LAOAG CITY – DSWD Field Office 1  together with other agencies of  the  Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team (RPRAT) reviewed  and validated  proposed projects of Laoag City, Dingras and Badoc  among other LGUs  for endorsement and funding .

This is among the highlights of the RPRAT Consultative Workshop on Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB)  with DBM, DILG, DSWD, DOH, DA, DOLE, DENR, DAR and TESDA.

For 2013, these  agencies will coordinate with focus LGUs, facilitate completion of requirements, continue to oversee until implementation. Implementing LGUs later on will  report their accomplishments to the respective agencies, while agencies will provide internal guidelines to LGUs to ensure  transparency and accountability.

DBM will release funds directly to the budget of participating agencies and it was reiterated that such fund is already included in the budget of the participating  agencies.

DSWD Team composed of  Planning Officer Cristina Dacanay,  Social Welfare Officer III/ Convergence Focal Person Virginia P. Sesay, SWO II Mary Grace Rendon and Project Development Officer III Agnes Tambalo, reviewed proposed projects of said LGUs.

According to Ms. Virginia P. Sesay, this activity helped LGUs develop appropriate projects under the menu of DSWD which include  community-driven projects, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Services/Programs for the Family, Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, and Social Pension Program.

Laoag City’s  projects on Core Shelter Program and Livelihood Projects for women and senior citizens were accepted with the amount of Php. 1,600,000.00 and  Php. 400,000.00 LGU counterpart.

In Badoc, Ilocos Norte, the project Upgrading of Day Care Centers in Brgy.  Saud, Badoc, Ilocos Norte was accepted with agreement that the LGU will provide counterpart of Php. 67,500.00.

Moreover, in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, three (3) Skills Trainings  were  accepted with add-on livelihood component  that will come after the conduct of trainings.

For the BUB projects the one-year project implementation can start already, hence, LGUs need to strategize. (by: Iryn D. Cubangbang, RIO with report from Virginia P. Sesay, SWO III/ Convergence Focal Person).