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Mahintana Foundation, Inc., seeks the services of a video production firm to do a video documentation for one of its projects, EU-funded RESOURCEGOv,  that will end on September 2016.

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The bidder/service provider must be a qualified video production company/firm with exposure to basic social marketing aspects/public awareness. (Client list, copy of valid company license) MFI may cross check the information with those organizations who received bidder services. It must have minimum of 2 years work experience in video documentation/making both in production and post-production.​ It must also have experienced/proven human resource capacity for each of the area (script writing, video production, etc.). Copies of CVs of proposed staff are required. The production company should also indicate whether the staff is full-time, part-time, freelance, hired for particular assignment. The duration of the evaluation will be around 30 working days, starting August 19, 2016 to September 16, 2016.

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For parties interested in this consultancy/bidding, please address your CV to Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Executive Director, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato and email to mahintana_mfi@yahoo.com.  Deadline of submission is on August 18, 2016, but can be extended in cases of failure of bidding (no qualified bidder/s).

Please refer to the Terms of Reference below:

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Terms of Reference for RESOURCEGov Project Video Documentation

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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 on September 2016.

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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 24 working days, starting August 8, 2016 to September 8, 2016.

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For parties interested in this consultancy/bidding, please address your CV to Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Executive Director, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato and email to mahintana_mfi@yahoo.com.  Deadline of submission is on July 31, 2016.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference below:

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Terms of Reference for RESOURCEGov Project End-of-Project Evaluation

In its aim of improving the capacities of LGUs in local revenue generation and the participation of CSO in local governance, the EU-funded RESOURCEGov Project has conducted an ODK-based Business Tax Mapping and Monitoring of BUB Projects for the LGUs of Aleosan and Libungan, Cotabato on May 25-28, 2016. Specifically, the activity was aimed at (a) Refreshing/briefing the participants/participating LGUs on the methodology, use/application and schedules of deployment on the actual conduct of ODK-based business tax mapping and BUB project monitoring, (b) Presenting the results of the ODK-based business tax mapping and BUB monitoring of other partner LGUs as reference for tax mapping and project monitoring, (c) Conducting actual ODK-based business tax mapping and monitoring of 2014-2016 BUB projects of LGUs Alesoan and Libungan, and (d) Presenting the mapping/monitoring results to the Local Finance Committees and Project Monitoring Unit of respective LGUs for proper action.

At least 30 participants from LGUs Aleosan and Libungan, represented by the enumerators/surveyors (MTO/BPLO/CSOs), Department Heads, SB members, MLGOOs and MPDC Staff, and the RESOURCEGov team participated the refresher-briefing on May 25, 2016 (Day 1). For the actual mapping and monitoring (Day 2-4), at least 20 enumerators or members of the mapping/monitoring team have participated in the actual survey.

During the refresher-briefing in Day 1, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, RESOURCEGov Project Manager, presented the Qlik-based LGU Fiscal Performance (2010-2015) and the Results of ODK-based Business Tax Mapping and BUB Monitoring of other partner LGUs for reference of LGUs Aleosan and Libungan in their tax mapping and BUB monitoring activities. The Project Manager also demonstrated the ODK Installation and Utilization in Tax Mapping and Project Monitoring. Specifically, the (a) Familiarization of the mapping/monitoring  forms/questionnaires (in Smart Phones/Tablets), (b) Tasking of assignments/areas; (c) Schedules/deployment preparation for  the actual conduct of tax mapping and BUB monitoring, and (d) Pre-encoding of data of BUB projects in ODK monitoring form (Kobo or ODK Collect) before deployment.

After the briefing and initial results of the actual mapping, LGUs Aleosan and Libungan have appreciated usefulness and cost-effectiveness of the ODK system. Not only that the system has shown results of businesses which are operating without business permits (i.e. which are majority of businesses based on tax mapping results), the system has also shown the potential and clear targets to increase their business tax collection. The system has also shown the real time status and feedback of the community on the BUB projects which are crucial for project monitoring.

