Anchored on the principle of SIBOL (Solidarity and Innovations in Bridging Opportunities for Livelihoods), the Sustainable Livelihood Program MIMAROPA conducted the PRIME SLP (Pride and Responsibility in Implementing and Monitoring Employment and Enterprises in the Sustainable Livelihood Program), a learning and development intervention for the Project Development Officers of the region.

The program started with a refresher discussion on project implementation and monitoring followed by the outline of responsibilities for the second semester. Implementing PDOs are still set to perform the facilitation of grants for CY 2016 to 2018, monitoring of participants and projects for CY 2017-2018, and disbursement of grants for CY 2019. Meanwhile, Monitoring PDOs must perform the accomplishment of monitoring database system and monitoring of final assessment of several projects in 2017.

Regional Program Management Office specialists facilitated focus group discussions to gather the implementation and monitoring issues which hurdle the whole program implementation. Some of the issues that surfaced include the insufficient staff complement and logistical concerns.

Part of the program is another refresher discussion on technical writing. Based on the result of the learning need assessment, PDOs need intervention on written communication. Thus, the discussion focused on introducing the learners to key technical writing concepts that can help them write reports, document good practice and other knowledge products, and even aid in their general line of work.

Another major topic discussed is the Grievance Redress System of the program. Aside from the process, some of the appropriate actions to manage concerns were highlighted. Assistant Regional Director for Administration Joel Mijares reminded the implementers to be conscious and cautious during the whole program implementation.

The activity aims to provide an avenue for PDOs to further understand the concepts of project implementation and monitoring, analyze the issues and concerns, comprehend the Grievance Redress System, and apply the management of cases. ###