and QLIK Systems. The project team paid a visit to the Office of the Municipal Administrator to coordinate regarding the schedule of activities of the project. During the consultation, the group decided to set the date of the planning workshop on June 29, 2018. Participants for the said activity were also identified and the delivery of invitation letter was resolved. RESOURCEGov Team explained the nature of the activity as a consultation workshop with the department heads and CSO representatives for the utilization of the remaining budget per activity item. The decision to identify proposed activities was given to the LGU and CSO participants so that partner LGU will have the sense of ownership and accountability in the project implementation, and to identify their organizations’ concerns in line with the interventions of the RESOURCEGov. Mr. Blanker also initially discussed other governance-related activities such as visibility programs, networking and linkaging, and project monitoring and evaluation activities which will also be presented during the planning workshop activity.

Afterwards, the team monitored the billboards for visibility actions of the 1st phase of RESOUCEGov Project in the Municipalities of Lake Sebu and Tampakan.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team conducted Planning/Workshop with MLGU Department Heads for the next steps/plans and follow-through monitoring on the other productive use of ODK/Qlik system in LGU Libungan at Ka Kubo Garden Resort and Restaurant, Midsayap, North Cotabato and in LGU Aleosan at Hill Park Inn, Midsayap, North Cotabato on June 14, 2018. The meetings were attended by 27 participants (Male 16, Female 11) for LGU Libungan and 31 participants (Male 11, Female 20) for LGU Aleosan.

The meeting for the LGU Libungan was participated by the Municipal Vice Mayor/Acting Mayor, Hon. Rolando B. Pader, M.D., Municipal Administrator Ruben A. Espabo, MLGOO Ms. Emilia S. Dandoy, and other department heads and representative CSOs. The mayor gave a message saying that he is so thankful that the partnership with Mahintana helped them grow their LGU through providing useful software programs to cater some of their needs. He added that everyone should be involved and that he will support activities that will enhance the skills and knowledge of the staff. Project Officer Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao presented the the project overview and the rationale of the activity and Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the financial updates. Also, as part of the meeting’s agenda, MPDO Mr. Renante L. Ponce, EnP presided the election of new sets of CSO officers. After which, the each officer gave a short message. The LGU committed their support to the project.

In the afternoon, the team met with the department heads of LGU Aleosan headed by Municipal Administrator Mr. Miguel Estrobillo in behalf of the Municipal Mayor Hon. Vicente C. Sorupia, Jr. Municipal Assessor Mr. Jerome Orillosa and Municipal Treasurer Mr. Jaime J. Alemania gave welcome messages. Mr. Orillosa said that throughout the years the partnership with Mahintana, the projects had been very helpful and they are still looking forward for the other uses of the ODK and Qlik. Mr. Estrobillo thanked Mahintana for a very productive partnership. Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino presented the overview of the project and Project Bookkeeper Jason Inot discussed the budget for the LGU. After presenting their activities and tentative schedules, the LGU heads thanked the project team and committed their support to the project.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team and partners conducted the 2nd PIT Meeting for Regions 11 and 13 on June 14, 2018 at Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City. It was attended by 35 participants (Male 12, Female 23) from the project team, project partners, MLGOOs and LGU representatives of the six (6)    expansion areas in the said regions. 

The meeting was facilitated by Project Officer Ms. Myra Macla.   MINCODE BOT Director welcomed the participants while MINCODE Executive Director-and-Project Coordinator Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin   facilitated the reading of the business arising and key agreements of the previous meetings. Each project partner presented the project updates    for the 2nd quarter. Project Officer ms. Cherrylyn Dapiton reported for  Agri-Aqua Development Corp., and Project Officer  Ms. Llenie Grace Cebuala for Kasilak  Development Foundation Inc., Regional Coordinator Mr. Glenn Bais for PhilDHRAA, and  Ms. Macla for  the  MINCODE Secretariat updates.  Project Manager Mr.  Roel Ian P. Blanker also updated the body that the project had already hit 45% of its overall target for Year 1. Project Bookkeeper Ms. Jessica Teves presented the budget performance report of MINCODE and partners including the counterpart of the partners.  Ms. Anayatin invited the body to join the Mindanao Partners Forum.   Before the meeting ended, the body synchronized the schedules regarding the upcoming activities.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Project Team conducted the ODK/Qlik Systems Training and Installation for LGUs New Bataan and Maragusan, Compostela Valley at Mindanao P.O. Complex, Maa, Davao City on June 5-6, 2018.  The training was participated by 24 participants (Male 23, Female 11) including the project team. The mock ODK-based business mapping/surveys were conducted in LGU New Bataan and LGU Maragusan on June 7 and 8, 2018, respectively. 

LGU New Bataan and LGU Maragusan underwent workshop-training of the Open Data Kit (ODK) on June 5, 2018 were the participants learned how to do the 3-step process: Build, Collect and Aggregate. Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker guided the LGU representatives and discussed the features of creating forms while participants do hands-on in making the forms using different ‘questions’. The participants were allowed to go out the venue to “collect” data with GPS coordinates. After, they submitted the answered forms as “Aggregate”. At the end of the day, the participants were able to learn how to: register an account to Kobotoolbox, download and install the Kobotoolbox app, build forms, collect data, and aggregate the collected data. Mr. Blanker also added that they can share the forms and results to other departments who can either only view, modify, or add data, if they enable access to such data.

The next day, the participants were trained on Qlik, including registering to the Qlik Sense website and how to upload data to the Qlik system. Mr. Blanker showed samples of how Mahintana use such system for its projects particularly the Health Plus Project. In the afternoon, the participants were asked to present their LGUs’ Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SREs) from years 2015 to 2017 using Qlik. After, Project Officer-AADC Ms. Cherrylyn Dapiton facilitated the 2-day training evaluation. Mr. Fernando Bautista, Municipal Treasurer of Maragusan, said “Though, we were not able to absorb everything in the training, we are sure that the ODK and Qlik systems are very useful in our LGUs. There must be periodic “clinic-ing” or checking of the systems to ensure that the data uploaded are updated and not lost. The project is very good.” LGU New Bataan Municipal Assessor Mr. Lyle Cubonoc said “As department heads, we can giveour support to the staff who will be assigned to man the systems. We are going to lobby for the gadgets and IT personnel to the mayor and will work hard for them to utilize the free tools.”

The project team traveled to LGU New Bataan on June 7, 2018 and to LGU Maragusan to do the mock surveys using their existing business tax, project monitoring and locational clearance forms. The participants were able to interview business owners, collect and aggregate the data, and presented the results in the post-survey sessions. Each LGU was able to agree on their next steps regarding the ODK and Qlik systems utilization.

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Project Officers Mr. Byron E. Delandrino and Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao visited the Municipality of T’boli for the monitoring and troubleshooting of the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) on May 29, 2018.

The LITS was already installed during the visit on February 6, 2018. Since then, the staff using the system already encoded resolutions, ordinances and minutes to the system. As of the present date, the SB Secretary staff encoded around 150 ordinances ranging from years 1991 to 2017 and 221 resolutions from 2015 to 2017. However, some of entries cannot be searched using the LITS search tool. The LGU requested for the RESOURCEGov project officers to look into the problem. The officers found out the following: a) most of the encoded entries were only drafts and necessary data for search feature were not provided; and b) the files attached were JPEG instead of PDF format (the system supports only PDF format files). The project officers then updated the OS of the database servers, backed up the encoded data and loaded it to the new database, client stations were reconnected to the new server, and taught the staff how to save drafts using indexing for those entries that are still in the first reading. After converting of the JPEG files to PDF format, the team tested and successfully searched the entries.

