The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) is an organization of 79 provincial subdivisions comprising the Philippine Republic. Organically, its mandate is rooted in the Local Government Code of 1991, which provides for the formation of Leagues in all levels of the local bureaucratic hierarchy – from the provinces, cities, municipalities, and the barangays. The stratification was designed to render the local government units truly autonomous in the exercise of local affairs and governance, in the delivery of basic services to the community, in the management and utilization of local resources, in the individual pursuit of developmental programs, and in the furtherance of their corporate structure.
The League is a non-profit, non-stock organization which has, for the past four years, been pursuing programs aided by local and foreign assistance packages, notably, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Department of Health, the United States Agency for International Development through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and other funding sources, even as it strives to set in place structures that will generate income which can be re-channeled toward the implementation of various pro-people and community-based development projects.
The League of Provinces of the Philippines primarily aims to ventilate, articulate, and crystallize issues affecting provincial and metropolitan government administrations. It likewise serves to secure, through proper and legal means, solutions to problems confronting the locales.
The specific objectives of the League are:
1. to foster unity and cooperation among all provinces of the country;
2. To provide a cohesive force that embodies the sentiments and aspirations of member provinces;
3. To serve as a forum of discussion and feedback mechanism on policies affecting local governments;
4. To collaborate with national and other local government agencies in attaining efficient and effective inter-governmental relations to provide development programs that will enrich and upgrade the capabilities of local government units;
5. To engage in continuing programs for the development of local government units;
6. To involve League officers and members in international associations, conventions, seminars and congresses.
The plans and programs of the League of Provinces of the Philippines are approved by the National Assembly and set forth in the yearly Strategic Plan of Action. This Strategic Plan serves as the framework of all its activities in the various developmental areas.
The programs of the League under the respective component strategies are as follows:
I. Strengthen Local Government Performance
This programmatic strategy aims to strengthen the provinces’ performance in the delivery of basic services and the widening of access to sources of funds for developmental undertakings.
Program Sharing System
This is a program showcasing successful exercises in local governance that deserve to be replicated. The provinces gather to gain insights from the sharing that is conducted through lecture-discussion fora. At least three sharing sessions are scheduled yearly.
Strengthening Corporate Nature of Provinces Program
Also called STANCE, the program initially focused on the flotation of bonds, but later expanded to cover other credit financing, privatization and Build-Operate-Transfer schemes. The activity delves into opportunities for new financing instruments to enhance the province’s access to credit and guarantee mechanisms. The program likewise aims to promote the establishment of provincial corporations that promote the economy of the locale. The League continually advocates for the issuance of guidelines from concerned agencies of the national government that facilitate credit financing.
Exchange Programs
An educational program designed for governors, local functionaries and league staff to expose them to local and international experiences in local governance, resource mobilization, environment, and service delivery improvement. Representations with national agencies, training institutions and donor countries are made. A strong advocacy is also being made to come up with a viable training program and accreditation scheme for critical skills and accountancies.
Governance and Local Democracy Project
Also called GOLD, this is a 5-year project authorized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of the Philippines designed to assist ten selected sites. The project reserves room for information sharing and capability building of the staff.
Merit/Recognition Awards Scheme
The League taps the private sector and partner agencies to come up with award schemes in recognition of deserving local officials and provincial governments that motivate the provinces to be more competitive.
II. Influence National Policy
By this strategy, the League aims to increase its presence and influence in the formulation of policies of national concern, and to assume a predominant role in ensuring the welfare of local governments.
Committee System
The Standing Committees of the League offer policy proposals on specific concerns and subsequently, issue position papers or policy pronouncements articulating its stand on national and local issues.
Congressional Collaboration
The League members maintain vigilance over congressional processes and enactments and may call on members to monitor the developments in Congress, and whenever called for, advocate positions or stands on bills pending legislation.
III. Partnership with Other Leagues
The League of Provinces works closely with other Leagues to identify common issues and concerns and to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and unity.
League of Leagues Forum
The League of Provinces takes the initiative to hold regular fora with the various leagues of local governments. This coordination assists in the formulation of key policies and identification of common priority programs.
IV. Enhance Membership Participation
Member provinces are called upon to participate in joint activities, conferences, exchange visits, study tours, trades, festivals and sports programs that promote unity and the preservation of Philippine traditions and culture.
V. Expand Revenue Base
An activity that taps sources of funds for specific programs and projects. Proceeds from income-generating activities are intended to augment operating expenses of the Secretariat and other support services. Portions of income that may be realized may be used as grants for calamity-affected provinces. The League intends to consider short-term investments with high yields such as Treasury Bills, time deposits and capital markets so as to keep its funds liquid.
VI. Institutionalization of the League
Designed to make the League an authority with respect to local governance. Involves the professionalization of the Secretariat and the extension of adequate support to the staff to make them capable of articulating and promoting the interest of the League.
Planning Sessions
The League Secretariat periodically holds planning sessions to discuss work or business plan implementation.
Continuing Education/Staff Training
Special education, fellowships and training opportunities will be offered to enhance the capability of the staff and enable them to keep abreast of current initiatives across the provinces.
Information Exchange System
The information exchange system is an integral function of the Secretariat. This service function covers three (3) main aspects, namely
Email System
The League Email System is a network of computers based in the provinces that are electronically linked to the League Host Computer, to one another, and to the rest of the world via existing information highways. It is a potent and effective means of communication that facilitate the implementation of work activities, resource sharing and information exchange. The Email is also a potential source of income to the League from subscription and other service fees as well as exchange services to the private sector.
League Data Bank
This system enables the League to gather and process correct and timely information and in turn distribute these to the provinces on a need basis. This could be done through the Email or through distribution of print copies. Existing data bases of public and private sectors are targeted for inclusion.
Publication
The League of Provinces is the official publisher of The Governor, a magazine that serves as a print medium of news and information exchange. Apart from this, the League also publishes research materials, case studies and products culled from the Sharing Sessions.
VII. Private Sector Partnerships
The League initiates collaborative undertakings with non-government organizations, people’s organizations, and other private sector associations and corporate concerns with which it shares common business spheres in the pursuit of developmental goals. The League considers this particularly useful for the promotion of the corporate stature of the provinces.
VIII. International Cooperation
The League of Provinces is keenly interested to touch base with counterparts in other countries and establish working relationships with them through exchange programs. The League considers the Donors Forum a fertile breeding ground for fostering such relationships which will be very vital to the discussion of country programs with emphasis on assistance to the individual provinces, in the light of the autonomy and the freedom to engage in developmental pursuits.