GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT (OCTOBER-(APRIL-(JULY- SEPTEMBER, JUNE DECEMBER 2012) 2011) 2011)
OCTOBERJULY 2012 2011 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International DevelopmentDevelopment. Itand was was prepared prepared by b ARD,y ARD, Inc. Inc.
Prepared by the Guatemala Local Government Project for the United States Agency for International Development, under the Sustainable Urban Management II Indefinite Quantity Contract (No. EPP-I-04-04-00035-00).
ARD Principal Contacts: Alexandra Forrester Donald Peterson Project Manager Senior Technical Advisor/Manager ARD, Inc. ARD, Inc. Burlington, Vermont Washington, DC Tel.: 802-658-3890 Tel.: 703-807-5700 [email protected] [email protected]
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE 2012)
JULY 2012
DISCLAIMER
The authors' views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AGAAI Asociación Guatemalteca de Alcaldes y Autoridades Indígenas AGEXPORT Asociación Guatemalteca de Exportadores ANAM Asociación Nacional de Municipalidades CAM Commission of Municipal Affairs (of Congress of the Republic) CMM Municipal Commission of Women COCODE Consejos Comunitarios de Desarrollo CODEDE Consejos Departamentales de Desarrollo COMUDE Consejos Municipales de Desarrollo COP Chief of Party DAFIM Dirección de Administración Financiera Integrada Municipal DEMUCA Fundación para el Desarrollo Local y el Fortalecimiento Municipal e Institucional de Centro América y el Caribe DMP Dirección Municipal de Planificación FtF Feed the Future GIS Geographical Information System IGSS Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social INFOM Instituto Nacional de Fomento Municipal IR Intermediate Result IUSI Impuesto Único sobre Inmuebles IVA Impuesto al Valor Agregado LED Local Economic Development LGP Local Governance Project LLR Lower Level Result MINFIN Ministerio de Finanzas NIM Número de Identificación Municipal OMM Municipal Office of Women OMA Municipal Offices of Water PDM Municipal Development Plans RIC Registro de Información Catastral (Cadastral Information Registry)
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SAN Food & Nutritional Security SCEP Secretaría de Coordinación de la Presidencia SEGEPLAN Secretaría General de Planificación y Programación de la Presidencia SIAF Sistema Integrado de Administración Financiera SIAF-Muni Sistema Integrado de Administración Financiera Municipal USAID United States Agency for International Development
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CONTENTS
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ……………………………………………………………… ii
CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………… iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………. 1
RESUMEN EJECUTIVO …………………………………………………………………………… 11
1.0 NARRATIVE REPORTING OF SUB-IRS, LOWER LEVEL RESULTS (LLR), AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES……………………………………………………………………………… 22
1.1 SUB-IR 2.1: MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS……………………………………………….. 22
1.1.1 Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.1: Municipalities use transparent financial management processes, procedures, and systems…………………………………………………………………...……...… 22
1.1.2 LLR 2.1.2: All selected municipalities sustainably increase own-source revenues…………… 23
1.1.3 LLR 2.1.3: Municipalities practice responsible indebtedness…………………………………… 29
1.1.4 LLR 2.1.4: Selected municipalities/Mancomunidades improve basic services………………. 30
1.1.5 LLR 2.1.5: Municipalities improve the enabling environment for local economic development … 37
1.2. SUB-IR 2.2: MORE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LOCAL CITIZEN PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT………………….………………………….. 38
1.2.1 LLR 2.2.1 Municipal associations effectively represent their constituencies……………….. 39
1.2.2 LLR 2.2.2 ANAM is financially capable to carry out its mission……………………………… 41
1.2.3 LLR 2.2.3 ANAM improves its service delivery capacity………………………………………. 42
1.3 SUB-IR 2.3: MORE INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT POLITICAL PROCESSES………..... 43
1.3.1 LLR 2.3.1: Mechanisms for citizen participation strengthened in each selected municipality………………………………………………………………………………. 43
1.3.2 LLR 2.3.2: Improved public communication mechanisms at the local level regarding municipal processes. …………………………………………………………………….. 45
1.3.3 LLR 2.3.3: Increased participation of women and indigenous people in selected municipalities… 45
1.4 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES………………………………………………………………………………..….. 46
1.4.1 Coordination with other donors, partners, and/or USAID Projects………………………..……. 46
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2.0 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES: GENDER, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………… 47
2.1 GENDER AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES………………………………………………………….. 47
2.2 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT……………………………………………………………… 48
3.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN…………………………………………………………….… 49
3.1 M&E QUARTERLY REPORT…………………………………………………………………………... 49
4.0 SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM…………………………………………………………………………….. 62
5.0 RAPID RESPONSE FUND………………………………………………………………………………… 64
6.0 TRAINING AND SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE………………………..………………... 65
7.0 SPECIAL REPORTING…………………………………………………………………………..…………. 66
7.1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………. 66
7.2 FINANCIAL REPORT………………………………………………………………………………………. 67
7.3 BUDGET REALLOCATIONS………………………………………………………………………… 68
8.0 ACTIVITY PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER: JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012…..………………………..….. 69
9.0 ANNEXES / OTHER REPORTS…………………………………………………………..……………… 75
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During the quarter ending June 30, 2012, LGP intensified its field work to move on after the conclusion of transition activities in the target municipalities. The LGP technical assistance has resulted in improved levels of administrative organization after new authorities took office. While new municipal authorities’ first priority was to get acquainted with municipal procedures and responsibilities and reorganizing municipal staff, they have now begun to focus on particular projects. In this context, LGP has taken the opportunity to work on aspects of program implementation that were temporarily suspended.
A new board of directors for ANAM and the decision of the new President to dismiss key personnel financed by LGP created a critical situation in the first quarter of 2012. However, an assertive approach and close cooperation between LGP and ANAM, particularly with the new President, has resulted in program progress. In addition, as explained in the previous report, another successful nationwide training event was held for municipal officers and vacancies were filled through a formal and public selection process. This is important to mention because it has set the tone for further cooperative work with ANAM’s new authorities, as will be explained in the following pages.
