As early as November

2008, the Department of the

Interior and Local Government V

started preparing for 2009 by

way of a planning conference

held on November 27, 2008.

Dir. Blandino Maceda called for the planning officers from the six DILG provincial offices and three Divisions to discuss and set the region’s target for 2009 as contained in the Annual Operations Plan and Budget (AOPB), taking into consideration the planning guidelines issued by

the DILG top management.

Dir. Maceda said that there are only three things to do that encompass everything as stated in the DILG’s vision and mission

– promotion of excellence in local governance, strengthening of peace and security and capacity building of DILG V organic personnel. Along this line, Dir. Maceda said that DILG V has to deliver local government capacity development services, policy guidelines services and local gove rnmen t deve lopmen t services. The provision of these various services shall be the basis for evaluating the performance of the provincial offices and three Divisions at the

end of 2009.

He a lso focused h i s

discussion on policy areas that

must be institutionalized, namely

JMC No. 1 on Rationalized

Planning System, Executive

Order No.739 on the Regional

Peace and Order Council,

S p a n i s h - f u n d e d p r o j e c t

S t r eng t he n i ng o f L o ca l

Governments (SLGP), Republic

Act 9485 on project CURE and

the need to improve information

technology skills of DILG

personnel. (Turn to page 2)

Dir. Blandino M. Maceda discusses

with the planning officers the policy

direction of DILG V for 2009

DILG V gears up for 2009

AO IV Ma. Grace Joy Tango

Albay’s Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) won for the province the 2008 Galing Pook Award for

excellence in local governance.

APSEMO serves as the technical secretar iat and administrative arm of the province of Albay and was

created to empower the management capability of the province along public safety and disaster risk management. Specifically, APSEMO focuses on disaster preparedness, disaster response operations and recovery, thereby minimizing loss or damage to lives and property. Earlier in 2008, representatives f r om t he p r o v i n ce s o f

Saranggani, Pampanga and So r s og on a t t e n ded t he replication inception workshop for APSEMO as part of the requirements in replicating APSEMO in their respective

provinces.

APSEMO emerged as one of

the top three winners among the

19 finalists nationwide from the

21 provinces. (Turn to page 2)

APSEMO wins for Albay 2008 Galing Pook Award LGOO II Grace S. Mago

The Official Newsletter of DILG Region 5

FEBRUARY 2009 Volume 1, Issue 1

Paglaum Center Inauguration

2

Panganiban mayor delivers his Ulat sa Bayan

3

Newsbits 3

DILG Catanduanes hosts users’ training on CDP Preaparation

5

Director Maceda convenes RPOC-TWG

4

Legal al dia 6

Inside this issue:

For more information about DILG BICOL!

Visit our website at

www.dilg.gov.ph/region5

HAMODYONGHAMODYONGHAMODYONGHAMODYONG

their day-to-day dealings with the

local government units they

serve.

The Local Government Unit of Mobo, in partnership with the Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation, Inc. (DIMASAFI) – CAPIU CORDAID, conducted the inauguration of PAGLAUM CENTER for Women and Children Survivors on January 30, 2009, at the Municipal Compound, Mobo, Masbate.

The launching activity, also included the blessing of the UKP Halamanan ng Buhay

Pagkain, Gamot at Kabuhayan, a women’s project.

It was attended by members of the three (3) Child Abuse Prevention Intervention Units (CAPIU) of Masbate City, Aroroy, and Mobo together with the members of 5 Pillars of Justice, namely Hon. Percival D. Castillo, DILG Provincial Director Renato S. Alaurin, PSWDO Amy Danao, Judge Igmedio Camposano, Rev. Fr. Leo V. Casas who was the guest speaker during the

inauguration, Rev. Fr. Eusebio Llonoso and all heads of offices and employees of the Mobo.

Galing Pook 2008 presented 138 entries that include cities, municipalities, provinces, barangays and one entry for inter-LGU. Only 19 contenders made it to the finals. The 2008 National Selection Committee was headed by UP professor for School of Economics Solita Collas-Monsod and 14 others from the private, government and non-government sectors. The criteria for selection include positive results and impact,

The Galing Pook Award was launched on October 1993 as a pioneering program to recognize and promote innovation and excellence in local governance. Its objective is to search for and recognize outstanding programs of local governments to help in capacity building of LGUs by translating winning programs into resource materials and knowledge products for dissemination, promotion and

replication.

