Following its successful launch last September, the Philippine Consortium on Good Local Governance was called to draw out its course of action for 2010 and the years ahead. Expecting a change in the following year's political landscape hinged on the changes in leadership, it is imperative for the Consortium to start afresh by coming up with a concrete program direction. Anchoring on this objective, a three-day planning workshop and conference took place at Subic International Hotel from December 3 to 5.

Attended by chiefs and representatives from different sectors, the session started with the program presentation of each member organization. This session is expected to go over the distinct mandates and program directions of these organizations, allowing participants to locate potential areas of collaboration. In the like manner, there is a resulting recognition of points where one organization may be of assistance to the other: technical concerns, refining of programs, merging of resources, etc. With the session revealing dynamism among distinct venture of stakeholders, defining working relationship among these partners will be more manageable. This exercise fits for an overall goal of forging solid partnership while limiting replication of work.

With the grounds set for outlining a common agenda, a workshop is also facilitated with primary aim of identifying the specific course of action for the Consortium in 2010. In this stage, future projects and initiatives to be undertaken by the Consortium are spelled out.

As the event mirrors a multisectoral representation, underscored are not only cooperation and collaboration but participatory action planning. While the Consortium continues to build on partnership to meet growing needs of local communities, it also makes possible for planning to operate in a more democratic manner. The result of which, of course, is prime in a more challenging society we now take on.

The Network Reconvenes
Assuming its 17th year now, the Network carries on its annual international conference with renewed enthusiasm. This year's gracious host, the City of Phitsanulok in Thailand, welcomed participants from across the region with festive spirit as they showcased the well known Thai tradition of Loi Krathong. This only left guests with no traces of waning energies but much vitality in time for the pressing concerns to be addressed during the conference proper.

Held at Amarin Lagoon Hotel from November 1-3, the Conference, as it yearly does, yielded positive remarks in successfully bringing together not merely different nationalities but various good practices on local governance. Notwithstanding cultural differences and language barriers as hindrances for cooperation, the Network stood by its long-term goal of profiting from inputs of each member country in terms of innovative practices, developmental works, governance scheme, problem-solving mechanism - all of which are indispensible in aiming for individual progress.

Embarking on the increasingly eminent discussion on Climate Change, this ESEANet Conference adopted as its theme, Cities Coping with Climate Change: Implications on Health and Education. Sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Singapore, the event housed roughly 200 participants from both local and international delegation. Member cities in attendance are: Battambang Province, Cambodia; Gumi City, South Korea; HaiPhong City, VietNam; Kuantan Municipality, Malaysia; Jakarta City, Indonesia; and Olongapo City, Philippines. The event was also graced by local officials, among them: Vice-Governor Yongyos Meakaroon (Phitsanulok Province) and Mr. Prapat Poocharoen (President, Municipal League of Thailand) who both delivered impressing welcome remarks; Dr. Preecha Ruangjan, Provincial Governor who formally closed the two-day proceeding.

Paper Presentations: Cities Coping with Climate Change
The unpredictability of climate and weather conditions is already a given even before human activities and industrial works have exacerbated its case. While it is true that along progress and development of societies comes increasing climate change challenges, communities should not enjoy the gains of the former while neglecting the threats of the latter. No society can appreciate politico-economic development while living in an unsecure environment. But as we leave an open discussion about climate change issues, governments and localities should already take the lead in mitigating environmental backlash.

Since more governments are now on the hype for good practices in responding to climate change, steady venues for continuous exchanges of innovative practices becomes more manageable. For this year's ESEA Conference, representatives from member cities once again shared groundbreaking practices in their respective climate change related topic. The following is a list of the papers presented during the conference:

Community Based Solid Waste Management
Dr. Premrudee Charmpoonod (Mayor, Phitsanulok Municipality)

Climate Change: How Thai Cities Learn to Adapt
Dr. Paul Chamniern (Director, Thailand Environment Institute)

Renewable Energy Utilization in Phitsanulok
Dr. Wattanapong Rakwichian (President, Asia Sustainable Development Foundation)

HaiPhong Strategy of Environmental Management and Local Development
Dr. Tran Trung Dung (Director, HaiPhong Administration of Tourism)

Towards a More Substantive Role for Local Government in Natural Resources Management
Mr. Boonny Tep (Deputy Director, Environment Department of Battambang Province)

Conservation Education and Local Government and Community Involvement in Indonesia
Dr. Rudolf Hauter (Local Government Advisor, Indonesia Municipal Association)

The Significance of Disaster Management and Mitigation and the Environment of the City of Olongapo
Hon. James Gordon, Jr. (Mayor, City of Olongapo)

Environmental Activities and Policies of Gumi to Cope with Climate Change
Mr. Younhun Hong (Deputy Director, Environment and Sanitation Department of Gumi City)

After months of organizing, LOGODEF spearheaded the formal launch of the Philippine Consortium on Good Local Governance (PCGLG) last September 25, 2009 at the Bayview Salon, Hyatt Hotel and Casino-Manila.

