Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan

Manual on
Organizing
and
Monitoring
 THE PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL

This manual is designed to serve as a basic tool for the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan
(UBAS) Convenors, Technical Working Groups, and Barangay Action Teams. It is a handy
reference in organizing UBAS in your Barangay; from the preparation, organizing, Formation
and Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Sustaining Grassroots Good
Governance and Development. It also offers a standard content and approach for the
Orientation and Post-Covenant signing activities, preferably utilized after the formal
launching in ones province, city, or municipality.

This manual also provides guidelines in monitoring the BuB projects which primarily aims on
creating a union and building a relationship between the people and the government. This
has an exhaustive discussion on the steps in conducting the UBAS monitoring of the BuB
projects; from the Social Preparation, the Project Field Visit, Setting-Up of the Transparency
Billboard, Submission and Consolidation of Monitoring Projects, Interface with
Implementing Unit or Agencies, and Presentation to RPRAT, NPRAT, BuB Execom. As for
barangays without proposed BuB projects, UBAS will focus on the engagement of the
citizens for social preparation. The manual also provides references on the common social
issues present in the barangay and the corresponding action to properly resolve that
particular issue.

Moreover, this manual also discusses how to promote and sustain good governance in the
barangay. Since UBAS primary mission is to promote honesty and integrity in public service,
this manual provides the necessary guidelines to effectively impose good governance in the
grassroots level by focusing on four basic elements: Transparency, Responsiveness,
Accountability, and Participation.

The making of this manual takes into consideration all its possible users; from beginners to
experts. The content and flow are made easy and flexible in terms of duration or design of
activities. The users of this manual are expected to show mastery in the subject matter,
exercise creativity to effectively practice the processes, and familiarity with other related
methods for more efficient implementation of the program.

This manual is a work in progress and is subject to revisions and modifications as necessary.

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 INTRODUCTION

The Barangay is the basic political unit of our society. Being the most basic, it is the one
closest to the people, and is therefore expected to be knowledgeable of their needs and
capable to respond early and earnestly to them. Listening to the voices of the people is an
essential aspect of life in the Barangay for such is a forum wherein the collective views of
the people may be expressed (Local Government Code of 1991). The Barangay is also the
primary platform for citizens active participation. Since challenges and issues in the
community are multifaceted and intertwined, the greater understanding of problems and
the pooling of solutions through human and material, even spiritual resources should
happen at the base in order to contribute to development. When this happens, the
Barangay can truly become a Center for and of Development.

This is the vision of UBAS --- a Barangay characterized by Good Governance and
transparency, rich in interfaith and multi-sectoral participation, with goals translated into
accessible, quality, and responsive social services. UBAS aims to strengthen the Barangay by
facilitating strategic collaborations, enhancing honesty and integrity in public service, and
encouraging responsible and caring citizenry.

Ultimately, strong Barangays create a strong nation. Such is a nation of empowered and
loving Filipinos who care enough to know and help their Barangay, and who use the power
of faiths as catalysts in this mission. Such is a nation where we establish a Government that
shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop
our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence
and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality,
and peace... (1987 Philippine Constitution).

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 UBAS MILESTONES

The story of UBAS began in January 2011 when the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) late Secretary Jesse Robredo wrote the Bishops of the Philippines and
invited them to explore a possible partnership on Grassroots Good Governance. In his letter,
Sec. Jesse quoted Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI when he addressed the members of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP): At times, this task of proclamation
touches upon issues relevant to the political sphere... network of parishes can effectively
interact and collaborate with local governments We would do this in the spirit of
promoting the Common Good more effectively in every Barangay, he added.

The following month, Most Reverend Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, D.D. of the Diocese of
Novaliches responded positively to his letter. The Bishop who oversees parishes located in
District 1 of Caloocan City and Districts 2, 5, and 6 of Quezon City was eager to tap this
opportunity. In his response, Bishop Tobias expressed to Sec. Jesse how The Diocese
welcomes your proposal as the last National Elections have made us realize how badly
needed is the Local Church to be involved in Governance to help elected officials deliver their
election promises.

Came the 7th of April 2011, UBAS was officially launched at St. Peter Parish: Shrine of
Leaders, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. It carried the theme Ang Simbahan at
Barangay: Magkabalikat Tungo sa Matuwid na Pamamahala. Around 461 people
participated including the bishops and priests of the Dioceses of Novaliches, Cubao, and
Caloocan. DILG officials, mayors, and Liga presidents from the cities of Quezon, Caloocan,
Malabon, and Navotas attended the event. A Covenant of Partnership (Tipan) was duly-
signed.

A number of launching, covenant-signing, and orientation activities followed. The official

name of UBAS came about after the April 2011 launching during a sharing of the Diocese of
Caloocan in one of the convenors meetings. Though the movement suffered a loss during
Sec. Jesses passing in August 2012, the drive to promote Grassroots Good Governance did
not die. In September 5, 2012, UBAS was formally launched in Cotabato with the
participation of the Tri-People--- Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous peoples. In the
National Capital Region (NCR), some already organized their Barangay Action Teams (BAT)
and engaged in advocacies and social services. In the same period, the DILG NCR
spearheaded the writing, publication, and distribution of the first UBAS Manual for
Orientations.

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In early 2014, there was a felt need to reaffirm and expand UBAS to more Barangays. A
reorientation was also crucial given that some Barangays had a change of leadership
following the recent elections. During the first week of July in 2014, the team headed by
Rev. Fr. Antonio E. Labiao, Jr. (Vicar General for Pastoral- Diocese of Novaliches), Rev. Fr.
Carmelo O. Diola (Executive Director of Dilaab Foundation), and DILG Undersecretary
Austere Panadero presented UBAS to the bishops at Pope Pius Center in Manila. A parallel
orientation occurred with the DILG Regional Directors during the 2014 Regional Directors
Planning Conference at the DILG Central Office in July 8, 2014.

