Answer:

All local elective and appointive officials may file their respective request for a Travel Authority through the concerned DILG Regional Director, Provincial Director, City Director, City Local Government Operations Officer and Municipal Local Government Operations, as the case maybe, and to reach the Office of the Secretary, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the actual departure date.

Answer:

A request for a Travel Authority must be filed and submitted in the following manner:

1. Letter request stating the nature and purpose of the travel, indicating also the inclusive dates and place(s) of destination;
2. Endorsement from the DILG Regional Director, Provincial Director, City Director, City Local Government Operations Officer or Municipal Local Government Operations, as the case maybe;
3. Endorsement from the Provincial Governor, City Mayor or Municipal Mayor, as the case maybe;
4. Endorsement from the TESDA or CHED, and a copy of the acceptance or invitation-letter from the organizer or donor, in case of study trip;
5. Endorsement from the DTI Central or Regional Office if the travel is for trade and investment purpose;
6. Invitation from the host country, sponsoring agency or organizer, in the event of a non-study trip;
7. Statement as to the immediate and direct benefits to the local government, when the travel involves the use of public funds;
8. Sworn statement attesting that no administrative charge or criminal case has been filed against the applicant;
9. Clearance from Money and Property Accountabilities; and
10. Duly accomplished application for a leave of absence, in the case of a Provincial Governor or Mayor of Highly Urbanized City or Independent Component City, when the purpose of the travel is personal in nature.

Answer:

Approval of a travel authority depends on the timeliness of the request, complete with supporting documents, and the availability of the approving authority.

Answer:

1. The Secretary of Interior and Local Government is the approving authority on:
   1. Requests of Provincial Governors, and Mayors of Highly Urbanized Cities and Independent Component Cities for authority to travel abroad, regardless of the nature and duration of such travel.
   2. Requests of other elective local officials for authority to travel abroad, when the foreign trip exceeds more than three (3) calendar months, during a period of emergency crisis, or when it involves the use of public funds.
   3. Requests of local government appointive personnel for authority to travel abroad on a study trip to attend short term technical training, diploma courses and post graduate studies, and involve the use of public funds.
2. The Undersecretary for Local Government is the approving authority on: a. Requests of Provincial Vice Governors, Mayors of Component Cities and Municipalities, City Vice Mayors, Municipal Vice Mayors and Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Bayan, for authority to travel abroad on a study or non- study trip, on official time only. b. Requests of local government department heads and division chiefs for authority to travel abroad on a study or non-study trip, on official time only.
3. The Director, Bureau of Local Government Supervision is the approving authority on requests of other local government appointive personnel for authority to travel abroad on a study or non-study trip, on official time only.
4. The DILG Regional Director is the approving authority on requests of barangay elective and appointive officials and employees, for authority to travel abroad on a study or non-study trip, on official time only.

Answer:

1. A study trip is a short term technical training or scholarship grant which is either processed or coordinated by the TESDA or CHED, or by other local or international agencies or entities, agencies of the national government, or foreign government, can be authorized to use for public funds, i.e., pre-departure expenses in the amount not exceeding PhP1,500.00. The payment of international airfare (economy) can be allowed, if it is not provided by the sponsoring agency/host country.
2. The following purposes where the use of public funds, i.e., payment of international airfare (economy) and a travel allowance per UNDP DSA Rates pursuant to OP EO No. 298 s. 2004, may be authorized under the category of a non-study trip:
   1. To attend conferences or seminars sponsored by foreign governments or international government organizations to which the Philippine Government is committed or invited to send representatives or participants;
   2. To attend conferences or seminars sponsored by local or foreign private organizations. Provided, that if the activity is sponsored by an international private organization, invitations thereto should be sent through their respective governments to the Philippine Government;
   3. To attend activities that are clearly intended to promote local government technical exchange and cooperation;
   4. To undertake site or product inspection that are clearly stipulated in duly perfected contracts; or
   5. To undertake any other official mission which cannot be assigned to any other Philippine Government Official or Officials already abroad.

