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CAMBODIA-ADB TA 3721: Institutional Support for
National Economic Mgmt
The key objective of the ongoing TA is to give the Supreme National Economic
Council (SNEC) technical support so it is better able to give timely advice
on important policy issues, give second opinions to the Prime Minister,
study and advise on policy alternatives and be instrumental to the government’s
reform program.
It is also expected to provide on-the-job training to SNEC members, to enhance their capacity to review and analyze policy options and give policy advice at the highest levels.
PHILIPPINES: Central Cordillera Agricultural Programme
(CECAP) Effectiveness Assessment Study, Second Support Mission
The project, funded by the European Commission, provided an objective
Effectiveness Assessment Study on the agricultural program. The study
was conducted in Banaue, Ifugao from July-September 2002.
The purpose of the mission was to analyze the existing Management Information Systems data and the preparaton of project review reports. These reports provide an overview and analysis of the current achievements of the CECAP projects and initiatives. The team consisted of Team Leader Cesar Umali, Irene Villapando, Magoo Casuga and Lydia Martinez.
SEA bags new ADB project
In a project funded by the Asian Development Bank, SEA Consultants, Inc.
provided an Audit Training Specialist to the National Audit Office (NAO)
of Laos to assist the Government in improving its accounting and auditing
procedures — especially in the auditing of State-Owned Commercial
Banks (SOCB) and Official Development Assistance projects -- as well as
the use of computer auditing software and the training of government auditors.
The Audit Training Specialist will assist the Team Leader in carrying out the diagnostic assessment of accounting and auditing practices in Laos and the organization of a workshop to discuss findings and recommendations and review the capacity of NAO staff and, through findings from the diagnostic study, design a comprehensive training program for NAO staff with specific audit training modules suitable for each staff level. They will also organize a workshop to discuss the proposed comprehensive training program and will prepare specific training modules based on the approved audit manuals and procedures.
The team will also conduct a specific training program for the senior ranks of NAO, focusing on supervision and review techniques and on quality-control procedures; organize training for the trainers of the National Audit Training Center; conduct awareness workshops throughout Lao PDR to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the important roles and functions of the NAO; provide on-the-job training on the application of the various audit manuals and procedures; ensure that at least one line ministry and a provincial department, one development project, two State-Owned Enterprises and one SOCB is covered during this TA; and, finally, provide assistance/ guidance to NAO staff on the implementation of performance audit to focus on efficiency, economy and effectiveness.
SEA to Strengthen BLGF
SEA was recently chosen to implement a project for the Bureau of Local
Government Finance, a government agency under the Philippines’ Department
of Finance.
The Diagnostic Study and Reengineering of the Bureau of Local Government Finance is being funded by the World Bank. It aims to assist the government agency in optimizing its manpower resources and strengthen its management and supervisory capacity and network. Ultimately, the consulting team’s recommendations will contribute to the improvement of the quality of BLGF’s service through the streamlining of its work force.
Under the pact with BLGF, SEA will assess the present structure, existing capability and institutional relationships within the Bureau and its regional offices as to whether it is performing its mandate as provided for in Executive Order 127, EO 165 and other issuances.
SEA’s team of has so far conducted an organizational review of the BLGF head office and its 14 regional offices as it exists today and has studied its human resource capabilities. It is now set to hold a workshop with the Bureau to make its recommendations.
SEA completes AusAid training project
SEA recently completed a training project with the Philippines-Australia
Short Term Training Facility, under the auspices of Australian Aid. The
project, entitled Organizational Capacity Building for NGOs in the Southern
Philippines, was aimed at strengthening the human resources of the MAHINTANA
Foundation, Inc. in Southern Cotabato.
A learner-centered approach was implemented by the chosen traning team. Modules were then customized according to the experiences and needs of the trainees in order to address the actual field requirements of the participants. A framework based on participatory and sustainable development formed the basis of concepts and issues tackled during the training activity. Sustainability of the projects, organizations and management practices were given emphasis all throughout the training course.
A training team composed of resource speakers and facilitators who have experience in conducting training courses at the local level was brought together for the project.
Different learning techniques such as lectures, discussions and role-playing were interspersed to allow focus and participation. A compilation of relevant reading materials were also provided to enable the students to review prior discussions.
The company appointed a Project Coordinator to oversee the efficient implementation of all components and to ensure the welfare of the participants. It also engaged the services of two researchers to document proceedings and assist resource persons.
Chemonics taps SEA to hold training on Microfinance
SEA has been tapped to conduct a series of seminars by Chemonics of the
USA and the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines. The USAID-funded
project, entitled Microenterprise Access to Banking Services (MABS), is
aimed at assisting rural banks in the Philippines to develop their capacity
for profitability by expanding their financial services to microenterprises,
more specifically by providing both loan and deposit services to the sector.
The MABS program provides technical assistance and training to rural banks in the best microfinance practices. It has been successfully installed in about 100 banking establishments locally since its inception in 1998, but to provide a wider reach, the program’s implementors had decided to use the third party approach for an even more successful campaign.
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