Mr' Aniceto M' Sobrepea

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Volunteerism in relation to Decentralized
Development People Participation in Governance
Mr. Aniceto M. Sobrepeña November 13, 2008, UP
Los Baños, Laguna
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DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEERISM
Webster
- Free act of a person towards some endeavor
Philippine National Volunteerism Service
Coordinating Agency

• Covers a wide range of activities
• Provides an enabling and empowering environment
  for the beneficiary and the volunteer
• Undertaken for reasons arising from
  socio-developmental, business or corporate
  orientation, commitment or conviction for the
  attainment of the public good
• Incentives or reward not the primary motivating
  factors.

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DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEERISM
Volunteerism root from the word volition

• Volunteers
• Act of Will Desire to contribute common goal

• Motivations personal mission in life shaped by
  own values systems

• Want to make a difference, look for opportunities
  from organizations or institutions - where they
  feel their time, treasure and talent are put to
  best use.

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VOLUNTEERISM IN GOVERNMENT PEOPLE PARTICIPATION
IN GOVERNANCE

• The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution highlighted
  importance of civil society in nation building

• Sectors working together to restore democracy
  thus effecting change

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VOLUNTEERISM IN GOVERNMENT PEOPLE PARTICIPATION
IN GOVERNANCE
In response, during the Aquino Administration
sought to encourage more participation from civil
society

• LAWS and POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
• Philippine Constitution of 1987
• Local Government Code

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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Peoples participation is not only a right but a
responsibility of any citizen.
Essence of Democracy assumes that there is an
active civil society that participates in
charting the direction of the nation as well as
cooperating with government in bringing about a
common desired national future.
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Participation by the people in the institutions
and systems which govern their lives is a basic
human right and also essential for realignment of
political power in favor of disadvantaged groups
and for social and economic development
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Metrobank Foundation supports Government Programs
To name a few

• 1997, Joined the Anti-Poverty Kalahi Caravan in
  Central Luzon

• Milk Feeding Program in Public Elementary Schools
  in several cities in Nueva Ecija

Ask and you shall receive.

• Based on Matthew 2122

People are willing to join hands with government
in alleviating poverty and help elected officials
in implementing needed programs if only given the
chance and are informed of how they could help.
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Peoples participation

• Makes implementation of government programs
  easier

• Development approach which recognizes the need to
  involve all sectors of society

Accountability to own Development
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
MBFI through Manila Doctors Hospital

• Barangay and School Adoption in Manila

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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Positive Effect
Encourages government to be more transparent in
transactions
Government and Private Sector sit in Councils
as equals
Established Trust (Key element in Good Governance)
Access to information and procedures

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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Decentralized Development Approach Considers a
National Perspective
Peculiarity, Competitive Strengths and Resources
of a particular locality are maximized
Development of the entire region
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Participation of Business and Civil Society in
Regional Development Council
Allow Local Business Concerns to grow
ROLES
Investors have an idea of the overall direction
of their region
Adjust strategies accordingly
Government ensure that the proper services are
on hand
Create a conducive climate for investments to
flourish
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IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE
Poor and the Marginalized Sectors should also be
represented
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
OBSERVATION PHILIPPINE CIVIL SOCIETY remains to
be a potent force for social change
Highlights
Citizens have taken an Active Interest in the
Affairs of the State and Governance
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
Evolution of the Role of Civil Society
Past Watchdog of Government
- air grievances and speak out against injustice
and corruption in government
New Role Endeavor to strengthen the institutions
of the country and to help restore public
confidence in these democratic institutions by
engaging government in pushing forward the
national agenda.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
MBFI prefers to engage government at the
national, regional and local levels, and support
its initiatives that intersect with own thrusts
Example Grants Program support directions and
plans of the national government such as a.
Enhancing English Proficiency through Education
b. Modernization of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines through capability building of its
educational institutions c. Support to Overseas
Filipino Workers
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
At the height of negative publicity, MBFI took a
stand and launched a nationwide recognition
program for outstanding policemen and soldiers.
MBFI believes that by highlighting the good that
the police and soldiers are doing help restore
the publics trust in these two major
institutions that provide security and stability
to our nation.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
Example of link between private and public
sector How outstanding teachers have worked with
the Department of Education and selected local
government units in providing teacher training
for public school.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
World Bank observes governments lack of
experience in managing civil society engagement
Experiences tend to be highly technical and
limited to meetings to consider pre-determined
plans.
Consultative engagements between the private
and public sectors become full partnerships
roles and responsibilities of each of the sectors
need to be specified.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
Government provides clear leadership and
management of the entire process which
specifically identify what is required of the
private sector.
Civil Society must be prepared to bring in
particular competencies and commit the resources
that could be given in the endeavor.
Without commitments, encounters between private
and public sector remain to be empty discussions.
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STRENGTHENING PRIVATE SECTORS PARTICIPATION IN
GOVERNANCE
Strategies
1. Greater promotion of the role of business and
civil society in development.
Example MBFI conducting of the Search for the
Countrys Outstanding Policemen in Service.
Coordination meetings with PNP-PIO for
communication plan specifics
MBFI partners with PNP
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STRENGTHENING PRIVATE SECTORS PARTICIPATION IN
GOVERNANCE
2. Publicize tri-partite endeavors that have
become successful.
- Projects jointly undertaken should be known to
greater majority for easier adoption of efforts
3.Strengthen internal capacities of all those
involved to deal and operate within the RDCs.
- Include exchanges in information and processes
among the members that would lead to a better
understanding of issues involved to come up with
workable and beneficial solutions
- Most difficult of all as it involves
re-learning and evaluation of pre-conceived ideas
and standard viewpoints
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STRENGTHENING PRIVATE SECTORS PARTICIPATION IN
GOVERNANCE
4. Introduction of Operational Procedures and
Methods to facilitate wider participation.
- Roles, responsibilities and contribution of
each council member are clearly defined.
- Calls for maximizing what the private sector is
currently doing by redirecting it into areas
where the need or the lack is the greatest.
5. Development of tools and mechanisms for
monitoring, evaluating and documenting of the
entire process.
- Best practices are shared with other RDCs.
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SUMMARY
In focusing on the development of respective
regions, there should be
1. Clear delineation of roles as well as
definitions of outputs expected among the
government, business and civil society.
2. Strengthening of the private sectors
participation in governance.
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SUMMARY
To do this, it is suggested that

• Promote government programs and open it up to
  volunteers
• Publicize successful programs
• Strengthen internal capacities within the RDCs
• Introduce operational procedures and methods to
  facilitate wider participation
• Bring in the poor in the governance structure and
  listen to them

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IN CLOSING
It is vital for government, civil society and
business come together to look for alternative
solutions to problems. Through this cooperative
effort, we are able to see problems in new
perspectives and hopefully come up with novel
solutions.
For Metrobank Foundation, partnerships are at the
core of Capacity Building and Empowerment.
GOAL SHARING A COMMON VISION OF PEACEFUL AND
PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITIES FOR ALL FILIPINOS
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Thank you.