The EU-funded RESOURCEGov Project is a partnership project of Mahintana Foundation Inc., and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 12 since 2013. The goal of the project is to help improve the local governance, performance and service delivery of local government units in the marginalised communities of Central Mindanao. Specifically, it aims to increase the participatory local revenue generation and transparent resource allocation and utilisation of eight (8) Municipalities and 145 Barangays in four (4) Provinces of Central Mindanao.

As a way of sharing the initial gains and popularizing the open source project monitoring systems of the EU-funded RESOURCEGov Project, the project/Mahintana had graced as one of the sharers in the Community Sharing Session of the Association of Foundations (AF)'s 44th General Assembly on April 25-26, 2016 in Baguio City. Mahintana was represented by its Project Director, Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot and Project Manager, Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon. Currently, AF has 140-strong member organizations in the country, including Mahintana. This year's General Assembly was participated by at least 90% of its members.

In the break-out sessions/groups, Mahintana was among the three (3) sharers in the Technology and Business Models for Social Development. With the presentation titled, "Maximizing Open Source Apps for Project Monitoring, Mapping and Social Enterprise/Business Analytics: A Productivity Must-Have for CSOs", Mahintana had captured the appreciation of majority of AF members who have signified their interest to adopt the monitoring systems introduced/popularized by RESOURCEGov. This had sprouted after Mahintana had shared and demonstrated how CSOs, especially those resource-constrained CSOs, can maximize the use of open source applications available in the web/internet, such as Open Data Kit (ODK) and Qlik Sense, for project monitoring and business analytics.

During the sharing, Mahintana stressed that the growth in smartphone usage and availability of open source apps in the web/internet have provided the CSOs with opportunities to automate paper-based data collection, project monitoring & business analytics in a cost effective manner. Open Data Kit (ODK) for mobile-based project monitoring and Qlik Sense for business analytics proved to be useful among the free/open source apps available in the web. ODK and Qlik are user-friendly (i.e. can be run by non-programmers or minimally-trained users), have interactive data visualization and can be used offline. However, despite these advances in ICT, many CSOs, especially those resource-constrained CSOs, have not maximized the use of these free and open source apps for project monitoring/mapping and social enterprise analytics. There is a lack of learning exchange/s on this matter and perceived lack of technical capabilities of CSOs that may have hindered them to explore on this area. Thus, it is with these concerns and opportunities that Mahintana was interested to share its experiences and popularize the use of ODK and Qlik systems to help other resource-constrained CSOs to do project monitoring, survey/mapping and business analytics in the cost effective manner.

After the sharing, the project/Mahintana has not only gained appreciation from other members of AF but also with the Board of Trustees. Among others, Ms. Cecile Dominguez (CLAFI), Ms. Rose Depra (NEDFI) and Mr. Joemil Montebon (Kasilak), AF Board Members, said that they would recommend to AF to adopt the ODK and Qlik Systems in its CSO mapping and other monitoring activities. They would also recommend to AF to request Mahintana for a technology transfer to the cluster members of AF in the country.

In other significant program/agenda of the AF general assembly, Mr. Martiniano L. Magdolot, Executive Director, run and won a seat in AF Board of Trustees (BOT) during the elections of the new members of the Board. With this new opportunity and responsibility, Mr. Magdolot ensured that the systems shared by the RESOURCEGov Project will be adopted by more CSOs in the country in order to help improve CSO participation in local governance.

After the AF Gen. Assembly in Baguio City, Mahintana proceeded to Quezon City on April 27, 2016 for a learning exchange/s requested by the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF). PEF was also interested to see how ODK and Qlik Sense work, especially helping assist their technical staff and their beneficiary organizations to use these open source applications in project monitoring and business analytics. After the presentation and demonstration, PEF appreciated the systems and has signified to adopt the systems.  Currently, the technical staff of PEF are exploring the systems on their own and have planned to utilize the systems for their disaster risk reduction-climate change adaption and social enterprise projects.

