MISSION RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Stephanie Wells MSc.

Boats at White Beach, Boracay Island

FIELD WORK‣ Visited two primary locations:

‣ Bohol- BMT ‣ Northern Panay

‣ Aklan Tourism Circuit‣ Boracay Island

‣ Additionally presented at University of St. AugustinHibiscus flower, Boracay

BOHOL EXPERIENCE

‣ Met with local LGU, DILG, BEPO, Private Sector,

LED Partnership Adviser‣ Visited new TechVoc training school

Jeepneys, Taglibaran City

Sunset in Paydayon

BOHOL EXPERIENCE

‣ BSRS online and continuing to activate‣ LGU committed and ready to receive funds‣ Active private sector with local LGU, partnership already

in the works‣ Transportation seems to be an issue for potential workers‣ Padayon is priority as it has the highest poverty incidence‣ Private sector concerns around length of courses with

TESDA when need is immediate

Jeepneys, Taglibaran City

Sunset in Paydayon

BOHOL RECOMMENDATIONS

‣ Determine which companies have a shuttle and look to develop partnership for this project.

‣ Continue work on BSRS, activate job vacancies asap‣ Continue to work with BAHRR ‣ Find ways to provide scholarships for the new

TechVoc school (or other TechVoc Schools)‣ Still work with TESDA as the goal is sustainable,

qualified candidates Sunset in Paydayon

ILOILO CITYUniversity of St. Augistin, Iloilo City

Buto’t Balat, Iloilo City

‣ Met with local LGSP-LED team‣ Presented Academe- Industry connections at

University St. Augustin

AKLAN TOURISM CIRCUIT

‣ Require stops along the way if driving to enhance guest experience for:‣ Photos‣ Food

‣ Could not find Pina Village‣ Both Mangrove Forest trails should be part of

map Tricycles, Kalibo Aklan

Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan

AKLAN TOURISM CIRCUIT

‣ Require stops along the way if driving to enhance guest experience for:

‣ Photos‣ Food‣ Cultural Experiences

‣ Could not find Pina Village‣ Both Mangrove Forest trails should be part of map

Tricycles, Kalibo Aklan

Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan

‣ The goal for tourists is Boracay ‣ Aklan and Antique can benefit by:

‣ Being an excursion product for guests of Boracay ‣ Being their own product for Cultural travellers (higher end)‣ Build relationships with Iloilo City transportation companies to add one/two of the

products into their itinerary‣ Absolutely need a coordinated website of information‣ Brochures to be placed into hotel lobby’s/ visitor centres Canada Tourism Travelers

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AKLAN/ANTIQUE

company name

NORTHERN PANAY WORKSHOP

‣ Focused on STAG-LG and how to operationalize the project for effective use of funds, accountability and ultimately employment for participants

Sur Beach Resort, Boracay

Overlooking Main St., Boracay

CHALLENGES IN REGION

‣ Job mismatch‣ Locals do not have skills, knowledge for current available postings‣ Regionalistic view on workers‣ Not enough job opportunities‣ Lack of confidence in local workers work ethic

STAG PROJECT GOALS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

‣ Capacitate LGU’s to develop and manage workforce development programs/projects/activities

‣ Forging partnerships with private sector and utilizing PESO for qualified candidates and ‘job bridging’ activities

Fresh clams at D’Tilipapa Market

BENEFICIARIES‣ Q: Who is a qualified community member?‣ A: Unemployed:

‣ High school grad‣ College/uni grad‣ poor/underprivileged‣ Registered with local PESO and completed

NSRS/BSRS formSand Design, White Beach Boracay

QUALIFIED APPLICATION

‣ LGU‣ Action plan- six months beginning January - June 2015‣ Application submission to Regional DILG by deadline- December 1,

2014‣ PESO

‣ Data with appropriate beneficiary profiles NSRS and TESDA QM’s‣ Job Bridging activities/sessions

‣ Private Sector Partnership‣ Action plan group of a minimum of five with signed memorandum of

commitment Boat Captain, Caticlan- Boracay Island

Ramboys Restaurant, Kalibo Aklan

MODEL #1- PROS‣ Simplified model‣ Clarified links between LGU’s

and other agencies‣ Strengthened

partnerships/convergence with concerned agencies

‣ Identification of real and immediate needs

‣ LGU’s have authority to implement the project

‣ Mobilization of capacity

MODEL #1- CONS‣ Lack of permanency of positions‣ LCE’s resistance to project‣ Highly politicized environment‣ Readiness of LGU

‣ Time constraints- can we get all done for December?‣ Identification of training

needs‣ Private Sector Action Group

MODEL #2- PROS‣ Trainees are secured of

employment‣ Job mismatch is avoided‣ Strengthened collaboration‣ Less politicking‣ Longer term benefits

‣ Empowerment of all stakeholders‣ PPP enhanced‣ Skills of workers are enhances

specifically to meet labour demand and employment

‣ Strategic planning for the growth and development of the private sector

MODEL #2- CONS‣ Transparency & accountability‣ Issues with COA‣ Possible monopoly of select

private sector ‣ Private sector has no authority

to influence

‣ Private sector tendency to overshadow LGU’s roles and function

‣ Support from LGU is a challenge‣ Uncooperative private

sector/CBO’s‣ Disorganized CBO’s

GENERAL COMMENTS‣ There is a willingness to work together, roles and responsibilities do need to be identified‣ Private sector feels that 50 participants is small and would be able to absorb as employees-

provided they have a say in pre-screening as well.‣ The concerns around length of time for TESDA training in Bohol did not seem to be an issue

in Northern Panay‣ Neither model seemed to be the exact way to go‣ Selecting appropriate private sector participants will be key‣ Private sector ready to initiate associations (SEC credited) in order to access funds and

provide accountability‣ Private sector was also willing to be involved in the job-bridging activities

USE BOTH MODELS!

‣ Builds capacity

‣ Creates partnerships

‣ Meets labour demand

‣ Buy in from all involved

RECOMMENDATIONS- MODEL #1

‣ Most LGU’s in the areas visited are ready, they have the requirements and only need to activate a private sector action group.

‣ Action plan template is in place and requirement set. This is ready to go

Beach Chairs, Sur Resort Boracay

Operationalizing the STAG-LG

RECOMMENDATIONS- MODEL #2

‣ Private sector required to set up an association (SEC approved)

‣ Involved in pre-screening with PESO‣ Closer relationship with LGU and other parties‣ Provides for long term relationship‣ Roles and responsibilities to be identified to mitigate some

of the concerns in the Cons slide Beach Chairs, Sur Resort Boracay

Operationalizing the STAG-LG

DISCUSSION

‣Where to go from here to unlock the benefits of the STAG-LG funds?

White Beach, Boracay

Sunset White Beach, Boracay

Salamat!

Thank You!

LinkedIn: Stephanie Wells