At the end of the monitoring and troubleshooting activity, it was agreed that all attached JPEG files should be replaced with PDF format. Also, to start completing the necessary data to draft entries for the features of the system to work. Thirdly, to present the LITS and the accomplished encoded entries during the regular or special session of the Sanggunian.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Team conducted CSO Participation to Local Budget Process and CSO Desk Strengthening/CSO Accreditation Training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Municipalities of Maasim and Malapatan, Saranggani Province on May 24-25, 2018 at Mt. Sabrina Panoramic View and Resort Incorporated, Tambler, General Santos City. It was joined by 57 participants (Male 36, Female 20) including the 4 team members.

This is the last leg of the series of two-day trainings to capacitate the CSOs to actively participate to the local budget process and the accreditation process. During the introduction, when Ms. Marie Nisa Suib introduced herself she raised a tag line of Malapatan like when she said “Malapatan” her co-participants from the municipality answered “Mapia Gid!” and same with Ms. Josephine Solidad, their tagline was “Maasenso Maasim”. Both municipalities are aware of the CSOs’ participation because almost of the CSOs are accredited and invited by Mahintana in Phase 1. Ms. Lala Lumatao, representative of the budget officer of LGU Maasim, inspired everyone to support the project. LGOO IV Mr. Ian Jon Clemente was the resource speaker for the Accreditation Process and Atty. Libertine Cagang discussed the Participation of CSOs to the Local Budget Process. In the course of discussion, questions were raised regarding the appropriation of the budget.  The CSOs were given time to convene and discuss about their next steps. Both CSO networks requested for Lakbay Aral as learning exchange between the two (2) municipalities.

RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Team conducted CSO Participation to Local Budget Process and CSO Desk Strengthening/CSO Accreditation Training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Aleosan and Libungan, North Cotabato on May 21-22, 2018 at Elai Resort, Hotel and Recreation Center, Kidapawan City. It was joined by 47 participants (Male 26, Female 20) including the five (5) team members.

The two-day training is one of the five (5) interventions of the phase 2 of the project. It aims to capacitate the civil society organizations on how to participate to the local budget process and increase their knowledge about CSO accreditation process. Resource speakers invited were Mr. Ian Jon Clemente, LGOO VI from DILG and Atty. Libertine Cagang, ARD of DBM. Open forums were conducted during and after the discussion of the topics, thus, clarifications and questions were made regarding the said topics. Half of the participants were the same CSOs tapped in the 1st phase of the project, thus, most of them are aware of their participation to the local budget process. Also, they were able to answer the questions during the recap of the previous topic. The CSOs were also given time to convene for their next steps including the technical assistance they need for capacity development. Mr. Honorio Dillbert Ducao, III, Budget Officer from Libungan, expressed his gratitude to the project and encouraged the CSOs to apply the learnings, as well as, to strengthen their participation to their LGUs.

Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian Blanker and Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von Lumbao also paid a visit to the office of DILG Provincial Director Mr. Ali Abdullah for updating of project implementation in the Province of North Cotabato.

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Mahintana Foundation, Inc., in behalf of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of South Cotabato, invited the cooperatives in the area and the representatives from LGU departments particularly the Municipal Treasurer’s Office and BPLO to attend the Dangal ng South Cotabato Enterprise Integrity Award Orientation on May 18, 2018 at MFI Conference Rooms. It was attended by the 18 participants (Male 9, Female 9).

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Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon gave message of thanks to the cooperatives who came. Then, Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot gave the welcome remarks and presented a short overview the Dangal ng South Cotabato: Enterprise Integrity Award 2018 as a mechanism of South Cotabato Integrity Circle (SCIC), a tri-part arrangement program comprised of CSOs, business sector and the government. The Enterprise Integrity Award is the initiative of Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes while the SCIC was initiated by European Chamber of Commerce in the Phils. PPDO staff Mr. Stephen Jake Peñales introduced the Enterprise Integrity Award and Ms. Rhea Conente discussed the guidelines and procedures of the Enterprise Integrity Award.

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The Dangal ng South Cotabato: Enterprise Award is a mechanism in pursuit of good governance that aims to promote and encourage integrity by giving due recognition, honor and wards to the different private business enterprises in the province that have successfully implemented strategies and mechanisms to promote integrity in the conduct of their business. It is open to all business establishments in South Cotabato and shall only be applicable to profit-oriented companies and thus, excludes the non-profit CSOs, NGAs and LGUs.

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In celebration of the Europe Day, the EU Delegation to the Philippines invited Mahintana Foundation to grace the said occasion along with other EU partner organization and beneficiaries on May 9, 2018 at Dusit Thani Manila, Philippines. Mahintana, represented by its President and CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot along with his staff Ms. Wilma C. Jumilla, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, and Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker attended the event. The night served as an avenue to meet people of diverse backgrounds and of different organizations. It was an opportunity for the staff to get to know other EU partners and establish linkages as it was participated by national government officials, EU representatives, and active civic society organizations.

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The event is a celebration of the long partnership of EU and the Philippines dubbed as Viva Europa 2018, a socializing activity highlighting the shared culture and values of Europeans and the Filipinos. “Europe is about values, literature, music, art, political ideas, sciences, equality, about giving friends around the world the opportunities to create happier, better, more joyful lives for themselves and the generation to come,” EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said during his welcome speech at the reception. Mr. Manuel Teehankee, the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary of the Philippines led the toast of the celebration. An Award of Distinction was also given to Mr. F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature, for strengthening cultural links of EU and the country.

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As NGO partner of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local Program, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., represented by Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Operations Manager, participated in the OGP Week on May 8-9, 2018 at DBM Multipurpose Hall, Manila. "OGP Going Local: Bringing Government Closer to the Citizens" was the theme of the event. The event was aimed at showcasing successful localization efforts on open governance and transparency initiatives of government at the national and local government level and co-creating new OGP sub-national commitments for the next OGP action plan development cycle.

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This nationwide activity was co-organized by the DBM (OGP Secretariat), PCOO, DOF, PH-EITI, Hivos, CODE-NGO and Bantay Kita. At least 80 delegates/representatives from the national line agencies, LGUs and CSOs business sector across the country participated in the 2-day activity. Notable dignitaries from the national government who graced the event include Sec. Benjamin Diokno of the DBM, Usec. Austere Panadero of the DILG and Asec. Kris Ablan of the PCOO. Updates on the results of the Global Call on OGP Local Program (5 slots) and the national and local government commitments on OGP were presented which include, among others, the Open Legislation, Freedom of Information (FOI), 8888 Hotline, Extractive Industries,/Beneficial Ownership, and Open Contracting.

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During the event, it was proudly announced by the OGP secretariat that from a global call issued by the OGP International and after a competitive selection process (at least 100 global applicants), the Province of South Cotabato qualifies and is included in the five new local governments to be part of the OGP Local Program for 2018. The other sub-national governments which qualified in the OGP Local Program are the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country in Spain, the Romanian city of Iasi, the Colombian Department of Nariño, and the state of Kaduna in Nigeria. South Cotabato is the only LGU in the Philippines which qualified under the global OGP Local Program. Other LGUs from the Philippines such Bohol, Bataan, and Muntinlupa City submitted their expressions of interest for the global OGP Local Program but were not considered. This means that South Cotabato will represent the Philippines in the global OGP Local Program and other future international OGP events. The Province will also join the cohort of 15 OGP Local existing participants who will co-create with civil society an Action Plan for 2018-2020.

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On the results of the workshops, PLGU South Cotabato has considered the following commitments: (1) Open Contracting/Procurement, (2) Open Minahang Bayan/Beneficial Ownership, (c) Open Information (i.e. localize FOI), and (d) Open Monitoring and Evaluation (ODK-based project monitoring, CSIS).

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Team conducted CSO Participation to Local Budget Process and CSO Desk Strengthening/CSO Accreditation Training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Lambayong and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat on May 16-17, 2018 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal. It was joined by 42 organizations with 54 participants (Male 39, Female 15) including the 5 team members. 

