Enhancing the Social Protection Operational Framework and Strategy of the Philippines

Department of Social Welfare and Development and NEDA-SDC-Subcommittee on Social Protection (SC-SP) July 2012

Part

Contents List of Acronyms Introduction A. History and Background B. Context of Operational Framework and Strategy Goals and Objectives of Social Protection Elements of the Operational Framework A. Identifying and Responding to Major Risks and Vulnerabilities B. Identifying and Responding to Priority Targets and Sectors C. Working towards Universal Coverage Key Strategies of Implementation A. Convergence in the Delivery of Social Protection B. Scaling-Up Community Driven Development C. Building Adaptive Capacity D. Institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation System E. Other Specific Strategies References Annex A: Framework for Poverty Reduction Annex B: SP Operational Framework and Strategy

Page 3 4 5 6

II III

7 9 10

IV

11 11 12 14 14 16 17 18

ACRONYMS ABSNET ADB CDD CBMS CSO DAP DepEd DILG DOH DENR DPWH DSWD HDPRC IP KALAHI KALAHI-CIDSS LGU LPRAP MDGs NAPC NEDA NGOs NSCB NSO NHTSPR PDF Philhealth PWDs SEA-K SCSP SDC SP SPDR SSS SWS UNDP UPCSWCD Area-based Standards Network Asian Development Bank Community Driven Development Community Based Monitoring System Civil Society Organization Development Academy of the Philippines Department of Education Department of the Interior and Local Government Department of Health Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Public Works and Highways Department of Social Welfare and Development Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster Indigenous peoples KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan KALAHI Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Local government unit Local Poverty Reduction Action Planning Millennium Development Goals National Anti-Poverty Commission National Economic and Development Authority Non-government organization National Statistical Coordination Board National Statistics Office National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction Philippine Development Forum Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Persons with disabilities Self Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Program Sub-Committee on Social Protection Social Development Committee Social Protection Social Protection Development Report Social Security System Social Weather Station United Nations Development Programme UP College of Social Work and Community Development

Enhancing the Social Protection Operational Framework and Strategy for the Philippines

I. Introduction A. History and Background In 2006, while in the process of formulating its sectoral reform agenda 1, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) defined its contribution and important role in rationalizing social protection in the Philippines. One of its key initiatives was to begin discussions on social protection at the Sub-Group on Social Protection of the Working Group on MDGs and Social Progress in the Philippine Development Forum (PDF2). The recommendations of the Sub-Group on Social Protection were then presented to the Technical Board of the Social Development Committee (SDC) and eventually to the SDC Cabinet Level. This led to the formalization of the definition of social protection on February 13, 2007. The definition and framework of social protection became more critical at the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008. As a response to the crisis, the government issued Administrative Orders 232 and 232-A which clustered social welfare programs in a National Social Welfare Program Cluster. In 2009, the Cluster commissioned the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to conduct an assessment of social welfare and protection programs in the country entitled "Review and Strengthening of the National Social Protection and Welfare Program". The study results recommended that social welfare programs need to be harmonized in order to avoid overlaps and improve targeting of areas and beneficiaries. It was also recommended that government needs to harmonize and coordinate poverty reduction with social protection especially in crafting interventions and strategies. A poverty versus risk chart was prepared to clarify the distinctions and interactions. In response to the results of the DAP study, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Social Security System (SSS) led jointly in formulating an Operational Framework to harmonize all social protection programs. The framework was presented to the SDC Cabinet Level in October 2009. Subsequently, SDC created a Sub-Committee on Social Protection in the same period. The approved definition and operational framework is now being subjected to further refinements and enhancements. The following proposed enhanced operational framework was developed using suggestions and comments from various fora and meetings conducted under the Social Development Committee, other civil society initiatives, multilateral and bilateral agencies and academic research and studies. It takes into consideration the
1 2