Formal Launch
The election of ULAP's Atty. Monina Camacho as Chairman, Kababaihan Gabay ng Bayan's (KAGABAY) Mr. Phillip Ting as Vice-Chairman and LOGODEF's Edmund Tayao as Secretary-General were formalized as Mayor Benhur Abalos, National President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), led the induction of the officers and members of the Consortium. Representing the Champions of local governance in the country, Gov. Erico Aumentado of Bohol initiated the ceremonial toast. Mr. Klaus Preschle and Dr. Peter Köppinger, KAS outgoing and incoming Country Representatives graced the event and offered their good tidings to the Consortium.

Charter Members
The following are the institutions forming the PCGLG: League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP); League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD), Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF); Senate Economic and Planning Office (SEPO); Congressional Planning and Budget Department (CPBD); The Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF); Kababaihan Gabay ng Bayan (KAGABAY); KAISAHAN Inc.; Galing Pook Foundation; Transparency International (TI) ; Association of Schools of Public Administration of the Philippines (ASPAP); National College of Public Administration (UP-NCPAG); Ateneo School of Government (ASoG); La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG); UST-Social Research Center (UST-SRC) Local Government Academy- Logotriphilnet; Naga City Institute of Governance. (NCIG); Task Force Local Sectoral Representation; Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and The Asia Foundation (TAF)

Backtrack
Since the last quarter of 2008, LOGODEF launched a series of roundtable discussion to initially identify legislative reforms that will pave way for the improvement of local governance in the country. Gathering the stakeholders, composed of local government units, concerned national agencies, members of the civil societies and the academe, however, revealed that certain areas of concern need to be addressed more urgently.

The Philippine Consortium on Good Local Governance (PCGLG) was created to fill in the gaps that more often than not, breed misunderstanding among stakeholders: communication, coordination and cooperation. PCGLG will serve as a sounding board for continuous dialogue of pending local governance bills in both Houses of Congress and review of the Local Government Code. It will also undertake research designed to guide the member institutions in coming up with reform initiatives and positions on critical issues.

LOGODEF convened its partner institutions to welcome incoming KAS-Manila new top man, Dr. Peter Köppinger, and bid farewell to Mr. Klaus Preschle last September 16, 2009 at the Café Adriatico, Manila.

Executive Director Edmund Tayao led the celebration through a testament of gratitude for six years of fruitful KAS-LOGODEF partnership under Mr. Preschle's guidance. Dr. Gaudioso Sosmeña, LOGODEF's Chairman of the Board, formally introduced Dr. Köppinger to the partners. In response, Mr. Preschle thanked everyone for their efforts in furthering decentralization in the country while Dr. Köppinger took the chance to share his visions for KAS and LOGODEF. The partners concluded the event by reiterating their commitment to strengthen forged relationships through continuous support to the KAS and the Foundation's initiatives.

Among the attendees are: Dr. Mariano Guillermo, Sec .Gen. Ronald Golding and Dir. Merwin Salazar from the Senate Economic and Planning Office (SEPO); Dr. Grace Jamon and Prof. Eleazar Ricote from the Association of Schools of Public Administration (ASPAP); Atty. Monina Camacho from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); Mr. Alex Raoul Villano from the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP); Dr. Alvin Ang from UST- Social Research Center (UST-SRC); Dr. Alex Brillantes, Jr., from the National College of Public Administration (UP-NCPAG); Dr. Milwilda Guevara from Synergeia Foundation, Dr. Eddie Dorotan from Galing Pook Foundation; Dr. Nestor Pilar from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP); Former DILG Secretary Ceasar Sarino; Mayor James Gordon, Jr. of the City of Olongapo and Mayor Florencio Bentrez of Tuba, Benguet.

The 4th Lecture Series, as a venue for dialogue to confer significant issues between stakeholders, was held last May 20, 2009 at the Amparaiso Resort, Amparo, Macrohon, Southern Leyte. The latest lecture series was hosted by Southern Leyte State University and made possible through a partnership between Local Government Development Foundation and Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines, Inc. The Lecture Series theme is "Towards a Sustainable Local Governance". The 4th Lecture Series featured an extensive discussion/ presentation on the "Principle of Subsidiarity and Social Market Economy" by visiting professor Dr. Dieter W. Benecke. KAS Country Representative, Mr. Klaus Preschle also graced the event and offered his thoughts on the development work of LOGODEF outlining several accomplishments in the past 2 years. Former Leyte Governor and KAME awardee Hon. Rosette Lerias on the other hand contributed an extensive discussion on the Guinsaugon tragedy.

