AdNU-MPA Students Conduct BPPBW
in Calabanga, Camarines Sur
By: Benita Michele S. Ciudadano, Staff, Center for Local Governance

The Masters in Public Administration (MPA) students (Aprils Fe Serrano, Janice Noblefranca, Dinah Jamer, Emerson De Vera, Neopito Tipay, Jr., Michaengelo Severa, Pia Eirene Abengoza, Maria Gladys Consuelo Tipanero and Celeste Dizon) enrolled in PA-204 - Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Systems Analysis under Ms. Arrieth Genoveva O. Miranda and Dr. Malu C. Barcillano conducted a simultaneous Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshops (BPPBW) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur. 

Equipped with the trainings they had on Technology of Participation - Level 1 (ToP 1): Basic Group Facilitation Methods, under Dr. Malu Barcillano and Mr. Elmer T. Sto. Domingo, the MPA students went to the West Coast High School in Barangay Dominorog last August 16-17,2008 to witness firsthand, the workshops given by former MPA students, Benita Michele S. Ciudadano and Larry Sucatre.   After which, they themselves had the chance to conduct BPPBW to the following barangays in Calabanga last August 30-31, 2008:  Balatasan, Balongay, Punta Tarawal and San Bernardino.

The main objective of workshops is to formulate concrete and detailed Barangay Investment Plan doable within 1 year. Thus, the output of the workshop will be adopted by the barangays and will serve as the basis of their Annual Investment Plan for Year 2009.

The BPPBW was spearheaded by the Ateneo de Naga University Graduate School -Master in Public Administration Program in partnership with the Center for Local Governance.  This was also made in coordination with the Governance Cluster of the University Social Involvement Council (USIC) and one of its partner communities, the Municipality of Calabanga under Mayor Evelyn S. Yu.