As an initiative of the Regional Development Council VIII- Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RDC VIII-RPMC) to promote greater participation of the academe, non-government and professional organizations in field monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, the Committee formalized an agreement with selected entities on 11 July 2018 for their participation in the RPMC VIII Monitoring Team.

This partnership will enhance the capacity of the RPMC VIII to perform its functions by addressing the constraints in monitors’ technical expertise, considering the numerous projects being monitored in the region.

The Committee shall initially collaborate with three (3) state universities and colleges (SUCs), one professional and one civil society organization in the conduct of RPMC VIII field monitoring activities. These institutions include: 1) Eastern Visayas State University; 2) Visayas State University; 3) University of Eastern Philippines; 4) Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) – Eastern Visayas; and 5) Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners (CYSP). They were recommended based on their technical expertise in engineering, agriculture, environment, and housing and resettlement. Plans to expand and develop partnerships with other SUCs, POs and CSOs in the future are also currently being discussed.

The simultaneous ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was joined in by EVSU President Dominador O. Aguirre, Jr., UEP President Rolando A. Delorino, as well as representatives from VSU, PICE-Tacloban Chapter, and CYSP.

In his message, RPMC VIII Chairperson RD Bonifacio G. Uy underscored the critical role of these organizations in ensuring the thorough, effective, and timely monitoring of programs and projects in the region, and subsequently the achievement of the region’s goals of inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation. “M&E is critical to ensure that the projects, as envisioned, will achieve their intended targets, outputs, and outcomes”, he said.

Prior to the MOA signing, a briefing on the functions and mechanisms of the RPMC and Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) was conducted. The partnership was officially approved by the RDC VIII through Resolution Nos. 102, s. 2017 and 37, s. 2018, authorizing the RPMC VIII to enter into a MOA with these institutions.

Mary Fretzie R. Basal, PMED, NEDA VIII