The 4th Lecture Series was attended by participants from a various sectors. Among them were LGU officials from different cities and municipalities in Leyte. The representatives from DEPED-Region VIII, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Red Cross-Region VIII, archdiocese of Maasin City and the presidents and deans from various universities in Region VIII were also there to actively participate.

Continuing the series of roundtable discussion, LOGODEF together with the Congressional Planning and Budget Department and Senate Economic and Planning Office held its third and final roundtable discussion entitled "Affirming of Decentralization Issues and Adoption of Proposed Reforms" last May 14-15 at Kachina Room, Century Park Hotel.

The start of the third roundtable discussion gave an opening to a faster and nearer achievement of the goals set for strengthening local government units. A more enthusiastic and dynamic participants were observed. The atmosphere was filled with hopes dedicated for determining what steps are needed in order to successfully push for local government reforms.

The two day activity was formally opened by Prof. Edmund S. Tayao as he emphasized the purpose of the event. As an orientation for the participants, an overview of the past RTDs was presented by Dr. Segundo Romero. It helped refresh the minds of participants as well as gave an idea to participants who were not able to attend the past RTDs.

The presentations primarily centered on the importance of forming a consortium. Former Secretary Sarino of DILG also gave a presentation on how the Local Government Code was passed in order to give an idea on how to effectively pursue local governance reforms. Dir. Eleuterio Dumogho of the Office of Senator Pimentel also presented issues that have been crucial since the passage of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Moderated by Mr. Roberto Limbago of LPP and Prof. Eleazar Ricote of ASPAP, the open forum served as means to clarify issues, paving way for exchange of ideas that can be used to further strengthen the reform proposals and agendas for local governance. It also opened the way for a workshop that would determine the stand of participants representing different sectors. Throughout the discussion, the participants also suggested some of their concerns needed to be prioritized by the consortium, thus, enhancing the issues identified in the past RTDs.

During the workshop, the necessity of establishing a consortium has been realized. Ultimately defining the position of the participants in organizing a consortium, the stakeholders firmed and pledged their full commitment to the formation of the Philippine Consortium on Good Local Governance (PCGLG).

After agreeing on the consortium concept, the participants identified the actions to be undertaken to effectively carry out the reforms and be given sufficient attention by both Houses of Congress. An organizing committee, with members coming from the academe, Leagues and selected NGOs and NGAs, was identified to stir the overall direction of the Consortium. The cocktails ended the day as a sign for the success of the third roundtable discussion.

LOGODEF together with the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines, Inc., held the 3rd of the Sosmeña Lecture-Series at the Multi-media Center, Multi-purpose room, Silliman University, Dumaguete City with the theme "Local Governance: Coping with Emerging Challenges." The series of lecture discussions is designed to be a venue for discussing significant issues on local governance. Its primary objective is to popularize said issues to all stakeholders and to the ASPAP network.

The topics that were presented at the 3rd Lecture-Series was discussed and presented by prominent personalities in the fields of Politics, Local Governance and Disaster Management. Among the speakers are Prof. Eleazar Ricote, ASPAP NCR Regional President; Dr. Grace Gorospe-Jamon, National President of ASPAP; Dr. Nestor Pilar, Vice-President for Academic Affairs of the National Defense College of the Philippines and also by Academe officials and Faculty of the host, Silliman University namely, Dr. Pablito Dela Rama, Dean, College of Education and Dr. Carlos Magtolis, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences of Silliman University and Mr. Jenny L. Chiu, Chief Audit Executive, Silliman University. Among the participants were members of the Academe, NGOs and LGUs in Region VII. National Secretary Adviser Norberto Gonzales also graced the occasion and discussed issues on national development.

Following the theme Determining Local Governance Reform Strategies and Constraints, LOGODEF, together with the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO) and the Congressional Planning and Budget Department (CPBD) held the 2nd RTD last February 19, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom I of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in aims of identifying strategic actions to fast-track the identified priority local government issues for reform in the first Roundtable Discussion (RTD).

During the presentation, Dr. Prospero de Vera III, a professor of Public Administration in the University of the Philippines, provided the participants a reflection on local government reform initiatives by focusing on the journey of Senator Pimentel's Senate Bill Number 826. Meanwhile, Ms. Ma. Lourdes Tiquia of Publicus Co. Ltd. shared her expertise in presenting effective strategies in lobbying in Congress.