On May 16, 2018, the training started with preliminaries at around 9:00 AM. Project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker welcomed the participants and introduced the team. A round of introduction of each participant was conducted. Then, Mr. Blanker then explained the CSO Profile Information Sheet and Checklist of LGU Compliance in the Local Budget Process and presented the 2016 CSO survey result of the same checklist.  In the afternoon, DILG representative LGOO VI Mr. Ian Jon Clemente gave the talk on CSO Accreditation Process. The participants were free to raise questions during the discussion. Mr. Clemente clarified that only CSOs that have been accredited can be invited to participate in the local budget process. He also said that the CSOs who have been turned down by the Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod can make their appeal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to be accredited.

The next day, a quiz-type game was conducted to test how well they understood the lesson the day before. Department of Budget Management (DBM) Representative Atty. Libertine Cagang presented the CSO Participation to Local Budget Process, Budget Accountability and the Procurement Process. Questions were raised regarding the travel allowances for the CSOs who are invited to the budget process. After, Mr. Blanker presented the ODK and Qlik systems as new tools for project monitoring and budget tracking. Also, Mr. Blanker presented the results of the checklist of LGU compliance to local budget process. He went through the items and explained the possible reasons for the answers. Mr. Blanker told the participants of importance of inventory and updated directory of the CSOs. The CSOs were given time to convene for their next steps and initial plan of action. Ms. Alma Sandia, a CSO representative of Lambayong and Ms. Linda Quines, the representative of CSOs of President Quirino, presented the key agreements of their CSO network. Their common agreement is to ask technical assistance form RESOURCEGov for trainings such as financial management, project proposal writing and making of localized CSO directory/manual to motivate and empower other CSOs to join and be active part of the local government units. To wrap up the training, Mr. Blanker asked for two (2) representatives from CSOs to give messages. Ms. Prescilla Baldonado and Ms. Linda Quines, from Lambayong and Pres. Quirino respectively, expressed their gratitude to Mahintana Foundation for implementing the RESOURCEGov Project Phase 2. They are looking forward for more trainings esp. in capacity development of the organizations.

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RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project Team conducted CSO Participation to Local Budget Process and CSO Desk Strengthening/CSO Accreditation Training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Tampakan and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on May 9-10, 2018 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal. It was joined by 33 organizations with 46 participants (Male 25, Female 21) including the three (3) team members.  

On the first day of the training, RDIP Coordinator and Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. patoc welcomed the CSO participants and one budget officer from Tampakan in behalf of the Mahintana and the project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker. She introduced the RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team who will facilitate the training and gave the participants to introduce themselves, their organizations represented and their expectations. After the round of introduction, Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino presented the RESOURCEGov Phase 2, the agenda of the training and the forms to be filled out by the CSO participants. He explained that the checklist of LGU compliance is only to gauge the knowledge of the CSOs regarding their roles to the local budget process. In the afternoon, LGOO IV Mr. Muhammad G. Nanding, Jr., the resource speaker for DILG, discussed the process of CSO accreditation. The participants were given the opportunity to air out their concerns which were answered by the DILG representative.

The next day, May 10, 2017, the session was opened by recapping the lessons learned the day before through a cabbage roll game. Department of Budget Management (DBM) Regional Director Mr. Akmad Usman and Atty. Libertine Cagang presented the CSO Participation to Local Budget Process and Budget Accountability. An open forum was conducted where the CSOs were able to ask questions to DBM speakers. In the afternoon, Mr. Delandrino presented the results of the checklist through ODK. Most of the answers were “not aware” since most of the CSOs were newly accredited. They were given 20 minutes to convene per LGU for the next steps of the CSO federations. A representative for each LGU presented their agreements and suggested activities such as capacity development trainings to be conducted by the RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Team such as leadership, financial management, proposal writing and minutes of the meeting writing trainings. These suggestions were noted by the team subject for approval of the management of the project. Also, there were CSO representatives who gave their message of thanks. They said that they are very much grateful to the opportunity to be chosen for the training and are looking forward for the success of the project implementation. Certificates of participation were distributed to the participants.

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On May 4, 2018, the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, in partnership with Agri-Aqua Development Coalition (AADC), conducted a LITS Orientation and Users’ Training to 29 participants coming from the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), and Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO), and barangay representatives of LGU New Bataan. AADC representatives were also present.

The activity started with a quick round of introductions from the participants facilitated by Ms. Cherrylyn E. Dapiton, AADC Project Officer. During the introduction, the participants also expressed gratitude for being selected as beneficiary of the project. After, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the project manager, conducted a brief project overview and then proceeded to the LITS Orientation. The participants learned the advantages and benefits of adopting LITS and appreciated the system during an actual demonstration of its functions. The LITS was successfully installed and networked in the SB Office, and a LITS project team in the LGU was created to ensure the use and timely uploading of the legislative documents to the system. According to Mr. Jun Carlow Viajante, the acting SB Secretary, and Hon. Larie Pagalan, Vice-Mayor of LGU New Bataan, the LITS would greatly help the SB Office in achieving its goal to have a computerized archiving of legislative documents, thus becoming a paperless office. With the foreseen benefits they get from using the system, the LGU also intends to share the use of the system to all its barangays. The LGU is also looking forward for the upcoming training on the use of ODK and Qlik, both open-source applications, for project monitoring and budget tracking which will be rolled-out to the LGU on June 4-6, 2018.

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Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino visited the Municipalities of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato, Bagumbayan and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat to install the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) on April 24, 25 and May 2, 2018, respectively. The project officer was able to install the system to four (4) computer units. The LGUs had requested/ acquired their computer units solely for the use of LITS and is estimated to be a total cost of around Php 300,000.00 for the three (3) LGUs.

Mr. Delandrino was welcomed by the respective SB Secretaries and their staff. The 3 LGUs were all planning to purchase new computers for the use of LITS. LGU Sto. Niño requested to postpone the installation because they are waiting for the unit to be used as the database to arrive. The IT staff presented to install the LITS instead. As for the other 2 LGUs, they installed the system to the units available in their offices for the moment so that they can start encoding entries. All of the SB Secretaries and their staff expressed their gratitude for being beneficiaries of such project.

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On May 7, 2018, LGU Sto. Niño contacted with Ms. Patoc to confirm that system was successfully installed in the main server and client stations., and currently encoding resolutions and ordinances to the system.

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RESOURCEGov Project Officers Mr. Byron E. Delandrino and Mr. Kurt Jurgen Von D. Lumbao visited the Municipalities of Carmen, Kabacan, Matalam, Pikit, Midsayap and Pigcawayan, Cotabato Province for the actual Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) installation on April 17- 21, 2018. LITS was installed to a total of 18 computer units with the estimated cost of around Php 439,000.00 in the six (6) LGUs.

On April 17, 2018, Mr. Delandrino with the assistance of Mr. Lumbao monitored the LITS in the Municipality of Carmen, Cotabato. The project officers oriented the staff of the Vice Mayor’s office about the project and the SB Sec Staff afterwards re-oriented the SB Sec Staff assigned. The project officers were able to install 1 main server and two client stations connected through LAN. Mr. Delandrino suggested that attachments be in PDF format instead of JPEG. The total costing of the hardware used for the utilization of the system and serves as the counterpart of the LGU is around Php 68,000. 00. The SB staff also suggested having an additional computer in their SB Hall for viewing. In the afternoon of the same day, Mr. Delandrino and Mr. Lumbao proceeded to the Municipality of Kabacan, Cotabato for the scheduled installation of LITS. Since no computer units are available for LITS installation, Mr. Delandrino suggested to install the LITS in two (2) laptop units instead. The project officers conducted courtesy call and short project orientation to Hon. Vice Mayor Myra Dulay-Bade. The vice mayor agreed to propose procurement of at least (2) brand-new units for LITS use. Though the LGU had acquired a legislative monitoring from Lexsys, they cannot use the old system and agreed to use the LITS instead.