Answer:

A request for a Department Authorization to utilize public funds for intelligence or confidential purposes must be filed and submitted to the Office of the Secretary, through the concerned DILG Regional Director, Provincial Director, City Director, City Local Government Operations Officer and Municipal Local Government Operations, as the case maybe, not later than third quarter of the current year, with the following attachments:

1. Local Government Security Plan;
2. Peace and Order Council Resolution endorsing the Local Government Security Plan and the urgency in requesting for intelligence and confidential funds;
3. Certification from the PNP Chief of Police, City Director or Provincial Director, as the case maybe, highlighting the peace and order situation in the local government unit;
4. Current Appropriations Ordinance;
5. Certification from the Local Treasurer as to the Availability of Funds;
6. Work Plan with Quarterly Presentation using DBM Local Budget Execution Form No. 250 bearing the notations: Prepared by (by the Budget Officer), Reviewed and Recommending Approval (by the PNP Chief of Police, City Director or Provincial Director, as the case maybe) and Approved (by the Local Chief Executive), on the use of funds for intelligence or confidential purposes; and
7. Financial Plan and Request for Allotment with Quarterly Presentation using DBM Local Budget Execution Form No. 251 bearing the notations: Prepared by (by the Budget Officer), Reviewed and Recommending Approval (by the PNP Chief of Police, City Director or Provincial Director, as the case maybe) and Approved (by the Local Chief Executive), on the use of funds for intelligence or confidential purposes.

Answer:

The basic condition that allows an LGU to use funds for intelligence or confidential purposes is for them to consider that peace and order is a priority investment area in the locality, and that funds are allocated for peace and order programs and activities in their annual total appropriations or budget.

Answer:

The minimum allowable ceiling to use funds for intelligence or confidential purposes shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total annual amount allocated for peace and order efforts or, three percent (3%) of the total annual appropriations, whichever is lower.

Answer:

The use of intelligence funds shall not be limited to the following:

1. Purchase of information;
2. Payment of rewards;
3. Rental and other incidental expenses relative to the maintenance of safe houses; and
4. Purchase of supplies and ammunition provision of medical and food aid, as well as, payment of incentives or traveling expenses relative to the conduct of intelligence or confidential operations.

Answer:

The following are the steps in establishing a sisterhood or twinning relationship:

1. The LGU shall create a Sisterhood or Twinning Committee (SC) which represents a true cross-section of the community, such as: educational, cultural, technical, business, professional, social, women’s clubs, civic, veteran, religious, youth, media, etc.
2. The SC will discuss the affiliation idea and will determine the choice of city to affiliate based on mutual interests, such as: economic, cultural, social, political, historical ties, etc.
3. Before deciding on the choice of city/town, the SC will prepare background information of the LGU: outline the type of business activities carried on; the extent of public and private school system; cultural institutions; occupations and hobbies of community members and the type of projects the community is ready to undertake the beginning. At this point, the LGU may consult the Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) Secretariat for advice of specific countries and experiences other cities have had to help guide you choice.
4. The SC will submit the affiliation proposal to the local government for endorsement by the Governor/Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panlungsod/Bayan, as the case may be, to the Governor/Mayor of selected city/town. Copy of the proposal will be sent to the Secretariat, BLGS.
5. As soon as the LGU decides to proceed with the program, the SC will appoint an Executive Committee (EC) that will have a continuing responsibility for carrying out the program. The Governor/Mayor will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the Executive Committee.
6. Under the EC, sub-committees shall be created which is responsible for year-round planning. It may be suggested that a city/town should work through 4 or 5 committees depending on the scope of their program. The work should be divided and spread out so that a large number of people from many sectors of the community should take part to ensure a dynamic and continuous program.
7. Once a twinning has been agreed, it is usual to hold a “twinning Ceremony” in both communities to enable as many people as possible to be involved at the beginning of the relationship.

Answer:

The following are the administrative requirements:

1. Letter-request indicating the objective or objectives of the convention, training or seminar, as well as, the venue, date of registration fee, if any, with enclosures, such as: (a) Convention, seminar or training design cum topics to be covered; (b) Resume of the resource person or persons and such other pertinent information; and (c) Justification as to the immediate and direct benefits to the local government participants.
2. Certificate of Registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other national government agencies empowered by law or public policy to accredit or register organizations;
3. Company or association’s profile indicating, among other things, its objectives, programs, the list of officers and their bio-data, total membership and financial viability;
4. Endorsement from the Professional Regulation Commission that the convention, seminar or training is a part of Continuing Education Requirements for professional license renewal purposes, as in the case of the associations of professionals; and
5. Accreditation of the Convention or Seminar Design, or Training Module by the Local Government Academy of this Department. Non-compliance with the above administrative requirements shall be a sufficient ground for the nonprocessing or disapproval of a request for a Department Authority.

Answer:

The Katarungang Pambarangay is a system for amicable settlement of disputes at the barangay. It is an out-of-court resolution of conflicts by the community members themselves under the guidance of the punong barangay and without intervention of legal counsels and representatives.

Answer:

The Punong Barangay is the Chairman of the lupon.

Answer:

According to the Revised KP Law, the lupon is composed of the punong barangay and ten (10) to twenty (20) members. The lupon shall be constituted every three (3) years.