As a response to the invitation of Action Against Hunger (ACF International Philippines), the EU-funded RESOURCEGov Project, represented by its Project Manager, Jobe C. Tubigon, has graced as resource presenter to ACF's Good Governance Journey: A Learning Exchange on Participatory Governance in Balay Mindanaw Peace Center, Cagayan de Oro City on March 29-31, 2016. The activity was organized by another EU-funded Project, the Empowered Participatory Governance toward Progress in North Cotabato (EPG-Progress Project) implemented by ACF International Philippines in partnership with MinLand and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The main objective of the activity was to provide a venue for learning, sharing and discussion of issues and best practices on participatory governance for partner CSOs and LGUs of the EPG-Progress Project.

About 50 participants from the LGUs of Arakan Valley Complex and EU/ACF Delegation participated in the activity. Particularly, these include Mr. Eric Galvin, Programme Officer of EU and Mr. Javad Amoozegar, Country Director of ACF Philippines, the facilitators and the key leaders of the CSOs and LGUs of Antipas, Arakan, Magpet, Matalam and Pres. Roxas, in North Cotabato.

Complementing the “EPG-Progress Project”, the EU-funded RESOURCEGov project has shared its initial best practices on participatory governance, especially on legislative and budget tracking and project monitoring of government projects (e.g. BUB) using Qlik and Open Data Kit (ODK) systems. The EU and ACF delegation, the facilitators and the participants had appreciated the systems introduced by the RESOURCEGov Project to enhance transparency of government transactions and participation of CSOs. They were hoping that the LITS, Qlik and ODK-based tracking/monitoring systems will be implemented in their respective areas to strengthen participatory and transparent governance of partner LGUs and CSOs.

In line with the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) Capacity Development Program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Mahintana Foundation was invited to share its best practices (as model NGO/CSO in Region 12) to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The activity aims to help strengthen the competency of CSOs to effectively deliver basic services and produce positive sustainable results in development and governance.

On February 5, 2016, Mr. Martiniano Magdolot, Executive Director of Mahintana Foundation, shared the experiences and challenges of Mahintana as one of the trusted organizations in the implementation of development programs and projects in the communities to at least 60 Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives from 3 municipalities of Cotabato Province (Aleosan, Antipas, Kidapawan). He provided an overview of the organization’s milestones, development strategies and interventions. He also presented the different projects currently being implemented and the organization’s networks and partners (National, Regional, Provincial).

The participants also visited the Community Nursery at Brgy. Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato and they were warmly welcomed by plant owners/growers. Mr. Elpidio Escote, Project Manager, briefly oriented the participants of their methods in propagating plants grown to usable sizes and sold at reasonable prices.

CSOs have a full range of roles as development actors and it is important to acknowledge their complexity and diversity. Capacitating the CSOs will help them apply new systems and skills to achieve significant results and attain their visions.

On January 26 & 28, 2016, 21 members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) from the municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, headed by the BPLO, Mr. Telesforo Agustin Jr., conducted business tax mapping using the Open Data Kit (ODK) application downloaded on their android smart phones/tablets. At least 450 business establishments in 12 barangays (Kapingkong, Lilit, Udtong, Poblacion, Katitisan, Tambak, Kabulakan, Pidtiguian, Mamali, Midtapok, Didtaras and Maligaya) were successfully mapped to intensify the tax collection campaign and revenue generation in the said municipality. This initiative is one of the significant activities supported by the EU-funded RESOURCEGov project to help enhance/increase the generation of the local income in its target municipalities including Lambayong, S.K.

With the latest and one of the most sophisticated mobile data collection using Open Data Kit (ODK), this allowed the team to rapidly obtain and process data. The data gathered revealed that some business establishments do not have business permits. As a result, business owners/operators were encouraged to secure and renew business permits to be allowed to continue their business operations.

The group was able to identify areas the LGU needs improvement on to fully enforce the collection of local taxes and other impositions. By doing so, this will aid in improving the overall fiscal performance of the municipality and to also fund the increasing demand for basic services for the people without relying solely on national allocations.

The Municipalities of Aleosan and Libungan, Cotabato conducted the Citizen Satisfaction Index Survey (CSIS) on January 21-25, 2016 and January 23-28, 2016 respectively. The enumerators (15 in Libungan and 10 in Aleosan) surveyed respondents based on random sampling to ensure that everyone is represented in the survey regardless of gender, social status, belief and race. The survey was aimed at collecting and generating relevant citizen’s feedback on local government’s service delivery performance and on the citizen’s general satisfaction.

