The Local Project Monitoring Committee (LPMC) of the province of Catanduanes has been chosen as outstanding LPMC in Bicol for calendar year 2023 by the Regional Development Council (RDC) during the celebration of the 52nd RDC Week held in Legazpi City last Sept. 23, 2024.
Chaired by Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes, the Catanduanes LPMC was adjudged as the first placer in the annual search, followed by Sorsogon and Camarines Norte.
Laynes was also given the Bronze Award for his unwavering support and dedicated service as RDC member since 2016.
Among cities, Legazpi’s LMPC clinched the top spot, with Masbate and Sorsogon cities as first and second runner-up, respectively.
The LPMC of Mercedes town in Camarines Norte ruled the municipal category over Daraga, Albay and Capalonga, Camarines Norte.
The first placer in each category won a plaque and P20,000 cash, with the 2nd placer getting a plaque and P15,000 cash while the 3rd placer received a similar plaque and P10,000 cash.
The Catanduanes PPMC is composed of representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office, three Civil Society Organization representatives including Ivanhoe Arcilla, Anita Tasara and Kier Edward Abad, and members of the secretariat.
The annual search for outstanding LPMCs is an initiative of the Bicol Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) which aims to empower LPMCs and recognize their exemplary monitoring and evaluation (M&E) efforts for development programs and projects.
By participating in the search, LGU representatives can showcase their LPMC’s best practices and be acknowledged for their outstanding M&E contributions.
The RPMC expressed belief that this platform will not only motivate LPMCs to enhance their skills and processes, but also highlight model approaches that can be replicated across the region.
In her message during a recent three-day training on the Revised Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) Operational Guidelines and Electronic RPMES (eRPMES) from July 16 to 18, 2024 at NEDA Region 5, Legazpi City, NEDA Region 5 OIC Regional Director Edna Cynthia Berces underscored the critical role of the LPMCs in driving regional and national development goals. She emphasized that through their tireless M&E efforts, the LPMCs play a crucial part in fostering innovation and advancing progress towards a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat.”
Established through Executive Order No. 376, s. 1989, RPMES provides a scheme for monitoring and evaluating projects at the national, regional, provincial, and city/municipal levels with the active participation of various government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
On the other hand, RPMES is an internet-based application developed by NEDA that streamlines transaction processing, extends accessibility for agencies, integrates data entry and updates, and generates real-time reports for stakeholders.
During the open forum, participants raised issues regarding the nomination of non-local development council members as LPMC members, the reluctance of some implementing agencies to provide project documents for LPMC monitoring and granting of honoraria to all LPMC members.