On the other hand, Conference Convenor Gov. Emilio Macias of Negros Oriental emphasized the difficulty of acquiring support from the legislators as their interests lie in contrast to those of the local governments. Conference discussants Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental, Atty. Lutgardo Barbo, President of Philippine Normal University, and Hon. Mary Jane Ortega, former mayor of San Fernando City, also offered their perspectives on the best lobbying strategies by anticipating the possible challenges that the reform initiative may face.

Attended by several representatives from local government leagues, academe, civil society, and development partners, Dr. Segundo Romero of Openhancer facilitated the Open Forum and Plenary Discussion that focused on the formulation of lobby strategies to facilitate needed legislation. The next Roundtable Discussion will verify and reaffirm the output of the first and second RTDs by convening all stakeholders primarily including representatives from national government agencies, NGOs and local government units.

The Local Government Foundation and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines launched on January 26 at the Manila Hotel the Fifth Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence (KAME) Award for 2009.

KAME is an award for the best managed provincial, city, municipality, and barangay governments in the Philippines. It was established in honor of Konrad Adenauer who, as mayor of Cologne, Germany (1921-1933) and the First Chancellor of the Republic of Germany, epitomized Christian democracy, social justice and equality amongst individuals and the society at large. KAME is also the only foreign award for local governments in the Philippines which has been duly recognized by the Senate of the Philippines in its Resolution No. 681 in 1996.

Consistent with its core mandate of advocating good local governance, LOGODEF proudly launched its latest work, Dr. Mariano J. Guillermo's "Measuring Municipal Performance and Forecasting Budgetary Requirements: The Tuba Experience" at the Strawberry Hall, RSDC Bldg., Benguet State University last December 5, 2008. With countries embracing democracy as a universal governance principle, focus on service delivery and sustainable development has continuously been emphasized, leading to the greater role local governments must portray as the state's frontline agents.

The Handbook intends to guide municipal governments in the use of performance indicators, service standards and per capita budget as instruments to measure the extent of which municipal services are being delivered to the constituents of a municipality. Through collaborations with the UC Cordillera Local Government Research and Development Center (UC CLGRDC) and the Tuba Municipal Government spearheaded by Mayor Florencio Bentrez, Dr. Guillermo has succeeded in creating an innovative manual that other local governments can easily adopt in measuring their performance.

Present in the Lecture and recognized for their valuable contribution in the creation of the book are the members of the Technical Working Group, the Editorial Staff composed of former Vice Governor Edna Tabanda, Dr. Alfred J. Herbolario, Mrs. Letty Chawag and Mrs. Rhea Noreen Acosta, Mrs. Dominga Walang, Mrs. Marissa Cabato and Tuba councilors Dick Balting and Jerome Palaoag. Mayor Ruben Paoad of Tublay, Vice Mayor Noel G. Ngolob of Itogon and the municipal councilors and board members of Benguet, as well as members of the academe, civil society and studentry were also in attendance during the event.

With the theme "Local Governance: Coping with Emerging Challenges," LOGODEF held the second of the Sosmeña Lecture-Series at the Strawberry Hall, RSBC Bldg., Benguet State University on December 5, 2008. The series of lecture discussions aims to provide a venue to identify issues of concern affecting local governance in so far as local government autonomy is concerned, as well as a concrete mechanism to advocate reforms in local governance. It also envisions the exploration of possible policy options to address these challenges and sustain the gains already achieved towards meaningful decentralization in the context of Philippine realities.

The Lecture presents a cross dissection of society, with participants representing the academe, studentry, civil society and local government. Among the attendees are Mayors Florencio Bentrez of Tuba and Ruben Paoad of Tublay, Vice Mayor Noel G. Ngolob of Hogon and the municipal councilors and board members of Benguet.

As part of the Foundation's efforts to strengthen its network linkages, the second Lecture Series is conducted in partnership with the Association of School's of Public Administration in the Philippines, Inc. (ASPAP). The Lecture-Series is one of the areas of collaboration and cooperation identified by both LOGODEF and ASPAP per Memorandum of Agreement signed last April 2008.

Congruent with the initiative towards meaningful replication of successful local governance throughout the country, efforts in identifying areas for amendments in pertinent legislations are becoming relevant. True to this project, the Local Government Development Foundation with the Congressional Planning and Budget Department (CPBD) and the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO) spearheaded the first roundtable discussion last November 27, 2008. The event drew up a common list of priority legislative measures. With the theme Decentralization Issues and Reform Proposals, relevant issues which covered the broad themes of local fiscal administration and inter-governmental relations are classified.