Among UBAS major milestones, one of the most critical in UBAS turning points took place in
July 22, 2014 at Arzobispado de Manila. His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas, and Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) National President Atty. Edmund
Abesamis came together as convenors to clarify the directions of UBAS and affirm its
commitments. The convenors meeting was participated by priests and lay leaders of the
Ecclesiastical Province of Manila. Bishop Tobias of the Diocese of Novaliches and DILG NCR
Regional Director Renato S. Brion were also present.

Sec. Mar Roxas explained in this meeting the process of Grassroots Participatory Budgeting
Process (GPBP), also known as Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB). He suggested how UBAS can
participate in this process and can also monitor the delivery or non-delivery of services as
budgeted. This is an active approach in curbing corruption and in ensuring the delivery of
social services in cities and municipalities. The group gladly welcomed the idea and was
filled with enthusiasm. Sec. Mar instructed the writing of an UBAS Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) and the preparations for launching.

The latter part of 2014 was lined up with launching and MOA-signing activities in various
regions nationwide. In September 2014, the Ecclesiastical Province of Cebu and the
Ecclesiastical Province of Manila signed the MOA with DILG, LnB, and the Church. The first
UBAS Strategic Planning was also held in September 26, 2014. As for Mindanao, the
Ecclesiastical Province of Cagayan de Oro launched UBAS last October 11, 2014.

UBAS started an active information dissemination campaign. Materials like brochures,

streamers, and bookmarks were printed. The official UBAS webpage found at the DILG
website and other social media platforms are now being utilized. Especially during launching
events, the media took a role in broadcast and documentation. Spaces for participation
were gradually opened. Prior to the Barangay Assembly for the second semester of 2014, an
addendum to the DILG Memorandum Circular 2014-100 was issued enjoining Barangays to
invite the faith-based organizations to attend and participate in the assembly to
discuss/explore possible collaborative undertakings on several areas of undertaking of the
UBAS. Another issuance was made as an Advisory on the Participation of Faith-Based

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Organizations in the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Assemblies in Preparation for the FY
2016 GPP Budget.

True to its essence, UBAS remains faith-impelled and strives for interfaith participation. It
reaches out to our Muslim brothers and sisters and a launching activity with the Nurusalam
and Ulama was held on November 27, 2014. At the base, Barangay Action Teams also report
of active Baptists and Methodists UBAS members. It is also characterized as a fast-growing multi-
sectoral movement where representatives of schools, transport groups, and other sectors find
meaning and space to engage.

UBAS AS A MOVEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

UBAS is both a movement and an organization. As a movement, it takes into account the
different sectors, faith-based organizations, and Barangay leaders as collective actors in
making the Barangay a center for development. It is deliberate in its advocacy and
integrates planned change. Mobilization is at the heart of organizing a movement, rallying
advocates for Good Governance and creating/achieving milestones in the changing socio-
political environment.

As an organization, UBAS works on multiple levels geographically--- Regional and provincial

(macro), City/Municipality (mezzo), and Barangay (micro) and with overlapping working
groups or structures--- Convenors Group, Technical Working Group, and Barangay Action
Teams. Each structure in its specific level has a unique purpose. The three working groups
go hand-in-hand and compose the whole and integrated system of UBAS operations.

The UBAS structure is shown below:

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Board of Convenors

At the macro and mezzo levels of organizing, the convenors group is composed of the DILG
Secretary or Regional/Provincial Director, Bishop or Heads of other faith-based
organizations, and the LnB National, Regional, or Provincial President. The main purpose of
the Convenors Group is to facilitate the coming together of the local government, faith-
based organizations, and Barangays for the official purpose of UBAS. As leaders in their
respective fields, the representatives have authority, influence or decision-making duties
that are essential in beginning and strengthening such commitment to the cause. The
Convenors also serve as a guide who directs, encourages and inspires the flow of the
movement and the operations of the organization. The group shall assign a regular meeting
yearly, semi-annual, or quarterly. As UBAS progresses, the Convenors can take the role of
National, Regional, Provincial, City, or Municipal Board which can exercise leadership and
governance.

Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

Technical Working Groups are brought together to deliver specific tasks. Members of the
group are expected to have the time, interest, and interdisciplinary capacities to perform
and respond to the needs. Needs can vary from time to time, depending upon the phase of
organizing, so as the number of members of the TWGs. Members can come from DILG
Regional, Provincial or City Directors, Municipal local government operations officers, field
officers, LnB city/municipal presidents and staff, church or priest coordinators, lay leaders of
faith-based organizations, professionals, and other volunteers .

In the national level, an Executive Committee (Execom) has been organized. The Execom
takes oversight functions in the macro level and facilitates the proper and timely
coordination of partners. Regions, Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities shall also create their
TWGs. In UBAS, TWGs have a quasi-permanent characteristic for the roles they perform
entail regularity. TWG roles include research, documentation, information-dissemination
and communication, creation of standards and informational documents, guidelines,
monitoring and improvement of systems. TWGs shall meet monthly and as often as
necessary. (Note: Is this operational?)