The enumerators collected primary data through face-to-face household surveys (in at least 150 respondents in 19 barangays for Aleosan and 150 respondents in 20 cluster barangays in Libungan). The respondents were male and female, 18 years old and above and residents in the said municipalities for at least six months. The citizens’ level of awareness, availment and satisfaction in the 8 areas (health, basic education, social welfare, governance and response, public works and infrastructure, environmental management, agriculture and tourism) were measured during the interview.

The survey was made possible through the EU-funded RESOURCEGov project implemented by Mahintana Foundation, Inc. The CSIS data collected will help the LGUs as well as other stakeholders in determining appropriate interventions, programs and projects to further improve local service delivery to its people.

At least 15 enumerators from the Municipality of Libungan, Cotabato and 10 enumerators from Aleosan, Cotabato attended the Orientation-workshop on Citizen Satisfaction Index Survey (CSIS) on January 19, 2016 held at Virgo Function Hall & Resto, Midsayap, Cotabato. The activity was facilitated by Mahintana Foundation through its EU-funded RESOURCEGov project. It aims to provide the participants a holistic understanding and appreciation of the CSIS and the use of open source apps (Kobo Collect, ODK) in collecting/gathering information from respondents using android smart phones/tablets.

Mr. Jobe Tubigon, RESOURCEGov Project Manager, provided an overview on CSIS and demonstrated the basics of installing and utilizing open source applications such as Kobo Collect and Open Data Kit (ODK). CSIS is an effective tool used to draw in information for gauging citizen satisfaction of the different services offered by the local government to help promote transparency, accountability and participatory governance. These include services on health, basic education, social welfare, governance and response, public works and infrastructure, environmental management, agriculture and tourism from the point of view of the people as clients and as citizens.

The enumerators were able to successfully install the Kobo Collect & ODK applications and download CSIS questionnaires in their android tablets. They experienced hands-on training and appreciated the CSIS as an effective tool to capture the voice of the citizens. The results of the survey will be used for LGU’s planning to provide responsive services that will cater to the needs of the people and to determine specific interventions to address the concerns of the community or the LGU.

The Municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, one of the target LGUs of the EU-funded RESOURCEGov project, has deemed it crucial to review and update its revenue plan/codes to execute efficient revenue generation and to better plan service delivery and other expenditures. It has also regarded as important to enact the Economic Enterprise Code and the Local Investment & Incentive Code (LIIC) to help generate more revenues beyond traditional sources and to provide a broad range of investment opportunities to the municipality.

On January 19-20, 2016, Mahintana Foundation through its RESOURCEGov project conducted the Review of the Revenue Generation Plan cum Finalization of the Municipal Revenue, Economic Enterprise, and Investment & Incentive Codes of LGU Lambayong. The activity was attended by at least 27 participants including Heads of Offices, SB members and staff, CSOs (LPRAT), MLGOO and the project team. The inputs and presentations resulted to a review of the strategies for potential increase in income, updated appropriate penalties for delinquencies, adjusted collections on fees/charges and identified proper duties & responsibilities of each office/department. The presenters were Hon. Joseph Leo Recinto, SB member, who discussed the provisions stipulated in the draft Revenue Code and the Economic Enterprise Code; Ms. Esmelinda Abalos, SB Secretary, talked about the Local Investment and Incentive Code (LIIC) including guidelines for the formulation of LIIC; and Ms. Esmeralda Mateo, MPDC, presented the 3-year Revenue Generation Plan.

Certainly, the participants actively involved themselves to identify measures to strengthen LGU’s existing collection system. Among the significant agreements were for the LGU to do a dry run first of the Economic Enterprise to determine its profitability, create the Technical Working Group (TWG) to formulate the LIIC and remind Governing authorities including LGU personnel to strictly observe and enforce what is required by the law. For the closing remarks, Mr. Mars Julian, General Services Officer, quoted,” the 2-day activity has been a good venue for us to discuss and raise our concerns, though, some of the comments may sound too personal but we should take this as an opportunity to improve ourselves and learn from our mistakes to achieve inclusive growth and improve overall performance of the LGU.”

