SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

REACTION PAPER ON PANTAWID 4P’s PROGRAM

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programs is a condition cash transfer (CCR) program that provide
cash grants to poor household with Children 0-14 years old and /or pregnant mother, provided that
they comply with the conditions set by the programs objectives. Social Assistance -provides condition
cash assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate needs (short term poverty); and social
development aims to break intergenerational poverty cycle through investment in humans capital who are
qualified for Pantawid Pamilya? A household may qualify for Pantawid Pamilya as a beneficiary if it
satisfies two(2) criteria : 1.) at the time of the survey the household must be classified as poor, based on
the national household targeting system for poverty reduction (NHTS-PR) and 2.) Have a pregnant
woman and/or children 0-14 years old as household members. Thus being included in the NHTS-PR list
of poor household does not automatically qualify a household for Pantawid Pamilya, on the same manner,
not all households with a pregnant women or young children as members will qualify for the program.
What are the conditions of the Pantawid Pamilya? Health and nutrition conditions require periodic
checkups, growth, monitoring and vaccination for children 0-5 years of age; twice a year intake of the
worming pills for children 6-14 years old, pre and prenatal care for pregnant woman and attendance of
parents in family development session where responsible parenthood is discussed.

Poverty is a problem for Filipinos. Structural poverty is still a binding constraint to the equitable
growth in the Philippines. This is caused by the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, as manifested in
education and health outcomes. The program is particularly important for the health and education of our
children. 4Ps helped the children of the beneficiaries in terms of education. Though not enough the
program helps provide the basic needs of children in school. 4Ps helped the beneficiaries in terms of the
health care of their children by compelling them to visit the clinics because of the cash benefit for the
children. Beneficiaries are also aware of the implementation processes involved such registration,
membership and monitoring. As I see it, 4Ps helped the children of the beneficiaries in terms of
education. The program also compels the parents to send their children to school because this is one
condition for them to get the cash benefits. It is revealed that 4Ps helped the beneficiaries in terms of the
health care of their children. They were compelled to visit the clinics because of the cash benefit for their
children. Beneficiaries are also aware of the implementation processes involved such registration,
membership and monitoring.

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Hence, based on my observation and stories from 4P’s beneficiaries, the attendance of children
to school is getting good. Absenteeism was avoided. Teachers pointed out that, though they performed
well in attendance academic performances of the respondents were poor as evidenced by their low
grades. In terms of health and nutrition, the cash grant help children’s healthcare. This made the
beneficiaries became more aware about their health condition as they were obliged to visit the health
center once in every two months, as scheduled by their community doctor. It has also observed that 4P’s
beneficiaries, improved their living condition because they were provided an added income source.
Putting up small businesses is perceived to have a positive impact on their economic condition. Other
beneficiaries revealed that 4Ps made no difference in their living condition. This is because the cash grant
is very minimal that once it is disbursed, it is automatically spent for all the necessary expenditures, while
sometimes it is even insufficient.

Therefore, the Philippine Government should continue the implementation of 4Ps. It is also highly
recommended to design another program for the beneficiaries who graduated from the CCT. Otherwise,
beneficiaries will go back to the same status of life. In the absence of a follow-up program, the purpose of
CCT in the Philippines will be defeated.

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Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

To what extent does the ENGP or NGP of DENR alleviate the economic conditions
of the farmers? Is this program a form of social justice at the grassroots level?

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

NGP is by far the largest and widest reforestation effort in the country fully funded by the
Philippine government. NGP to improve water supply to irrigate farmlands

The agricultural sector has much to benefit from the National Greening Program (NGP) as the
latter would substantially improve the water yield of watersheds, thereby ensuring the supply of water to
irrigate farmlands. Additional areas will be made available to high-value crops through agroforestry to
enable farmers earn additional income, said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P.
Paje.“We are seeking to plant and develop some 1.5 million hectares of open and idle forestlands
between 2011 and 2016 in order to address the problem of soil erosion, secure a sustainable supply of
water and providing additional livelihood for farmers through agroforestry,” he explained.

The NGP forms part of the Aquino Administration’s initiative to guarantee food security and
enable the Filipino farmer to cope with the impacts of climate change. Under the NGP, the government
seeks to improve the vegetative cover of watersheds nationwide that could supply much of the freshwater
requirement of the country. Food security is one of the pressing issues facing the Philippines. Soil erosion
is equally problematic due to the country’s geographic conditions. DENR data showed that about 20
million hectares or two-thirds of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares, are hilly and
mountainous, making these areas susceptible to soil erosion whose direct impacts and side-effects
include low crop productivity, reduction of the capacity of water conveyance structures, destruction of
wildlife habitat, and destruction of standing crops.