Barangay Action Team (BAT)

A BAT is composed of the actively engaged people in the Barangay. Here, we refer to
grassroots leaders, including the Punong Barangay, members of the Sanggunian, barangay
parish or church coordinators, sectoral representatives, heads of other organizations in the

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 barangay (e.g. non-government organizations, parents-teachers association, teachers
organizations) and volunteers. As a core group of Barangay Good Governance Advocates,
they meet regularly (e.g. weekly) with the goal of helping their Barangay. BATs can help
ensure that the Barangay has a proper Information Desk and Citizens Charter. They
participate in the Barangay Development Planning and in the semi-annual Barangay
Assembly. Upholding transparency, they can co-monitor compliance with the Full Disclosure
Policy. BAT can also undertake collaborative programs which address challenges in the
community. They can begin with a proper assessment of their situation, and then proceed
to planning, resource-sharing and implementation of services. In the process of Bottom-up
Budgeting (BUB) or Grassroots Participatory Planning (GPP), BAT joins the civil service
organizations in co-monitoring budgeted projects and programs devoted to their Barangay.

Relationship and rapport-building are of primary importance in organizing an effective and

sustainable BAT. The team thrives in the spirit of camaraderie and inclusion. Interested BAT
members will find it helpful to practise deep listening, suspension of judgments, a sense of
humour, even apologies and forgiveness which can hopefully propel a shared and sincere
willingness to come together so the Barangay can move forward.

COMPOSITION OF UBAS

What Who When Duties

Board of Convenors DILG Secretary, LnB National Prior to the Set the direction, provide
(National, Regional, President, Archbishop/Bishops launching resources and guidelines
Provincial, City and of participating Dioceses
Municipal)

Technical Working Group DILG Regional/Provincial/City Immediately Coordinate with

(Regional, Provincial, City and Directors or City/Municipal
Municipal) LGOOs, Priest-Coordinators of
Dioceses, LnB
Regional/Provincial/City/Munici
pal Chapter President
after the Convenors and BATs,
launching assist in planning and
implementation, monitor
and conduct evaluation,
consolidate reports
submitted by BAT and
communicate to
Convenors

Barangay Action Team Punong Barangay, Parish Within a Identify priority areas
Priest/Pastors, Heads of other month after (issues and concerns),
Organizations in the Barangay the creation plan and implement
(e.g. NGOs, CSOs, PTA, of the TWG collaborative
Teachers Organization) undertakings, monitor
and evaluate, prepare
reports

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 THE PURPOSE OF UBAS

There are four (4) main goals of UBAS:

1. Ensure that Good Governance is practised and institutionalized in ALL Barangays

nationwide. This includes, but not limited to, the observance and implementation of:
a. Information Desk at the Barangay office;
b. Citizens Charter in a wall or billboard, listing all the services being offered by the
Barangay, the persons in-charge, the length of time required, and the fees
required;
c. Barangay Assembly (Proper Observance, Notification, and Holding);
d. Barangay Development Plan (with Peoples Participation);
e. Full Disclosure Policy of the Barangay Budget, Policies, Programs, and Projects.

2. Encourage citizens active participation in all aspects of Good Governance in the

Barangay, making them Barangay Good Governance Advocates (BGGAs).

3. Establish and strengthen rapport, friendship and cooperation among all service-
providers in the Barangay for the effective delivery of services to the people.

4. Develop the Barangay as the Center of Development.

UBAS OBJECTIVES

1. Participate in and monitor the proper implementation of Bottom-up Budgeting BUB)

Projects (also known as Grassroots Participatory Process or GPP);

2. Create an enabling environment for a meaningful peoples participation in the

implementation of DILG Projects, especially those in scaling up the practice of good
governance at the local level;

3. Initiate and implement programs, projects, and activities to curb corruption and promote
transparent, honest, and effective governance in Local Government Units (LGUs); and

4. Undertake other engagements or activities as may be deemed necessary or appropriate

or as may be identified by the communities, such as but not limited to Community-based
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM), environmental protection, childrens
protection and development, and peace and order.

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 UBAS ORGANIZING & DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

There are four (4) main phases of UBAS organizing. Generally, this serves as a guide on how to
proceed:

SUSTAINABLE
FORMATION & MONITORING GRASSROOTS
CAPACITY- & GOOD
PREPARATION ORGANIZING
BUILDING EVALUATION GOVERNANCE &
DEVELOPMENT

The following stages above, though following a sequence can serve as overlapping and
interconnected stages. In the Preparatory Stage, an advocate from the government,
churches or other faith-based organizations, or community introduces UBAS to potential
members of the Board of Convenors in a certain area. Contact-building is made between key
members such as the DILG Regional Director, Parish Priest or corresponding church leader
or leader of other faith-based organizations, and the President of LnB. This is usually
followed by several consultation meetings, spotting of TWG members, and the building of
familiarity and rapport among the Convenors.

This is followed by the Organizing Stage. Here, the Convenors may formally appoint or invite
members of the TWG. At the early stages of organizing, the Convenors, or the Technical
Working Group if organized, conducts regular meetings, preliminary UBAS orientations, and
soon organizes the formal UBAS launching and covenant-signing. The Convenors, or the
TWG if organized, through its information dissemination, stirs the interest of stakeholders to
be part of UBAS. What follows is the Formation and Capacity-Building Stage marked by
forum, trainings, and educational sessions related to Good Governance work. Barangay
Action Teams are also formed at the base. Ideally, the members of BAT receive capacity-
building and operational guidelines on community planning, decision-making, among
others. They also learn of the different avenues for participation in the Barangay such as the
Barangay Assembly and Preparation of Barangay Development Council.

Another important element is Monitoring & Evaluation. With the goal of reaching and
organizing 42,000 Barangays in the Philippines, recording and documentation will be crucial
in collating evidence-based practices, highlighting milestones, and impact evaluation.
Submission of updates and reports to the UBAS National Office and the National Barangay
Operations Office (NBOO) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
are recommended. As a movement characterized by the multiplicity of experiences, it is
best to document Best Practices and Models for sharing.