National Sector Support for the Social Welfare and Development Reform Project (NSS-SWDRP) which was funded by the World Bank. The PDF is the primary mechanism of the Government for facilitating substantive policy dialogue among stakeholders on the cou ntrys development agenda including key multilateral and bilateral donors. The lead multilateral organization in PDF is the World Bank

overlapping governance, cultural, environmental and political realities and concerns. The core of the framework is the underlying purpose and objective of social protection, which is a better and improved quality of life for its beneficiaries. Significant contributions to the finalization of this enhanced operational framework come from the results of three (3) workshops conducted between November 3 and December 2, 2011, and feedback from presentations done with the SDC NationalRegional workshop and the faculty of the UP College of Social Work and Community Development (UPCSWCD). The first group was composed of civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in social protection programs and projects in different regions. The second group was made up of provincial/municipal social welfare and development officers. The final group was composed of members of the Sub-Committee on Social Protection, as well as DSWD officials andstaff and its attached agencies. B. Context of the Operational Framework and Strategy This proposed enhancement of the social protection operational framework and strategy is directly linked to and placed within the over-all inclusive development goals and over-all poverty strategy of the country. In particular, the framework adheres to the social protection objective of the Philippine Development Plan 20112016, i.e., to empower and protect the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities from individual life cycle, economic, environmental and social risks. (Chap. 8, PDP 2011-2016). At the same time this operational framework situates social protection in the context of the overall poverty reduction strategy of the Aquino administration as detailed in the National AntiPoverty Program, 2011-2016. The Program reiterates the need to rationalize and coordinate the various social protection programs of the country. It also emphasizes the localization and empowerment strategy for convergence. In particular, the inclusion of target areas and beneficiaries is consistent with the anti-poverty thrust of focusing on the poorest of the poor and the poorest areas. Taking off from Republic Act 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, the reduction of poverty has four pillars, namely, access to quality basic services, asset reform and access to economic opportunities, sustainable development of productive resources, and democratizing the decision-making and management processes. However, evidence shows that exposure to risks and the inability of individuals/families to manage and cope with these risks lead to poverty. Thus, the analytical framework was enhanced to include social protection as one of the major pillars to reduce poverty (see attached chart Annex A). It is also important to contextualize social protection in a developing country perspective. Barrientos (2010) differentiates social protection in the context of developed countries where it is seen as a universal provision to citizens, from social protection in the context of developing countries. While aiming for universal provision in terms of basic services and social protection programs, governments in developing countries prioritize targeted programs for the poor, due mainly to budget constraints. This is true in the Philippine context where about 26.5% of the 5

population is poor (as of 2009). The percentage of households that are highly vulnerable to various kinds of risks and contingencies is about 50.7% in the most recent estimate (Albert, 2010). Surveys also show a much larger proportion of the population who think they are poor. Self-Rated Poverty has been at around 51%in the past seven years (Mangahas, 2011). The governments efforts in providing universal access to education and health services and in targeted programs like the Pantawid Pamilya are prime examples of this social protection thrust.

II. Definition, Goals and Objectives of Social Protection Social Protection constitutes policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving peoples capacity to manage risks. (SDC Resolution No. 1 Series of 2007) The primary goal of social protection is to contribute to a better and improved quality of life. This is achieved through a substantial reduction in poverty and vulnerability and the inclusion of the marginalized in the development process. The definitions of poor, vulnerable and marginalized follow those adopted in the Sub-committee on Social Protection (SCSP): Poor refers to individuals and families whose income fall below the poverty threshold as defined by the government and/or those that cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their basic needs of food, health, education, housing and other amenities of life (RA 8425 or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, 11 December 1997) Vulnerable refers to households confronted by ex-ante risk that, if they are currently non-poor, will fall below the poverty line, or if they are currently poor, will remain in poverty. It is also defined in terms of exposure to adverse shocks to welfare and not only in terms of exposure to poverty. (NEDA) The marginalized are those groups in society who, for reasons of poverty, geographical inaccessibility, culture, language, religion, age, gender, migrant status or other disadvantage, have not benefited from health, education, employment and other opportunities, and who are relegated to the sidelines of political persuasion, social negotiation, and economic bargaining. (IPPF)

The specific objectives of social protection programs include: Protect people and prevent them from falling from their current income/consumption levels due to various risk factors, Build capacity and adaptability to ensure that better quality of life is maintained and sustained. Expand opportunities for income expansion and improve human capital investments in the long term. 6

Sustain standard of living in spite of exposure to risks of different types.

