Heifer Philippines Gains Insight at Community Based Monitoring System Conference

By Heifer International

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: January 31, 2013

Story and Photo by Karla Narcise-Rodulfo | PME Manager | Heifer Philippines

Recognizing the need for systematic and evidence-based monitoring and evaluation, Heifer Philippines' Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Karla Narcise-Rodulfo and Assistant to the Country Director Berlie Gatchalian attended a three-day workshop on the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

Participating in the conference gave the Heifer Philippines representatives fresh insight on the direction national and local governments are headed regarding poverty, as well as how this system will help the country achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Heifer Philippines has recently explored and developed successful partnerships with national government agencies and continues to create close working relationships with the local government units where Heifer projects are implemented.

Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability was the theme for the ninth CBMS-Philippines National Conference. It took place from January 22-24, 2013, at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City. The event was co-organized and facilitated by the Angelo King Foundation of De La Salle University and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Experienced speakers from local government discussed actual applications of CBMS for poverty monitoring, local planning and budgeting, program impact monitoring and analysis vis-à-vis the national goals (MDG). Topics like Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation focused on relevant issues, and CBMS played an important role in identifying priority areas.

CBMS was first adopted in the Philippines in 2000 and, since then, the geographical scope of its implementation has exponentially broadened. The system encourages greater transparency and accountability at the government level. Likewise, it promotes evidence-based policy formulation that targets and benefits many Filipinos living below the poverty line. As a monitoring tool, CBMS provides the data and information necessary to diagnose the extent of poverty at the local level. In addition, the CBMS process provides opportunities for community members to participate in data generation and validation, thereby creating a culture of empowerment.

 

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