BAGUIO CITY – The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretariat, through the Basic Sectors Coordinating and Advocacy Services (BSCAS) Unit, spearheaded the conduct of the National Sectoral assemblies (NSAs) of the fourteen (14) Basic Sectors.
The simultaneous assemblies that was recently conducted were participated by around on 1,400 representative from the basic sectors/Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
During the National Sectoral Assemblies held last week with the theme, dubbed “Kaunlaran sa Tuwid na Daan, Sali Kami Dýan!’’ on January 13-15, 2015, Atty. Marlon J. Manuel, Vice Chair for the Basic Sectors before he presented the Sectoral Representatives Council on the Major Accomplishments of the NAPC Basic Sectors stated first the Core Principle of NAPC which is the Social Reform Agenda shall be enhanced by government in equal partnership with the different basic sectors through appropriate and meaningful consultations and participation in governance. Atty. Manuel further mentioned the function of the commission which is to ensure meaningful representation and active participation of the basic sectors.
Atty. Manuel presented his report that the Sectoral Representatives Council (SRCs) has its representation in Inter-Agency Bodies, such as, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philhealth Board of Directors, Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC), etc. On successful Advocacies for the passage of Laws the following were already adopted such as; RA 10351 or the Sin Tax Law, Responsible Parenthood/Reproductive Health Act and .
On advocacy for Enactment of Executive Policies, Manuel further stated that nine (9) executive policies that were formulated by various basic sectors adopted and implemented. In other related reports and developments, Manuel further reported that there were fourteen (14) Basic Sectors participated in strongly pushing for the implementation of sixteen (16) identified various programs.
According to Manuel, the internal challenges the Basic Sectors Coordinating and Advocacy Services (BSCAs) Unit, that they are encountering today include the following: Strengthening of basic sectors, including full support for Council Meetings and technical support for the advocacies of the basic sectors; strengthening of inter-agency relationship and coordination, non-convening of the NAPC En Banc, Need to tighten coordination between the SRC and the Secretariat.
The 14 Basic Sectors are integral part of NAPC, Lack of budget for quarterly Council meetings as stipulated in Section 5 of AO 21. (Funds allotted only allow for SC meetings per year and diminishing institutional support fund (ISF) from Lead and Partner Agencies.