In addition to reforestation, the NGP has indirectly contributed towards improved water quality
in rivers and irrigation for farm lands, reduced threat of flooding, carbon sequestration, and has laid down
a strong foundation for strong wood-products economy. The NGP socially mobilized relevant
stakeholders, including the youth and local communities, to contribute by planting seedlings, and
maintaining tree plantations. The reforestation efforts in the NGP has promoted strong coordination

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GRADUATE STUDIES
among national government agencies, civil society, private sector and local communities. Alternative
livelihoods and benefit sharing with local communities motivates them to protect the reforested lands,
instead of treating it as a one-off job. Engaging local communities’ in reforestation programs produces
substantially better ecological and social outcomes.

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 SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

Make yourself a one page reaction paper of the Bub project of former Pres. B.S.C
Aquino

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

The road to perdition is paved with good intentions, as the saying goes, and could be applied
to the bottom-up budgeting (BuB) tack of the government of former President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Developed jointly by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) and the Good Governance
and Anti-Corruption (GGAC) Cabinet clusters, the BuB was first introduced in the Joint Memorandum
Circular 1 on March 8, 2012, according to a World Bank document.

The Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) process is one of the major reform initiatives of the Aquino
administration, making government’s budgeting process more responsive to local needs. It has also
opened avenue for people’s participation in local planning and budgeting through the engagement of Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs) and basic sectors of the communities as part of the local governance
reform; it provides LGUs incentives for good local governance. Started out in 2012, the BUB has
empowered people in the community by allowing them to articulate their demands to the government and
determine what projects are responsive to their needs, thereby, substantially reducing poverty at the
grassroots level.

Under the BUB project, there are 14 participating agencies, namely DA, DAR, DENR, DepED,
DILG, DOE, DOH, DOLE, DOT, DSWD, DTI, NEA, TESDA and PhilHealth. Each of these agencies offers
a menu of projects under which a city or municipality can avail of based on the LGU’s Local Poverty
Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP). These agencies incorporate in their respective annual budget proposals
the list of priority programs and projects under the BUB for funding by the national government.

Thus, the Department of the Interior and Local Government does not manage the entire BUB
funds. The DILG only manages the funds for its BUB menu of projects, namely: Water Supply, DRR-
infrastructure-related projects (evacuation centers), purchase of DRR equipment, local access road and
capacity development of CSOs. The DILG releases the project funds to the city/municipality proponent
provided there is complete submission of the documentary requirements and the LGU is an SGH-

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GRADUATE STUDIES
passer. For cities/municipalities that are non-SGH passers, the DILG implements the proposed BUB
project for the LGU concerned.

Moreover, despite apprehensions that the budget of the BuB in the GAA can be used by the government
to favor political allies, the guidelines of JMC No.4-2013 provides for uniform application of the budget
among LGUs regardless of political affiliation.

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 SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

Discuss the threat of overpopulation to the delivery of government services.

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

The most basic services offered by governments are water, housing, health, sanitation,
education, and litter management. Further to these essential services are telecommunication, transport,
leisure, among other services. Public services have been designed and delivered from a top-down
perspective by both central and local governments rather than from a bottom-up approach after first
analyzing the needs of citizens and communities. Often the delivery of a public service originates as a
result of government’s need to implement a new policy or reform an existing one. By neglecting citizens’
and communities’ needs this can result in poor service delivery and ultimately complete service failure.

Poor evaluation of needs as well as poorly strategies to address them, considering interaction and
communication from governments to citizens as well as interventions in the urban spaces, can disrupt the
citizens’ lives and urban dynamics, further exacerbating an already complex situation. This can snowball,
creating an ever more challenging set of circumstances that in turn compound each other thus creating an
even more complex service delivery system.

Governments have a mind-set which tries to address outdated needs with outdated methods in order to
address past realities. Currently, communities and governments face a set of challenging conditions that
are disassociated from the past, such as environmental problems, overpopulation, underfunding and a
need for technological advancement within an ever more complex and transparent political context. It
follows that within this modern world, governments must change their approach to service design delivery.
Population increases present new challenges to public service design which must be able to sustainably
respond to this new demand. At the same time, increase in population due to migrations creates a further
challenging dynamic to urban areas. Public services not only have to respond to the increased number of
population changes but also to the increase in diversity, which brings with it new complexities and
requirements. Governments cannot preclude the formation of new and culturally diverse communities,
and now more than ever need to consider this diversity.

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Ideally, public services should originate from an inclusive bottom-up strategy with an effective transparent
approach in place of the current top-down systems. To achieve this, it is essential to create a strategic
vision and through effective engaging communication, incorporate the changing needs of both the
population and the changing nature of the urban context in which they live.

