CSOs Start Assessment of the 2004-10 MTPDP
The advisers for the Civil Society Assessment of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) for 2004-10 met in Quezon City last June 5, 2009 to review the plans and the framework for the assessment. The advisers include Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, archbishop of Cagayan de Oro who is also an expert on agrarian reform, rural development and peace building, and is the current Chairperson of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA Director-General and Secretary for Socio-Economic Planning and now a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, Atty. Christian Monsod, former member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and Chairperson of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and current Chairperson of the Philippine Agrarian Reform Foundation (PARFUND), Dr. Mary Racelis, recognized socio-anthropologist who has taught at the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines and has been active in many NGOs, including INCITEGOV and CO Multiversity, both of which she now chairs, former National Treasurer Prof. Leonor Briones of the UP National College of Public Administration and Mr. Alberto Lim, Executive Director of the Makati Business Club (MBC).
Before this, last April 16 and May 15, 2009, the convenors of the CSO assessment of the MTPDP met and agreed on the objectives, process, assessment framework, planned activities, timetable and decision-making guidelines. The MTPDP assessment currently has 24 civil society organizations (CSOs) and CSO networks acting as co-convenors and covers at least 18 assessment themes.
The convenors agreed on the following objectives for the MTPDP assessment:
- assess the government’s performance viz. its commitments/targets in the MTPDP 2004-2010,
- examine the appropriateness and responsiveness of the MTPDP framework and targets to the development agenda of the basic sectors and of CSOs,
- build consensus among the convenors/advisers and other CSOs on key policy recommendations for the MTPDP for 2010-2016, and
- advocate for these recommendations viz. national candidates in the 2010 elections (and eventually, the new President/ Cabinet starting July 2010).
CODE-NGO, in partnership with other CSOs, has undertaken periodic assessments of the government’s performance vis-à-vis its commitments in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) since the Ramos Administration in 1992-98. This is part of CODE-NGO’s advocacy program to influence public policy and implementation, particularly in the areas of good governance, asset reform, access to financial resources and sustainable development. It is also a response to the need for an informed and independent assessment of the government’s performance viz. the targets it has set for itself.