This report will focus on the progress made assisting municipalities to strengthen their capacity to:
improve own-source revenue ensure accountability and financial reporting as required by law improve service delivery – particularly drinking water collect for services provided support citizen participation efforts in the region
SUB‐IR 2.1: MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.1: Municipalities use transparent financial management processes, procedures, and systems
LGP training focused on assisting staff from Dirección de Administración Financiera Integrada Municipal (DAFIM), Dirección Municipal de Planificación (DMP), members of quoting and evaluation commissions, and members of the municipal council. Two important topics addressed were the Ley de Contrataciones del Estado y su Reglamento (law that regulates government purchases) and its regulations, as well as how to input purchase information into the Guatecompras system.
Transparent systems for management of public resources are closely related to following established quoting and purchase procedures. LGP worked with municipal staff to ensure they understand and follow the required procedures and record them appropriately. The use of checklists was encouraged to guarantee appropriate records are kept for projects carried out either directly by the municipality or by the Departmental Development Council – CODEDE - .
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LGP continues to encourage all target municipalities to charge for municipal services and to define cost-effective rates, as a means to improve their own-source revenue. Historically, services were not charged for and for those that are, rates are outdated. Real examples of how to calculate these rates were dealt with during the regional training workshop “Preparing the 2013 Municipal Budget, Module 1: How to calculate the cost of municipal public services”. Staff from 10 of the 13 target municipalities attended the workshop, which also attracted staff from the municipalities of Ipala and Quetzaltepeque, Chiquimula, not LGP targets.
Obstacles
LGP’s major training obstacle has been the turnover among technical and administrative staff, which has required providing special attention and assistance to new and inexperienced staff.
Little progress was possible in Sansare, where the mayor’s official standing is yet to be determined by the Tribunal Supremo Electoral. The Comptroller General has requested the mayor’s suspension based on complaints against him. No resolution has yet been issued.
The municipality of Jalapa dismissed 203 employees claiming poor performance and lack of funds. However, labor officers have instructed the municipality to reinstate 150 employees, but it has yet to do so.
LGP training progressed in the Municipalities of Jalapa and Monjas regarding finance and services delivery, but no progress was made with citizen participation efforts. LGP has been restricted by recently reported security incidents, which have limited LGP staff travel to Jalapa.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.2: All selected municipalities sustainably increase own- source revenue
IUSI Project: the use of GIS to improve own source revenue
The LGP IUSI component has successfully assisted municipalities to improve own-source revenue using updated and reliable information. However, this assumes political will and commitment from authorities. The IUSI coordinator has worked closely with the targeted municipalities and has gradually created interest among municipal authorities and officers to manage municipal services more effectively and identify ways to improve municipal income, such as issuing and charging for construction licenses.
LGP consistently tracked municipal income on a weekly basis in all four IUSI target municipalities. By mid-June, two had exceeded the total amount collected for water services during 2011. Similarly, one of them exceeded its 2011 IUSI collection amount and two have reached 90% IUSI collection. This clearly indicates that LGP intervention with appropriate follow-up and municipal commitment is working.
LGP provided technical assistance to the Municipal Affairs Courts (Juzgados de Asuntos Municipales), mainly to San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán and Estanzuela, where the project works with counterpart officers. As a result, they developed forms to register service users and regulations to submit to their respective municipal councils for approval and filter the user database and subscribe payment agreements with delinquent users.
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Partial results in revenue improvement motivated two municipalities to hire messengers to distribute bills and service suspension orders. This has helped municipalities keep track of bills delivered because the user is required to sign a control sheet. Bills are issued on specific dates, respecting regulations and considering pay days, to increase the probability of payment.
SIAF information continues to be updated and cleared. A good example is the municipality of Concepción Las Minas, where authorities approved the elimination of 97 entries of non-existent users, which reduced recorded delinquency by Q87,000.00.
LGP conducted two workshops to exchange experience among municipal officers and technical staff involved in the IUSI project. They learned about data collection field activities, identifying services in GIS overlays, and implementing billing and charging actions. At the end of the workshop, participants made recommendations to corresponding authorities to improve their regular activities.
One reason behind the IUSI project’s success is that the project coordinator has met with municipal councils in all four target municipalities to present progress and partial results. The results have convinced the councils to issue municipal agreements to endorse them. The following table summarizes cumulative improvement in own-source revenue from services provided.
Progress in cumulative collection by mid-June 2012 with respect to 2011
Cumulative % Municipality Municipal Water IUSI Taxes Concepción Las Minas 133 95 33 Estanzuela 76 117 98 San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán 51 75 30 San Jacinto 107 94 67
Source: SIAF System, Ministry of Public Finances, 2012
Digitization of GIS overlays continues to progress with 100% coverage in some municipalities. The community was involved in the process through home visits and surveys and when people visit the municipality, they are encouraged to identify and update their record using the GIS software provided by LGP. In one municipality, maps showing the location of delinquent users were displayed in an effort to persuade the community to anonymously regularize their status.
Finally, by using GIS technology, LGP assisted the Municipal Planning Direction (DMP) to produce information overlays and aerial photographs of the municipalities to facilitate the easy evaluation and management of public works projects.
