Policy basis and funded program components
- The Lingap Fund is anchored on a poverty eradication philosophy emphasizing food security, sustainable development, low-cost housing, good governance and peace and order.
- The 1999 General Appropriations Act provides PHP 2.5 Billion under the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Program Fund (Lingap Fund) for exclusive use to satisfy the minimum basic needs of poor communities and disadvantaged sectors through specified program components.
- The program components and amounts are allocated as follows:
- PHP 500 Million for Food, Nutrition and Medical Assistance handled by the Department of Health (DOH).
- PHP 500 Million for Livelihood Development handled by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
- PHP 500 Million for Socialized Housing handled by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
- PHP 300 Million for Rural Waterworks System handled by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
- PHP 300 Million for Protective Services for Children and Youth handled by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
- PHP 400 Million for Price Support for Rice and Corn handled by the National Food Authority (NFA).
- The Executive Order implements a decentralized and multi-sectoral approach to policy formulation and program implementation to pursue national development objectives for poverty eradication.
Coordinating oversight body (NAPC)
- Section 1 designates the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) as the coordinating and advisory body for anti-poverty programs.
- Section 1 further requires the NAPC to exercise policy oversight functions for the Lingap Fund.
- The NAPC is created under Republic Act No. 8425.
Core governance principles for implementation
- Section 2 requires each Implementing Agency to target the 100 poorest families per province and city identified by Local Government Units (LGUs) and the barangays identified by the National Security Council (NSC) as priority beneficiaries for its program component.
- Section 2 requires each Implementing Agency to build into project designs necessary information, education, communication and social preparation activities so target beneficiaries are ready to participate.
- Section 2 requires the NHA to focus projects in highly urbanized areas outside the National Capital Region and to pro-rate allocation of its Lingap Fund according to the urban population of these regions.
- Section 2 requires the LWUA to tap Water Districts as partners to ensure technical feasibility and sustainability of rural waterworks projects.
- Section 2 directs the DOH, DSWD, NFA and CDA to converge services in urban and rural areas where the NHA and LWUA have targeted projects, to maximize impact on poverty situation.
Program Advisory Committee composition and powers
- Section 3 creates a Program Advisory Committee to oversee implementation of the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Program.
- Section 3 requires the Committee to prescribe:
- criteria for selection or prioritization of program beneficiaries and target sites;
- general fund allocation and access procedure; and
- mode of participation of Basic Sectors and Local Government Units in program planning, implementation and monitoring.
- Section 3 specifies Committee membership, including:
- NAPC Vice-Chairperson for the Government Sector as Committee Chair;
- Secretary of Budget and Management as Co-Chair;
- NAPC Vice-Chairperson for the Private Sector as Committee Vice-Chair;
- the Heads of the Lingap Fund Implementing Agencies;
- National President of the League of Provinces;
- National President of the League of Municipalities;
- National President of the League of Cities; and
- National President of Liga ng mga Barangay.
- Section 3 provides that the NAPC Secretariat and a Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of representatives of the officials above provide administrative and technical support to the Committee.
Project Advisory Boards at agency level
- Section 4 requires each Lingap Fund Implementing Agency to create a Project Advisory Board for its program component.
- Section 4 requires the Board to determine, for its agency component:
- policies and procedures for inclusion in the Implementing Guidelines;
- target beneficiaries in cooperation with LGUs and concerned legislators;
- list of project sites and projects for each site;
- implementing and support Agency(ies) for each project;
- information, education and communication programs for social preparation, if necessary; and
- a project monitoring and evaluation system.
- Section 4 sets Board composition as:
- the Head of Agency as Board Chair;
- three (3) NAPC Sectoral Representatives or alternates designated by the NAPC Vice-Chairperson for the Private Sector;
- representatives from the concerned Committees of the Senate or House of Representatives; and
- other members designated by the Head of Agency.
- Section 4 mandates the Board to ensure consultation and consideration of inputs from the appropriate Senate or House committees concerned with the implementing agency’s program component in identifying project sites, beneficiaries, and allocation of program funds.
- Section 4 authorizes the Board to consult with individual legislators as needed.
Implementing Agency roles and required reporting
- Section 5 requires each Implementing Agency to designate an Office, Unit or Task Force to assist the Head of Agency in managing the Lingap Fund.
- Section 5 provides that the Office/Unit/Task Force must report directly to the Head of Agency and must:
- enforce the Implementing Guidelines for its component;
- ensure project proposals submitted for approval meet the minimum requirements in the Implementing Guidelines;
- develop a menu of projects within the Agency mandate adaptable to the peculiar needs of target beneficiaries and/or localities, using project prototypes derived from successful experiences of the Agency, other national government agencies or corporations, LGUs, non-government organizations, and other sources;
- facilitate release and monitor utilization of program funds and oversee progress of projects under its components; and
- prepare quarterly feedback reports to be submitted to the NAPC on or before the 30th of the month following each quarter.
- Section 5 establishes that administrative management and oversight functions for the Lingap Fund are anchored on the dedicated Office/Unit/Task Force.
Administration cost limit and separate guidelines
- Section 6 provides that each Implementing Agency is entitled to administration cost of not more than 5% of the total allocation of its respective Lingap Fund components net of any reserve impositions.
- Section 6 makes entitlement to administration costs subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
- Section 6 requires the Project Advisory Boards to formulate separate guidelines for utilization of administration costs.
Implementing Guidelines approval, publication, and fund release
- Section 7 requires each Project Advisory Board to recommend Implementing Guidelines for its program component for approval by the Program Advisory Committee through a Resolution.
- Section 7 sets a deadline for recommendation/approval action: recommendations must be submitted not later than 30 April 1999.
- Section 7 requires that, upon approval, Implementing Guidelines be published by the Implementing Agencies in at least one (1) newspaper of national circulation.
- Section 7 requires the DBM to release funds to Implementing Agencies only after the Implementing Agencies submit the approved guidelines and corresponding work and financial plans.
- Section 7 links the availability of funds to compliance with approval, submission, and publication requirements.
Periodic review of guidelines and revisions
- Section 8 requires the Program Advisory Committee and Project Advisory Boards to undertake a periodic review of the Implementing Guidelines.
- Section 8 authorizes the revision process through agreement on any necessary revisions following the periodic review.