Results & Roundtable

1. Boats at White Beach, Boracay Island • Results & Roundtable Stephanie Wells MSc.

2. Field work • Visited two primary locations: • Bohol- BMT • Northern Panay • Aklan Tourism Circuit • Boracay Island • Additionally presented at University of St. Augustin • Hibiscus flower, Boracay

3. Bohol Experience • Jeepneys, Taglibaran City • Met with local LGU, DILG, BEPO, Private Sector • Visited new TechVoc training school • Sunset in Paydayon

4. Bohol Experience • Jeepneys, Taglibaran City • BSRS online and continuing to activate • LGU committed and ready to receive funds • Active private sector with local LGU, partnership already in the works • Transportation seems to be an issue for potential workers • Padayon is priority as it has the highest poverty incidence • Private sector concerns around length of courses with TESDA when need is immediate • Sunset in Paydayon

5. Bohol recommendations • Determine which companies have a shuttle and look to develop partnership for this project. • Continue work on BSRS, activate job vacancies asap • Continue to work with BAHRR • Find ways to provide scholarships for the new TechVoc school (or other TechVoc Schools) • Still work with TESDA as the goal is sustainable, qualified candidates • Sunset in Paydayon

6. Iloilo city • University of St. Augistin, Iloilo City • Met with local LGSP-LED team • Presented Academe- Industry connections at University St. Augustin • Buto’t Balat, Iloilo City

7. Aklan Tourism Circuit • Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan • Require stops along the way if driving to enhance guest experience for: • Photos • Food • Could not find Pina Village • Both Mangrove Forest trails should be part of map • Tricycles, Kalibo Aklan

8. Aklan Tourism Circuit • Mangrove Forest Eco-Trail, Kalibo Aklan • Require stops along the way if driving to enhance guest experience for: • Photos • Food • Could not find Pina Village • Both Mangrove Forest trails should be part of map • Tricycles, Kalibo Aklan

9. REcommendations for • Aklan/Antique RE • The goal for tourists is Boracay • Aklan and Antique can benefit by: • Being an excursion product for guests of Boracay • Being their own product for Cultural travellers (higher end) • Build relationships with Iloilo City transportation companies to add one/two of the products into their itinerary • Absolutely need a coordinated website of information • Brochures to be placed into hotel lobby’s/ visitor centres • Canada Tourism Travelers

10. Northern Panay Workshop • Sur Beach Resort, Boracay • Focused on STAG-LG and how to operationalize the project for effective use of funds, accountability and ultimately employment for participants • Overlooking Main St., Boracay • company name

11. Challenges in region • Job mismatch • Locals do not have skills, knowledge for current available postings • Regionalistic view on workers • Not enough job opportunities • Lack of confidence in local workers work ethic

12. Stag Project goals for workforce development • Fresh clams at D’Tilipapa Market • Capacitate LGU’s to develop and manage workforce development programs/projects/activities • Forging partnerships with private sector and utilizing PESO for qualified candidates and ‘job bridging’ activities

13. Beneficiaries • Q: Who is a qualified community member? • A: Unemployed: • High school grad • College/uni grad • poor/underprivileged • Registered with local PESO and completed NSRS/BSRS form • Sand Design, White Beach Boracay

14. LGSP-LED • Model #1 • PRIVATE SECTOR • REGIONAL TESDA • LGU • National • PESO • REgional DILG • National • DOLE

15. Qualified Application • Ramboys Restaurant, Kalibo Aklan • LGU • Action plan- six months beginning January - June 2015 • Application submission to Regional DILG by deadline- December 1, 2014 • PESO • Data with appropriate beneficiary profiles NSRS and TESDA QM’s • Job Bridging activities/sessions • Private Sector Partnership • Action plan group of a minimum of five with signed memorandum of commitment • Boat Captain, Caticlan- Boracay Island

16. STAG-LG Success • LGU as Driver • Qualified LGU • Application package submitted by deadline • Approval by Regional DILG • Responsibilities • Invites private sector to be members of Action Group • Arranges Action Group Meetings • Coordinates agenda with PESO • If no TESDA training available, secures appropriate training service provider • PESO • Identifies beneficiaries • Completes NSRS • Arranges job-bridging activities • Works with regional TESDA for implementation of courses • Regional TESDA • Receives action plan of courses/timing/TVI’s • Arranges appropriately for efficient delivery and timing • Works with PESO on implementation • Private Sector • Signs memorandum of commitment • Ambassador of project to the community • Regional DILG • Approves application package • Funnels information to national DILG • Assists LGU ???

17. Model #1- Pros • Simplified model • Clarified links between LGU’s and other agencies • Strengthened partnerships/convergence with concerned agencies • Identification of real and immediate needs • LGU’s have authority to implement the project • Mobilization of capacity

18. Model #1- Cons • Lack of permanency of positions • LCE’s resistance to project • Highly politicized environment • Readiness of LGU • Time constraints- can we get all done for December? • Identification of training needs • Private Sector Action Group

19. LGSP-LED • LGU • TESDA • + • SErvice providers • PESO • Private Sector • REgional DILG • Model #2

20. Model #2- Pros • Trainees are secured of employment • Job mismatch is avoided • Strengthened collaboration • Less politicking • Longer term benefits • Empowerment of all stakeholders • PPP enhanced • Skills of workers are enhances specifically to meet labour demand and employment • Strategic planning for the growth and development of the private sector

21. Model #2- Cons • Transparency & accountability • Issues with COA • Possible monopoly of select private sector • Private sector has no authority to influence • Private sector tendency to overshadow LGU’s roles and function • Support from LGU is a challenge • Uncooperative private sector/CBO’s • Disorganized CBO’s

22. General comments • There is a willingness to work together, roles and responsibilities do need to be identified • Private sector feels that 50 participants is small and would be able to absorb as employees- provided they have a say in pre-screening as well. • The concerns around length of time for TESDA training in Bohol did not seem to be an issue in Northern Panay • Neither model seemed to be the exact way to go • Selecting appropriate private sector participants will be key • Private sector ready to initiate associations (SEC credited) in order to access funds and provide accountability • Private sector was also willing to be involved in the job-bridging activities

23. USE both models! • Builds capacity • Creates partnerships • Meets labour demand • Buy in from all involved

24. Recommendations- Model #1 • Operationalizing the STAG-LG • Most LGU’s in the areas visited are ready, they have the requirements and only need to activate a private sector action group. • Action plan template is in place and requirement set. This is ready to go • Beach Chairs, Sur Resort Boracay

25. Recommendations- Model #2 • Operationalizing the STAG-LG • Private sector required to set up an association (SEC approved) • Members of this association become members of the action plan group. • Involved in pre-screening with PESO • Closer relationship with LGU and other parties • Provides for long term relationship • Roles and responsibilities to be identified to mitigate some of the concerns in the Cons slide • Beach Chairs, Sur Resort Boracay

26. Discussion • Where to go from here to unlock the benefits of the STAG-LG funds? • White Beach, Boracay

27. Salamat! • Thank You! • LinkedIn: Stephanie Wells • Sunset White Beach, Boracay