During the paper presentation, Dr. Gaudioso Sosmeña, LOGODEF's Founding Executive Director, provided a perspective of decentralization in the Philippines by introducing its historical antecedents and by enumerating several legislative actions toward decentralization. Dr. Mariano Guillermo, Secretary of the LOGODEF's Board of Trustees, presented a review of the initiatives in local government reforms and classified pending bills into different categories.

Former Governor Josefina dela Cruz of Bulacan, as convenor, stressed the need to prioritize the clarification of goals and missions before initiating a change. On this note, she affirmed a need to go back and review the institutional memory to counter missed opportunities and eliminate the sidetracking of lots of projects.

Attended by several representatives from local government leagues, national government agencies, academe, civil society, development partners and other key stakeholders, the first RTD has already identified a list of priority bills on local government reform through its workgroup sessions. As a prelude to the upcoming RTDs, the output of this first roundtable discussion aims to be of use in the formulation of lobby strategies which will be the agenda of the second roundtable discussion.

KAS Singapore and LOGODEF in cooperation with the City of Olongapo headed by the Hon. Mayor James Gordon, Jr. held the highly anticipated 16th East and Southeast Asia Network for Better Local Governments (ESEANet) from November 19-21, 2008 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Adopting 'Cities in Search of the Ideal Communities', as the theme of the conference, the event seeks to raise public awareness in innovations on local government management by bringing together experts and practitioners on governance in the Asia Pacific to share their notable insights and efforts in building 'ideal communities'. Among them are: Battambang Deputy Governor Suthang Sieng; Professor Eko Budihardjo, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Urban Development in Semarang; CLAIR (The Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) Singapore's Director Yutaka Oinuma; Professor Jamilah Mohamad of the University of Malaya; President of the Kuantan Municipal Council Dato Azizan Bin Ahmad; Professor Grace Jamon, Mayors Ma. Lourdes Fernando of Marikina City and James Gordon, Jr., of Olongapo City; Gumi City's Deputy Mayor Young Jo Choi; Vu Thi Thu Yen, Vice President of the Vietnamese Alliance Mineral Ltd.; and Director of the Thailand Environment Institute, Dr. Paul Chamniern.

With more than 200 participants in attendance, the conference presented a cross-dissection of local governance in today's Asian countries. The following member cities attended the convention: Gumi City, South Korea; Battambang City, Cambodia; Phitsanulok City, Thailand; Ha Long City, Vietnam, Olongapo City, Philippines; Kuantan City, Malaysia and Semarang City, Indonesia. Representatives from both international and local government units and non-government organizations also participated in the prestigious event.

In spite of the varying perspectives that cut across nations as presented by the speakers, the concept of strengthening local governance through innovative approaches in addressing the need for sustainable development had been reiterated throughout the conference.

LOGODEF signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Senate Economic and Planning Office (SEPO), the Congressional Planning and Budget Department (CPBD) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) on Wednesday, 05 November 2008. This collaboration is consistent with their shared vision of providing directions for local governance reforms through gathering key stakeholders in a National Conference. This initiative is designed to review decentralization-related issues pursuant to the objectives of (1) adopting a common legislative agenda for reform; (2) establishing support from legislators on specific reform areas and push for the passage of these reform bills in Congress; and (3) institute a means of periodic review of accomplished area for reform.

Prof. Edmund Tayao, LOGODEF's Executive Director, represented the Foundation with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Dr. Gaudioso Sosmeña and BOT Secretary, Dr. Mariano Guillermo. The BOT members, Dr. Milwida Guevara, Dr. Alex Brillantes and Dr. Alvin Ang were also present to witness the signing at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

SEPO Executive Director Ronald Golding, and CPBD Director General Rodolfo Vicerra also signed the agreement. As proactive organizations of both Houses of Congress, consultations with various stakeholders including periodic monitoring and review of reform initiatives particularly for legislation are expected to be more vigorous. Especially with the continuing support of KAS, this significant initiative should be able to push for needed reforms in local governance.

Reinvent state institutions.

That's what is needed for a state to sustain itself and weather the demands of globalization, LOGODEF Executive Director Edmund Tayao stressed during his presentation for the 2nd United Cities and Local Governments – Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) Congress in Pattaya, Thailand last July.

Fundamental in reinventing institutions is the significant role played by local authorities as frontline agencies of governance. Quoting Amartya Sen's "development is freedom", he pushed state institutions to involve people by having them take part in the process of policy formulation and even implementation. "Governance is a process and it requires the participation of everyone as everyone is a stakeholder", says Prof. Tayao.

The Congress, having a theme, "Sustainable Cities and Local Governments for a Sustainable World", was attended by experts and practitioners in decentralization, local government and sustainable development from around the world.

