Mayor's Development Center-Mindanao

Special Citation on Local Capacity Innovations for the Millennium Development Goals

2007-11-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

This citation was conferred in 2006 to local government units selected from previous recipients of the Gawad Galing Pook that demonstrated positive innovative approaches towards achieving any of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Given in partnership with:

United Nations Development Programme

Capacity 2015 Programme

Focused Reforms
Malalag, Davao del Sur
ONCE a sleepy third-class municipality with only very few basic services delivered to residents, Malalag is now a busy area for commerce. Social and physical infrastructures that attract investors are in place, including quality health services and a telephone system. It has a zoning ordinance that ensures appropriate use of space and resources. It has a program to protect the environment, especially marine resources, for the economic benefit of residents. It has a local revenue code that ensures efficient generation of municipal income. To date, 72% of total households comply with their tax obligations, which speak a lot about how the people accept and support the municipal government’s development interventions. The key to the success of the municipality’s trailblazing efforts toward progress is the MBN approach to poverty alleviation. Regular surveys are conducted to determine the MBN of residents. Aside from the 33 social indicators under the MBN approach, the LGU had added 16 more indicators to measure the impact of the program on people’s behavior and attitude. More than the improvements in economic and social conditions, the empowerment of people for participation in local governance is of strategic value. Sectors are organized and empowered, and organized groups are tapped to help in pursuing development. The participation of various stakeholders ensures the institutionalization and sustainability of development interventions.

Safeguarding the Country's Future
Maitum, Sarangani
THERE is a rhyme and reason why children are one of the main target beneficiaries under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). No less than Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal articulated this when he said more than a century ago that “the youth are the hope of our nation.” This is the reason why five out of the eight major goals under the MDGs directly addresses a host of problems (i.e. education, health and poverty) beleaguering children. In Maitum, Sarangani, Mayor George Yabes has taken both the challenge of the MDGs and Dr. Jose Rizal’s message to heart and has invested substantially in securing Maitum’s future by taking care of its children. While Mayor Yabes does not have a child of his own, this did not deter him from pursuing programs that could help the children of Maitum. Thus in Maitum, Yabes is the “adoptive father” who ensures that babies are born healthy, kids are provided sufficient medical services, and that children of school age are educated, allotted play time, and are allowed to express their ideas. The children are well taken care of and are protected from any harm or abuse. Mothers are taken care of as well.

The Mayor's Development Center in Mindanao

2007-09-01T02:59:00.000-07:00

The establishment of the MDC was first conceptualized in September 2004 during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Strategic Planning Workshop in Ternate, Cavite. LMP National President, Ramon Guico, Jr., Secretary General, Gerardo Calderon, and Executive Director, Li-Ann de Leon realized the need for a development center for mayors.

Since then, LMP conducted a series of consultation meetings with local and international partners to realize the idea of the MDC.

After almost a year of consultations and research, the MDC finally received its judicial personality on 10 August 2005 when the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a Certificate of Incorporation per Company Registration No. CN200513681.

What is the Role of the MDC?

2007-09-01T02:52:00.000-07:00

The MDC will serve as the key learning institution for incumbent and incoming municipal mayors as well as other municipal and local leaders on the various issues of local governance.

It is initially managed by the LMP leadership with the help of experts in the field of local government administration and with the generous assistance of local and international partners.

Incumbent and retired mayors with outstanding leadership and exemplary performance will serve as the main instructors in the MDC. Competent speakers from academic community, civil society, and government agencies will also be tapped as resource persons

Who Should Enroll?

2007-09-01T02:46:00.000-07:00

Local Chief Executives who want to learn from the exemplary practices of their fellow mayors in various areas of municipal governance are encouraged to enroll. However, other local leaders like young legislators, Sangguniang Kabataan members, as well as private sector and NGO officials who have interests in municipal governance are also invited.

Learning from the exemplary practices of local chief executives will also lead to the building and enhancement of capabilities of participants in various areas of governance.

More than just competence sharing, the MDC will promote skills innovation towards a more effective, efficient, and responsive local governance.

What is the MDC Learning Facility?

2007-09-01T02:42:00.000-07:00

The MDC learning facility is a combination of: learning strategies; learning methods; learning events; and learning sites.

The focus of the MDC would be on three areas of learning:

1. Leadership and Values
2. Local Administration and Strategies
3. Local Sustainable Development.

What makes the MDC DISTINCT and UNIQUE?

2007-09-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

The MDC does not aim to duplicate the functions of already existing institutions of higher learning offering a course on local governance. Rather, it aims to complement these institutions by focusing more on the peculiar needs of municipal leaders clamoring for an alternative mode of local governance that is more responsive and sensitive to the growing needs of the people.

The MDC aims to act like a broker or educational counselors to mayors, matching them to rather than compete with the programs offered by other institutions of higher learning offering a course on the various issues of local governance.

Compared with other institutions of higher learning, the MDC is distinct because of the following:

1. Stress on Practical Learning
The MDC focuses on key questions such as:
> what happed in specific places and times?
> how they happened?
> what followed after?
> what were done about it?

2. Stress on Flexibility of Contents
Learning events in the MDC are not standardized. It is determined for the most part on the basis of the current interests of the LMP.

3. Stress on Self Learning
The actual practitioners- the Mayors do the most of the teaching. The participants learn through discovery. Progress is tracked over time.