 On April 18, 2018, Mr. Delandrino and Mr. Lumbao visited the Municipality of Matalam, Cotabato. The team was able to install LITS to five (5) units worth around Pp 120,000.00.  The SB Secretary staff asked for the assistance of the project officers for the installation of LITS to new units to be purchased by the LGU. In the afternoon, Mr. Delandrino proceeded to Municipality of Pikit for the scheduled installation of LITS. Out of four (4) units available, only two (2) units were compatible with LITS. After the installation, the project officer re-oriented the staff on how to properly encode entries, back-up data and to install additional client stations

On April 19, 2018, Mr. Delandrino visited the Municipality of Midsayap and was warmly welcomed by Vice Mayor Albert Luis L. Garduque. The project officer presented the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, the LITS and Mahintana Foundation Inc. to the vice mayor. VM Garduque is very much interested in the system and even joined the staff in installing the system. He shared that it is his dream to modernize the legislative tracking and monitoring in their municipality. He jokingly added that the move for modernization of their tracking and monitoring system will greatly compliment their newly built three – storey Legislative building. The vice mayor also extended his gratitude to Mahintana Foundation Inc for implementing the project and hopes that more projects like this be replicated in Midsayap. The SB Secretary staff, with the help of the project officer, was able to install LITS to three (3) units.

On April 20, 2018, the RESOURCEGov Project Officers proceeded to Municipality of Pigcawayan as scheduled for the monitoring of the LITS. Two (2) computer units were installed with LITS and SB Secretary staff were oriented with the functionalities of the system. Mr. Delandrino also left soft copy of the LITS manual as requested by the staff.

RESOURCEGov 2 Project Documenter Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc visited the six (6) existing LGUs of Region 12 for the project and CSO participation monitoring on April 17-19, 2018. The said LGUs were Malapatan and Maasim in Sarangani Province President Quirino and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat, and Aleosan and Libungan in Cotabato Province. The monitoring is the follow-through activity for the phase 2 of the project.

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Ms. Patoc went to LGU Malapatan on April 17, 2018 to meet the MLGOO Ms. Marife Tenorio, the SB Secretary Mr. Jerry L. Cabonegro, and the (Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator) MPDC to share the five (5) key interventions of RESOURCEGov 2 project. According to Mr. Cabonegro, LITS not fully used since the LGU had acquired Legislative Tracking System (LTS) from Lexsys Solutions Ltd worth Php 75,000.00. The SB Secretary said that he uses ODK in the project monitoring of the cooperative where he sits as chairman. On the other hand, the MPDC was not around so Ms. Tenorio introduced Ms. Patoc to the Municipal Administrator Mr. Israel C. Singay. Mr. Singay said that he is happy for the assistance that the project continues to give LGU Malapatan. In the afternoon, Ms. Patoc proceeded to LGU Maasim to be assisted by MLGOO staff Ms. Hiera R. Rizano to go to the concerned department offices. The project documenter conducted courtesy call to Mayor Mr. Uttoh Salem Cutan and presented a short project overview of RESOURCEGov 2. The mayor is delighted that the project is ready to extend its technical assistance to the LGU. He added that the interventions in phase 1 had greatly impacted them positively. He also hopes that the phase 2 of the project will be successful. Ms. Patoc met with MPDC Mr. Ronald L. Orbita. After a short orientation about the project, Ms. Patoc asked about how the MPDO was able to use the systems taught to them. He said that the municipality had used the ODK for the tax/business mapping, however, was not able to use it in its full potential because of budget restraints in the implementation of the mapping such as manning and equipment. He added that the ODK was used by the Business Licensing and Permits Office (BPLO) instead. He hopes that systems orientation be conducted again soon and that the LGU will be able to allocate budget for the tax/business mapping activity. Mr. Orbita added that the CSIS survey is very helpful in knowing how the constituents perceive the services of the LGU. Ms. Patoc also visited the SB Office, the Treasurer’s Officer Ms. Editha Mamintas and the BPLO Licensing Officer Ms. Teresita Escalante. The SB Office is currently using the LITS and the BPLO uses the ODK in their operations. 

Ms. Patoc proceeded to LGU President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat on April 18, 2018. MPDC Ms. Marren Harley Arabejo and MPDO staff Ms. Sheilame G. Marcos and Ms. Aileen D. Castro received Ms. Patoc during her visit to the office. Ms. Marcos commented that the MPDO used the ODK system in monitoring the projects like the day care centers, schools’ water and sanitation, etc and the MEEDO. Ms. Patoc gave a short overview of the RESOURCEGov 2 project to the Ms. Evangeline Reyes, the secretary of the mayor and proceeded to meet with the Municipal Treasurer Ms. Judy Subido and BPLO staff to ask how the ODK system has helped their offices in business tax mapping and business permits and licensing monitoring. Both said that ODK made their monitoring faster and more efficient. While, SB Secretary Ms. Andrei Vonn said that the LITS had been very useful especially in the codification of the ordinances and resolutions. Afterwards, MLGOO staff Ms. Jenefer S. Mahaddi called the CSO Federation Mr. Darwin A. Gibavillo to discuss the upcoming CSO participation training in May 16-17, 2018 in Koronadal City. He said that a lot of CSOs need accreditation guidelines. In the afternoon, the project documenter went to the Municipality of Lambayong and conducted courtesy call to Hon. Mayor Mr. Ramon Abalos, MLGOO Mr. Ricii Exiomo and other department heads. Ms. Patoc presented a short overview of the project to the body and asked for comments regarding the project implementation of RESOURCEGov 1 Project. The mayor is impressed after Ms. Patoc presented that the local revenue of Lambayong had increased when the ODK sytem was used in real property tax mapping. He said that the RESOURCEGov 1 project had been very helpful in the LGU. He also handpicked the 25 CSOs that will be trained on May 16-17, 2018. Mayor Abalos and his staff are very excited for the implementation of the five (5) key interventions of RESOURCEGov 2 in LGU Lambayong.

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Ms. Patoc went to LGU Aleosan, Cotabato Province for the project monitoring. MLGOO Mr. Jesus Remus Laguting received the project member and introduced her to the Mun. Administrator Mr. Miguel Estrobillo and MPDC Ms. Rowena Banaga for short meeting and project overview of the project.  Ms. Banaga said that the ODK was used but not fully implemented because of lack of manning and data/program management. Ms. Patoc asked assistance from the MPDC of the list of active CSOs in the Local Development Council (LDC) and Local Special Bodies (LSBs). Ms. Banaga said that she will handpick the CSOs. In the afternoon, Ms. Patoc proceeded to LGU Libungan, Cotabato Province. MLGOO Ms. Emilia Dandoy received her and ushered her to the MPDO and Municipal Assessor’s Office. The MPDO staff shared their experiences with the use of ODK system. MPDO Secretary Ms. Leda Redoble said that they are grateful that ODK system was introduced to them because it has helped the LGU increase its local revenue through business tax mapping, business permits and licensing updating, and other project monitoring.

Overall, the six (6) existing LGUs are very much excited for the RESOURCEGov2 project implementation. Most of the LGUs also commented that their CSOs were actively participating in the LGUs during the phase 1 of the project. Strengthening the CSO desks and giving follow-through trainings will help the CSO participate better especially in the local budget process.  According to the MLGOOs and their staff, the CSOs will be very happy for the trainings that will be conducted for them. The mayors committed their support to the project and hope that RESOURCEGov 2 project implementation be successful.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project conducted a roll-out training and technical assistance on CSO Participation in the Local Budget Process and CSO Desk Strengthening & Accreditation to CSOs of LGUs Tagbina and Barobo  on April 18-19, 2018 at Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State University, Barobo, Surigao del Sur. The two-day training was implemented in partnership with MINCODE and Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. which was attended by 49 participants including project staff, MLGOOs and the representatives from the two LGUs.