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 GOOD GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL ISSUES

I. Good Governance in the Barangay Level

Barangay Governance is defined as the exercise of power, specifically economic, political

and administrative authority in the management of barangays economic and resources for
development.

It comprises of all the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and
groups articulate their interest, exercise their legal rights and obligations and mediate
differences.

Barangay Government and Its Structure

As the basic political unit, the barangay plays a vital role in the development of our nation
and serves as:

The primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, programs,

projects and activities in the community;
A Forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized
and considered; and
A venue where disputes may be amicably settled.

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Guideposts in Promoting and Sustaining Barangay Good Governance

President Benigno S. Aquino III is committed to transparent, responsive, accountable and

honest governance as the strong pillars of the government to properly address poverty and
eradicate graft and corruption in our midst.

Thus, Sec. Jesse Robredo issued DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-122 on October 26,
2010 entitled, Guideposts in Promoting and Sustaining Barangay Good Governance,
enjoining all City and Municipal Mayors to actively engage their component barangays in
activities for good governance and to extend to them all the necessary support for the
successful implementation of their programs, projects and activities that run parallel to
national government efforts at improving the lives of the community, based on the
following elements/qualities of good governance:

1. Transparencyor Hayag at lantad na pamamahala

Allows those affected by administrative or government decisions to know not only

the basic facts and figures but also the mechanisms and processes involved in
coming up with the decisions, thru:

Conduct of Semestral Synchronized Barangay Assembly Day (SBAD)

- Definition: Barangay assembly meeting undertaken every last Saturday of
March and 3rd Saturday of October every year
- Purpose: Reporting of semestral accomplishments of the barangay its
activities, finances, problems and concerns.(Sec.397 of RA 7160 and
Proclamation No. 342)
Posting of itemized monthly collections and disbursements in conspicuous
places (Sec. 513 of the RA 7160)
Posting of Annual Summary of Income and Expenditures in conspicuous
places to show how much and for what specific purpose the barangay official
spent barangay Funds (Sec. 352 of RA 7160).

2. Responsiveness or Maagap, karapat dapat at sapat na tugon

Extends prompt, courteous and adequate service to the public in the following
manner:

Presence of Barangay Public Information Desk where information about the

barangay and other government agencies programs are available and
accessible to visitors and barangay residents. (EO No.130 and Sec 8(g) Anti-
Red Tape Act of 2007 [RA 9485])
Establishment and functionality of BDRRMC as one of the committees of the
BDC(BDC) [Section 12 (c) of PDRRM Act of 2010 (RA 10121)

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 Formulation and implementation of a Manual of Operations/Barangay
Citizens Charter which:
- Guides barangay officials and personnel on effective day-to-day
operations of barangay government and on the efficient performance of
their respective duties and responsibilities; and
- Enlighten the public on how their requests for documents and public
services are properly handled by the barangay officials. (Sec.6 of RA 9485
or Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007)

3. Accountability or Pamamahala na may pananagutan

Acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for actions, decisions, and

policies and encompassing the obligation to report, explain opinions and to be
answerable for resulting consequences:

Posting of bonds by concerned officials

- Transactions involving collection and disbursement of large amount of
money necessitate the imposition of bonds by the concerned official.
- This is in addition to the required business documents such as vouchers,
receipts, purchase order, requisition slip and the like in support to the
transactions, negotiated and a financial report to know the over-all
operations of the organization. (Section 395 (d) of RA 7160)
Barangay Bids and Awards Committee
- Responsible for the pre and post qualification of bidders, evaluation
and awards of contract for winning bidders of barangay projects
Inventory of barangay facilities and properties to ensure that all of them are
properly documented and accounted for.

4. Participation or Bukas sa pakikilahok ng sinuman

Provides mechanisms for the public to express opinions and ideally exert influence
regarding decisions and actions made at the local level.Community participation
must be evident in various barangay activities such as, but not limited to the
following:

Symposium/Fora/public hearing wherein the general public particularly those

representing different sectors that may be interested or affected by a
proposed measure are invited to attend, hear and be heard on the matter;
Membership of NGOs/CSOs/POs in Barangay Based Institutions (BBIs) such
as:
- Barangay Development Council
- Barangay Peace and Order Council(EO No. 366)
- Barangay Council for the Protection of Children(DILG MC. No. 2002-121)
- Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MC No. 98-1227 and MC No. 99-236)
LG Code provides for the participation of CSOs/POs through mandatory
membership of not less than of the members of the fully organized Council;
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 Preparation of Barangay Socio-Economic Profile which provides general
information on the economic, social and political condition of the barangay
that must be updated every 3 to 5 years. (Section 394(d) (6) of RA 7160);
Maintenance/Updating of Registry of Barangay Inhabitants as a tool for
planning and as a reference in the identification and determination of the
number of inhabitants of a barangay (DILG MC No. 2005-69);
Formulation of a Barangay Development Plan thru participatory approach;
Establishment of feedback mechanism (such as suggestion box or small
gatherings) to enable barangay residents to express their opinions,
comments and suggestions on matters, issues and concerns affecting them
and their constituents. (Section 391 (5) of RA 7160)

Full Disclosure Policy

Pursuant to Section 351 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and to ensure that
barangays adhere to the highest ideals and standards of transparency and accountability,
DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2014-81directing all Punong Barangays to post in an
area inside the barangay hall that can be easily viewed by the public and on their website, if
available, the following documents prescribed by the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM):

a. Barangay Budget Information detail on estimates of yearly income and the total
appropriation covering personal services, maintenance and other operating
expenses and capital outlay. It shall be posted at the beginning of the specified fiscal
year and shall remain posted for the entire period covered.