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Obstacles and opportunities
Although increased income may be reported for all municipalities, delinquency still exists, particularly regarding IUSI. Because no enforcement mechanisms exist, the community is still reluctant to pay their bills. LGP has suggested a “municipal clearance” which ties the payment of water services to registered services in order to encourage users to pay for all services on a regular basis. However, municipal authorities have yet to approve the proposal. Some SIAF entries still need to be filtered and municipal councils must approve their elimination from the system. None of the municipalities have a person in charge of the municipal database for taxes, which has resulted in lack of control and an increase in delinquency. LGP has suggested that DAFIM staff assume this responsibility for the database, but no decision has yet been made. Mayors continue to be cautious regarding the sensitive issue of collecting the IUSI tax even though LGP has shown its impact on current delinquency indicators.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.3: Municipalities practice responsible indebtedness
LGP addressed the topic of municipal indebtedness in its work with ANAM and through lobbying before the Municipal Affairs Commission of Congress. ANAM prepared and submitted four draft legal reforms to improve the finances of municipalities, one of which has to do with indebtedness beyond the elected officials’ term in office. More details appear in Sub-IR 2.2.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.4: Selected municipalities/Mancomunidades improve basic services
Important progress was made to improve the quality of water service in the target municipios, despite the poor organization that prevails in some municipalities where new authorities took office.
In Esquipulas, for example, the person in charge of the municipal water office has not been appointed yet, while in other municipalities, the staff’s current work load has interfered in implementing the recommendations and work plans developed jointly with LGP staff. In Concepción Las Minas, LGP has met with members of the municipal council on several occasions. However, no significant progress was achieved because the mayor’s focus is on the smaller villages of the municipio.
In contrast, in Camotán and Jalapa, LGP’s hydrological zoning proposal to improve water pressure and quality was completed and awaits implementation during the next quarter. Since water tends to be muddy in the rainy season, LGP provided special recommendations to deal with this problem, which range from installing filters at the water source to building water treatment plants. However, it is the mayor who decides if the recommendations may be implemented or not, depending on the funds available.
LGP provided most target municipalities with chlorine meters to determine if chlorine levels in the water meet national standard requirements. LGP trained the operators on the appropriate use of the devices and provided the reactant used to determine the residual chlorine level in water samples.
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LGP also trained target municipalities to create digitized blueprint overlay systems of the water distribution network, which standardizes available information and facilitates its use. The blueprints for each municipio appear in the corresponding section of this report.
On June 20 and 21, LGP carried out a regional workshop on Best Practices and Lessons Learned regarding municipal water management. Twenty-four attendees representing eight LGP target municipalities participated in the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were to:
1. Raise awareness on the importance of disinfecting water and the relationship between safe water and food and nutritional security; 2. Learn about appropriate water management through the Municipal Offices of Water (OMA); 3. Promote the exchange of experiences and best practices in water management, as well as lessons learned.
The workshop was an ideal means to introduce “Safe Water & Food and Nutritional Security” into the discussion. LGP technical staff stressed the importance of water not only as part of body functions and to regulate body temperature, but also the role of safe water as essential in health and nutrition
Obstacles
Counterparts are not available in all municipalities, which interferes with follow-up and implementation of LGP recommendations. Since mayors determine budget priorities, it is up to them to decide which water quality improvement and distribution recommendations and plans are to be implemented. Assessment of water distribution systems identified need for repairs of some individual systems. However, the repair of water distribution systems is beyond the scope of LGP’s technical assistance. LGP assisted in preparing proposals to meet improved water regulations and water rate plans. However, implementation of the proposals depends on municipal authorities.
Development of PDMs
LGP’s work to complete individual municipal development plans – PDMs continues to be coordinated with government agencies and municipalities. The work with the Chiquimula SEGEPLAN delegate to design the departmental SAN (Food & Nutritional Security) plan of the department, took into account municipal PDMs, the government’s guidelines for “Hambre Cero” (No Hunger) program, as well as LGP’s municipal guide. LGP’s work supporting the development of municipal PDMs is the following:
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán: the new municipal authorities have reviewed it and suggested modifications. Sansare: continues to be stalled until the Constitutional Court issues a resolution regarding the standing of the elected mayor. Jalapa and Monjas: Municipal authorities and officers have not completed the review and approval process. Without this approval, LGP cannot print and distribute the documents.
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Promoting citizen participation and gender equity
The Project “Promotion of citizen participation with gender equity”, funded by LGP and implemented by Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente began during this quarter. The first training module focused on municipal technical personnel and is being held in six municipios, of which four are LGP target municipios (Esquipulas, San Jacinto, Estanzuela, and San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán). The training objective is to build and strengthen participatory democracy and citizen involvement in community affairs to overcome inequality and social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion.
Activities mainly involve training of municipal staff in charge of COCODEs and women’s groups so that they may replicate training activities at the community level. To date, 119 COCODE boards (74%) out of a total of 161 existing in the municipios where the project is carried out have been trained. More information is provided in the corresponding section – small grants.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.5: Municipalities improve the enabling environment for local economic development.
On March12, LGP’s Chief of Party, Jorge Escoto, visited nine tourist sites in Estanzuela to assess their tourism potential. The assessment results were presented May 9, in coordination with the Red Nacional de Grupos Gestores. Carlos Arenas, advisor to Grupos Gestores, discussed with the participants sustainable tourism; and while there is a potential for culture and nature tourism in Estanzuela, the conclusion was that the area could not support high tourism rates with a total population of only 7,000 inhabitants. Also, it is unlikely that tourism alone can provide enough income or jobs to become the economic engine of the municipio.
During the same visit, the Feed the Future Coordinator assessed the agro-industrial potential of the municipio. She and the COP visited current economic development projects including:
initiative for improved-seed corn, moringa, okra processed mango artisan cheese and other dairy products local women embroidering group.
Municipality and Grupos Gestores staff will provide complementary information that could not be collected during this visit. LGP is currently working on the LED plan for Estanzuela and overall results will be presented during the last quarter of the current fiscal year.
On April 25, 2012, at the request of USAID, the COP presented an integrated LED/SAN development approach for members of Congress belonging to the SAN Commission and invited mayors. USAID is urging participants to take the same integrated approach within the legal reforms the Commission will promote.
LGP continues to support Mancomunidad Copán Chort’i in its search for private investment to develop call centers or maquilas (apparel factories) in the region. On June 12, they established contact with Rubén Morales, Export Services Manager of AGEXPORT, to promote interest among potential investors.