Mr. Samuel Ibalez, LGU Tagbina Secretary, graced the activity recognizing the importance of CSOs as partners of LGUs in knowing the needs of the community and its development. He also shared that the LGUs were grateful to be recipients of the EU-funded project and expects that thru the training, CSOs will be empowered in their roles. After a round of introduction of the participants and the implementing organizations, Mr. Roel Ian Blanker, the Project Manager, presented the project overview and rationale of conducting the activity. He also shared about ODK as an emerging tool for activity/project monitoring and also discussed the previous results of the 8 MLGUs of the RESOURCEGov 1 Project in terms of compliance to the budget process which showed that most are not aware and have not participated in the process before having the training. After, the CSOs learned about their roles in local governance during the discussion with Mr. Ian Reigh Elimanco, MLGOO of Tagbina. Mr. Elimanco also shared the Common Cases of Corruption in Government, followed by Ms. Jane Moreno, MLGOO of LGU Barobo, who discussed the CSO Accreditation Process and their participation in local special bodies (LSB). Mr. Jobe Tubigon, Mahintana Operations Manager, who has undergone the same training with the Department of Budget Management, discussed the CSO Participation in the Local Budget Process to the CSOs.

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To know how the CSOs have participated in the local budget process of the LGUs, they were given the profile sheets and checklist of LGU’s compliance in the budget process. Analyzing the results of their answered checklist for both LGUs thru ODK, it showed that most of the CSOs are not aware or have not participated in the process. The initial result of the profiling of CSOs in the two LGUs showed that only cooperatives and people’s organization are actively engaged with LGUs’ activities, and some are not yet accredited or have participated in LSBs. At the end of the activity, the CSOs expect themselves to meaningfully participate in the LSBs and exercise their roles in the budget process. They shared that the training was an avenue to strengthen their roles, equipped with right knowledge for participation, and become aware of new technology (ODK) to monitor projects/activities. A handbook on the CSO Participation in the Local Budget Process was distributed to the CSOs for their reference.

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The RESOURCEGov Project team, together with the management and staff of Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE), its partner networks (Kasilak Development Foundation, PhilDHRRA, Agre-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao) and DILG Regions 11-13, gathered for the 2nd Joint Project Implementation Team- Project Management Team (PIT-PMT) Meeting at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Matina, Davao City. It was attended by 44 participants from the abovementioned organizations including DILG Regional, Assistant Regional and Provincial Directors, MLGOOs and their representatives. The said meeting was presided by Mahintana Foundation Inc. President and CEO Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot being the Director of RESOURCEGov 2 Project.

The meeting started with a prayer led by Project Officer Ms. Myra G. Macla. The participants were given 2 minutes to meet at least 10 new people followed by a round of introduction of the attendees. MINCODE Executive Director Ms. Raizsa Mae “Bai” Anayatin, Project Coordinator, welcomed the participants and introduce MINCODE and its projects and focus areas. DILG 12 Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Ms. Lailyn A. Ortiz expressed her joy and her gratitude to the implementation of the RESOURCEGov Project. “Nakikita na po natin ang bunga ng ating partnerships…You have facilitated the realizations of some of the DILG dreams and aspirations in the local government particularly itong RESOURCEGov2 project,” said Ms. Ortiz and committed to support the project implementation in behalf of the DILG Region 12. Mr. Magdolot ran through the contents of the kits. After the approval of the proposed agenda, Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker presented the collated business arising, key agreements and actions taken of the first three PIT and PMT meetings. Mr. Magdolot called out the some of the business arising from the summary and gave management updates including the pending European Union-funded project entitled SOLARES (acronym). Mr. Blanker introduced the project team and presented the accomplishments from November 2017 to March 2018. He also shared the schedule for April through October 2018. Then, Ms. Anayatin shared the accomplishment of MINCODE and announced some of MINCODE’s schedules that might interest the participants to join.

In the afternoon, Project Bookkeeper Ms. Jessica Jose-Teves presented the agenda during the EU Kick-off Meeting last March 20, 2018 attended by Ms. Blanker, Project Admin and Finance Officer Ms. Wilma Jumilla and Ms. Teves at EU Office, RCBC Bldg., Makati City. She also reported the financial updates of MINCODE and its partners. Afterwards, Project Bookkeeper Mr. Jason Inot presented the consolidated budget performance of the RESOURCEGov Project. Mr. Blanker then presented the Key Agreements and other concerns such as how to help the interested LGUs from Regions 11 and 13 to avail of ODK/Qlik/LITS were discussed by the body. MINCODE BOT Chairwoman Ms. Patricia M. Sarenas gave her closing message saying that working with the local government units is one meaningful involvement. “One of the things that help us grow really are friendships that are built through involvements that are meaningful,” she quoted. Sultan Kudarat Provincial Director Ms. Margarita Baynosa expressed her gratitude to Mahintana Foundation for the implementation of the RESOURCEGov projectphase 1 and hopes to have the success of the project’s phase 2.

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Project team members Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc and Mr. Byron E. Delandrino, with Mahintana Foundation Inc. Operations Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, visited LGU T’Boli on April 11, 2018 on request. The LGU was able to purchase a new computer unit worth Php 35,000.00 to be used as main server of Legislative Information Tracking System. Moreover, another unit was installed with LITS to serve as it client station for encoding and accessing data. The LGU had long waited for such archiving and tracking system, thus, was so grateful for the project.

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RESOURCEGov 2 Team visited LGU Tampakan for the project orientation and open forum meeting on April 11, 2018 at the SB conference hall. It was attended by three (3) Mahintana personnel and 11 department heads and their representatives. 

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Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Operations Manager of Mahintana Foundation Inc. and the Project Manager of the project’s phase 1, spearheaded the team to inform the LGU heads about the RESOURCEGov 2 Project still funded by European Union. He articulated that the phase 2 of the project revolves to only 5 activities versus the 20 activities conducted in the 1st phase. The 5 key interventions are the following: 1) tax mapping/business inventory system, 2) project/budget monitoring system, 3) legislative information tracking system (LITS), 4) LGU performance monitoring system through CSIS, and 5) CSO participation & LGU compliance to local budget process. He presented the other uses of the ODK system such as the Real Property Tax Mapping (for the MPDO and Treasury Office) and shared the advantages of using the ODK system in esp. in the Real Property Tax Mapping as testified by LGU Lambayong after the RESOURCEGov project implementation. Moreover, Mr. Tubigon showed the results of the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) Survey and its implications to the LGU’s eight (8) service areas such as health, support to education, social welfare, governance and response, public works and infra, environment, agriculture, and tourism. He added that the CSIS survey results can be used as a guide for the LGU to improve its services. Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Ms. Mercedita G. Mangunlay suggested to the Municipal Administrator Ms. Minihaha D. Escobillo to allocate budget for the tax mapping activity.

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LGU Tampakan is one of the 8 beneficiary LGUs who were able to use the LITS/ODK/Qlik in RESOURCEGov Project Phase 1. Other departments are expressing their interest in using the ODK in their monitoring activities such as the seedling survival monitoring of MENRO.

RESOURCEGov Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino visited the Municipalities of Tulunan, M’lang, Makilala, Magpet, Pres. Roxas, and Antipas and the City of Kidapawan, North Cotabato Province for the actual Legislative Information Tracking System installation (LITS) on April 3 - 6, 2018. A total of 18 units of the 7 C/MLGUs were installed with the system and accumulated (estimated) cost of  Php 738,000.00 worth of equipment to be used for LITS.

Mr. Delandrino installed the LITS in LGU Tulunan and M’lang, North Cotabato on April 3, 2018. The project officer was able to orient the SB Secretaryof Tulunan Mr. Romeo Navarte about RESOURCEGov 2 Project and Mahintana Foundation, Inc. The SB staff of Tulunan was able to install LITS to one (1) main server and one (1) client station. Scanned documents were already prepared because the said LGU purchased and used a legislative tracking system for 3 years. When it crashed, they were not able to contact its programmers anymore. On the other hand, LGU M’lang was able to purchase a new desktop unit to be used as main server and installed four (4) client stations for encoders. IT Staff Mr. Lester John Dimasuhin was also taught how to network laptops of SB members to promote paperless legislative operation. The LGU also plans to purchase additional units as client stations.

