Enhancing the Strategic Competency of POPCOM
Learning through Practice Approach to POPDEV Integration
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The Population Commission of the Philippines (POPCOM) is currently enhancing its institutional capacity n integrating population and development (POPDEV) in local planning with technical support from ICOMP and funding support from the UNFPA. Being the main agency tasked in implementing the Philippine Population Management Plan, POPCOM needed the right mix of competency in assisting the local government units (LGUs) in POPDEV planning.

Veering away from traditional capacity development approaches of one-shot training programmes, the two-year projects employs an experiential Learning-by-Doing approach. Instead of providing theoretical inputs, ICOMP works with POPCOM in the process of actually performing their strategic roles more effectively. To do this, three LGUs were selected as demonstration sites. Each LDU has distinct features in terms of topography, level of economic progress and local governance set-up.

The project process involves engaging LGU officials and agencies into a dialogue and assessment to determine their capacity development needs. Once key issues were identified and prioritised, programme models were developed targeted at enhancing their capacity in integrating POPDEV in local planning. Despite their contextual differences, these LGUs share similar programme models pertaining to the following: (i) Revisiting current planning process to determine how the system could adopt POPDEV approach; (ii) Training and mentoring on POPDEV approach; (iii) Awareness raising on MDGs utilising different avenues; (iv) Setting up of Geographic Information System to enhance data management analysis; (v) Targeted advocacy for POPDEV integration to planning; and (vi) Youth development.

Considering that LGUs required different capacity development support, POPCOM had to enhance its current competencies and acquire new ones to be able to effectively assist LGUs. For instance, they had to enhance their understanding and skills in local development planning to determine in which phase and how POPDEV could be explicitly taken in consideration in local planning. Similarly, efforts are being made to deepen the programmatic skills of staff members in youth development.

As the project makes progress, it is anticipated that POPCOM staff members would further enhance their exsiting capabilities and learn a variety of new skills which will collectively enhance POPCOM's strategic competencies.