ARTECHE, Eastern Samar– Action for Economic Reforms (AER), through its Data-Driven Development in the Philippines (PH3D) project, organized a data governance workshop with the local government unit (LGU) of Arteche last May 2, 2022 as part of its continuing efforts to help the municipality use data and technology for its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs.
Held at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU)-Arteche campus, the workshop served as a deep dive on the issues of Data Privacy, Data Management, and Freedom of Information (FOI). It also covered the topic of data governance for LGUs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
In his opening remarks, Arteche DRRM Officer Mr. Natalio Operario welcomed the AER team and participants on behalf of Mayor Roland Boie Evardone. He said that he hopes the project will come up with a system that makes aid-delivery faster, easier, and more disaster-ready. Meanwhile, PH3D Overall Project Coordinator Ms. Victoria Quimbo, introduced AER’s Policy and Research Institute for Development (PRIDE), a virtual repository of knowledge products featuring online seminars, research papers, policy notes, training modules, and manuals that Arteche government officials can easily access for additional information on the use of data and technology for DRRM.
On data privacy and FOI, participants identified the lack of training of local experts and English-language manuals as barriers to implementing data-driven development for DRRM. To address this, the group identified some short to long term actions (ranging from 1 to 5 years) to overcome these challenges. These include: use of the local dialect in trainings; capacity building on DRRM; community mobilization programs; educating residents on hazards and evacuations; inclusive planning with flood-prone sitios; and alignment of the DRRM plan at the municipal level down to the barangay and sitio levels.
On data storage and security, participants identified the lack of a Data Privacy Officer to focus on Arteche’s data management; and the municipality’s lack of budget and equipment, and internet connection issues as current challenges. However, the group was also able to identify some action points including: capacity building on the use of Google drive and other software; allocating a budget for the Data Privacy Officer post; increase in the budget for DRRM programs, including cloud data storage for files; and getting sponsors from government agencies or the private sector to provide reliable internet service in the municipality.
PH3D helps LGUs deliver their priority projects using data, technology, and community alliances. The implementation of PH3D in Arteche is made possible through the funding support of the European Union.
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Action for Economic Reforms (AER) was established in 1996 and is a policy research, advocacy, and action group by publicly-engaged political economists with focus on various sectors from fiscal policy, food and agriculture, industrial policy, governance, interface, and data-driven development.
PH3D, a component of AER’s data-driven development focus and co-funded by the European Union (EU), helps Local Government Units (LGU) deliver their priority projects using data and technology, and community alliances. Using this framework, LGUs will have access to actionable evidence that will empower them to view macro and micro data, prioritize programs, manage resources, enhance capacity, and get support from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).