b. Summary of Income and Expenditures Section 352 of the Local Government Code
of 1991 requires the posting within thirty (30) days from the end of each fiscal year
in at least three (3) public accessible and conspicuous places in the barangay a
summary of all revenues collected and funds received including the appropriations
and disbursement of each funds during the preceding year

c. 20% Component of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Utilization Information

detail on the yearly barangay expenditures on social development, economic
development and environmental management and other barangay expenses using
the barangay IRA share. It shall be posted at the beginning of the specified fiscal year
and shall remain posted for the entire period covered.

d. Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List Information detail on the name of

project, individual item or article and specification or description of goods and
services, procurement method, fund source, unit price or estimated cost or

14
 approved budget for the contract and procurement schedule. It shall be posted for
the entire period of the fiscal year.

e. List of Notices of Award Information detail on the name of project, business

address, brief description of goods and services required by barangay, address of
recipient of goods or services and amount of bid. It shall be posted quarterly and
shall remain posted for the entire period of the fiscal year. If available, the actual
Notice of Award shall also be posted under the List of Notices of Award.

f. Itemized Monthly Collections and Disbursements This shall be posted within ten
(10) days following the end of every month by the barangay treasurer pursuant to
Section 513 of the local Government of 1991 (RA 7160). All preceding monthly
documents shall remain posted under the subsequent monthly documents for
reference.

The Punong Barangays are encouraged to put up a Barangay Full Disclosure Board to post
such documents, as shown below:

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Issues on Poverty

Realities and Concerns

The unfortunate description of the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor whos
getting poorer remains a continuing saga of conflict between greediness and hopelessness.
As small segment of Philippine population of the rich families feast on the sweat and blood
of the mass population of poor and toiling Filipinos that feeds the ever hungry appetite of
the rich for power and wealth, the widening gap between them may be futile to remedy as
long as the lust for greed to control major industries in the hands of the few like the power
and water industries, telecommunications and transportation, the oil industry, basic social
services and prime commodities, and even in the evolution of the rich controlling
governance, all remains but in a handful of the rich and privilege, poverty will always be the
child-birth of greediness where the poor will always be marginalized and oppressed. The
discourse on the globalization of greed, as with the grassroots empowerment still has a long
way to go. But it has and must start with the people as the center-piece for social
emancipation to end the cycle of insensitivities.

Factors Contributing
The corporate and public globalization scheme of liberalization, privatization and
deregulation, have all contributed for the legitimacy and continuance of power control and
corporate greediness that resulted to massive disenfranchisement of people being
marginalized and being subservient to the will and culture of dependency to those who hold
power. Poverty has been legally institutionalized.

Viable Actions
The Poverty Reduction Programs and Grassroots Participation Processes of the Philippine
government through the DILG as one of its line agency for these efforts will greatly
contribute to lessen the birth pangs of poverty by institutionalizing people empowerment
by participation in local Barangay governance. It will equip communities in charting their
own socio-economic destinies, as well as, political engagements that will benefit them.

Issues on Corruption

Realities and Concerns

Greediness in Philippine society has taken a much publicized and easily recognizable face to
keep track of; the Pork Barrel System. This culture of corruption has legitimately infused
itself to government bureaucracy down the line of governance multi-laterally. Public officials
once in tune within the system cannot escape the culture of cooptation to corruption as it is
widely integrated within the engagement and transaction of public service deliveries in the
forms of programs and projects supposedly for the benefit of the populace. And worst, it is
even backed up and mandated by law and ordinances for its legitimacy as a norm in
governance. Those who controls wealth controls power, as it goes hand in hand. A whole
plate of plenty for the rich and powerful, while only crumbs that fall from the table as all but
left to the needy. The Napoles Case is an eye-opener that power corrupts and absolute
power corrupts absolutely.

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Factors Contributing
The legislation of greed, from power hold and control of resources, has institutionalized the
culture of corruption. The more entrenched the powers-that-be, from their rule and riches,
the more they continue to legitimize shared-elite corruption through legislation and
electoral rites of passage for those who would conform to the same vicious cycle of
exploitation.

Viable Actions
Through the Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG, a much more transparent and accountable
local Barangay leadership and governance will be serving the people with values that forms
public officials in giving accessible social services that each one of them vowed to uphold as
mandated by law.

Issues on Climate Change

Realities and Concerns

Global warming and climate change is an inescapable reality and crisis situation that needs
to be address immediately by everyone. The magnitude of environmental destruction and
the reaction of nature to environmental greediness take toil to the suffering of humanity,
teaching everyone that nature is not unlimited. Again as greediness crawl in the vastness of
the natural resources that the earth freely offers mankind, and cannot but ascertain when
enough for those is involved in corporate and public works, the wrath of nature will sooner
or later befall everyone of its destructive vengeance to human greediness. And the likes of
Ondoy and Yolanda imprints will serve as warnings to all that more is to come, but also a
glimmer of hope for those who care for the earth.

Factors Contributing
Corporate and public environmental greed have both contributed to natures destruction
and the worst form of it comes from industrial coal-carbon emissions unleashed by the
industries of the rich countries worldwide, together with their industry extensions to all
countries.

Viable Actions
The international Mitigation-Adaptation Programs by environmentalist and governments
can lessen, if not stop, the progression of climate change. Unless rich countries finally put on
breaks their greed for wealth, control, domination and power to south countries where all
the natural resources came from and plundered by corporate greed, we must expect for the
worst. In the Philippines, the Disaster Risk Reduction Management by government is a way
to contribute to these efforts to save the environment, through preventive and post
scenario programs and projects of awareness and commitment.

