ULAP joins the launch and ceremonial MOA signing of STEP, June 30
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines joins the different government agencies, civil society and private organizations as one of the coalition champions for the information campaign on Voters Biometrics Registration during the launch and ceremonial MOA signing of the "Samahan para sa Tunay na Eleksyon sa Pilipinas (STEP) coalition" on June 30 at Ateneo Professional School, Rockwell, Makati City.
STEP is a coalition composed of COMELEC, DILG, DepEd, DOTC, ULAP, NCDA, NCIP, CBCP, Ateneo SLB, CODE-NGO and LENTE as the coalition Secretariat. STEP is a coalition created that envisions a country where empowered citizens influence the country's future by making informed choices in a fair and truthful elections.
The primary objective of the STEP Coalition is to strengthen and raise of the public's awareness about the importance of voter registration and validation through an advocacy campaign that engages voters, mobilizers, coalition champions, and attract media attention.
The coalition, through LENTE, will soon start the information campaign by disseminating information and distribution of materials and posters to inform the public about the Biometrics requirements and other important things to remember in preparation for the upcoming electoral process.
ULAP joins the coalition as one of its advocacy partners to the LGUs.
ULAP represents LGUs for PinoyWISE in Global Forum on Remittances and Development, Milan, Italy
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines took part as one of the resource persons and stakeholders in the recently concluded "Global Forum on Remittances and Development" conducted last July 16-22 in Milan, Italy.
The Global Forum aims to raise international awareness, promote dialogue, stimulate partnerships, and create long-lasting synergies among public and private sectors, and civil society actors involved in Migration and Development issues. The organizers, headed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), intended the forum to serve as a platform wherein participants can share lessons learned and best practices, and have the opportunity to discuss global remittance-related issues, as well as, find solutions to maximize the development impact of global remittances.
A special series of panel discussions tackling the theme “Engaging Overseas Filipinos in Rural Development" had been conducted on the fourth day of the forum, July 19. ULAP Executive Director Czarina Medina-Guce, led the first panel discussion as a moderator on the topic "Linking Remittances with Local Economic Development." She was joined by distinguished group of panelists which include Sen. Ralph Recto (Representative to Philippine Senate), Cong. Rico Geron (AGAP Partylist) and Dr. Luis Banua Regional (Director, National Economic Development Authority, Region 4A). Other guest panelists at the forum include Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto (Governor, Province of Batangas), Ms. Aileen C. Peñas (Deputy Director, Atikha), Ms. Rosalie Bajade Cuballes (Chairperson, ACFIL Torino Italy, Coordinator Pinoy WISE- Italy), Ms. Vivien Napenas (Chairperson Pinoy WISE– UAE), Ms. Leila Rispens Noel (Founder and Board Member, Wimler Foundation, Hong Kong), and Mr. Juan Villena Jr. (Chairperson Pinoy WISE Qatar).
The panelists shared current initiatives on Migration and Development in the Philippines, and how these initiatives gradually improve the lives of Filipino migrants, their families, and local communities.
PinoyWISE Market Place Events also took place from June 20-22 which showcases the various agri-business and investment opportunities in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Tarlac, Mindoro, and Bohol catered to Filipino migrants and their families. Overall, the event enabled stakeholders from public and private sectors, civil society, and development community to engage and identify opportunities for collaboration, as well as, to disseminate the latest trends and best practices related to Overseas Filipino remittances, and their potential to contribute to rural development in the Philippines.
The Global Forum and PinoyWISE Market Place events are part of the on-going project of ULAP entitled “Scaling up Initiatives in Mobilizing Migrant Resources towards Agriculture Development in the Philippines” in partnership with Atikha with the grant support from IFAD. ULAP serves as the prime advocacy partner of the project which engages at least 7 pilot provincial sites and currently being until December 2016.
ULAP, ADMU PolSci, LGA sign EIPM MOU
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines together with the Ateneo de Manila University- Department of Political Science and the Local Government Academy signed their Memorandum of Understanding for the Capacity Development for Evidence Informed Education Policymaking in Subnational Government Level in the Philippines, on May 27, 2015 and the LGA.
The project, funded by the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications, aims to create a culture of evidence-informed policymaking by acquainting local education policymakers in the use and management of relevant data in shaping their policies.
Present during the signing were ULAP Executive Director Czarina Medina-Guce, LGA Executive Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo, and Chair Maria Elissa J. Lao, DPA and Prof. Anne Lan K. Candelaria of the Political Science Department.
ULAP conducted capacity building workshop on EIPM in Samar
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, together with the Political Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University, conducted a capacity building workshop on evidence-informed education policymaking in the province of Samar last May 6-8.
Almost 30 participants from the Provincial Government of Samar, the municipalities of Calbiga, Motiong, and Pagsanghan, and the provincial office of the Department of Education attended the three-day workshop. Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Board Member Luzviminda Nacario, Mayor Melchor Nacario, Mayor Francisco Langi Sr., Mayor Edgar Tan, Vice-mayor Bienvenida Repol, and DepEd Division Supervisor Claire Menda also attended the said event.
The three-day workshop introduced the participants to the practice of using evidence and noting useful indicators for education-related policymaking. Local stakeholders were also taught principles and practices on data collection, analysis, and management to equip them as they make and implement policy plans in the next three months.
Mr. Ireneo G. Demecais Jr. of the Ayala Foundation and Dr. Francisco L. Villanueva Jr. of the Children’s Education First Coalition also shared how they used evidence and data on education to inform their respective programs and projects.
This event is part of the capacity building project, "Capacity Development for Evidence-Informed Education Policy Making in Sub-national Government Level in the Philippines”, with a grant support from the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP).
ULAP conduct first strategic conveners meeting of ITOGP
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines conducted the first strategic conveners meeting of the Innovative Technologies Coalition for Open Government Partnership last April 24, 2015 at Microsoft Office, Makati City.
The Innovative Technologies for OGP Coalition was previously launched during the forum on Innovative Solutions to Open Government Partnership version 2.0 held in February, this year. ULAP acts as the Chair and Lead Convener of the coalition.
During the strategic meeting, the conveners identified the priority areas and initial programs for collaboration among conveners. Present during the meeting were the representatives from Microsoft Philippines (co-chair) Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy National University of Singapore, Ayala Foundation and Philgeps.
Atty. Sarah Sison from the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) and Dr. Angelo Ramos of Beyond Access were also present as guest in the said coaliton meeting.
76th ULAP National Executive Board Meeting
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines held its 76th National Executive Board Meeting on April 23, 2015 held in DILG NAPOLCOM Center, Quezon City. In attendance during the meeting are DILG USec. Austere Panadero; DSWD ASec. Teodulo Romo, Jr. and ASec. Milo Gudmalin ; DBM ASec. Maxine Tanya Hamada; and DOH–BLHSD Dir. Eric Tayag.
ULAP Executive Board Members composed of Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. (National President), Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. (National Chairman), Mayor Herbert Bautista (Executive Vice-President), Vice Gov. Leonides “Odi” Fausto (2nd Vice President), BM Atty. Edmund R. Abesamis (Sec. General), Coun. Kirk A. Asis (Asst. Sec. General), Vice Gov. Humerlito Dolor (Treasurer), Mayor Abraham T. Burahan (Auditor), Coun. Maybelyn DelaCruz-Fernandez (PRO), PBMLP BM Armando B. Villamayor and Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto.
Also, represetatives from PhilHealth, Australian Embassy, World Bank, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Dept. of Health Bureau of Local Health Systems Development (DOH-BLHSD), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Philippine National Police (PNP) have attended.