On April 4, 2018, the project officer installed LITS to LGU Makilala and LGU Kidapawan City. Mr. Julieto Abes and Ms. Henny S. Cagas, Legislative staff of LGU Makilala who participated during the LITS orientation, welcomed Mr. Delandrino in Makilala. The said LGU is currently using Legislative Document Archival and Retrieval System (LeDARS). The SB staff said that LITS is more user-friendly, can generate reports and more accessible after installing LITS to one (1) main server and 2 client units and assessing the system. They added that they will be using the LITS for year 2016 onwards documents. LGU Makilala also purchased new scanner to be used for archiving using LITS. In LGU Kidapawan, the SP Secretary, assisted by Mr. Delandrino, was able to install LITS to one (1) main server and four (4) client units.

On April 5, 2018, Mr. Delandrino installed LITS in LGU Magpet and LGU Pres. Roxas. IT Staff Mr. Angel Pines had already installed LITS to one (q) main server and one (1) client unit with the help of the project officer by instructions through phone call. That day, the Vice Mayor and the SB representatives were having special session and Mr. Delandrino was invited to conduct RESOURCEGov 2 project orientation and to present the Mahintana Foundation Inc. In the same day, the project officer proceeded to LGU Pres. Roxas to install LITS. SB Secretary Robert F. Herbilla Jr. informed the officer that the purchase of new desktop units is still on process and that there is no internet connection in the office. Moreover, LGU Pres. Roxas is using the Sangguniang Bayan Legislative Tracking System (SB-LTS). It is similar to LITS, except that the staff don’t know how to back-up the files.

The next day, Mr. Delandrino installed LITS in LGU Antipas. The staff presented the newly purchased desktop unit and scanner which were still in the boxes/packages awaiting the arrival of the RESOURCEGov Team. The equipment will be used solely for LITS. The SB staff were able to install LITS to one (1) main server and three (3) client stations.  The project officer instructed the staff how to encode and attach scanned files. The SB staff agreed on the delegation of tasks and timeline to encode data to the system. The staff informed the officer that they plan to purchase additional units to be used for LITS.

Here is the estimated cost of the equipment (computers and/or scanners) to be used by each LGU for the LITS: LGU Tulunan – Php 70,000.00; LGU M’lang – Php 150,000.00; LGU Makilala – Php 123,000.00; LGU Kidapawan – Php 160,000.00; LGU Magpet – Php 90,000.00; and LGU Antipas – Php 145,000.00.

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Project Manager Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Officer Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc visited SB Office of Polomolok on April 4, 2018 and SB/SP Offices of Sto. Niño, Koronadal City and Tupi, South Cotabato on April 6, 2018 for the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) Monitoring. The 2 MLGUs (Polomolok and Tupi) had already installed LITS before the phase 2 of the project while the CLGU has its own existing system called Legislative Management Information System (LEG-MIS).

During the visit to SB Office of Polomolok, the SB Staff Ms. Angelie Olana showed us the computer installed with LITS. She said that they will be installing LITS to other computers as soon as they transfer to a new office. She added that there are some problems during installation of LITS to some of their computer units due to the operating system’s updates needed. Ms. Olana said that the LITS helps them much esp. when accessing the resolutions and ordinances whenever somebody asks for a printed copy of it. As of date, they have already uploaded 3,455 resolutions and ordinances into the system. The team also visited Ms. Jennifer Fernandez, MLGOO of Polomolok.

The project team went to LGU Sto. Niño on April 6, 2018. The said LGU had been rescheduling the visit of team because they wanted to wait for the computer unit that was bought intended to be used for LITS. Ms. Ma. Ervina G. Balbino, Admin Officer I, showed us the newly acquired unit still in its box. She said that since the unit was not ready yet, their IT staff who also joined the LITS Installation Orientation and Training will be the one to install the system. Mr. Blanker told the Ms. Balbino to not hesitate in asking help from the team whenever they needed any technical assistance. She said that they are very excited to install and use the LITS and are now preparing the files to be scanned for easier uploading to the system.

              The team proceeded to the Koronadal City Hall. The team conducted courtesy call to Vice Mayor Eliordo Ogena and explained the reason for the visit. Mr. Rio Rivera, Admin Officer II, then showed us the existing system that the SP Office is using: the Legislative Management Information System (LEG-MIS) which was programmed by the in-house IT staff. The LEG-MIS is centralized and can be accessed by all the offices of the City Hall. It works similar to the LITS. Mr. Rivera explained that they will not install the LITS anymore because they have already started using the LEG-MIS and uploaded a lot of files already in the said system.

The team then went to monitor the LITS in LGU Tupi. Ms. Lorena Sumagaysay, Admin Officer V, told us that the LITS was installed by Mr. Melroy of DILG R12 last July 2017. The LGU was able to purchase a computer set and scanner to be used for LITS last year, thus, they were able to upload resolutions and ordinances already from present down to 2000s. She said that they are already working on the files down to the 1990s. Ms. Sumagaysay said that the mayor asked whether the mayor’s office can use the LITS for the incoming/outgoing communication files. Mr. Blanker replied that it would be another program to be explored, along with Business Permits and Licensing Systems (BPLS) appointment system. Ms. Sumagaysay said that they are happy with the LITS and will be coordinating with the team when they have concerns regarding the system.

Overall, the beneficiary LGUs are very grateful for the free system that they are willing to purchase equipment dedicated to LITS. They are also happy for the technical assistance extended to them.

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As one of the follow-through activities of the RESOURCEGov 2 Project, Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker and Project Coordinator Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc went to LGU Tampakan to check on how the said LGU uses the systems being one of the beneficiaries of the phase 1 of the project.

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The team came to visit the SB Secretary Ms. Maria Grace A. Barroso to ask her how the SB office sees the LITS. She said hat it is very helpful for them in archiving because they don’t have to go through the piles of papers to look for the needed documents such as resolutions. She said that they have minor problems with LITS however because some details of entries about the SB members cannot be displayed even when the details are seen and displayed in the edit form of the system. Mr. Blanker replied that it might be their computer’s issue since it has not been a concern form other LGUs. He explained that since the Microsoft’s OS needed updates from time to time, it might be that some of the programming codes of the system cannot be read because of the new SQL released by Microsoft. But overall, the SB Secretary said that LITS has been very helpful to them for archiving and accessing important legislative files. She hopes that there will be more improvements in the system. Mr. Blanker said that it will be taken to consideration since there are other issues about the LITS that are gathered and to be consolidated by the team to know whether the system has to be reprogrammed for the better.

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The team proceeded to the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) and was welcomed by Ms, Sunshine Jesusco, one of the staff. Ms. Jesusco said that unfortunately the MPD Coordinator is not around. She suggested for the team to come back for an open forum about ODK and Qlik on April 10, 2018 since those that used the systems will be back on the said date. The staff said that their office had a hard time every year in renewals of business permits because of the inconsistent recording of the business enrolled in the system. For example, Business A in 2017 is 001, however it becomes 007 in 2018. Ms. Jesusco expressed a concern also about not having a Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) appointment system that will hopefully help not only the staff of Treasury and MPDO, but most especially the businessmen and entrepreneurs who seek to enroll and/or renew their business permits. Mr. Blanker said that he is also proposing the BPLS appointment system in the next years. Ms. Jesusco hope that the appointment system will be available soon.

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Moreover, other offices like the Municipal Environment and Natuaral Resources Office (MENRO) are interested in using the ODK in their project monitoring. A meeting with MPDO, MENRO, SB Office and other concerned offices is moved from April 10 to 11, 2018 due to the availability of staff from LGU Tampakan. The said meeting will be attended by Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Ms. Patoc and Project Officer Mr. Byron Delandrino.