Social protection must also be differentiated from the basic social services which include access to education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation. It is basically a response to protect and manage the vulnerability of households to becoming poor because of various risks and hazards. III. Elements of the Social Protection Operational Framework A. Identifying and Responding to Major Risks and Vulnerabilities Social protection must be able to respond to various types of risks and vulnerabilities that confront households and individuals. The responses can emanate from the households themselves, from government or from the private and civil society sectors as enumerated in Table 1 below. The table shows that a multi-stakeholder response is also significant in managing risks and vulnerabilities. Table 1: Types of Risks/Vulnerability and Responses
Assessment Types of Risks/Vulnerability Individual Lifecycle Hunger and malnutrition Responses Household or Informal Mechanisms Support from relatives, subsistence farming Extended family, community support Hygiene, preventive health Government Health and nutrition policy, programs and projects Social security, health insurance and microinsurance Social security, social assistance, employees compensation Pension Plan Social Security Sound macro and sector policies for job generation; emergency and guaranteed employment Regional and rural development policies, Emergency and guaranteed employment, Labor market policies, social assistance, conditional cash transfers price control inflation management Social funds, subsidies, emergency employment Environmental policy, programs and projects Infrastructure investments Relief and rehabilitation Relocation-temporary and permanent Disaster prevention and Private and Civil Society Sector Provision of nutrition services, soup kitchens, etc. Private insurance schemes Private insurance and microinsurance

Illness, Injury, Disease (incl. HIV-AIDS Disability

Old Age Death Economic End of source of livelihood

Asset/Savings reduction Debt Diversified sources of livelihood

Old age annuities, private pension Private life insurance Private sector investments that are job-generating Private job search institutions

Unemployment

Private transfers, child labor

Low and irregular income Price instability of basic commodities Economic crisis

Depletion of assets/savings Reduced consumption of basic goods Migration

Banking services to the poor, microfinance Sales discounts

Environmental and Natural Drought Migration Community Action Rains and Floods Private transfers Earthquakes Extended family support Volcano eruption and Asset/Savings Depletion landslides

Environmental advocacy and prevention of manmade disasters Disaster mitigation and prevention measures

Assessment Types of Risks/Vulnerability

Responses Household or Informal Mechanisms Government mitigation measures Geo-hazard mapping Insurance against disasters Private and Civil Society Sector Relief and Rehabilitation programs

Social/Governance Social exclusion

Community networks

Inclusive Growth, Good governance, transparency and accountability Public information, transparency and accountability campaign; bottoms up budgeting Providing security and equal access to justice

Corruption

Community pressure

Good corporate governance, corporate social responsibility Strengthening participation of NGOs and CBOs

Peace and order promotion (e.g. antidrug campaigns) Political instability and Migration Participation of citizens and Advocacy for armed conflict civil society groups; peace democracy and negotiations democratic transitions Adopted mainly from the ADB Social Protection Strategy Paper, 2001 and Aldaba (2008).

Crime and domestic violence

Womens groups and watchdogs

Aldaba (2009) identified the various risks and responsibilities confronting Philippine society based on various studies (see Table 2 below). The task of properly identifying risks especially at the local levels is important in crafting the appropriate social protection response and program. In order to do this on the local government level, an important tool is the risk vulnerability analysis. Table 2: Identifying Major Social Risks in the Philippines in the Literature on Poverty and Vulnerability
Variable correlated to Poverty and/or Vulnerability to Poverty Economic instability Social Risk Situation for the Household Lack of employment or low quality of jobs; fluctuating incomes Low and irregular incomes, selfemployment Exposure to negative effects of climate changes displacement, death, disability, disease, crop losses, damage to properties and infrastructure, etc. Exposure to negative effects displacement, disease, lower productivity, damage to properties, etc. Possibilities of rebellion and armed conflict; inequitable and inefficient allocation of resources Literature Sources (poverty and non-poverty related) World Bank (2001) Templo et al (2006), Alba (2001), Canlas et al (2006), NSCB and NAPC (2005) World Bank (2001)

Unemployment and underemployment Climate in General

Typhoons Drought Political Factors Unrest and instability

Balisacan (2003) Datt and Hoogeeven World Bank (2001)

Political Dynasties

Balisacan (2001)

Land Inequality Armed Conflict MILF and CPP-NPA-NDF Rido and clan conflicts Lack of Access to Water Irrigation Lack of Access to Sanitary

Violence, Internal displacements Balisacan (1999, 2003) PHDR (2007) Asia Foundation website Templo et al (2006) Balisacan (1999, 2003) Templo et al (2006)