PAGLAUM CENTER Inauguration

LGOO V Andres J. Ativo, Jr.

APSEMO wins . . . . from page 1

He directed the Information Unit

t o p r e p a r e t h e 2 0 0 9

Communications Plan and

i n c o r p o r a t e t h e r e i n

communication activities so that

the people will be kept informed

of what the Department is doing

for them. He further stressed on

the need to come up with

information kit on the DILG’s

programs for distribution to the

MLGOOs which they can use in

DILG V gears . . . . from page 1

To carry out these services and attain the objectives, Dir. Maceda reiterated the need to make use of team strategy in a n t i c i p a t i o n o f t h e i m p l em e n t a t i o n o f t h e rationalization plan of the

Department.

Last but not the least, Dir.

Maceda gave importance on the

communication aspect of the

programs as a tool for advocacy.

“Dir. Maceda said that there are

only three things to do that

encompass everything – promotion

of excellence in local governance,

strengthening of peace and

security and capacity building of

DILG V organic personnel. “

Page 2 HAMODYONG Volume 1, I ssue 1

promotion of people’s empowerment, transferability and sustainability and efficiency of

program service delivery.

To be a Galing Pook awardee

is a seal of good housekeeping,

a setting of better standard of

excellence and an affirmation of

the local officials’ commitment to

good governance – a recognition

which the province of Albay truly

deserves.

DILG V Planning Officers

MOBO’s Hope

Panganiban mayor delivers his Ulat sa Bayan

LGOO II Rogel V. Maglaqui

Newsbits

As provided for in the Local Government Code of 1991 mandating the municipal mayor to present his program of government and proposed policies and projects during the opening of the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan for every calendar year, Hon. Gregorio E. Ange les o f Pangan iban, Catanduanes, delivered his Ulat sa Bayan before the 23 punong barangays of the municipality, LGU officials and employees, employees of the national agencies stationed in the locality,

heads of the different public schools, representatives of non-government organizations and other constituents on January 19, 2009.

The report was made in a

session of the Sangguniang Bayan that was conducted in public. In his report, Mayor Angeles enumerated the various accomp l i shmen ts o f h i s administration for 2008 and his proposed priority programs and projects to include nutrition, grant of scholarship, health care, clean

a n d g r e e n a n d w a s t e segregation. Mayor Angeles aims to eradicate malnutrition by 2009. For infrastructure, he will focus on having a Level 3 Water System that will cater to the needs of the entire Poblacion and nea r b y ba r angay s , improvement of the Multi-purpose Building and Municipal Health Office, river control, concreting of municipal roads and a public market with bus terminal. (Turn to page 6)

housekeeping and the 2009 programs and projects of the Technical and Operations

Services Division.

Updates on Project C.U.R.E

In line with the implementation of project C.U.R.E (Comprehensive and Unified Response to Eliminate Red Tape in Local Governments) the national coaches training was held on January 26-30, 2009 at the Local Government Academy,

Los Baños, Laguna.

The participants during the training were composed of DILG and CSC personnel from all regions who will serve as national coaches at the regional and

provincial level.

The participants were intensively oriented on the law itself in the context of local development, changing context of

organization development managing the change process, enhancing productivity and competitiveness through the citizens charter, together with compliance monitoring and benchmarking. Participants from DILG V were Atty. Arnaldo Escober, Jr, legal officer, LGOO IV Nedita Balucio and LGOO II

and OIC-HRM Pia S. Salameño.

The national coaches training was followed by the conduct of the roll out for the regional coaches training for Cluster 3 composed of regions 4A,4B and V

on February 2-5, 2009.

The training was facilitated by the Local Government Academy in coordination with the Civil Service Commission, Presidential Anti Graft Commission, Office of the Ombudsman and the Development Academy of the

Philippines. (Turn to page 4)

ASD holds orientation on financial management

The Administrative Services Division headed by Chief Administrative Officer Henedina T. Gonzales held the orientation-workshop and updates on financial management for administrative clerks, disbursing officers and accounting clerks both from the regional office and

the six DILG provincial offices.