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RESOURCEGov 2 team conducted the User’s Training on Project Monitoring, Business Establishment and Real Property Tax Mapping using ODK/Qlik Applications on March 22-23, 2018 to LGU Tago held at Annex Bldg., Tago, Surigao del Sur. A total of 17 participants were present comprised of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and staff, Municipal Engineer and Staff, Municipal Treasurer and staff, Municipal Assessor’s Officer (MASSO) and Staff and MLGOO, including the same project staff who facilitated the LITS training the day before.

When asked about their expectations for the activity, Mr. Jubert Tutor, MPDC and Engr. Hilario Bautista, ME shared that they were excited to be a part of this activity as this will provide new and interesting updates on their monitoring process. Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Operations Manager of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. presented the gave the rationale of the activity and a short video clip about the foundation. He discussed the trends on locally-sourced revenue which includes sample data from other LGU- Tax Map, Business Permit Monitoring and Budget Tracking for LGU. He also conferred the Process Flow of ODK-based Monitoring. Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino then led the participants in the step-by-step tutorials. After the installation and online registration, the participants conducted a mock survey using the forms they have generated and presented it to the group. Also, Mr. Tubigon provided the participants with customized forms for their monitoring and mapping needs. Mr. Delandrino presented the tutorial on QLIK Sense application. The participants experienced to generate reports of their LGU Fiscal Performance though the said application.  

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RESOURCEGov 2 Team conducted the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) User’s Training for LGU Tago on March 21, 2018 held at Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Session Hall, Tago, Surigao del Sur. There was a total of 14 participants which was comprised of the SB Members, SB Secretary and the SB staff including the 4 members of the project team namely, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Mr. Byron Delandrino, Ms. Myra Macla and Mr. Nigel Zanorio.

SB Member Noel L. Gualvez led the prayer and SB Member Aloysius R. Espinosa welcomed the project team in behalf of Hon. Vice Mayor Alex Bautista. He expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given the LGU to be one of the beneficiaries of the project. Mahintana Operations Manager Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon presented the project rationale of RESOURCEGov 2 project and presented a short video clip showcasing the projects of Mahintana Foundation, Inc. Project Officer Mr. Byron Delandrino discussed the LITS overview.

After the training, the team guided the SB staff to install LITS to a total of five (5) computer units. The SB members shared that they are expecting an efficient legislation process by acquiring the system and that this activity will pave the way to a paperless legislation.

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​The EU Delegation office conducted a kick-off information meeting of new civil society beneficiaries from the CSO-LA and EIDHR programmes on March 20, 2018 at EU Delegation Office in Makati City. The RESOURCEGov 2 project was represented by Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker (Project Manager), Ms. Wilma C. Jumilla (Project Admin & Finance Officer), and Ms. Jessica J. Teves (MINCODE Finance & Admin Officer). The meeting started with a quick introduction of the EU delegates. The participants were given an overview of the approved project grants through a brief presentation of all new projects and their respective grant beneficiaries. The meeting focused on the discussion of EU’s contractual & financial requirements, and visibility requirements where the CSO beneficiaries had the chance to have a dialogue with EU delegates to clarify their issues and concerns.

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Project Coordinator Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc and Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino visited Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat for the installation of the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) on March 13, 2018. Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, Operations Manager of Mahintana Foundation, Inc., joined the team in the installation of the system in Lebak and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on March 14-16, 2018. A total of 12 computer units were installed with LITS in the 4-day activity.

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The team conducted a courtesy call to the mayor of Palimbang on March 13, 2018 and presented the LITS and the systems (ODK and Qlik) to the mayor, executive secretary, internal auditor and the SB staff. After the presentation, the SB Secretary called for a level-off meeting with project team to discuss the needed equipment for the full implementation of the LITS such as new desktop units and scanners. The SB staff, assisted by Mr. Delandrino, successfully installed database and LITS to one (1) desktop unit which is estimated to have the cost around Php 20,000.00.

The project team visited Lebak, Sultan Kudarat on March 14, 2018 and conducted courtesy calls to the Hon. Mayor Deonesio B. Besana and Hon. Vice Mayor Gerardo S. Delasan to discuss what the RESOURCEGov 2 Project is all about. After the courtesy call, the SB Office of Lebak, assisted by the team, was able to install LITS to a total of 8 units: 4 desktops (1 database and encoder, 3 encoders) and 4 laptops (3 encoders and 1 viewer). The LGU provided a new desktop unit and scanner dedicated for LITS use. LGU Lebak estimated around Php 250,000.00 (including the brandnew desktop and scanner, and existing computer units) cost of equipment to be used for the LITS.

The team proceeded to Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on the 15th. The SB Secretary and staff, guided by the project team, were able to successfully install the LITS to 3 units: 1 desktop (database and encoder) and 2 (encoder). The team then conducted a courtesy call to Hon. Mayor Ronan Eugene C. Garcia, who is also interested with other projects of Mahintana Foundation. The mayor added that he was planning to have legislative tracking purchased or made by programmers before the invitation about LITS was made. He said that he is very happy that the system is free. An estimated cost of equipment provided by the LGU for the use of LITS is around Php 35,000.00, not including the requested scanner.

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Overall, the mayors, vice mayors and the SB staff were very excited to use the LITS, and also expressed their interest in the ODK/Qlik systems. After the installation, the SB staff started encoding entries such as SB members’ profiles. Mr. Tubigon advised the LGUs to keep in touch with the MLGOOs of their respective municipalities for the availment of other said systems. The total estimated cost of equipment provided by the 3 LGUs amounts to Php 305,000.00, not including those not yet purchased.

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Project Manager Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker oriented the Vice Mayor League of the Philippines (VMLP) Region 12 about the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) during their meeting on March 9, 2018 held at Palm Pavilion in Tacurong City.

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Mr.  Blanker presented the overview about LITS to the vice mayors and shared that the orientation is a follow-through activity of the recent trainings on LITS installations, operations, and maintenance to the P/M/CLGUs of Cotabato Province, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. The vice mayors appreciated the system and are now implementing the LITS in their offices. The VMLP committee officers encouraged all the LGUs to utilize the free system as it will help improve their tracking and archiving of their legislative documents.

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List of LGUs present during the orientation:

1. Kalamansig, SK;

2. Columbio, SK;

3. Lebak, SK;

4. President Quirino, SK;

5. Senator Ninoy Aquino, SK;

6. Lambayong, SK;

7. Isulan, SK;'

8. Tacurong City, SK;

9. Alabel, SP;

10. Malungon, SP;

11. Midsayap, NC;

12. Tulunan, NC;

13. M'lang, NC;

14. Kabacan, NC;

15. Arakan, NC;

16. Carmen, NC;

17. Banisilan, NC;

18. Alamada,NC;

19. President Roxas, NC;

20. Makilala, NC;

21. Lake Sebu, SC;

22. T'Boli, SC;

23. Koronadal City, SC;

24. Cotabato City

Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino installed the LITS in Lutayan and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on March 5 and 6, 2018, and visited LGU Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on March 7, 2018 to monitor its use of the ODK, Qlik and LITS being one of the partner LGUs in the phase of the project.

The project officer assisted the Lutayan SB Secretary staff Ms. Faith Aniluj Lavilles and Ms. Annalyn B. Carillo in the hands-on installation of the system. The desktop unit’s OS needed to be updated, however, the internet connection is not available at that time. The project officer suggested to install LITS to a laptop personally owned by one of the staff for them to start encoding entries. The SB staff shared that their request for new computer units were approved during the SB session. The LITS was installed successfully in the laptop unit. It was agreed that the database will be transferred to the proposed desktop units when it arrives. The following day, the Mr. Delandrino proceeded to the City of Tacurong as scheduled. Vice Mayor Joseph George L. Lechonsito, MD, DPA, MDMG personally welcomed the project officer and expressed his gratitude to the Project for choosing Tacurong City as one of the beneficiaries. After the courtesy call, the project officer assisted the SB Secretary staff in installing LITS successfully in one main server and one client station.