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AGEXPORT stated that Transactel is interested in the Chortí area, but would need further information on security, transportation, connectivity, electricity infrastructure, and qualified manpower.
Transactel would be interested in setting up a call center operation in Spanish as the starting point, and incorporate operations in English as the Technological Institute of the Copán Chortí region is capable of training bilingual persons.
LGP team members participated in a local economic development workshop organized by DEMUCA, intended to promote an inter-institutional policy that will promote LED as a basic strategy for sustainable development.
SUB‐IR 2.2: MORE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LOCAL CITIZEN PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
LGP’s main achievement in this component through its technical and financial assistance to ANAM (Asociación Nacional de Municipalidades) is summarized as follows:
1. Regional roundtables were held in Petén, Santa Rosa, Jutiapa and Escuintla. 2. The consultancy initiated to assess the status of municipal public lighting 3. ANAM prepared and submitted four proposed legal reforms to improve the financial situation of municipalities. 4. Training activities addressing the municipal legal framework and municipal finances were held at the request of several municipalities. These are follow-up activities to the National Orientation Training Workshops held in the previous quarter.
LGP assisted ANAM in establishing the objectives, design, and organization of the Regional Roundtables. The Roundtables were ANAM’s approach to a direct political discussion with mayors to better understand the departmental realities. Although primarily addressed to mayors, members of Congress and department governors also participated. During this quarter, roundtables were held in Petén, Santa Rosa & Jutiapa, and Escuintla (three in all).
The roundtables allowed mayors to consult with ANAM and its advisors on legal and financial matters, as well as to request ANAM to follow-up on the President’s offer to increase government transfers to municipalities.
The first results of the consultancy to assess municipal public lighting were also discussed in these roundtables and mayors had the opportunity to learn about their individual status. They requested that ANAM intervene on their behalf to recuperate the income from public lighting which now goes to electricity companies.
Prepared minutes of the roundtables include agreements reached and the expressed support of mayors to ANAM’s current board of directors. These roundtables demonstrate the mayors’ satisfaction with and appreciation for ANAM’s participatory approach to municipalities.
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Work in the “Mesa Técnica para la Socialización y Análisis de Inciativas de Ley Municipalistas” (Technical Commission for the Analysis of Municipal Bills) began again under the coordination of the Municipal Affairs Commission of Congress of the Republic (CAM). In this context, municipal legal framework reform proposals are presented, prioritized, discussed, and validated. The resulting priorities of the CAM were:
1. The II Generation of the Reforms to the Municipal Code 2. The Law of Municipal Service
Institutions that wished to participate in the technical commission had to submit their proposals to reform the Municipal Code. LGP provided technical assistance to ANAM to prepare its proposal, which included the municipalities’ most frequently requested reforms which are:
1. Restore municipalities’ right to charge for construction licenses 2. Allow municipal indebtedness beyond four years (government period) 3. Allow Municipal Affair Judges to be law students who have completed their coursework requirements and not necessarily professional lawyers. These are hard to find in rural municipios. 4. Raise the profile requirements for certain municipal positions, mainly the Municipal Secretary, the Financial Director, the Municipal Planning Director, and the Director of the Municipal Office for Women.
Obstacles
There were no significant obstacles for this LGP component during this quarter. The only planned activity not completed was the technical assistance to be provided during meetings of the Instancia Municipalista. These meetings were not held because the AGAAI new board of directors was not elected until June.
SUB-IR 2.3: MORE INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT POLITICAL PROCESSES
LGP continues to provide technical and financial assistance to carry out COMUDE and COCODE meetings in the target municipios.
Additionally, it provided technical and financial assistance, in coordination with SEPREM and SEGEPLAN, to conduct a workshop to analyze the duties assigned to the Municipal Offices for Women – OMM – as per the reforms to the Municipal Code. The departmental network of OMM in Chiquimula was created and the first meeting was scheduled for June 15.
Monjas continues to pose challenges for LGP. They held the first COMUDE meeting in two years with LGP encouragement. However, citizen participation continues to be weak, as in previous quarters, and the lack of political will by authorities and commitment from the DMP Director is still evident.
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LLR 2.3.1: Mechanisms for citizen participation strengthened in each selected municipality
LGP provides technical and financial assistance to strengthen citizen participation mechanisms at the departmental, municipal, and community levels. At the departmental level, to Chiquimula’s CODEDE (Department Development Council); at the municipal level, through the COMUDEs (Municipal Development Councils) served by the Project; and at the community level, by helping municipalities review and update CODEDE boards (Community Development Councils) as well as providing assistance to design training plans for LGP target municipalities.
During this quarter, CODEDE meetings were held in private to focus on rescheduling 2012 projects for budgetary reasons.
The following chart is a summary of the COMUDE meetings for which LGP provided technical and financial assistance. A total of 840 persons attended these meetings, 292 of them women (35%).
COMUDE MEETINGS DURING THE APRIL-JUNE QUARTER
PARTICIPANTS TYPE OF DATE MUNICIPIO TOPIC ADDRESSED ASSISTANCE M F TOTAL 04/18/2012 Monjas 35 17 52 First COMUDE meeting Technical COMUDE Technical 04/19/2012 Jalapa 52 19 71 responsibilities San Cristóbal Technical and 04/25/2012 Acasaguastlán 52 32 84 CODEDE 2013 Projects financial Technical and 04/26/2012 San José La Arada 35 15 50 Accountability report financial 04/27/2012 San Juan Ermita 46 26 72 Accountability report Technical Presentation of the Project "Promoting Technical 05/04/2012 Estanzuela 36 18 54 Citizen Participation" Presentation on how Technical 05/22/2012 San José La Arada 35 17 52 commissions operate 05/23/2012 San Jacinto 35 28 63 Accountability report Technical Functions of subsidiary Technical and 05/25/2012 Estanzuela 14 18 32 mayors financial Technical and 05/29/2012 Esquipulas 46 22 68 Accountability report financial COCODE swearing of Technical and 05/31/2012 Camotán 92 30 122 board members financial 06/08/2012 Estanzuela 18 24 42 Forest incentives Technical Integration of the Technical 06/15/2012 Jocotán 52 26 78 COMURED
TOTAL 548 292 840
Source: LGP weekly reports
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LGP also continues to provide technical and financial assistance to strengthen citizen participation to COCODE representatives (community level). Technical assistance was provided to DMP staff to verify the terms of COCODE representatives (boards) before the COMUDE, and where necessary, boards of directors were renewed, with the support of DMP and OMM staff.