Specifically, the participants were oriented on the details of the new disbursement system pursuant to DBM Circular Letter No. 2008-11 dated December 12, 2008, result of CSC personnel audit, RA 9184 (Procurement Act), RA 9470 (An Act to Strengthen the System of Management and Administration of Archival Records, Establishing for the Purpose the National Archives of the Philippines and for other Purposes), 5S on good

“ Mayor Angeles enumerated the

various accomplishments of his

administration for 2008 and his

proposed priority programs and

projects to include nutrition,

grant of scholarship, health

care, clean and green and waste

segregation. “

Page 3 HAMODYONG Volume 1, I ssue 1

Atty. Arnaldo Escober, LGOO

IV Nedita Balucio, LGOO

II/OIC HRM Pia Salameño

posed with Mayor Jesse Robredo of

Naga City

USEC Eduardo Soliman and LGA

Director Marivel Sacendoncillo during

the National Coaches Training for

project C.U.R.E at LGATC, Los

Baños, Laguna with the DILG V

national coaches

Dir. Maceda convenes RPOC technical working group

Newsbits . . . . from page 3

Being the secretariat of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), Dir. Blandino M. Maceda convened the heads of the different RPOC member line and service agencies on February 10, 2009 to discuss on various government programs that are on-going and other projects for implementation in identified barangays affected by

insurgency.

Among the projects that are presently implemented include seeds dispersal project of the Department of Agriculture (DA), “Botika sa Barangay” of the Department of Health (DOH) and “Tindahan Natin” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Assistant Secretary Tomasito Monson suggested that projects in the barangays should be implemented on a demand-driven basis and that there should be no duplication of

projects of other agencies.

In line with the implementation of said projects, Lt.Col. Cabanzo of the Philippine Army suggested that an RPOC Project Monitoring Team be created to monitor and validate project implementation and Ms. Pitero of DSWD and Atty. Enrile of NBI supported the move by suggesting that local government units and its respective city/municipal peace and order council be included in the

monitoring team

Dir. Maceda said that in order to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the project, the convergence approach in project implementation should be

adopted by stakeholders.

LCEs of SLGP LGU-beneficiaries attend EXCEL course

Thirty-nine out of the 54 LGU-beneficiaries of the Strengthening of Local Gvoernments in the Philippines (SLGP) project from the six provinces of Bicol attended the Executive Leadership course held in Corregidor Island,

Bataan on February 2-4, 2009.

The training was held in order to further enhance the leadership skills of local chief executives. Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City shared with the participants the best practices of Naga in making local

governance work.

The training was facilitated by the Local Government Academy, the

training arm of the DILG.

Page 4 HAMODYONG Volume 1, I ssue 1

The DILG V Regional coaches for project C.U.R.E

RPOC Technical Working Group during its meeting on February 10, 2009

DILG Camarines Sur, Albay, conclude training on CDP preparation for MLGOOs

The DILG provincial offices of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay recently concluded the conduct of the skills training on guide for Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) preparation for MLGOOs and the technical staff of the regional and DILG provincial offices on February 9-13, February 16-19 and February

23-26, 2009, respectively.

The training was facilitated by the Technical Services Division chief Engr. Dave de Guzman, DILG Catanduanes OIC-Provincial Director Arnel Madrideo and LGOO

V Imelda Bataller.

DILG Catanduanes hosts users’ training on guide for CDP preparation

The DILG Catanduanes provincial office hosted the users’ training on guide for Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) preparation on March 3-6, 2009 at the DILG Office, Capitol Bldg., Virac, Catanduanes. with Hon. Joseph C. Cua, provincial governor and Dir, Blandino M. Maceda, DILG Regional Director as guests of honor during the opening

program.

In his message, Gov. Cua shared some insights on planning that underscored his experiences both in the private and public sectors. He said that when it comes to planning, there seems to be no difference in both the private and public sector but was quick to add that public sector planning is wider in scope and involves a great magnitude of people needing the services but the resources are limited. He emphasized the need to protect the life support system both for future and present generations. He called on the local planners and DILG officers whom he treats as his partners to look into the various plans, programs and projects presently implemented by their respective local government units and those that are yet to be implemented and evaluate its impact on the

overall development of the island.

Director Maceda, on the other hand, looked back in time when the local planning office and planning officers were starting to carve their own niche in local government units and in the larger context of governance. He stressed on the need for better partnership among the present day municipal planning and development coordinators and the DILG frontline officers. He called on the participants to make full use of the activity to update and enhance their skills and knowledge on comprehensive planning within the framework

of the rationalized planning system.