Exposure to crop losses, diseases, death for persons

Variable correlated to Poverty and/or Vulnerability to Poverty toilets Lack of Infrastructure Electricity Roads Lack of Basic Services Education of Household Head; Children not in School Illness and health Shelter

Social Risk Situation for the Household Exposure to negative effects disease, food insecurity, lower productivity Exposure to negative effects lower incomes and lower productivity Exposure to diseases and morbidity Exposure to the elements; vulnerability to crimes

Literature Sources (poverty and non-poverty related) Balisacan (1999) Balisacan (1999, 2003)

Reyes (2004), NSCB (2003), NSCB and NAPC (2005)

Schaeffer (2001), Templo et al (2006), DOH and WHO website Templo et al (2006), Ballesteros (2002), HUDCC website Reyes (2004) National Nutrition Survey (2003), various SWS Surveys, Flores et al (2006), NAPC and NSCB (2005) Orbeta (2005), Alonzo et al (2005), NSCB and NAPC (2005), Reyes (2004)

Lack of access to credit Food Insecurity, Hunger and Malnutrition Large Family size

Lower productivity and incomes Exposure to diseases and death, low productivity and incomes Poverty, lower productivity, exposure of children to disease, hunger, etc.

Source: Aldaba (2008)

The Social Protection programs as response to the above risks and vulnerabilities are clustered into the following components: 1) Social Insurance, 2) Labor Market Interventions, 3) Social Welfare and 4) Social Safety Nets. Social Insurance and related programs are premium-based schemes protecting households from lifecycle and health-related risks. Labor market interventions include employment facilitation schemes, active labor market programs (ALMPs), emergency and guaranteed employment. Social welfare programs give basic protection to those who are poor, excluded, discriminated against and marginalized. Social safety nets are short-term stop-gap measures. Purely targeted social protection programs are those that focus on the core poor and are mostly social safety net interventions such as cash transfers, food for work, and emergency employment programs. These programs are time-bound and, at best, bridge programs to tide over affected families until they have developed basic capacities to meet future needs and improve the situation of their families. B. Identifying and Responding to Priority Target Areas and Sectors Social protection must be able to identify and focus its target groups and target areas considering that its potential beneficiaries range from non-poor to the chronic poor. In terms of targeting, the government has mandated all agencies to utilize the Department of Social Welfare and Developments (DSWD) National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). Using the proxy means test, this targeting system has unified the criteria for the selection of the poorest population and created a database of poor households as reference in identifying beneficiaries of social protection programs. It has also reduced leakage to the nonpoor and under-coverage or exclusion of the poor in social protection services.

Using various indicators, government must also target priority areas for the provision of programs and projects to those that have a concentration of poverty, conflict and disasters. The Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster has identified 609 municipalities in this regard. Social Protection programs should be prioritized to reach areas that are potentially at risk from climate change. Target sectors, meanwhile, are identified by the extent of marginalization and social exclusion they experience. DSWD has long been involved with these marginalized sectors -- women, children, youth, elderly, families, indigenous peoples (IPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), among others -- in its social welfare activities. It should be noted that the target sectors and areas are not mutually exclusive as they can cut across sectors or areas. This addresses the concern on cross-cutting sectors such as gender. C. Working towards Universal Coverage While government always aims for the universal provision of basic social services, current social protection programs are thus typically targeted in terms of coverage. Universal coverage of social services entails the country-wide provision of the full requirements of the basic rights of citizens in terms of education, health and nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation. But given resource constraints, social protection programs target individuals and households that are poor and highly vulnerable. The basis for the targeting is the unified approach through the National Household Targeting System as described above. As government increases its resource base, major social protection programs, especially those reducing or mitigating risks related to health and education, may reach universal coverage and be integrated into the delivery of basic social services. IV. Key Participatory Strategies for Implementation3 A. Convergence in the Delivery of Social Protection Convergence is the act of directing complementary and/or synergetic programs or interventions to specified targets -- poor households, families, individuals and/or communities. It calls for the synchronization and coordination of all interventions of government (national and local) and the private sector in one geographical area to ensure that reforms in terms of poverty alleviation, among others, are achieved. For better service delivery and effective results, the operationalization of convergence requires the following: Convergence in the target areas/municipalities. Convergence with the private sector in the delivery of social protection programs. Convergence in the package of intervention to be delivered in the target areas/municipalities. Convergence of coordinating mechanisms/feedback systems from the top to the ground and vice-versa. Convergence of resources that are available for the implementers from the national to the local levels, more importantly in budgeting.
3

This assumes that all strategies will aim to maximize participation of stakeholders and various agencies.