OTHER ISSUES

The abovementioned are only some of the pressing problems and issues experienced in the
communities. There are definitely other spaces where UBAS can create change and sparks of
transformation.

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 BOTTOM-UP BUDGETING PROJECTS MONITORING SCHEME

Introduction

As part of its social contract with the Filipino people, the administration of President Benigno S.
Aquino III has introduced reforms directed at government institutions at the local and national levels
with the objective of laying down the foundation for a more transparent, accountable and
participative governance. One of the major initiatives of the government is the implementation of
the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) program.

The BUB-process engages local communities, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other
stakeholders to work with city and municipal governments in proposing projects to be included in
the National Budget. From its pilot implementation in 2012, the BUB has now expanded to 1,590
cities and municipalities and has resulted in a larger allocation of P21 billion for the more than
20,000 locally identified projects to be included in the 2015 National Budget.

Because of its efforts to make governance transparent and accountable, the Philippines was granted
the Gold Open Government Award for the BUB in the inaugural Open Government Partnership
(OGP) Awards last September 24, 2014 at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York City. The
country was recognized for its outstanding efforts to deepen citizens engagement in the budget
process. Along with Denmark and Montenegro, this was one of the three gold awards given out this
year to recognize innovative and citizen-driven initiatives in designing and implementing public
policy. The Open Government Partnership, of which the Philippines is a founding member, is a
movement comprising of 64 governments as well as international and national civil society
organizations with the common objective of deepening the practice of open government across its
member countries.1

On the other hand, however, the BUB is also facing a number of vulnerabilities, which can leave an
adverse effect on its objectives. If left unchecked, this may lead to fraud, corruption, inefficiency and
the disenfranchisement of CSOs in the whole process. Based on experience, the presence of internal
and independent third party monitoring and transparency initiatives can help mitigate these
inefficiencies and governance risks. Aside from strengthening people empowerment, the citizens-
based monitoring can likewise significantly contribute to improved governance and increased
development effectiveness through better service delivery. It is in this context that grassroots
monitoring of BUB projects is encouraged.

Objectives

UBAS monitoring is improvement-oriented. It is not primarily intended to investigate, build cases

against or vilify the government unit or agencies concerned but mainly to improve project

1
This was posted under Briefing Room, Department of Budget and Management and tagged Department of Budget and
Management, Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, Open Government Partnership, press release

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performance. It hopes to help foster unity and build a constructive relationship between the people
and their government rather than create discord. It seeks to help facilitate the resolution of conflicts
or institute reforms through negotiation and dialogue rather than confrontation.

UBAS monitoring of BUB projects aims to help promote good governance. It shall encourage
peoples participation in the monitoring of government projects. It shall help provide concerned
government agencies or units with information and community feedback as regards the status of
project implementation to enable them to improve project performance and service delivery. It
shall help promote transparency and accountability by urging the concerned unit or agency to
provide the citizens with regular access to relevant project information, and give pertinent and up-
to-date reports to the public.

Methodology

There are six major steps in the conduct of UBAS monitoring of BUB projects. These are as follows:

Presentation to
Social
the
Preparation
RPRAT/NPRAT/
BUB Execom

Interface with Project Field

Implementing Visit
Unit or Agencies

Submission and Setting up of

Consolidation of Transparency
Monitoring Billboard
Reports

1. Social Preparation or Preparatory Groundwork Activities

This step involves the following: a) organization of the Project Monitoring Team or the Barangay
Action Team (BAT); b) meeting/coordination with concerned government unit/or agency; c)
identification of the projects to be monitored; and d) the conduct of orientation/training or
capability building activities, among others.

The Monitoring Team or the BAT shall be composed of representatives of the Church, LnB and
DILG. As much as possible, the criteria for the selection of team members shall include:

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 a. Non-partisan, e.g. not influenced by, affiliated with, or supporting the interests or policies of
a political party
b. Strong sense of social responsibility, and commitment to serve as monitor
c. Ability to work and communicate issues to project stakeholders, e.g. CSOs, LGUs, NGAs and
the community

The project implementing agency or unit may become suspicious or reluctant to be subjected to
monitoring. Hence, it would help if they will be enlightened on the objectives of UBAS
monitoring, e .g. it is not intended to attack or build cases against them but to improve project
performance. The Monitoring Team may request for a copy of documents and other details
related to the projects to be monitored such as the approved plan and budget, beneficiaries,
engineering design and work plan, accomplishment reports among others. Likewise, the Team
may already start interviewing the implementing unit/agency as regards the rationale, design,
status and their comments about the project, among others.

The Team shall decide on the number and type of projects to be monitored. They may ask the
concerned LGU, NGAs or members of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) for
recommendations. In the conduct of orientation or training, this UBAS Manual for Monitoring of
BUB projects shall be used as reference.

2. Project Site Visit

This step includes the following: a) ocular inspection or transect walk in the project areas
together with the local people; b) the conduct of interview/FGD with the
beneficiaries/community; and c) interview with some CSO LPRAT members.

During the site visit, the Team should take pictures showing the project actual status. Said
pictures should be attached in the report that will be submitted including the relevant captions
(e.g. name of project, location, etc.). If possible said pictures with caption shall be sent online.

Aside from the basic information indicated in the Project Monitoring Template, the monitoring
activity should at least seek answers to the following queries:

a. What is the projects physical accomplishment?