The training in Catanduanes was the 4th leg in the series of trainings in the region aimed to equip DILG officers and technical personnel with skills needed as they provide technical support to LGUs in the preparation of

a CDP. The attendance of 11 MPDCs and one technical staff of one municipality in Catanduanes was a result of the collaborative effort of the League of Planners in the province and the DILG Provincial Operations Office headed by by OIC-PD Arnel R.L.

Madrideo.

The regional training team is composed of Engr. David F. de Guzman, Jr., Imelda B. Bataller and Rafael de la Rama, Jr. OIC PD Madr i deo augmen t s manpower complement of the team. RD Maceda also provides technical inputs as resource

person.

Page 5 HAMODYONG Volume 1, I ssue 1

DILG Bicol . . . on its way to greater accomplishments!

Gov. Joseph Cua sharing his insights on planning for

development

Dir. Maceda stresses on the need for better

partnership between and among MPDCs and

DILG Officers

DILG Officers and MPDCs attend

CDP training

OIC-PD Arnel Madrideo facilitated the

conduct of the CDP training

support in order to attain all the

program targets for 2009. Vice

Mayor Norman Camantigue

through the Sanggunian Bayan

assured the mayor of their

support. Gov. Cua in a short

message likewise committed

support to Mayor Angeles’

administration by way of funding

some of the LGU’s proposed

projects. Gov. Cua was in

Panganiban also to distribute

relief goods to families who were

affected by floods due to

continuous heavy rains.

He also said that his administration will be as transparent as ever until the end of his term in 2010.

Mayor Angeles expressed

gratitude to Rep. Joseph

Santiago, Gov. Joseph Cua and

the members of the Sanggunian

Bayan of Panganiban, the

Department heads, employees

and the people of Panganiban for

their continued trust and support

in the implementation of his

programs and projects. He

appealed to the members of the

Sanggunian Bayan, barangay

officials, LGU employees and all

his constituents for continued

Panganiban Mayor . . . . from page 3 HAMODYONGHAMODYONGHAMODYONGHAMODYONG

EDITORIAL BOARD & STAFF

Hamodyong is the official monthly newsletter of DILG Region 5, with Editorial

Office at 2nd Floor, DILG Regional Office V, Rizal St., Legazpi City

Editor

MA. GRACE JOY TANGO

Contributors

DESIGNATED INFORMATION OFFICERS OF DILG

PROVINCIAL OFFICES & DIVISIONS

Layout Artist

EDEN S. LANUZA

Illustrator/Cartoonist

TON PASANO

Support Staff

MICHELLE REDITO RYAN DEL ROSARIO

Circulation Managers

MARLENE PORTEM / EFREN DE ASIS

Consultant

RD BLANDINO M. MACEDA

Issue: Whether or not the designation of the LCE’s nephew as OIC Municipal Assessor constitutes nepotism.

Held: In Laurel V, etc. versus Civil Service Commission (203 SCRA 195); the Court held that “the appointment or designation as Acting Provincial Administrator was violative of the prohibition against nepotism” then embodied in Section 49, P.D. No. 807 (Sec. 59 Book V EO 292). Moreover, the Court emphatically agreed with the Civil Service Commission that "although what was extended to Benjamin was merely a designation and not an appointment . . . the prohibitive mantle on nepotism would include designation, because what

cannot be done directly, cannot be done indirectly:"(emphasis supplied)

“The rule admits of no distinction between appointment and designation. Designation is also defined as "an appointment or assignment to a particular office"; and "to designate" means "to indicate, select, appoint or set apart

for a purpose of duty." (Black's Law Dictionary, Fifth ed., 402)”

It seems clear to us that Section 49 of P.D. No. 807 does not suggest that designation should be differentiated from appointment. Reading this section with Section 25 of said decree, career service positions may be filled up only by appointment, either permanent or temporary; hence a designation of a person to fill it up because it is vacant, is necessarily included in the term appointment, for it precisely accomplishes the same purpose. Moreover, if a designation is not to be deemed included in the term appointment under Section 49 of P.D. No. 807, then the prohibition on nepotism would be meaningless and toothless. Any appointing authority may circumvent it by merely

designating, and not appointing, a relative within the prohibited degree to a vacant position in the career service (203 SCRA at 208-209).

(legal updates)

Page 6 HAMODYONG Volume 1, I ssue 1