Inception Report – Action plan – South Cotabato, Philippines, 2021 – 2022
Overview
Name of Evaluator
Raphael S. Tanseco, RPm
Member Name
South Cotabato, Philippines
Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title
Action plan – South Cotabato, Philippines, 2021 – 2022
Section 1.
Compliance with
co-creation requirements
1.1 Does a forum exist?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Yes. A forum was held initiated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato (PGSC) through the multi-stakeholder council, South Cotabato Integrity Circle (SCIC) as well as other NGOs and concerned offices coming from the provincial government. It could be said that citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More is being observed in the development of the review of the action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
- OGP Cocreation Workshop – Minutes
- Co-creation-Workshop – Attendance
- South Cotabato Integrity Circle 3rd-Quarter – Minutes
1.2 Is the forum multi-stakeholder?
Unclear
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
According to its definition in Section 3.1.1.1 of the OGP Local Handbook, a multi-stakeholder forumRegular dialogue between government and civil society is a core element of OGP participation. It builds trust, promotes joint problem-solving, and empowers civil society to influence the design, imple... is where the government, civil society, and other stakeholders are represented and the members are all elected through a just and transparent process. In the case of South Cotabato, the various non-government members (civil society organizations or CSOs) volunteered to join the SCIC. This took place in a forum held specifically to consult CSOs on which local special bodies they wanted to be a part of, with few interventions from PPDO. This just shows that citizen participation is active in the province where the CSOs are involved in the governance process where their voice and representation can be heard and felt.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.3 Does the forum hold at least one meeting with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders during the co-creation of the action plan?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
One co-creation forum-cum-workshop was held virtually last July 21, 2021, and was attended by the members of SCIC. After the mentioned forum though, there were a series of meetings, consultations, and dialogues conducted with the various agencies (both government and NGOs as well as the youths coming from varied sectors) for the action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.4 Has the action plan been endorsed by the stakeholders of the forum or steering committeeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru.../group?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The SCIC, which is composed of both government and non-government stakeholders, endorsed the action plan of OGP Local during one of their quarterly meetings which was duly adopted by the Council.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Section 2.
Recommended practices
in co-creation
2.1 Does the government maintain a Local OGP website or webpage on a government website where information on the OGP Local process (co-creation and implementation) is proactively published?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
There is a local OGP webpage in the form of a Facebook page. It is easily accessible to the public as it is a social media page not hidden behind any paywall. It also has information on OGP local processes as the first co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive... emphasizes Open Information thus access to current news and events regarding the OGP is being sustained for succeeding co-creation and implementation processes. However, there is a need to increase the frequency of posted information as well as schedules in advance for meetings, workshops, and other relative information concerning the action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.2 Did the government provide information to stakeholders in advance to facilitate informed and prepared participation in the co-creation process?
No
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Aside from the main communication letter, no informational document such as the Handbook was attached to provide information in advance to the stakeholders.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.3 Did the government ensure that any interested member of the public could make inputs into the action plan and observe or have access to decision-making documentation?
No
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
No. The main partner of the action plan, YouthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More Alliance for Freedom of Information (YAFOI), was participative in the creation of the action plan by way of submitting proposals ahead of the co-creation process. However, it could not be said that just any interested member could have made inputs even if multiple sectors were represented in the forum.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.4 Did the government proactively report back or provide written feedback to stakeholders on how their contributions were considered during the creation of the action plan?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
For this Action Plan, 2 other prospective partners submitted proposals (the South Cotabato Convergence Program for Poverty Reduction, and the Mahintana Foundation, Inc. or MFI) and were not included in the final commitments. These parties were present during the finalizations of the commitments and hence, were promptly informed that their proposals were not chosen because of their proposal on peace initiatives for. Conversely, the partner of the chosen commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action..., which was agreed upon by all members, was also present during the meeting and was also then informed that their proposals were chosen for the action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.5 Was there an iterative dialogue and shared ownership between government and non-governmental stakeholders during the decision making process, including setting the agenda?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
By way of submitting proposals ahead of time (as in the case of YAFOI), or by punctually signifying their intention to present their proposal during the meeting (as in the case of the other proponents, Convergence, and MFI), it could be said that there was an iterative dialogue and shared ownership between government and non-governmental stakeholders during the decision-making process, including setting the agenda.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.6 Would you consider the forum to be inclusive and diverse?
Moderately
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The diversity can still be further improved though—among the CSOs in attendance, the diverse communities represented were only the youth and indigenous populations. Additionally, there were women’s organizations invited but were not able to attend. Efforts made are inclusive and diverse for far reach but attendance to the forum is not achieved as expected.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Section 3.
Initial evaluation
of commitments
1. Commitment :
Harnessing Youth Power in Integrating Open Government Values and Mechanisms to Respond to Local and Community-Interest Issues in the Province of South Cotabato
1.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment is verifiable since for each milestone listed in the commitment, the desired outputs were clearly stated, as well as the start and end dates and the responsible agencies.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevanceAccording to the OGP Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should include a clear open government lens. Specifically, they should advance at least one of the OGP values: transparency, citizen partic... to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The proposed program takes transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, public accountabilityAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, public accountability occurs when ”rules, regulations, and mechanisms in place call upon government actors to justify their actions, act upon criticisms ... More, public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio... and inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... More, and technology and innovation in consideration, as evidenced by its emphasis on right to informationThe legal right to request information from the government allows the public to follow government decision-making, participate in ensuring better decisions, and hold the government accountable. Techni...
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
A continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislationCreating and passing legislation is one of the most effective ways of ensuring open government reforms have long-lasting effects on government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or r..., policies or requirements.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment under this action plan builds upon Open ContractingA transparent procurement process, known as open contracting, increases competition, improves public service delivery, and ensures governments better value for their money. Technical specifications: C... More and Open Monitoring and Evaluation which proves to be quite a success as to the implementation and the results achieved like digitalization of the bidding process easier access to information as to projects for bidding and minimization of slippages while the open monitoring and evaluation with the involvement of the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More and NGOs lead to check and balance on government projects.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
Is a positive change to a process, practice, or policy but will not generate a binding or institutionalized change across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Indeed, the chosen commitment seeks to bring about positive but isolated changes in policies or practices and it does not promote binding or institutionalized changes in government.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The evaluator’s main assessment revolves around further utilizing the OGP Local’s website/Facebook page by posting events before their conduct so the public may signify their interest in participation. Additionally, the commitment stops at the submission of proposals of the ambassadors as this commitment focuses on capacity buildingEnhancing the skills, abilities, and processes of public servants, civil society, and citizens is essential to achieving long-lasting results in opening government. Technical specifications: Set of ac... and hence, it might be an improvement to be able to implement the submitted proposals of the participants.
English
French
Spanish
Leave a Reply