Pangasinan aims for Best LGU poverty reduction plan

LINGAYEN – The province of Pangasinan is now preparing for the regional Search for the Best LGU Poverty Reduction Implementer.

The search will be conducted by the Regional Development Council through the Regional KALAHI Convergence Group (RKCG) which kicks off last Tuesday 22 to October 15.

In his letter to Governor Espino, Enrie A. Mendoza, RKCG chairperson, said the search aims to recognize the LGUs that had shown exemplary performance in managing and coordinating their poverty reduction program in terms of program implementation, structure, leadership, sustainability and other governance principles.

Likewise, the search is aimed at assessing the extent of LGU implementation of poverty reduction program within the identified poverty-stricken barangays.

The anti-poverty program dubbed as “Kapit Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan” (KALAHI) has started in 2002. For this project, a special body called RCKG was penned to adhere to the call of putting the local government units, regional line agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors at the forefront in fighting poverty in their localities.

In answer to this call, the province has formed a Provincial Poverty Reduction Team (PPRAT) which is tasked to provide poverty alleviating programs in affected barangays identified as Kalahi areas.

The team also tasked to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of these programs to ensure their impact and sustainability to the beneficiaries.

The team is composed of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Federation of Non-Government Organizations (PFNGOs), Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) and Provincial Information Office (PIO).

PPDO chief Benita Pizzaro who heads the team is now consolidating the poverty alleviating efforts being undertakin by concerned member agencies to be submitted to the region. All documents will contain narrative reports/analysis, and action photos.

Pangasinan will be evaluated on September 22 by the technical working group of RCKG including the province’s chosen municipal entry. The evaluation includes a one-to-one interview with a concerned agency from the local poverty reduction team.

The search will be evaluated using six indicators with corresponding points. These are: planning, 15%; resource allocation 15%; program structure, 10 %; monitoring and evaluation, 15 %; and localization and sustainability, 15%.

There will be two winners to be selected for this year. One for province and one for municipal level from the 5^th class LGUs.

The winners will be announced and awarded during the Regional Celebration Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty in October. (Merly R. Tibalao/PIO)