With the nature of the state today, it is certain that the congress had been another milestone event to assist local authorities in the quest of building a sustainable world.

For a copy of Prof. Tayao's presentation, download DECENTRALIZATION, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT: The Systemic Way to Sustainable Development.

The mayors of what will soon be the metro Baguio are signing a MOA to speed up the formation of the metropolis in Benguet province.

During the 2nd exploratory talk on Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba (BLIST) metropolitan arrangement initiated by LOGODEF on April 23 at Baguio Country Club, LOGODEF Executive Director Edmund Tayao emphasized the need for these LGU’s to organize themselves and formally establish interlocal cooperation.

LOGODEF’s interest in the BLIST initiative started with its activities at Tuba, especially when a seminar on Legislation was conducted in September 2007 with local officials from various Municipalities of Benguet Province. It was in that seminar when a suggestion to institutionalize interlocal cooperation came up. This is so because during the open forum, problems ranging from traffic code to solid waste management between and amongst contiguous BLIST LGUs were identified.

Interlocal cooperation has always been the approach at LOGODEF, particularly in its development undertakings emphasizing the benefits of clustering LGUs especially in addressing local government’s needs. Discussion among BLIST LGUs is now ongoing to finalize the content of the MOA proposed by LOGODEF.

The Strategic Studies Council, an adjunct component of LOGODEF which functions as think tank under the supervision of the Executive Director will be launching its 4th volume of policy papers on August. The theme is "Local Policymaking Strategies and Constraints".

Upon recommendation of LOGODEF founding Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Gaudioso Sosmeña, Jr. members of the SSC should focus this time on the local dynamics of policy making, concentrating on the cultural dimension of local government's experiences in formulating policies. Note that the objective of the SSC is to identify issues which are the concern of local authorities. In this 4th edition of local government policy papers there are nine papers that are timely and relevant to the current issues affecting local policy making in the country and LOGODEF contracted sector specialists to provide policy options in solving these issues.

The topics and writers for this volume of policy papers are: "The Sociology of Local Policy Making" by Dr. Ledivina Cariño; "Political Leadership and Local Policy Making" by Dr. Clarita Carlos; Dr. Mariano J. Guillermo wrote up "Local Policy Making: The Philippine Experience"; Dr. Florentino Hornedo explored the "Cultural Dimension of Local Policy Making"; the topic "Local Policy Making: Art or Science" was written by Dr. Nestor N. Pilar; Dr. Segundo E. Romero's paper dwells on "Local Policy Making and its Political Dimension; the topic "Local Policy Making and Security Management" was authored by Lt. Gen. Romulo Yap and; "Local Policy Making and Local Governance" by Dr. Gaudioso C. Sosmeña, Jr.

Like the previous volumes of policy papers published by LOGODEF and KAS, this volume is aimed to provide guide materials for potential users like the Local Government Committees in both Houses of Congress, the Leagues, Academe and other institutions interested in the continuing development of local government administration.

Expansion Activities of the Interlocal Cooperation Project in Misamis Oriental

The project Development Beyond Political Boundaries is an implementation of a constitutional-legal provision on interlocal cooperation which is provided for in Section 13, Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 33 of the Local Government Code of RA 7160. LOGODEF's principal project partners are the municipalities of Balingoan, Medina, and Talisayan (BMT) located in the eastern section of Northern Mindanao. The objective is to establish and showcase these three municipalities as pilot areas in interlocal cooperation, thereafter become models for local governments in Northern Mindanao.

Ongoing expansion activities in Misamis Oriental include the implementation of the Interlocal Cooperation project in the Manticao, Lugait and Naawan municipalities, also known as the ManLuNa cluster. Mobilization activities for the orientation on the implementation of GIS-Based Real Property Tax Administration for ManLuNa has started October of 2006. On January 2007, ManLuNa entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with LOGODEF and KAS for the implementation of Interlocal Cooperation project for their cluster. Last April 2008, the ManLuNa cluster has just completed its third on-the-job training for the GIS component of the Interlocal Cooperation project.

In the long-term, the interlocal cooperation strategy being implemented initially for BMT and ManLuNa through the GIS-Based Real Property Tax Administration is intended to fully complement provincial-wide implementation. Last April 2008, the Binuangan, Kinoguitan and Sugbongcogon municipalities, also known as the BinKiSu cluster in Misamis Oriental has forged a Memorandum of Agreement with LOGODEF and KAS for the implementation of the same project in their cluster.

Next activities in line for the three (3) clusters will include the completion of the GIS-based Real Property Tax Administration for the BMT and ManLuNa clusters as well as orientation activities on GIS for the BinKiSu clusters. Action planning activities will also be conducted to identify specific activities that will be undertaken by the BinKiSu cluster.