At least 25 participants from the Municipalities of Lambayong & President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat including Heads of offices and representatives from MTO, BPLO, MPDC and DA offices attended the User’s Training on Open Data Kit (ODK) and Qlik Systems Installation and Operation on January 14-15, 2016 held at Viajero Resto, Morales, Koronadal City. This activity has been facilitated by Mahintana Foundation, Inc. through its EU-funded RESOURCEGov project with the aim to increase the efficiency of tax collection and Revenue Generation of the LGUs through GIS-based tax mapping using open source computer based applications.

Mr. Jobe Tubigon, RESOURCEGov Project Manager, presented an overview,  explained the features and demonstrated the basics of installation, operation and management of the ODK and Qlik Sense applications. He introduced the ODK as one of the highly effective, easy to use and understand kind of mapping tool. It can be used to take pictures, capture GPS locations and get signatures from respondents just by using gadgets. The participants also appreciated the Qlik Sense Software for it can be a useful tool to easily consolidate, search and visually analyze data. Other state-of-the-art android based data collection/monitoring applications were also presented such as ONA and KoboCollect Toolbox.

On Day 2, combined with the help from the project team, the participants were able to successfully use and set the parameters of the ODK Collect app and were also able to make an actual monitoring in at least 33 business establishments located at Brgy. Kapingkong, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat. There were lessons learned during the field experience such that the person/s doing the mapping shall approach respondents politely and bring with them unified business application forms including list of requirements for renewal and application of business permits.

The participants showed excellence in effectively learning and using the systems particularly ODK. It was a learning by doing experience. They were convinced that paperless monitoring using android gadgets is much more easier and faster than doing manual data collection. The Municipal Mayor of Lambayong, S.K. also showed his support to popularize and utilize the systems by approving a budget to purchase at least 20 units of android tablets to be used exclusively for business mapping/monitoring.

Mahintana Foundation, Inc. through its EU-funded RESOURCEGov project conducted the 3-day Orientation-Workshop on Preparing and Evaluating Project Proposals, Maximizing ODK-based Applications & CSO Participation in Local Budget Process/Monitoring, and Resolving common Legal Issues Affecting Local Governance on January 7-9, 2016 at Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City. Attended by at least 60 key personnel from DILG Region XII, the orientation-workshop aimed that the participants be able to appreciate and apply the important elements, strategies, processes and criteria in preparing and evaluating project proposals and appreciate the different phases of the Local Budget Process and the roles of CSOs. The activity also aims to capacitate the participants in utilizing emerging tools (i.e. ODK) for project monitoring/budget tracking and understand and apply the DILG opinions and Supreme Court Decisions in resolving common legal issues affecting Local Governance.

Mr. Reynaldo Bungubung, DILG XII Regional Director, expressed the DILG’s appreciation to the support extended by Mahintana Foundation and EU to LGUs and CSOs. He encouraged everyone to work together in order to plan, implement projects and to formulate advocacy programs with a vision of improving quality of life of the Filipinos. Atty. Erwin M. Enad, MM, Regional Legal Service Chief of DILG XI delivered the holistic overview of the common Legal Issues affecting Local Governance including updated Supreme Court Decisions, principles and recent events behind these law/s.

Mr. Martiniano Magdolot, Executive Director of Mahintana Foundation, gave a lecture on preparing and evaluating fundable Project Proposals and Resource Mobilization Strategies. Atty. Libertine Cagang, Chief Admin Officer of DBM Region XII, also provided valuable inputs about CSO participation in the Local Budget and Procurement Processes. Mr. Jobe Tubigon, RESOURCEGov Project Manager, presented the open source applications such as the Open Data Kit (ODK) tracking system, Qlik Sense and the Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS). With the use of such systems/apps, monitoring of projects will be more efficient and transparency, participation and accountability among CSOs, LGUs and partner organizations/agencies is ensured.

The program ended with a closing message from Ms. Josephine Leysa, DILG XII Assistant Regional Director, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to  Mahintana Foundation and the European Union for their continuous support to Governance projects and programs, saying, “The RESOURCEGov project has been instrumental in our quest for good governance.”