Ongoing - The implementation of the project has started and there is already
verifiable physical accomplishment
Completed - The project has been physically completed
Nothing on the ground the project has not yet started/ not implemented

b. Were the CSO representatives involved in the project identification?

c. Were the necessary project information posted in the billboard at the project site, e.g. name
of the project, location, date started, completion date, contractor/supplier, implementing
office, and project cost among others)
d. Is the project already functional/being utilized?

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 e. Has the project benefited the community/target beneficiaries?

Other remarks (should include both positive and negative comments/feedback, if

any, about the project)
The remarks portion may include positive and negative comments/feedback of the
community re the following among others:
- Positive feedback: What are the benefits/positive results to the
community/beneficiaries? How many benefited (if data is available)?
- Negative feedback: What are the defects/deficiencies noted, if any?
What are the recommendations?

Answers to the above queries can already be acquired thru ocular visit, interview or focus group
discussion with the community or beneficiaries. On question (b) however, the Team may need to
interview some CSO members of the LPRAT especially if the community or beneficiaries are not
aware of the process of project identification. The Team may ask the MLGOO on the CSO
members of the LPRAT to get basic information about the project/s.

3. Setting up of Transparency Billboard

The Team shall set up a Transparency Billboard at the project site, in the provincial capitol, city
or municipal hall to announce the BUB projects monitoring conducted by UBAS. Said billboard
may contain some major details of the project. The particular design and content shall be
provided by the National UBAS Executive Committee.

4. Submission and Consolidation of Monitoring Reports

After the conduct of project monitoring, the BAT shall submit their projects monitoring reports
(Monitoring Form #1) to the City or Municipal UBAS TWG. The TWG shall consolidate the reports
submitted using the Consolidated Project Monitoring Reports Format (Monitoring Form #2) and
provide the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) with a copy of said report. The UBAS
TWG may also use the Summary Report Form (Monitoring Form #3) in the drafting of the report
that will be provided to the LPRAT.

5. Meeting/ Interface with the Government Implementing Unit or Agency

The LPRAT shall call or shall be asked by UBAS to call for a meeting with the concerned
implementing government unit or agencies should there be any negative findings on the projects
that were monitored. The meeting hopes to resolve or clarify the concerns cited in the report,
generate a mutually agreed upon action plan, come up with remedial measures or corrective
actions in response to said issues if needed. Some UBAS City or Municipal TWG and
leaders/members of the concerned BAT shall attend said meeting.

The LPRAT, the UBAS City or Municipal TWG, the BAT leaders and concerned unit/agencies need
to be prepared for the interface meeting. They should be sensitized/made aware about the
feelings and constraints of the other side to ensure that the dialogue does not become

21
 adversarial and antagonistic. A good facilitator is needed in this regard. The sensitization can be
done by explaining the motivation for the interface and sharing of results of the monitoring.

After the presentation of findings and recommendations, the facilitator should take the lead to
engage the participants and the concerned unit or agency in short discussion and analysis of the
report. The plenary will then be asked to think concretely on which recommendations,
corrective measures or key reforms are needed and can be realistically achieved.

Based on the reforms arrived at, the facilitator shall help the LPRAT, UBAS and concerned unit or
agency to jointly come up with a concrete action plan. The action plan shall include:

No. Areas that need What needs to be Who will do it? Timeframe
improvement done (Steps to be (Responsible Party)
(Problem areas) Taken)
1
2
3

In the event that the there are issues on projects monitored that cannot or were not resolved at
the local level, the UBAS City/Municipal TWG shall indicate this as unresolved on the Other
Remarks portion of the consolidated project monitoring report form (Form #2) that will be
submitted to the UBAS provincial/regional TWG. These concerns shall then be raised by the
UBAS provincial/regional TWG to the Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team (RPRAT) thru the
DILG Provincial/ Regional Office.

6. Presentation of Monitoring Reports to the RPRAT, NPRAT/BUB Execom

a. Presentation of Report to the RPRAT

The DILG Provincial or Regional Office shall consolidate the reports submitted by the UBAS
City/Municipal or Provincial TWGs. In cases where the consolidated report is submitted to
the Provincial Office, the Provincial Office shall consolidate and endorse the same to the
Regional Office. Thereafter, the Regional Office shall present the monitoring report to the
RPRAT and seek their response to the issues that were or cannot be resolved at the local
level. Some members of the UBAS Regional, Provincial, and the concerned City or Municipal
TWGs shall attend the said meeting.

After the meeting, the UBAS Regional Office shall provide the UBAS National Office with the
consolidated project monitoring report forms (Form #2) submitted by the UBAS
City/Municipal TWGs and indicate the concerns that were not resolved at the local/regional
level.

b. Presentation of Report to the National Poverty Reduction Action Team (NPRAT)/BUB

Executive Committee

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 The UBAS National office shall consolidate the reports submitted by its Regional Offices and
provide an analysis to the findings and recommendations. They shall then ask the DILG
National Office to present such to the NPRAT/BUB Execom. The NPRAT/BUB shall also be
asked to respond to the issues and concerns that were or cannot be resolved at the
local/regional level. Some if not all of the UBAS National and Regional officers shall attend
the said meeting.

Thereafter, UBAS shall monitor the implementation of action plan, remedial or corrective measures
agreed upon with the concerned government unit/agencies, RPRAT, NPRAT and BUB Execom.

Project Monitoring Templates

The following are the suggested reports form:

a. Monitoring Form #1 - Project Monitoring Form

(Please refer to page 34 and 35)

b. Monitoring Form #2 - Consolidated Project Monitoring Reports Form

(should likewise be submitted online to the Provincial/Regional and National Office to facilitate
consolidation)

Project Project Project Approved Year Fund Implementing Projects Were the CSO Is there a
Title Type Site Budget approved Source Unit/ Agency Physical representatives Project
(Name of Accomplishment involved in Billboard
Agency) Project on
identification? project
site?