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 SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

Make yourself a one page reaction paper for the Build, Build and Build project.

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

In the past years, the government has handled numerous complex and large-scale
infrastructure projects and not all have gone well. Because of some incomplete planning, rushed
preparation, and insufficient funding, these big projects are slowed down or ended poorly. However, as
President Rodrigo Duterte, ruled the presidency, he ramps up the “Build, Build, Build” project as
an infrastructure investment. Now, government agencies are changing the way they do business to
make sure projects happen on time and on budget. The big scenario in the status quo is the effect of the
said project to the ever-changing economy of the Philippines. Primarily now that a big percentage of the
budget will come from the GDP. In addition to this, the government sees infrastructure
development as the solution to job generation, transportation and traffic woes, and high prices of goods
and services. From wherever aspect we look, the Philippine economy is at stake with this project.

The current administration under the set of the socioeconomic policies,“Dutertenomics,” the
development of infrastructure and industries is one of the major priorities to be accomplished. Many
projects are already approved to be completed soon following the major projects that ensued the
outline of the policy from the preceding years. It is a big spring of hope not only for the
government to implement such promising projects but also for the people because it will generate and
give many jobs and source of income to the families. In his own words, Duterte believes it will bring
abundance to the economy of the country. He said in his latest State of the Nation’s Address, "We will
make the next few years the golden age of infrastructure in the Philippines to enhance our mobility
and connectivity, and thereby spur development growth." To make that happen, the Duterte
administration has diversified its funding to include significant loans from Japan and China along with
multilateral lenders like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and the new Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank.

The coronavirus pandemic has minimal effect on the government's flagship infrastructure projects since
the Construction for 'Build, Build, Build' projects was put on hold as the government implemented a
Luzon-wide lockdown to help curb the spread of the deadly virus. As a taxpayer, I certainly hope that the

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Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES
government will also focus and prioritize the Health Sector considering that Philippines is still badly hit by
this Pandemic.

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

Discuss the corporate powers of the local government units.

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

LGUs shall exercise corporate powers of the LGUs through their respective Local Chief
Executives and Sanggunians; Any undertaking by the LGUs in the exercise of their corporate powers
should be limited to projects and activities, which the LGUS may legitimately implement in its proprietary
or corporate capacity and should not extend to the implementation of governmental or public functions;
The enabling authority for the LGUs to engage in programs and projects in their proprietary capacity
should be in the form of an Ordinance to be enacted by its Sanggunian where the obligations for such
programs are clearly spelled-out; The funds, if any, that will be required for the undertaking may come
from the general fund of the LGU, duly certified by the Treasurer, Budget Officer, and Accountant as
appropriated for any purpose whatsoever or may be specifically appropriated in their respective 20%
Development Fund. Properties held by the LGUs in their proprietary capacity may likewise serve as part
of the initial capitalization for the project;

Public Funds that are invested, expended, and/or disbursed for these proprietary undertakings should be
subject to the jurisdiction and audit by the COA. The appropriations for salaries, wages, representation
and transportation allowances of officials and employees of the public utilities and economic enterprises
owned, operated, and maintained by the local government unit concerned shall not be included in the
annual budget or in the computation of the maximum amount for personal services. The appropriations for
the personal services of such economic enterprises shall be charged to their respective budgets.

The Local Government Code has declared it a policy to grant local governments the power to create and
broaden their sources of revenue to enable them to discharge their powers and effectively carry out their
functions under the law. Thus, LGUs are constantly finding ways to generate additional income and find
other resources to be able to respond to the growing demand for more and better services from
constituents and to improve their operations.

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Empirical data shows that LGU owned and operated Local Economic Enterprises (LEEs) are heavily
dependent on the general fund of the local government unit for their continued existence and operation.
The continued provision of subsidy by the LGU to LEEs deprives the LGU with the means to pursue its
more salient developmental undertakings and provide the necessary social services to its constituents.
Certain LGUs however, have defied conventional practices in the operation and management of LEEs by
risking political fortunes to adopt corporate governance as a norm in operating and managing these
enterprises. These new breed of local executives and local elective officials are now in the forefront of
what is a promising effort to achieve genuine local autonomy envisioned by the Constitution. On the other
hand, there is obviously a need to ensure that practices fall within the bounds of law and in accord with
the standards of transparency and accountability. Since the issuance of the Local Government Code of
1991, LGUs have ventured into various modes in the exercise of their corporate powers such as the
following: alliance or clustering mechanisms, build-operate and transfer scheme, joint venture, bonds,
loans and credit, securing grants and forming corporations.