10

The following are the initial efforts at convergence: Internal and External Convergence of DSWD DSWD started to orchestrate its social protection programs internally by initially harmonizing the implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS, Pantawid Pamilya and the Sustainable Livelihood Program in 40 municipalities. Convergence activities include: A unified targeting system - The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) Synchronized implementation of social preparation and mobilization activities Harmonized engagement of Local Government Units Coordinated capability-building Harmonized monitoring and reporting Integrated Social Case Management Enhanced partnership with Civil Society Organizations

As DSWD strengthens its own convergence strategies, different national agencies have started to work together for the same. In particular, the adoption of Pantawid Pamilya as the core social protection and poverty alleviation strategy has grouped the DSWD naturally with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) to collaborate institutionally and deliver the package of interventions under Pantawid Pamilya. In addition, DSWD partners with the Department of Public Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for guaranteed employment programs for similar target beneficiaries. The Thrust towards Localization of Convergence of Poverty Programs 4 A common effort by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC) is the localization of the convergence of poverty and social protection programs. The center of the localization program approved by the HDPR Cluster is the municipality. The government has chosen 609 municipalities as focus areas. These municipalities are mostly from the regions with the largest concentrations of the poor in densely-populated provinces. Local government capacities to reduce poverty in these areas will be strengthened. There will be a system for providing incentives to better performing local government units (LGUs) to fund their poverty reduction programs, strengthen inter-LGU systems to coordinate their projects, and advocate the use of poverty indicators in planning and measuring their progress toward poverty reduction. Participating municipalities will be required to (1) conduct community-based monitoring systems (CBMS) surveys, which will serve as the base for (2) Local Poverty Reduction Action Planning; and (3) a set of administrative and organizational reforms based on the DILG seal of good housekeeping. The Community -Based Monitoring System (CBMS)5 will complement the National Household Targeting

4 5

Culled from the National Anti-Poverty Program , 2011-2016 by NAPC A local census of households in the community to generate data for poverty monitoring.

11

System (NHTS) and provide a monitoring tool for anti-poverty work. Concrete targets in the poverty action plan will facilitate monitoring. Good governance reform will strengthen the capacity of municipal governments to plan and implement poverty programs. These municipalities are also expected to craft specific budgets for their poverty plans which in turn will be consolidated by the NAPC. NAPC will then coordinate with the respective national agencies which will carry the budget and help the local government implement or deliver the specific poverty reduction projects. B. Scaling-Up Community Driven Development (CDD) The implementation of social protection always starts at the ground level. Thus, another important strategy is community-driven development which is an approach that helps poor communities develop the necessary skills, and provide them with resources in selecting, implementing, and sustaining small-scale community infrastructure projects and key social services. The leading CDD programs are the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and MakamasangTugon. CDD approaches and strategies enable barangays to: (a) participate in identifying, prioritizing and planning community development interventions; (b) iImplement community projects; and (c) practice transparency and accountability in resource allocation and implementation of sub-projects by having project grants directly managed by community volunteers without passing through the local government units. These strategies build and strengthen social capital by generating the appropriate environment and opportunities for people to collaborate in designing and implementing development programs. The government is scaling-up CDD and Makamasang Tugon activities and this includes institution-building, e.g., formation of CDD units within sectors and departments, developing CDD modules to be used by existing training institutes and conducting inter-agency CDD pilots. C. Building Adaptive Capacity6 In the context of mitigating risks and avoiding significant negative consequences of the various types of risks, SP programs at all levels should include a crucial assessment of adaptation. Adaptation is a process that can be considered consistent with improving human capital (education and health), better governance and rightsbased conditions. It spreads across sectors, target population and areas beyond economic capital. It should take into consideration physical vulnerability, production, human and social capital to ensure a sustainable livelihood system. (World Bank, 2010) Therefore, adaptation goes beyond the physical provision of better infrastructure and warning systems, it requires an integrated participatory process involving individuals and their social networks, local units and national agencies consistent with the convergence approach of the overall framework. A crucial
6

This section borrows heavily from the Comments of the UPCSWCD Faculty on the Proposed Enhanced Operational Framework presented to them on Feb. 3, 2012.

