ENHANCING GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENGAGEMENT
(ENGAGE - 2014)

Client and Funding Source: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Partner: Development Alternatives, Inc. (lead Firm)
Contract duration: 2013 - 2018
Sample Activities: institutional development; public finance and budget management; social and environmental safeguards

ENGAGE endeavors to promote good governance and improve peace and stability in six conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The project aims to strengthen the capacity, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability of local governments; and increase the involvement of citizens in governance through civic education, civil society strengthening, and the promotion of participatory mechanisms.

In part due to the framework and the optimism it brings, ENGAGE hopes to capitalize on the best opportunity in a generation to achieve lasting structural change in governance at the local level. The five-year project will support 24 LGUs and about 50 civil society organizations in Cotabato City, Marawi City, Zamboanga City, Isabela City, Southern Basilan and Jolo. OIDCI fielded Municipal and Community Engagement Officers (MCEOs) in Marawi City, Zamboanga City, Sulu, and Southern Basilan for the project.

Among the activities supported by ENGAGE in Zamboanga City are Peace Journalism Training and Community Healing Sessions in evacuation centers, where psycho-social support were provided to the participants. A Real Property Taxation System Administration Review was also held for the city’s LGU officials, while newly-elected officials of barangays participated in a workshop on good governance and building disaster resilient and peaceful and orderly communities. In Marawi City, a multi-sectoral consultation on the formulation of a new Executive Legislative Agenda has been conducted; technical assistance has also been provided to the LGU for the development of implementing rules and regulations of the city’s Gender and Development Code. Reviews of the local governments’ Solid Waste Management Plans have also been supported by ENGAGE, as well as the creation of technical working groups on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and the crafting of a Barangay Participatory Public Safety Planning Module. ENGAGE has also supported the conduct of youth internships to promote their involvement in public and civic affairs.