Answer:

The person is a resident or working in the barangay and not disqualified by law for some reason and must possess integrity, impartiality, independence of mind, sense of fairness and reputation of probity may be appointed member of the lupon.

Answer:

Functions of Lupon

1. Exercise administrative supervision over the conciliation panels
2. Meet regularly once a month to provide forum for exchange of ideas among its members and the public on matters relevant to the amicable settlement of disputes and to enable various conciliation panel members to share with one another their observations and experiences in effecting speedy resolution of dispute; and
3. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

Answer:

Lupon Members shall hold office until a new lupon is constituted on the third year following their appointment, unless the term of any of the lupon members is sooner terminated by resignation, transfer of residence or place of work or withdrawal of appointment by the Punong Barangay with the concurrence of the majority of the members of lupon.

Answer:

They serve without compensation except for certain honoraria, allowances and other emoluments as authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance.

Answer:

Minimum of five pesos (P5.00) nor more than twenty pesos (P20.00)

Answer:

Almost all civil disputes and every criminal offense punishable by imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding P5,000.00 are subject to amicable settlement under the KP when parties involved are individuals who are residing in the same city or municipality.

Answer:

Sec 408 of the LGC enumerates the instance that is not subject to amicable settlement:

1. Where one party is the government or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof
2. Where one party is a public officer or employee and the dispute relates to the performance of his official functions
3. Offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year or a fine exceeding P5,000.00
4. Offenses where no private party or individual is offended (like traffic violations, jaywalking, vagrancy, sidewalk vending, mendicancy, and prostitution)
5. Where the dispute involves real properties located in different cities or municipalities, unless the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by an appropriate lupon.
6. Disputes involving parties who actually reside in barangays of different cities or municipalities, except where such barangay units adjoin each other and the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by the appropriate lupon
7. Such other classes of disputes which the President of the Philippines may determine in the interest of justice or upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice

Answer:

No, unless personal confrontation of parties has already taken place and resulted to a failure in the settlement of such case.

Answer:

This is a common occurrence, wherein disputes in the neighborhood, civil or criminal, beyond the jurisdiction of the lupon to settle are accepted by the punong barangay and even conciliated by the pangkat.

There is no law, issuance or ruling prohibiting or penalizing a punong barangay from accepting complaints and grievances, especially when both contending parties are his constituents.

Answer:

Any settlement or arbitration on disputes not covered by the KP does not have the force and effect of a court judgment; they are merely private contracts and cannot be enforced through execution by the lupon or court.

Answer:

Mediation of the first process of settling a dispute under the KP. It is performed by the punong barangay as lupon chairman who is given authority to summon the disputants for a face to face meeting before him for the purpose of expeditiously and amicably settling their differences.

Answer:

Conciliation is the extension of the amicable settlement in the case the mediatory effort of the punong barangay did not result to reconciliation within the 15 days from the start of the proceedings.

Answer:

Arbitration is the alternative way of settling disputes under the KP whereby contesting parties agree in writing on the decision or judgment of the punong barangay or the pangkat.

Answer:

These FAQs are sourced from the book titled, “COMPREHENSIVE GUIDEBOOK ON KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY,” authored by Juanito S. Ortiz. For other information on Katarungang Pambarangay, contact the author thru telephone no. 3846865 or 09209011634.

Answer:

It is a locally-funded project jointly implemented by OPDS/DILG and the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO)/DOF, with DILG responsible for capacity development, particularly on project preparation, implementation and operation and maintenance, and MDFO for Fund administration of the P500 M made available by MDFO from its Second Generation Fund (SGF) for relending to interested and eligible LGUs. The MDG Fund finances projects supportive of the attainment of Millennium Development Goals 1 – 7 such as those on water, sanitation, health, education and other socioeconomic projects.

Answer:

These are:

1. 4th-6th class municipalities
2. All provinces regardless of income class, borrowing for their 4th-6th class municipalities

Answer:

The Local Chief Executive writes a Letter of Intent to the Director, Office of Project Development Services, DILG or to the Executive Director, Municipal Development Fund Office, DOF. The Letter of Intent is accompanied by a brief description of the project. If the LGU and the project are both eligible for financing, the LGU is advised to submit documents for the issuance of a Certificate of Borrowing Capacity by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF), and a Sangguniang Bayan resolution authorizing the Local Chief Executive to enter into relevant agreements relative to the project. Proforma of the SB Resolution is provided by MDGF.

A feasibility study (FS) is submitted to MDFO for evaluation. The FS may be prepared by the LGU, may hire a consultant, or it may request technical assistance from the DILG. If found feasible by MDFO, the project is approved for financing under the MDG Fund.