It is hoped that eventually, the Province, at its level can provide a model of how interlocal cooperation strategy can be utilized not only in terms of real property tax collection but with other developmental concerns in local governance.

Specifically through the GIS technology, the long-term implementation of the interlocal cooperation is expected to assist the Province in aid of development planning. Socio-economic, demographic and resources profile will be developed and enhanced through the benefits of GIS technology. Such system will allow for the identification of succinct policies, strategies as well as priority programs and projects that best exemplify the advantage of inter-local cooperation as a strategy for local governance.

The year 2008 marks the beginning of another milestone for the Local Government Development Foundation. As the year 2008 commenced, LOGODEF has undergone a change in leadership following the retirement of its Founding Executive Director, Dr. Gaudioso C. Sosmeña. The new leadership with Prof. Edmund S. Tayao at the helm, comes with renewed vigor and vitality on the advocacy for local governance reforms toward meaningful autonomy and decentralization. Likewise, the thrust of building capable local governments is anchored on the principle that good governance is local governance.

LOGODEF has been at the forefront of local governance, continuously providing technical assistance and services to Local Government Units (LGUs) for almost 17 years now at about the same period when the Local Government Code of 1991 was passed. During this long period of time, the environment of local governments has completely changed and is increasingly getting more complex and challenging.

Given the realities of Philippine local governance and to maintain the Foundation's relevance amidst its competitive environment, the LOGODEF Board of Trustees has also been reorganized last 29 April 2008 to provide succinct policy directions and identify optimal schemes to capably implement strategic activities that will utilize and complement existing efforts of related organizations towards the same objectives. The new Board is chaired by its Founding Executive Director, Dr. Gaudioso C. Sosmeña. Prof. Edmund S. Tayao is duly appointed as the Vice-Chairman, in his capacity as the Foundation Executive Director. Dr. Mariano J. Guillermo has been elected as the Board Secretary while Mr. Klaus Preschle, the Country Representative to the Philippines of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), is automatically a member of the Board. The KAS has been LOGODEF's major partner for the last 17 years in its advocacy for local governance reforms. To further enrich the policy-making capacities of the Board, Dr. Milwida Guevara, Dr. Alvin P. Ang and Dr. Alex B. Brillantes, Jr. has been duly appointed as new members of the LOGODEF BOT.

The Local Government Development Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Agreement last April 2008 wi th the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines (ASPAP). Pursuant to a common vision of providing local governments/communities all the capacity building support/assistance they need in critical public administration and/or governance concerns, the agreement has, for its primary objective, strengthened collaboration in various areas of local governance taking into account existing and available networks of technical expertise and resources.

ASPAP is a non-stock, non-partisan, not-for-profit and SEC-registered national organization of schools and institutes of public administration with presence in all regions in the Philippines. It aims to encourage cooperation and coordination among institutions through mutually beneficial programs, projects and activities. Through the years, it has evolved into a developmental organization involved in direct advocacy work and in the implementation of programs/projects and activities targeted to promote/enhance good governance at all levels of the government's politico-administrative structure.

Particularly through its regional chapters, ASPAP has already established collaborative linkages and/or partnerships with local government units and/or local governance institutions in the research, advocacy and implementation of programs, projects and other activities aimed at capacitating local government units and/or communities on critical public administration and governance concerns in areas such as local development planning and the mainstreaming of the rights-based approach to development.

For its kick-off activity, LOGODEF and ASPAP will be conducting the second of the Sosmeña Lecture Series in September 2008 in Iloilo City at the University of the Philippines-Visayas.

LOGODEF launched its first of a series of lecture-discussions last March 10, 2008 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila. Dubbed as The Sosmeña Lecture Series, it is envisioned to be a concrete mechanism for the Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) to advocate reforms in local governance.

The theme of the launching event on "Philippine Local Governance in Perspective: Emerging Challenges and Options for Strategic Policy Directions" was intended to launch a series of lecture-discussions as a venue to identify issues and areas of concern affecting local governance in so far as local government autonomy is concerned. It is also envisioned to provide a venue to explore possible policy options to address these challenges and sustain the gains already achieved towards meaningful decentralization in the context of Philippine realities.

The keynote topic for the event was delivered by DILG Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero on "Strategies to Further Decentralziation in the Philippines". Other lectures presented include "Fiscal Management Autonomy" and the IRA by Dr. Milwida Guevara; "Local Governance and Social Sector Reform" by Dr. Mariano J. Guillermo; "Issues in Local Development Planning" by Dr. Benjamin Carino; and "Role of the Leagues in Local Governance" by Ms. Lilian De Leon.