On March 7, 2018, the project officer was tasked to monitor the status of project activities in the municipality of Lake Sebu being one of the target municipalities of RESOURCEGov Phase 1 project. MLGOO Debbie Grace Pendon reported that the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of Lake Sebu was on schedule and was already approved last September 2017. CSO participation was also observed as former members of LPRAT were invited to participate in the Municipal Development Council Meeting for the endorsing of the AIP for Calendar Year 2018. The Legislative Information Tracking System was still in place and being utilized by the Legislative Department. The SB Secretary staff continues to encode entries to the system. They suggested to conduct a re-orientation of the SB and Vice Mayor’s Office staff as they are planning to network all the computers in the Legislative Department Office.

Project Coordinator Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc and Project Officer Mr. Byron E. Delandrino visited Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat for the installation of the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) installation on March 8, 2018.

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 Ms. Patoc presented the LITS Overview to the Vice Mayor, two (2) SB Members and the SB Staff. During the presentation, Vice Mayor Rafael George Flauta III told us that the LGU was already ready to buy the same system before they were invited to the project launching in December of 2017. He added that they can acquire a new desktop unit for the database of the system if necessary. A brand-new laptop unit was installed with LITS during the project orientation on January 25, 2018. However, the IT staff cannot network another laptop or a desktop to the said network as client station. Mr. Delandrino helped the SB staff to network the 2 laptop units using a LAN cable since there is no internet connection that day. The project officer also updated the OS of one of the desktops of the SB office to be installed with LITS.

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At the end of the day, the team was able to install the LITS to 2 laptops and 1 desktop and connect these in a network. For the time being, the server unit will be the new laptop and the other 2 units as encoders. The vice mayor, in behalf of LGU Sen. Ninoy Aquino, that they are very grateful for the RESOURCEGov2 project and that they were one of the beneficiaries.

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The RESOURCEGov 2 Project team, thru MINCODE and its member network Kasilak Development Foundation (KDFI), Inc., conducted a series of orientation and training about ODK, Qlik, and LITS to 20 participants (11 male, 17 female) from LGUs Tagbina and Barobo of Surigao del Sur on March 5-9, 2018 at Maxze Bed and Breakfast, Lanang, Davao City.

Ms. Llenie Grace Cebuala, Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. Project Officer, facilitated the activity. The program started with acknowledgment and introduction of participants. Ms. Jane G. Moreno, the MLGOO of the municipality of Barobo welcomed all the participants emphasizing that the training is a great opportunity for the local government units to improve their systems and transparency in governance. During the expectation setting, the LGUs wanted to learn something new, go home full of knowledge, and apply their learnings to improve their performance. Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, RESOURCEGov 2 Project Manager, oriented about Mahintana Foundation (MFI) thru a video presentation and then gave a brief project orientation to the participants. Before the training proper started, KDFI Executive Director Mr. Joemil Montebon, in his message, expressed his gratitude for the partnership and the commitment of the participants to the project, specially with the presence of Hon. Felixberto Urbiztondo, Mayor of LGU Barobo. Mr. Jobe Tubigon, MFI Operations Manager, also shared that the systems that will be introduced to them will not replace their existing systems, but rather complement them.

During the ODK training, the participants were able to create an account for their LGUs in Kobotoolbox.org, learned how to create forms, and to conduct survey through their Android phones/tablets.  They also learned how to simply aggregate their data and generate maps. In the afternoon, they were able to conduct mock survey on locational clearance, business permit monitoring, monitoring for locally funded projects and real property tax.

During the Qlik training, the participants were able to register an account and download installer of Qlik Sense Desktop. They also learned how to use Qlik Sense Cloud when working online. Using the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SRE) report, the participants learned how to create an app with interactive charts and graph that would visualize the figures of the report. At the end of the workshop, the LGUs were able to generate an interactive graph of their actual vs target SREs. With Qlik, they realized that it is easier to analyze as to why they have increasing or decreasing trends in their reports and take action.

For the LITS training, the LGUs were able to install the database and the system to their demo units.  They have also learned how to use the system in standalone scheme and in a networked environment.

At the end of the training, the LGUs were grateful to the project and realized that the systems were advantageous and beneficial to various government offices, especially when DILG requests for reports. Mr. Blanker and MINCODE Project Officer Ms. Myra Macla also shared their appreciation to the participants for sustaining their interest throughout the series of training.  As a result of the training, the participants made an action plan to implement what they have learned from the training to their respective LGUs. . After, Mr. Montebon, in his closing remarks, was excited in pushing the advocacy in influencing partners towards good governance. He shared that the action plans will be harmonized with KDFI plan and will be presented to the mayors. The training ended with awarding of certificates to the participants.

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Project Officer Byron E. Delandrino revisited the Municipalities of Banga and T’Boli, South Cotabato on February 22, 2018 to monitor and troubleshoot the LITS installed during the installation follow-through activity. Both LGUs had already encoded entries to the system such as resolution, ordinances and minutes of meetings. LGU Banga requested the project officer to address the network connection between the main server and a supposed client station. The project officer disabled the computers’ anti-virus and firewall which barred the client unit to connect to the database of the LITS main server. This action led to the successful installation of the additional client station. The project officer proceeded to LGU T’Boli to help the said LGU install more client stations, however, the LGU was experiencing commercial power failure at that time. He instead instructed the staff how to install the client stations by themselves.

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The project officer traveled to LGU Isulan in Sultan Kudarat for the scheduled LITS installation follow-though on February 23, 2018. The computer units’ system properties were checked, and their operating systems were updated. LITS was successfully installed to the main server and 2 client computers which were already connected to a same network. The staff explored the LITS and started encoding entries to the system as they already have comprehensive filed scanned copies of ordinances, resolutions and minutes of the meetings from year 1952 to 2017. LGU Isulan practices paperless operations and LITS supports this advocacy.

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The MINCODE and its partners: AADC, Kasilak, PHILDHRAA, with Mahintana, met for the 1st Project Implementation Team Meeting for Regions 11&13 on February 26, 2018 at Mindanao P.O. Complex, 1st St. Trinidad Greenhills, Ma-a, Davao City. The meeting was participated by 16 project members (Male 4, Female 12).

Ms. Agnes Bolanos, Executive Director of AADC, gave the opening remarks. Ms. Raizsa Mae Anayatin, Executive Director of MINCODE and the Project Coordinator for Regions 11&13, updated the team about the project agreements especially the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MINCODE and the Local Implementing Partners (LIPs). Shortly, Ms. Cherrylyn E. Dapiton (AADC), Mr. Joemil S. Montebon (KASILAK), Mr. Glen S. Bais (PHILDHRAA) and Ms. Myra G. Macla (MINCODE) presented the accomplishments of each network in the 1st quarter of the project’s fiscal year. Ms. Lorielyn P. Patoc reported the consolidated 1st Quarter Accomplishment Report.

Ms. Jessica Jose-Teves, the Finance Admin Officer and the Project Bookkeeper for MINCODE, presented the status of the project financials of MINCODE and its partners. Mr. Jason Inot, the Project Bookkeeper, presented the consolidated project financial updates, as well as, the observations of Mahintana regarding the documents and other requirements. Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, the Operations Manager of Mahintana and the Project Consultant of RESOURCEGov Phase 2 Project, presented the other calls for proposal available from European Union and AusAID. Ms. Myra G. Macla then showed the team the updated schedule of activities for Regions 11 & 13. MINCODE invited Mr. Kristoffer Tipon, a freelance photographer and moderator of senior high school student publication of Ateneo de Davao University, as the resource person for the Basic Photography and Video Recording Workshop. The project team learned the do’s and don’ts of photography, as well as the techniques to capture  good photos for photo documentation during project activities.