It is the policy of DILG to promote and support exemplary corporate practices among local government
units. The Department encourages the LGUs to fully harness their corporate powers solidly anchored on
the provisions of our statute, and the requirements for transparency and accountability. In particular, the
Department aims to provide the enabling policy for LGUs to harness their corporate powers in the pursuit
and/or implementation of projects and programs that will redound to the economic development of their
respective communities and enhance the welfare of their constituents.

LEGAL BASIS

The Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), particularly Section 15 thereof, defines an LGU “created
or recognized under this Code as a body politic and corporate endowed with powers to be exercised by it
is conformity with law. As such, it shall exercise powers as a political subdivision of the national
government and as a corporate entity representing the inhabitants of its territory.

Specifically, Section 22 of RA 7160 vests on every LGU as a corporation the power to “exercise such
other powers as are granted to corporations, subject to the limitations provided in this Code and other
laws”. In addition, the same section states that LGUs shall “enjoy full autonomy in the exercise of their
proprietary functions, subject to the limitations provided in this Code and other applicable laws”.

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GRADUATE STUDIES
Finally, and consistent with the local autonomy granted by the Constitution, LGUs “shall have the power
and authority to establish an organization that shall be responsible for the efficient and effective
implementation of their development plans, program objectives and priorities”. (Section 18, RA 7160)

GENERAL GUIDELINES OF REPUBLIC ACT 7160

Section 22
Every local government unit, as a corporation, shall have the following powers:
 To have continuous succession in its corporate name;
 To sue and be sued;
 To have and use a corporate seal;
 To acquire and convey real or personal property;
 To enter into contracts; and
 To exercise such other powers as are granted to corporations, subject to the limitations provided
in this Code and other laws;
Local government units shall enjoy full autonomy in the exercise of their proprietary functions subject to
the limitations provided in RA 7160 and other applicable laws;

Section 18
Local government units shall have the power and authority to establish an organization that shall be
responsible for the efficient and effective implementation of their development plans, program objectives
and priorities; to create their own sources of revenues; to acquire, develop, lease, encumber, alienate, or
otherwise dispose of real or personal property held by them in their proprietary capacity and to apply their
resources and assets for productive, developmental, or welfare purposes, in the exercise or furtherance
of their proprietary powers and functions and thereby ensure their development into self-reliant
communities and active participants in the attainment of national goals;

Local government units may, through appropriate ordinances, group themselves, consolidate, or
coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them. In support of
such undertakings, the local government units involved may, upon approval by the Sanggunian
concerned after a public hearing conducted for the purpose, contribute funds, real estate, equipment, and
other kinds of property and appoint or assign personnel under such terms and conditions as may be
agreed upon by the participating local units through Memoranda of Agreement;

Section 35
Local government units may enter into joint ventures and such other cooperative arrangements with the

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private sector to engage in the delivery of certain basic services, capability-building and livelihood
projects, and to develop local enterprises designed to improve productivity and income, diversify
agriculture, spur rural industrialization, promote ecological balance, and enhance the economic and social
well-being of the people. Provided that in the absence of any guidelines government joint venture
between an LGU and a private sector entity, the NEDA Guidelines governing Joint Venture can be utilized
as reference;

Section 299
Subject to the rules and regulations of the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission,
provinces, cities, and municipalities are authorized to issue bonds, debentures, securities, collaterals,
notes and other obligations to finance self-liquidating, income-producing development or livelihood
projects pursuant to the priorities established in the approved local development plan or the public
investment program. The Sanggunian concerned shall, through an ordinance approved by a majority of all
its members, declare and state the terms and conditions of the bonds and the purpose for which the
proposed indebtedness is to be incurred;

Section 33
Local government units may, through appropriate ordinances, group themselves, consolidate, or
coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them. In support of
such undertakings, the local government units involved may, upon approval by the Sanggunian
concerned after a public hearing conducted for the purpose, contribute funds, real estate, equipment, and
other kinds of property and appoint or assign personnel under such terms and conditions as may be
agreed upon by the participating local units through Memoranda of Agreement;

Section 300
Provinces, cities, and municipalities may, upon approval of the majority of all members of the Sanggunian
concerned and in amounts not exceeding their surplus funds, extend loans, grants, or subsidies to other
local government units under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the contracting
parties. Local government units may, upon approval of their respective Sanggunian, jointly or severally
contract loans, credits, and other forms of indebtedness for purposes mutually beneficial to them;

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 SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus, Tandag City

GRADUATE STUDIES

PA 212
MAJOR EXAM

Discuss the corporate powers of the local government units.

Prepared by:
ZENDEL L. MENDEZ-FERNANDEZ

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