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Is the project Has the project Positive Negative Recommendations Mutually Other
already being benefited feedback/ Feedback/defects of the UBAS Agreed Remarks
Utilized? the target Benefits or or deficiencies BAT/TWG upon action
community/ positive observed plan by the
beneficiaries? results/effects UBAS
BAT/TWG
and the
concerned
unit/agency

c. Monitoring Form #3 - Summary Report Form

(Maybe used in the presentation of the summary of the result of monitoring conducted
during the meeting with LPRAT, RPRAT and NPRAT/BUB Execom and in the submission of
reports to the UBAS Provincial, Regional and National Offices)

No. of projects monitored

No. of projects with CSOs involved in project identification
No. of projects with billboard
No. of projects that are already functional/ being utilized
No. of projects that have benefited the community/beneficiaries
Projects with considerable defects/deficiencies observed and/or need remedial
measures/corrective actions
Major Findings, Analysis and Recommendations

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 UBAS BUB Projects Monitoring Process Matrix

No Negative Findings With Negative Findings With Negative Findings that
(but were resolved at the were not settled at the
city/mun level) city/mun level
(but were resolved at the
regional level0
With Negative Findings
that were not settled
at the city/mun and
regional level level

Social Preparation C/M TWG provide LPRAT a Prov/Regl TWG to provide UBAS National Office
copy of the report DILG Prov/Regl with a copy provide DILG Central
of the report Office with a copy of
the report

Project Field Visit C/M TWG request LPRAT Prov/Regl TWG request National Office request
to call for a meeting with DILG Regl to call for a DILG Central Office to
concerned govt meeting with RPRAT call for a meeting with
unit/agencies NPRAT/BUB Executive
Committee

Draft Project Report Meeting with Meeting with RPRAT Projects

(Form #1) LPRAT/concerned Issues/concerns
unit/agencies settled/clarified/ action
plan agreed upon

Submits Report to Projects Issues/concerned Projects Issues/concerns Continuous Monitoring

City/Mun (C/M) TWG settled/clarified/action settled/clarified/ action plan
plan agreed upon agreed upon

C/M TWG consolidate C/M TWG submits report Prov/Regl TWG submits
reports (Form #2) to Prov/Regl TWG report to UBAS National
Office

Submits Report to Prov/Regl TWG consolidate Continuous Monitoring

Prov/Regl TWG reports

Prov/Regl TWG Prov/Regl TWG submits

consolidate reports report to UBAS National
(Form #2) Office

Prov/Regl TWG submits Continuous Monitoring

report to UBAS National
Office
Continuous Monitoring

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UBAS BUB Projects Monitoring Process Flow Diagram

Social Preparation

Project Field Visit

Draft Project Report (Form #1)

BAT Submits Report to C/M

TWG

C/M TWG consolidate

reports (Form #2)

NO With
Negative negative
Findings findings

Provide LPRAT a copy of the

report

Request LPRAT to call for a

meeting with concerned govt
unit/agencies

Meeting with
LPRAT/concerned govt
unit/agencies

C/M TWG submits report to

Prov/Regl TWG

Prov/Regl TWG
consolidate reports

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 NO Negative With Negative
Findings or Findings or
issues already issues not yet
settled settled

Provide DILG Prov/Regl a

copy of the report

Request DILG Regl to call for

a meeting with RPRAT

Meeting with RPRAT

Prov/Regl TWG submits report to

UBAS National Office

UBAS National Office

consolidate reports

NO Negative With Negative

Findings or Findings or
issues already issues not yet
settled settled

Provide DILG Central Office a

copy of the report

Request DILG Central Office to call for

a meeting with NPRAT/BUB Execom

Meeting with NPRAT/BUB Execom

Continuous Monitoring

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 Monitoring Form #1 - Project Monitoring Form

1) Project Title
2) Project Type (FMR, day care, school
building, irrigation, seeds distribution,
provision of fishing boats/banca etc.)
3) Some Major Project Outputs/
Deliverables
4) Project Site (city/municipality, province,
region)
5) Approved Budget
6) Year Approved
7) Fund Source (Name of NGA)
8) Project Implementing Unit/Agency (LGU
or NGA)
9) Physical Accomplishment

Ongoing - implementation has started and

there is already verifiable physical Completed Ongoing Nothing on the
accomplishment Ground
Completed- project has been physically
completed
Nothing on the ground has not yet
started/ not implemented

10) Were the CSO reps elected by the CSO

Assembly involved in the project Yes No
identification?
11) Was the necessary project information
posted in the billboard at the project Yes No
site?
12) Is the project already functional/ already
being utilized? Yes No
13) Has the project benefited the
community/target beneficiaries? Yes No
14) Other remarks which may include
comments/communitys feedback:

Positive feedback: What are the Positive Feedback

benefits/positive results to the
community/beneficiaries? How
many benefited (if data is available)?

Negative feedback: What are the Negative Feedback, if any

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 defects/deficiencies noted, if any?

15) Recommendations

Submitted by: Date Submitted:

____________________________________ ________________________________

City/Municipality: Province:
____________________________________ _________________________________

Note: You may write bullet point answers in response to question nos. 14 and 15.

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 Contact Information

Atty. Mariness L. Ledesma, CPA

UBAS Executive Director
27th flr. DILG-NAPOLCOM Center,
EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Email Address: ubas.pmo@gmail.com
Telephone No.: (02) 295 1145 | Mobile No.:

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