It is important to mention that COCODEs are created at the community level, but the law that regulates them (Ley de Consejos de Desarrollo Urbano y Rural) determines a maximum number of 20 members with full voting rights, which makes it necessary to create a second level COCODEs.1 Most of the terms in their corresponding boards expire in 2012.
LGP is therefore providing assistance to the DMP and the OMM so they may support the COCODEs to update the boards in each of the municipios. To date, 167 COCODE boards of directors out of 322 have been renewed in the LGP target area (52%).
LGP provided a complementary assistance activity to the DMP to carry out the training workshop “The COCODEs and their responsibilities”, addressed to new COCODE representatives (18 out of 32) of San Juan Ermita. Thirty-nine people attended the workshop (22 women).
Obstacles
Normal activities in Jalapa have not resumed yet. For one part, the new staff have not fully assumed their posts and duties. Additionally, unrest and violent incidents in the municipio forced USAID to suspend traveling to Jalapa, for security reasons. Once normality is restored, field work will resume.
In Concepción Las Minas, authorities and officers seem unwilling to implement LGP proposals and this has interfered with the setting up of the COMUDE. All efforts to do so have been useless and LGP currently questions the convenience of continuing to provide technical assistance to this municipio.
Sansare goes through a complicated situation. The population and the mayor still do not agree on the legality of electoral results and await a decision of the Constitutional Court. In the meantime, LGP and municipal work coordination has been impossible.
1 In Estanzuela there are 15 COCODEs; in Esquipulas, 58; in Olopa, 47; in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, 28; in Jocotán, 49; in Camotán, 32; in San Juan Ermita, 22; in San Jacinto, 24, and in San José La Arada, 23
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RESUMEN EJECUTIVO
Durante el trimestre que terminó el 30 de junio, el PGL ha intensificado el trabajo de campo una vez han finalizado las actividades de transición en las municipalidades atendidas por el Proyecto. En éstas se ha observado diferentes niveles de organización administrativa y de respuesta a la asistencia técnica del PGL, luego de que las nuevas autoridades asumieron el cargo. Si bien familiarizarse con procedimientos y responsabilidades municipales fue la prioridad inicial de las nuevas autoridades, enfocarse en proyectos específicos y dar seguimiento a proyectos anteriores parece ser su interés actual. Es en este contexto que el PGL ha aprovechado para retomar el trabajo en algunos aspectos que se encontraban temporalmente en suspenso.
Una nueva junta directiva en la ANAM y la decisión del nuevo presidente de despedir a personal clave financiado por el PGL crearon una situación crítica durante el primer trimestre de 2012. Sin embargo, un acercamiento asertivo y un trabajo cercano entre el PGL y la ANAM, en especial con el nuevo presidente, ha permitido seguir avanzando conforme al plan. Como se reporta en el presente informe, se realizó con éxito otra actividad de capacitación a nivel nacional, esta vez con funcionarios municipales, y se llenaron las vacantes creadas, mediante un proceso formal y público de selección. Es importante mencionar estos hechos, ya que han dado la pauta para continuar con el trabajo cooperativo con las nuevas autoridades de ANAM, como se expone más adelante.
Los avances específicos en el apoyo brindado a las municipalidades para fortalecer su capacidad para incrementar sus ingresos propios, para garantizar la rendición de cuentas y los informes financieros que la ley requiere, para mejorar los servicios municipales (particularmente el suministro de agua potable) y la recaudación por servicios prestados, así como los avances en apoyar los esfuerzos por fortalecer la participación ciudadana en la región, constituyen el tema del presente informe.
SUB-IR 2.1 More Transparent Systems for Management of Public Resources by Local Governments
El PGL ha concentrado su asistencia técnica para este LLR en actividades de capacitación. Los grupos objetivo de dicha capacitación incluyen a personal de la DAFIM y de la DMP, miembros de las juntas de calificación de procesos de cotización y los miembros del concejo municipal. Se han abordado dos temas centrales: la Ley de Contrataciones del Estado y su Reglamento y el uso del sistema de Guatecompras.
La transparencia en la administración pública se relaciona estrechamente con seguir los procedimientos de cotización y compra establecidos. El PGL ha trabajado con los funcionarios municipales para asegurarse de que comprenden y siguen los procedimientos establecidos y de que se llevan registros apropiados de los proyectos ejecutados directamente por la municipalidad o por el Consejo Departamental de Desarrollo - CODEDE.
Estimular a las municipalidades a que cobren los servicios municipales y definan tarifas rentables sigue siendo una prioridad para el PGL en todas las municipalidades atendidas, como un medio para incrementar los ingresos propios. Los cobros o no existen, o se basan tarifas obsoletas. Durante el taller regional “Preparación de Presupuestos Municipales 2013, Módulo 1, Cálculo de costos por la prestación de servicios públicos municipales” se realizaron ejemplos
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con datos reales de cómo calcular dichas tarifas. Asistieron funcionarios de 10 de las 13 municipalidades atendidas por el PGL, así como personal de las municipalidades de Ipala y Olintepeque, Chiquimula.
