The Millennium Development Goals Monitoring System
Translating Information into Plans and Strategies The Tubigon Experience By Engr. NOEL MENDAĂ‘A
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HE Municipality of Tubigon is one of the pilot municipalities in the Province of Bohol where the MDG monitoring system is being implemented and tested. However, even before the project, the local government had already used other measures and mechanisms that enabled it to translate data and information into plans and actions to address specific community needs and issues. This local government initiative is done annually through the LGU annual strategic planning workshop and monitored periodically during monthly joint executive and legislative conferences. The MDG monitoring system has enhanced this particular LGU mechanism in the sense that the LGU response to the needs of the community, especially the marginalized sectors, has become more focused on the MDG goals and targets. The output generated has provided local functionaries and elected officials with a wider base of information to respond to priority needs with respect to the MDG goals and targets; and provides a simple but clear picture for monitoring and evaluation of the initiatives being implemented.
The Annual Municipal Strategic Planning Workshop The Municipal Strategic Planning Workshop is an annual activity of the local government unit, with all department heads of offices and all elected officials attending and the presiding Mayor. This activity enables the LGU to review and evaluate the performance of each department with respect to their approved annual work plan and the overall development agenda of the municipality; identify the gaps and weaknesses with respect to its implementation and the corrective measures needed to address the flaw. It also gives an opportunity for local leaders to see what initiatives and programs were effective, and how these can be enhanced and replicated to improve other operational mechanisms of governance. The outcome of this workshop is the development agenda of the LGU for the ensuing year, given the different outlook and development initiatives proposed by the different sectors/departments with respect to the Medium Term Development Plan of the
Engr. Noel MendaĂąa is the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of Tubigon, Bohol. He is also the president of the Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines, Bohol Chapter.
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Making a Difference: Localized Monitoring System on Millennium Development Goals