Boats at White Beach, Boracay Island

RESULTS & ROUNDTABLE

Stephanie Wells MSc.

Hibiscus flower, Boracay

FIELD WORK

‣ Visited two primary locations: ‣ Bohol- BMT ‣ Northern Panay ‣ Aklan Tourism Circuit ‣ Boracay Island ‣ Additionally presented at University of St. Augustin

BOHOL EXPERIENCE

Jeepneys, Taglibaran City

‣ Met with local LGU, DILG, BEPO, Private Sector ‣ Visited new TechVoc training school

Sunset in Paydayon

BOHOL EXPERIENCE

Jeepneys, Taglibaran City

‣ 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

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

University of St. Augistin, Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY

‣ Met with local LGSP-LED team ‣ Presented Academe- Industry connections at University St. Augustin

Buto’t Balat, Iloilo City

AKLAN TOURISM CIRCUIT

Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan

‣ 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

AKLAN TOURISM CIRCUIT

Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan

‣ 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

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AKLAN/ANTIQUE

‣ 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

NORTHERN PANAY WORKSHOP

Sur Beach Resort, Boracay Overlooking Main St., Boracay

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

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

Fresh clams at D’Tilipapa Market

‣ 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

Sand Design, White Beach Boracay

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BENEFICIARIE S

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 form

P R I V A T E S E C T O R LGSP-LED R E G I O N A L D I L G National

Model #1

LGU

R E G I O N A L T E S D A National P E S O DOLE

QUALIFIED APPLICATION

Ramboys Restaurant, Kalibo Aklan

‣ 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

‣ Qualified LGU ‣ ‣ Application package submitted by deadline Approval by Regional DILG ‣ Responsibilities ‣ Invites private sector to be members of Action Group ‣ ‣ Arranges Action Group Meetings Coordinates agenda with PESO ‣ If no TESDA training available, secures appropriate training service provider Regional TESDA ‣ ‣ ‣ Receives action plan of courses/timing/TVI’s Arranges appropriately for efficient delivery and timing Works with PESO on implementation

STAG-LG Success LGU as Driver

Private Sector ‣ ‣ Signs memorandum of commitment Ambassador of project to the community PESO ‣ ‣ ‣ ‣ Identifies beneficiaries Completes NSRS Arranges job-bridging activities Works with regional TESDA for implementation of courses Regional DILG ‣ ‣ ‣ Approves application package Funnels information to national DILG Assists LGU ???

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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

L G U P E S O LGSP-LED R E G I O N A L D I L G T E S D A + S E R V I C E P R O V I D E R S

PRIVATE SECTOR

Model #2

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

Operationalizing the STAG-LG ‣ 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

RECOMMENDATIONS- MODEL #2

Operationalizing the STAG-LG ‣ Private sector required to set up an association (SEC approved) ‣ Members of this association become members of the action plan group. ‣ 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

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