Obstáculos
La rotación de personal técnico y administrativo ha sido un obstáculo importante para el PGL, cuyos técnicos han debido prestar atención y asistencia al personal nuevo y sin experiencia. Ha habido poco avance en Sansare, donde la situación del alcalde es incierta, ya que la Contraloría General de Cuentas ha solicitado al Tribunal Supremo Electoral que suspenda su nombramiento con base en quejas en su contra. Aún no hay una resolución al respecto.
La municipalidad de Jalapa destituyó a 203 empelados aduciendo mal desempeño y falta de fondos. Aunque la municipalidad ha recibido instrucciones de la Inspección de Trabajo de reinstalar a 150 de ellos, aún no acata la orden.
En Jalapa y Monjas se ha avanzado en los temas de finanzas y servicios, pero no en participación ciudadana. Una razón importante fueron los incidentes de seguridad de los que informaron las noticias, y por los cuales el equipo técnico del PGL recibió instrucciones de no viajar a Jalapa.
LLR 2.1.2: Proyecto IUSI
El componente IUSI del PGL es una intervención exitosa se asistencia técnica que ha demostrado cómo las municipalidades pueden mejorar sus ingresos propios utilizando información actualizada y confiable, siempre que exista voluntad política y compromiso de parte de las autoridades. Un trabajo cercano y propuestas específicas de parte del coordinador de IUSI gradualmente han despertado el interés de las autoridades y funcionarios municipales por administrar los servicios municipales más efectivamente. Han comenzado a identificar formas de mejorar el ingreso municipal, por ejemplo, otorgando licencias de construcción y cobrando por ellas.
El PGL ha monitoreado el ingreso municipal semanalmente en los 4 municipios atendidos por el proyecto IUSI. Para mediados de junio, dos habían sobrepasado el total de recaudación por servicios de agua de todo el año 2011. De manera similar, uno ha sobrepasado la recaudación de IUSI de 2011 y dos de ellos han alcanzado ya el 90%. Esto indica claramente que la intervención, un seguimiento apropiado y el compromiso de las municipalidades están rindiendo frutos.
El PGL ha brindado asistencia técnica a los Juzgados de Asuntos Municipales, principalmente a San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán y Estanzuela, donde existen funcionarios con quienes es posible trabajar. Como resultado de ello, han presentado ante el Concejo Municipal propuestas de formularios para el registro de usuarios de los servicios para su aprobación. Con el debido respaldo de parte de las autoridades, pueden implementarse acciones específicas, tales como depurar la base de datos de usuarios y suscribir acuerdos de pago con los usuarios morosos.
Los resultados parciales observados con relación al incremento de ingresos propios han motivado a dos municipalidades a contratar mensajeros para que distribuyan boletas de cobro y órdenes de suspensión. Esto ha ayudado a las municipalidades a llevar un control de las boletas entregadas porque se le pide al usuario que firme una hoja de control. Las boletas de cobro se emiten de manera ordenada y en fechas específicas, respetando las regulaciones y tomando en cuenta los días de pago, para incrementar la probabilidad de pago.
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El PGL continúa actualizando la información del SIAF. Un buen ejemplo es la municipalidad de Concepción Las Minas, donde las autoridades aprobaron la eliminación de 97 registros de usuarios inexistentes, con lo que se redujo la mora registrada en Q87,000.00.
El PGL también ha brindado asistencia técnica y financiera para realizar dos talleres de intercambio de experiencias entre funcionarios y técnicos municipales relacionados con el proyecto IUSI. Aprendieron sobre actividades de recaudación en el campo, sobre cómo identificar servicios en las capas SIG y sobre cómo implementar acciones de emisión de boletas y cobro. Al final del taller, los participantes habían presentado propuestas y acciones para ser aprobadas por las autoridades y para mejorar sus actividades regulares.
Una de las razones detrás del éxito del proyecto IUSI es que el coordinador se ha reunido con los concejos municipales para mostrarles el avance y los resultados parciales en los cuatro municipios atendidos. Poco a poco han aceptado las propuestas y han emitido acuerdos municipales que las respalden. El cuadro que sigue resume el incremento acumulado de los ingresos propios por los servicios suministrados.
Recaudación acumulada a mediados de junio de 2012, con respecto a 2011. Proyecto IUSI
% acumulado Municipalidad Agua IUSI Arbitrios
Concepción Las Minas 133 95 33
Estanzuela 76 117 98
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán 51 75 30
San Jacinto 107 94 67
Fuente: Sistema SIAF, Ministerio de Finanzas Públicas, 2012
También continúa el avance en la digitalización de las capas SIG, que ha alcanzado el 100% en algunas municipalidades. Por medio de visitas domiciliares y encuestas, la población ha participado en el proceso. Además, cuando los vecinos visitan la municipalidad, se les anima a identificarse y a actualizar sus registros mediante el software SIG proporcionado por el proyecto. En algunas municipalidades, se han colocado mapas que muestran la ubicación de usuarios morosos, en un esfuerzo por persuadir a la población de regularizar su estatus anónimamente.
Finalmente, mediante tecnología SIG, el PGL ha ayudado a las DMP a producir capas de información y fotografías aéreas del municipio que facilitan la evaluación y la administración de proyectos de obras públicas.
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Obstáculos y oportunidades:
Aunque se puede reportar incremento en los ingresos propios para todas las municipalidades, aún existe mora, principalmente en el IUSI. Dado que no existen mecanismos para presionar a la población para que pague, ésta todavía se muestra renuente a hacerlo. El PGL ha sugerido implementar una “solvencia municipal” atada al servicio de agua, para animar a los usuarios a pagar por todos los servicios registrados de manera regular. Las autoridades municipales aún evalúan la propuesta. Algunos registros del SIAF aún deben depurarse, pero pueden eliminarse únicamente con la aprobación de los concejos municipales. No existe en ninguna de las municipalidades una persona responsable de la base de datos de arbitrios. Esto ha causado falta de control e incremento en la mora. El PGL ha sugerido que el personal de la DAFIM asuma esta responsabilidad, pero aún no hay una decisión al respecto. Los alcaldes se siguen mostrando cautelosos con relación al cobro del IUSI. El PGL ha demostrado el impacto financiero de los indicadores actuales de mora, pero es un tema delicado que no permite que las recomendaciones del PGL se implementen de inmediato.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.3: Municipalities practice responsible indebtedness
El PGL ha abordado el tema del endeudamiento municipal en su trabajo con ANAM y la incidencia ante la Comisión de Asuntos Municipales del Congreso de la República. ANAM ha formulado y presentado cuatro propuestas de reformas legales para mejorar la situación financiera de las municipalidades, una de las cuales se relaciona con el endeudamiento por un periodo mayor que el periodo de gobierno. Se presentan más detalles en el Sub-IR 2.2.