12

component of an integrated adaptive system is the capacity to absorb stress and manage and maintain basic function during stress, and the ability to bounce back after stress. (Adgeret al. 2004) Social protection can build adaptive capacity through protective and preventive strategies for coping, as well as through promotive and transformative measures. Examples of these social protection instruments and measures which have been found to create this impact are shown in the table below:

Table 3. Promoting Adaptation through Social Protection

SP Category
Protective (coping strategies)

SP Instruments
Social service provision Social transfers (food/cash) including safety nets Social pension schemes Public works programmes

Adaptation benefits
Protection of those most vulnerable to climate risks, with low levels of adaptive capacity

Social transfers Prevents damaging coping strategies as a result of risks to Livelihood diversification weather-dependent livelihoods Weather-indexed crop insurance Social insurance Social transfers Promotes resilience through Promotive livelihood diversification and Access to credit (building adaptive capacity) security to withstand climate Asset transfer or protection related shocks Starter packs (drought/flood Promotes opportunities arising resistant) from climate change Access to common property resources Public works programmes Promotion of minority rights Transforms social relations to Transformative combat discrimination Anti-discrimination campaigns (building adaptive capacity) underlying social and political Social funds vulnerability Proactively challenging discriminatory behaviour Source: Davies et al, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Protection, in Promoting Pro -Poor Growth Social Protection, OECD, 2009, p. 205 as cited by UP CSWCD (2012). Preventive (coping strategies)

There are important differences among various coping strategies (which are shortterm responses that relieve the burden of risk once it has occurred) and strategies which build adaptive capacity. Protective measures provide relief from deprivation and include social assistance for the chronically poor (or those with the least adaptive capacity) such as social services, food and cash transfers, pensions, fee waivers and public works. Preventive measures are meant to avert deprivation, and include social insurance for economically vulnerable groups, unemployment benefits, social transfers, etc. They also include livelihood diversification and weather-indexed insurance which prevent damaging coping strategies as a result of risks to weather-dependent livelihoods. On the other hand, promotive measures aim to enhance real incomes and capabilities of the poorest and most vulnerable populations, thereby enhancing resilience through livelihood diversification and security to withstand climate-related shocks. These include social and asset transfers, microfinance, drought - and floodresistant starter packs, access to common property resources, and public works. Transformative measures, which are more rights-based, seek to address vulnerabilities arising from social inequity and exclusion of the poorest and most 13

marginalized groups and could include collective action for workers rights, all sensitisation campaigns. (Jones et al, 2010:12-13) Protective, preventive, promotive, and transformative measures are not mutually exclusive but are actually mutually reinforcing, constituting various dimensions of an iterative process. The transformative potential of all social protection measures exists from the start of implementation and needs to be progressively realized across time and space. D. Institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation System A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system should be institutionalized on all levels of implementation. This mechanism should be able to facilitate the rationalization of various social protection programs according to the various key components. A regular monitoring and evaluation system is also important to be able to adjust, refine or even terminate programs so that appropriate responses to the various risks are implemented and sustained. The M&E system will also assess how convergence is achieved among the various stakeholders at all levels. The system also hopes to integrate early detection systems of risks that will affect various communities. Thus, it is important that specific financial and human resources are allocated for this institutionalized M&E system. E. Other Specific Strategies in the Implementation of Social Protection Programs Other key strategies gathered in the different workshops and references to ensure that the framework operates smoothly are as follows: a. Streamlining the existing SP programs by weeding out inactive ones and merging duplicative ones according to the main components of the framework as suggested by DAP. (2009) b. Laying the legal basis starting from the SDC Resolution to a nationallyratified resolution approving the framework and recommending its adoption at all levels of policy coordination. c. Strengthening the existing mechanisms for coordination at the different levels such as the SDC and incorporate SP as a key strategy up to the municipal/barangay levels. d. Identification of a common risk assessment tool such as the Social Protection Development Report (SPDR) and its proposed adoption by the SDC as the common tool to evaluate risks at the local levels and re-orient local governments and partner civil society organizations on its uses. e. Identification of a standardized tool to identify capable LGUs in implementing SP programs such as the Seal of Good Housekeeping for local governments. f. Consider the core mandates of agencies concerned in the order of priority and/or ranking of SP program implementation. g. Use convergence as a strategy for SP, not as a separate but as an integral approach related to the implementation of other plans and programs such as the over-all poverty reduction strategy, the