The event was attended by participants from various sectors covering partner LGUs and selected local government units, the Senate and House of Representatives, the DILG and other national oversight and line agencies, various local government leagues, the academe, relevant NGOs, and funding/donor institutions.

The Sosmeña Lecture Series is also a follow-up to the 2006 International Conference on Revisiting Decentralization in the Philippines hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation last 2006.

In review of LOGODEF programs and direction as an organization working for the attainment of good local governance, the Foundation sought the assistance of a German Senior Expert Service, Dr. Gunter Dill. His main task is to develop a working plan for LOGODEF that shall ensure its excellent position as a think-tank, an advocate for decentralization and a supporter of local governments under a new leadership.

Dr. Dill was given a hearty welcome in Manila on February 21, 2008. To fulfill this task of developing of a working plan, LOGODEF with KAS assistance set meetings with the partners of the foundation especially the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities, the members of LOGODEF Board of Trustees and Strategic Studies Council, the provinces, cities and municipalities LOGODEF is offering its capability building programs, the academe as well as the various sponsors of the foundation especially the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in the Philippines.

In totality, the meetings resulted to improved foundation's advocacy work. This is so because collaboration with other institutions in the implementation of the foundation's projects expanded. ULAP Executive Director Atty. Monina Camacho, to illustrate, pledged to help LOGODEF in gathering necessary data for its proposed database and LDI project. ASPAP-NCR Chapter President Eli Ricote, on the other hand, thought it wise to team up with LOGODEF in providing local governments/communities all the capability building support/assistance they need. In addition to that, new approaches in addressing local government needs have been introduced. LCP OIC Executive Director Elisea Gozun, for example, stressed the need to distribute IRA in favor of the LGU's with greater responsibilities.

The Senior Expert left LOGODEF with renewed vigor on March 16, 2008. He has been a real hard worker and dedicated in fulfilling his task. He was very systematic and thorough during his meetings with the foundation's partner organizations. LOGODEF is expecting him back on November, this time to speak for the 16th International Conference of the East and Southeast Asia Network for Better Local Governments.

Strengthening local political institutions in the Philippines through interlocal cooperation has been the advocacy of LOGODEF. It has, through the years, evolved into a developmental organization involved in helping local governments help themselves in the promotion of local autonomy and self reliance towards the attainment of effective decentralization.

The increasing responsibilities of local governments under the Local Government Code of 1991 heightened the need for upgrading their competencies for effective administration of their functions. In response to call for institutionalization of Local Government Capability Building (LGCB) Project based on the premise of local governments helping themselves, LOGODEF has made the organization of a pool of inter-municipal experts. Thus, a twelve (12) year (1994-2006) experience in interlocal cooperation involving several municipalities was initiated in the province of Bulacan.

On July 29, 1992 six municipalities namely: Calumpit, Hagonoy, Bustos, Marilao, Meycauayan and Sta. Maria, all in the province of Bulacan entered into a Memorandum of Agreement through their respective Municipal Mayors to sustain the LGCB Project. They were compelled to pool their resources and efforts in the initiation of mutually beneficial development undertakings. LOGODEF in cooperation with the provincial government agreed on the following objectives of Interlocal Cooperation project:

1. Organize the Committee of Mayors (COM) which shall be composed of mayors of municipalities involved in interlocal cooperation project. The COM is primarily responsible in providing the strategic direction of IMT activities;
2. Organize the Inter-Municipal Team (IMT) which shall be composed of technical staff of the municipalities concern;
3. Develop necessary knowledge and skills among IMT members;
4. Identify areas of cooperation among member municipalities; and 5. Initiate inter-municipal wide projects and activities.

LOGODEF, during this twelve year period provided the IMT members with capability building interventions at both the institutional and individual levels to upgrade their skills. The assistance of various consultants was also provided. The members worked as a team, visited their respective municipalities and provided consultancy services. The municipalities involved in this interlocal arrangement provided annual budgets for the operation of the IMT, which includes their honoraria as they move from one municipality to another.

Bulacan experience in this regard paved the way for greater cooperation among municipalities of the province under the leadership of the provincial governor. Capability building interventions for IMT members allowed them to appreciate more inter-municipal cooperation as an effective strategy in development beyond political boundaries. In 2005, the Bulacan interlocal cooperation project was exported to the three municipalities of Balingoan, Medina and Talisayan (BMT) in the province of Misamis Oriental to serve as a model for northern Mindanao. The same concept was introduced in the Province of Benguet, in the Cordillera highlands, which was also selected as a pilot province on interlocal cooperation in 2006.