Answer:

Projects that clearly contribute to the attainment of any or all of Millennium Development Goals 1-7 and included in the LGU Local Development Plans, such as those on health, poverty-reduction, water, sanitation, education and other socio-economic projects. Examples include but are not limited to:

1. Livelihood programs/projects such as cottage industries, handicraft industries, livestock production, etc., including construction of livelihood centers/support facilities, Construction/rehabilitation/improvement of:
   • water supply systems
   • access roads such as farm-to-market roads, footbridges
   • public auction markets
   • health care centers
   • day-care centers/pre-school institutions
   • RHUs/lying-in clinics which may include equipment and supplies
   • municipal/barangay wharves/ports
2. Construction/provision of women's resource centers and livelihood centers. Procurement of various seedlings and other farm equipment and other farm implements
3. Procurement of heavy equipment for SWM, road construction/ maintenance Establishment of HIV/AIDS and STD counseling and surveillance center/desk Construction/installation of solar driers, multi-purpose pavement, post-harvest facilities, food processing, rice and corn mills, warehouses.

Answer:

MDGF has three (3) financing packages:

Package 1
Softer support / Light equipment e.g. procurement of light equipment, goods, seed capital for livelihood and similar items
Interest rate: 7.5% per annum, fixed
Repayment Period: 5 years inclusive of 1 year grace period on principal

Package 2
Heavy equipment e.g. procurement of heavy equipment such as farm tractors, garbage trucks, dump trucks, pay loaders
Interest rate: 7.5% per annum, fixed
Repayment period: 10 years inclusive of 3 years grace period on principal

Package 3
Civil Works/Infrastructure such as construction and rehabilitation of educational facilities, health-related facilities, water supply facilities and similar items
Interest rate: 8.0% per annum, fixed
Repayment period: 15 years inclusive of 3 years grace period on principal

Answer:

The Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) is an 8-year collaborative project of the Governments of Canada and the Philippines that will support the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other relevant national agencies in creating enabling conditions for decentralization and improving policies, laws, programs and operations to enhance local governance and economic development.

The goal of the project is to foster efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable governance at all levels. Its purpose is to reduce poverty by strengthening local governance and supporting sustainable Local Economic Development (LED). The Program operates both at the national and local levels, providing a better enabling environment for LGUs and improved prospects for local economic development in various communities.

Answer:

1. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between DILG and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) on March 30, 2007.
2. A Memorandum of Agreement on the implementation of LGSP-LED was signed between DILG and the Canadian Executing Agency (CEA) on April 1, 2009.

Answer:

At the national level, LGSP-LED will improve the enabling environment for decentralization and local governance, with a focus on how this supports local economic development. It will also address ways to improve the coordination and rationalization of LED approaches in the country.

At the local level, LGSP-LED will support participating LGUs in developing and implementing their local economic development approaches. The Project aims to build LGU capacity to pursue innovative LED methods that generate jobs, economic opportunities, and improved governance.

A strong public-private partnership will enable LGUs to adopt area-wide, long-term integrated LED strategies focused on creative and sustainable solutions responsive to local circumstances.

Answer:

LGSP-LED is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and implemented by the Canadian Executing Agency (CEA), in partnership with DILG. Implementation covered the period from 2008 until 2016.

Answer:

1. Serve as co-chair and co-decision maker of the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
2. Review and approve key Project documents.
3. Facilitate and sign MOUs and secure necessary approvals.
4. Organize the Project Management Team (PMT).
5. Mobilize appropriate human resources.
6. Set up regional mechanisms for mainstreaming work plans.
7. Build partnerships with NGAs, CSOs, private sector and LGUs.
8. Collaborate with CIDA in monitoring and evaluation.

Answer:

1. Ensure effective implementation of the Project Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plans.
2. Monitor and review Project progress.
3. Review and approve evaluation recommendations.
4. Ensure implementation of policy directives.
5. Serve as forum for discussion of Project issues.

Answer:

LGSP-LED focuses on improving LGU capacity to create an enabling environment that promotes value creation, prosperity, pro-poor growth, gender responsiveness, and environmental sustainability.

Answer:

1. Bayanihan spirit and partnership.
2. Demand-driven flexibility.
3. Cost-shared and performance-based initiatives.
4. Use of local resources.
5. Sound market-based LED interventions.
6. Inclusion of informal enterprises.
7. Harmonized LED planning with LGU systems.
8. Mainstreaming gender equality, sustainability and poverty reduction.
9. Inclusive stakeholder participation.
10. Focus on sustainable development and social justice.

Answer:

1. Category One: Advanced LED LGUs requiring further support.
2. Category Two: LGUs needing entry-level LED strengthening.
3. Category Three: LGUs complementing other donor programs.