Papua New Guinea officials laud Iloilo Provincial Government’s data-driven development approach in decision-making

Iloilo City- A delegation from Papua New Guinea (PNG) expressed their strong admiration for the data-driven governance model of the Iloilo Provincial Government in a meeting. This approach, which emphasizes making decisions based on data to improve the delivery of essential services and to implement programs for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, received significant praise.

Allen Los, the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administrator, highlighted the necessity for enhanced data and initiatives for disaster mitigation in PNG. He underscored the need for effective policies to manage disasters and foster community awareness, stating, “policies should be in place that we can use to mitigate disasters or create awareness on these lessons.”

Los expressed gratitude for the detailed data-driven development concepts shared by Iloilo Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, highlighting the lack of such information and technological frameworks in their local governance systems.

Similarly, John Punde, the Chimbu Provincial Administrator, found the Iloilo Provincial Government’s presentation “quite impressive.” He emphasized the importance of monitoring data to support well-informed decision-making processes.

Dr. Banias elaborated on the Iloilo Provincial Government’s systematic use of official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) alongside in-house surveys, including the Community-Based Monitoring Systems (CBMS).

The information provides a basis for strategies focused on development and poverty reduction.

He credited Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. for championing a data-driven approach, detailed by the establishment of a comprehensive data repository to back the government’s initiatives.

The delegation was informed about various impactful programs, such as the construction of school buildings, health stations, and water systems, which address social challenges across municipalities through the KALAHI-CIDSS program and collaborations with various organizations.

To date, the Iloilo Provincial Government has provided over Php37.2 million in cash for these initiatives.

Dr. Banias emphasized that the province has consistently provided financial support to municipalities for the implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS.

KALAHI-CIDSS and the province various poverty alleviation programs led to a remarkable reduction in poverty incidence from 89% to 42%.

The PNG delegation showed a particular interest in the Technologically Advanced Lens for the Assessment and Management of Development and Actions Needed (TALAMDAN), a monitoring tool developed by the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

This user-friendly tool aims to enhance disaster responses, and land use planning, and promote tourism and investments, showcasing technology’s potential to facilitate thorough planning and management.

The Iloilo Provincial Government’s approach serves as a model for effective governance, highlighting the potential benefits of data-driven initiatives for local administrations./dswd6/MMC