LLR 2.1.4: Selected municipalities/Mancomunidades improve basic services
Se han logrado avances importantes en mejorar la calidad del servicio de agua en los municipios atendidos por el Proyecto, a pesar de la falta de organización que aún se observa en algunas municipalidades donde hay nuevas autoridades.
En Esquipulas, por ejemplo, aún no se ha nombrado a la persona a cargo de la Oficina Municipal de Agua. En otras municipalidades, la carga actual de trabajo ha interferido con la implementación de las recomendaciones y planes de trabajo desarrollados conjuntamente con el personal técnico del PGL. En Concepción Las Minas, el PGL ha sostenido varias reuniones con el concejo municipal. Sin embargo, no pueden reportarse avances porque el alcalde se ha concentrado en aldeas específicas del municipio.
Por el contrario, en Camotán y Jalapa, el PGL se ha completado la propuesta de zonificación hidráulica como medio para mejorar la presión y la calidad del agua; su implementación se espera para el próximo trimestre. Con relación a la calidad del agua, es importante señalar que cuando comienza la época lluviosa, el agua que llega a los tanques de almacenamiento tiende a estar lodosa. El PGL ha proporcionado recomendaciones especiales para manejar este problema, dependiendo de las condiciones específicas de cada una de las plantas. Sin embargo, es el alcalde quien decide si las recomendaciones pueden implementarse o no, dependiendo de los fondos disponibles.
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El PGL ha proporcionado a la mayoría de municipalidades atendidas medidores de cloro para determinar si el agua cumple con los niveles requeridos de cloro, de acuerdo con normas nacionales. Se ha capacitado a los operadores en el uso de estos dispositivos y también se les ha proporcionado el reactivo empleado para determinar el nivel de cloro residual en las muestras de agua.
El PGL también ha brindado asistencia técnica a las municipalidades atendidas para crear mapas digitalizados de la red de distribución de agua. Se ha diseñado un sistema de capas para estandarizar la información disponible y facilitar su uso. Los planos de cada municipio se muestran en la sección correspondiente de este informe.
El 20 y 21 de junio el PGL llevó a cabo un taller regional sobre Mejores Prácticas y Lecciones Aprendidas con relación a la administración municipal del agua. Asistieron 24 personas representantes de ocho de los municipios objetivo del PGL. Los objetivos del taller eran:
1. Despertar conciencia sobre la importancia de desinfectar el agua y la relación entre agua segura y la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional; 2. Aprender sobre el manejo apropiado del agua a través de las Oficinas Municipales de Agua (MOA) 3. Promover el intercambio de experiencias y mejores prácticas en la administración del agua, así como lecciones aprendidas.
El escenario fue ideal para introducir el tema de “Agua segura y seguridad alimentaria y nutricional” a la discusión. El personal técnico del PGL enfatizó la importancia del agua no únicamente como un medio para garantizar la distribución de nutrientes como parte de las funciones corporales y de regularización de la temperatura, sino el papel esencial del agua segura para promover la salud y la nutrición.
Obstáculos:
No existen contrapartes en todas las municipalidades, por diferentes razones. Esto interfiere con el seguimiento que puede dársele a las recomendaciones del PGL. Son los alcaldes quienes deciden si las recomendaciones y planes para mejorar la calidad y distribución del agua se pueden implementar o no. Ellos determinan las prioridades presupuestarias. La evaluación de los sistemas de distribución de agua ha indicado que algunos se encuentran en malas condiciones y necesitan ser reparados antes de que las recomendaciones o procedimientos propuestos se puedan implementar. La reparación de los sistemas de distribución de agua excede el alcance de la asistencia técnica del PGL. El PGL ha proporcionado asistencia técnica para preparar propuestas para mejorar los reglamentos de agua y los planes tarifarios. Sin embargo, la implementación es una decisión de las autoridades municipales.
El PGL continúa trabajando en coordinación con agencias gubernamentales y las municipalidades para completar los planes de desarrollo municipal – PDM. Con el delegado de SEGEPLAN de Chiquimula, se inició el trabajo para diseñar el plan SAN (Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional) del departamento, tomando en cuenta los PDM municipales y los lineamientos proporcionados por el programa de gobierno “Hambre Cero”, así como la guía desarrollada por el PGL.
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Se ha avanzado con el PDM de San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán: las nuevas autoridades municipales lo han revisado y han sugerido algunas modificaciones.
El avance con el PDM de Sansare sigue detenido, en tanto la Corte de Constitucionalidad emite una resolución con relación a la situación legal del alcalde electo.
Las autoridades y funcionarios municipales no han terminado de revisar o aprobar los PDM de Jalapa y Monjas. Sin dicha aprobación, el PGL no puede avanzar a la siguiente etapa (impresión y distribución de los planes).
El Proyecto “Promoción de la participación ciudadana con equidad de género”, financiado por el PGL y ejecutado por la Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente dio inicio durante este trimestre. Se ha impartido ya el primer módulo, dirigido a personal técnico municipal. Las actividades de capacitación se llevan a cabo en seis municipios, cuatro de los cuales son municipios objetivo del PGL (Esquipulas, San Jacinto, Estanzuela y San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán). Su objetivo principal es construir y fortalecer la democracia participativa y el involucramiento ciudadano en los asuntos de la comunidad, para vencer la inequidad y la exclusión social, económica, cultural y política.