14

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the overarching Philippine Development Plan. h. Contextualization of this proposed operational framework as a guide to for institutions in developing programs or in matching existing programs to address certain conditions, vulnerabilities and/or marginalization of groups and areas. i. Consider other ways to determine eligibility in the identification target beneficiaries, for instance, an alternative identification mechanism other than birth certificates for indigents whose children are not registered. j. Consider ways of providing manpower, capability training and financial support to local social welfare officers before SP programs are passed to them. The multiple designations of social welfare officers must be addressed. k. Use of the Area-based Standards Network (ABSNET) as a standardized system for coordination among local civil society organizations and NGOs. l. Create an enabling environment for sustained cooperation between NGOs and LGUs in implementing SP Programs. m. Involve local chief executives and/or their offices in the consultation process, from SP program design implementation, to ensure sustainability and support.

15

References Adger, N., Arnell, N. And E. Thompson (2004), Successful Adaptation to Climate Change Across Scales, Global Environmental Change, Elsvier, 15, pp. 77-86. Albert, Jose Ramon and Andre Philippe Ramos (2010). Trends in Household Vulnerability, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Discussion Paper Series No. 2010- 01. Aldaba, F. (2008) Major Social Risks in the Philippines: A Preliminary Survey, Social
Welfare and Development Journal, April-June 2008.

Asian Development Bank (2009). Poverty in the Philippines: Causes, Constraints and Opportunities. Manila: Asian Development Bank. Barrientos (2010). Social Protection and Poverty. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Social Policy and Development Programme Paper Number 42. Department of Social Welfare and Development (2011) Convergence Manual Development Academy of the Philippines (2009) "Review and Strengthening of the National Social Protection and Welfare Program. Mangahas, Mahar (2011). Terraces of Poverty, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Nov. 19. National Anti-Poverty Commission-NAPC (2006). Looking into Social Protection in the Philippines: Towards Building and Implementing an Operational Definition and a Convergent Framework. National Anti-Poverty Commission (2011). National Anti-Poverty Program, 20112016. Part 1. Pulse Asia (2005) Understanding Poverty. Reyes, Celia, Aubrey Tabuga, Christian Mina, Romina Asis and Maria Besila Datu (2010). Chronic and Transient Poverty, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Discussion Paper Series No. 2010-30. Social Weather Stations (various years). Social Weather Report. UP CSWCD (2012) Summary of Comments on Enhanced Social Protection Framework presented by Fernando T. Aldaba, February 3, 2012. World Bank (2010). The Social Dimensions of Adaptation to Climate Change in Vietnam.

16

Annex A

Enhanced Analytical Framework for Poverty Reduction Poverty Reduction

Quality Basic Services

Education, Health, Housing, Other Basic Services

Asset Reform and Economic Opportunities

Land, Credit, Livelihood, Science & Technology, Vocational Training, Information, Communication, Markets

Sustainable Development of Productive Resources

Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation, Management and Development

Social Protection
Social Welfare, Labour Market Interventions, Safety Nets, Social Insurance

Democratizing Decision-Making and Management Process

Increased Participation

NOTE: Analytical framework taken from RA 8425, Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act was enhanced to include social protection.

Annex B

Enhanced Social Protection Framework and Strategy

OBJECTIVES BETTER AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE

Reduce Poverty and Vulnerability

Inclusion and Enhancement of the Social Status and Rights of Marginalized

RISKS AND VULNERABILITIES ADDRESSED Economic Risks

Lifecycle and Individual Risks

Environment and Natural Risks

Social and Governance Risks

CORE PROGRAM RESPONSES Social Insurance Labor Market Interventions Social Safety Nets Social Welfare

KEY RESPONSE ELEMENTS Targeted Areas and Sectors Universal Coverage

IMPLEMENTATION OF PARTICIPATORY STRATEGIES

Scaling up of Community Driven Development

Convergence in the Delivery of Core Responses

Building Adaptive Capacities at all Levels of Implementation

Institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation System

18