RPMES: Getting project implementation out of harms way
By: Engr. Alan del Socorro/NEDA IV-A
Monitoring and evaluation (M & E) is one of the stages in a project cycle that is done before, during and after project implementation. This ensures that projects are carried out according to approved quality standards, within budget and on time. Furthermore, M & E checks if a project achieved its preferred objectives and purpose. Thus, it would involve systematic collection and analysis of information about events associated with the implementation of development programs projects. The development councils at different levels of the government will use these M&E Information for decision making, project facilitation and for public information.
In the pursuit of government’s decentralization policy, Executive Order No. 308 was issued mandating the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) to monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations on the implementation of projects at the lowest possible level.
It is on this context that the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) was established by virtue of Executive Order No. 93. The RPMES serves as a guide for the PMCs at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels in the M&E of programs and projects under their jurisdiction. It also provides a venue for the active participation of non-government and private volunteer organizations in the monitoring and validation processes.
To further facilitate M&E Memorandum Circular No. 1-94 was issued by the National Project Monitoring Committee (NPMC) enjoining the Project Implementors to report progress if implementation, to the respective PMC at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels and to provide monitors more detailed information on on-going projects and problem solving activities.
Aside from these, RPMES also aims to elevate unresolved issues and problems at various levels to the Cabinet or the President for resolution and final action through the NPMC or concerned Presidential Assistants (Pas) as appropriate and to provide information on lessons learned in implementation of future similar projects.
At the regional level, projects that will be monitored and evaluated include all foreign-assisted projects (loan or grant funded), inter provincial projects implemented in two or more provinces in the region, all area development projects implemented in the region and other projects considered by the Office of the President, regional development councils/planning board.
The PMC at the regional level comprises of NEDA Regional Director as chairman, DBM Regional Director as co-chairman, DILG Regional Director, PMS-OP Regional Team Leader, one RDC-NGO representatives as members. The NEDA Regional Office will serve as the secretariat of the RPMC.
On the other hand, the Provincial/City/Municipal PMC composition is left to the discretion of the Local Development Council subject to inclusion of the following as mandatory members: DILG representative or Provincial/City/Local Government Officer assigned in the area, one representative of NGO/PO, one representative of NGO members in the Local Development Council. The Chairman is appointed by the local chief executive from among the nominees of the Local Development Council.
There is an on-going advocacy effort in Calabarzon, for LGUs to have their respective PMC operational. Some of the notable projects wherein the RPMC helped in terms of project monitoring are the Quezon Tourism Coastal Road, Batangas Port, STAR Tollway, Ternate-Nasugbu Road, Tiaong Bypass Road, ADB 6th Road, several bridges under the President’s Bridge Program and the SLEX Rehabilitation.
The early implementation of the Quezon Tourism Coastal Road starting from Sariaya is noteworthy to mention as one of the RPMC accomplishments. The said road is only a pipeline project for Calabarzon back then before RPMC validated the need for its early construction.
Through one of the RPMC’s monitoring visits, the Task Force Sariaya was created composed of RDC Chairman Ricky Osmond, the hardworking Congressman Proceso Alcala, DPWH Regional Director Bonifacio Seguit, RPMC Chairman Severino Santos, the RPMC members, Nation Granary, Inc. President Ricky Ang, ex-Sariaya Mayor Connie Doromal and the Sangguniang Bayan of Sariaya.
The task force created was critical in starting this project. (A separate article about this project can be found on this issue of Calabarzon Project Monitor.) It is the desire of the RDC to speed up infrastructure development in CALABARZON to support its fast growing economy. Therefore, RDC calls for the activation lf the Local Project Monitoring Committee to work hand in hand with RPMC and help identify and solve problems in project implementation at hand.
RDC also calls for Congressmen to support all national projects that will bring development in their respective districts.
