WEVNET Calls for Solidarity Against Poverty and Corruption

The Western Visayas Network of Social Development NGOs (WeVNet) held its General Assembly (GA) last May 18, 2012 in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. The gathering was attended by delegates from its 6 provincial networks namely, Antique (AFON, AHDP); Aklan (Aklan CAN, Abante Aklan); Iloilo (ICODE, FPOP, Process Panay, FDC, CPU-KCI); Capiz (Capiz CODE, SDFI, KDRC); and Negros Occidental (Negros Caucus and PRRM).

General Assembly and Business Meeting

One of the major discussions during the GA focused on the evaluation of the Bottom-up Budgeting experience of various CSOs across the country.  Emphases were given on the roles and functions of CSOs in the process, the plan to review existing models for area based poverty reduction and the development and crafting of a re-affirmed and enriched framework. Ways of providing for the financial sustainability of CSO participation in government by self-generated funds or other means of funding was also explored.

Mae Chua of the Department of Budget and Management Region 6, a proactive advocate and mentor of the local governments and CSOs in bottom-up budgeting, discussed the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption (GGAC) plan framework, citizens’ engagement and participatory governance, milestones in budget preparation and how CSOs can take part in these initiatives.

The concerns and recommendations from the CSOs centered on:

1. Identifying the pilot agencies, GOCCs, and other participating national government agencies  
2. Defining the role of the Regional Poverty Reduction Team,
3. Rationalizing the National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) selection of the 609 identified focus LGUs with the density of poverty in the LGUs
4. Reviewing the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans
5. Integrating of projects in agency budget, funding source and focus LGUs

The participants of the GA were also consulted on the draft 2013-17 Strategic Plan of CODE-NGO. The group agreed to review and mainstream the local advocacies, thrusts and sustainability agenda to complement CODE-NGO’s strategic directions in order to enhance the network’s impact.   

In the business meeting, it was reported that WeVNet, AFON and PROCESS Foundation – Panay were selected to be part of the 120 beneficiary organizations of the “Strengthening the Capacity of CSOs” project of Ayala Foundation, Inc. though a grant from USAID. These 3 organizations will undergo capacity development training programs that will be delivered through formal training sessions, mentoring, exposures and apprenticeships within a one year period. In the previous months, the network has also engaged with the LGU to support NAPC’s bottom-up budgeting and the following entered into a Budget Partnership Agreement with their respective local governments:  AFON, Negros Caucus, and Aklan CAN; and ICODE in the 18 LGU priority sites in Aklan, Negros Occidental, Antique and Guimaras.

Election of the New Board of Trustees

In consonance with WevNet’s constitution and by-laws, the following representatives were selected for each province and elected as officers of the Board of Trustees:
 
Representatives for each province
Aklan – Eloize Victoriano
Capiz – Nelson Rose
Antique – Marilou Llavan
Iloilo – Wilfredo Homicillada
Negros Occidental – Edwin Balajadia
Guimaras – Roger Gazo
Delegate at Large – Ted Aldwin Ong

Officers of the Board of Trustees
Chairperson: Wilfredo Homicillada
Vice-Chair: Edwin Balajadia
Secretary: Marilou Llavan
Treasurer: Eloize Victoriano

WevNet thanks out-going President, Mona Diones, for her service to the network and for representing WevNet at the CODE-NGO Board of Trustees for the past 6 years (2007-2012).  — By Boyet Areño, Executive Director, Iloilo CODE