Las actividades implican, principalmente, la capacitación de personal técnico municipal a cargo de los COCODE y grupos de mujeres, de manera que puedan replicar las actividades de capacitación a nivel comunitario. A la fecha, se ha capacitado a 119 órganos de coordinación de COCODE (74%) de un total de 161 que existen en los municipios donde se ejecuta el proyecto. Se proporciona más detalle en la sección correspondiente de este informe – pequeñas donaciones.
Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.5: Municipalities improve the enabling environment for local economic development
En marzo de 2012, el COP del PGL visitó nueve sitios turísticos de Estanzuela para evaluar su potencial turístico. El 9 de mayo, en coordinación con la Red Nacional de Grupos Gestores, se presentaron los resultados de la evaluación de los sitios turísticos y el asesor de Grupos Gestores, Carlos Arenas, capacitó a los participantes sobre turismo sostenible. La conclusión fue que Estanzuela tiene potencial turístico en cultura y naturaleza, pero es una plaza que no admitiría una carga turística alta (la población del municipio apenas llega a los siete mil habitantes, aproximadamente) y, por tanto, el turismo por sí solo no generaría los ingresos y empleos suficientes para convertirse en el motor económico principal del municipio.
En esa misma oportunidad, con el apoyo de la coordinadora de la FtF del PGL, se realizó una visita de campo para analizar el potencial agroindustrial del municipio. Se visitaron los proyectos de semilla de maíz mejorada, de producción de moringa, okra, la incipiente industrialización del mango, la elaboración artesanal de productos lácteos y, de nuevo, a un grupo de bordadoras de tejidos típicos del municipio (hilados). Representantes de la municipalidad y del Grupo Gestor local enviarán la información que no fue posible recabar durante la visita. El PGL empezará a redactar la primera versión del Plan DEL de Estanzuela y presentará los resultados en el último trimestre del año fiscal en curso.
El 25 de abril de 2012, a solicitud de USAID, el COP presentó el enfoque integrado DEL/SAN a los diputados miembros de la Comisión SAN del Congreso de la República y a varios alcaldes y asesores invitados por dichos diputados. El propósito fue asumir un mismo enfoque sobre esos
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temas y tratar de incorporarlo en las reformas legales que correspondan y que serán promovidas por esa Comisión.
El PGL ha continuado apoyando a la Mancomunidad Copán Chortí en la búsqueda de inversiones privadas para crear call centers o maquilas en la región. En junio 2012, se establecieron contactos con Rubén Morales, Gerente del Sector Servicios de Exportación de la AGEXPORT, para estimular el interés de los inversionistas potenciales.
La AGEXPORT informó oficialmente que la empresa Transactel mostró interés en al región Chortí, pero necesitan mayor información e infraestructura de seguridad, transporte, conectividad, energía eléctrica y recurso humano calificado.
Dicha empresa se mostró interesada en montar una operación para call center en español, como punto de partida, para ir incorporando operaciones en inglés conforme se capacite el recurso humano en el Instituto Tecnológico de la Copán Chortí. Aunque esa opción haría más factible la inversión, los salarios a percibir son menores que los de los empleados bilingües. Miembros del equipo técnico del PGL participaron en el taller sobre desarrollo económico local que organizó DEMUCA, en el que esa entidad propuso impulsar una política inter-institucional para promover el DEL como estrategia básica del desarrollo sostenible.
1.2 SUB‐IR 2.2: MORE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LOCAL CITIZEN PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Los principales logros del PGL en este componente, por medio de la asistencia técnica y financiera a la ANAM (Asociación Nacional de Municipalidades), puede resumirse de la siguiente manera: 1. Se realizaron las mesas regionales de diálogo de Petén, Santa Rosa y Jutiapa, y la de Escuintla; 2. Se inició la consultoría de alumbrado público; 3. Se redactaron y presentaron cuatro iniciativas de reformas legales para mejorar la situación financiera de las municipalidades; 4. Se atendieron los requerimientos de capacitación de varias municipalidades sobre el marco legal municipal y finanzas municipales, como seguimiento del Proceso de Inducción de Autoridades y Funcionarios Municipales realizados en el trimestre anterior.
El PGL brindó asistencia técnica a la ANAM para definir los objetivos, el diseño y el plan de las Mesas Regionales de Diálogo. Éste fue la manera en que ANAM abordó una discusión política con los alcaldes para conocer la realidad de cada departamento. Aunque estuvieron dirigidas a alcaldes, también se contó con la asistencia de algunos diputados y gobernadores departamentales. Durante este trimestre, las mesas de diálogo se realizaron una en Petén, otra en Santa Rosa y Jutiapa, y una en Escuintla.
Las mesas han permitido que los alcaldes consulten a ANAM y sus asesores sobre temas legales y financieros, así como que soliciten a la ANAM que dé seguimiento al ofrecimiento del Presidente de incrementar las transferencias gubernamentales a las municipalidades.
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Los primeros resultados de la consultoría para evaluar la situación del alumbrado público estuvieron listos para estas mesas, por lo que los alcaldes tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer la situación particular de su departamento y aclarar sus dudas. Han solicitado la intervención de ANAM para recuperar el excedente que las empresas distribuidoras adeudan a las municipalidades.
Al finalizar cada una de las mesas regionales se suscribe un acta donde se hacen constar los acuerdos alcanzados y el apoyo de los acaldes a la gestión de la actual junta directiva de ANAM. En las tres mesas realizadas los alcaldes han expresado su satisfacción agradecimiento por el ejercicio de participación que la ANAM está realizando.
Durante el trimestre se reactivó la Mesa Técnica para la Socialización y Análisis de Iniciativas de Ley Municipalistas. La Mesa Técnica, ahora coordinada por la Comisión de Asuntos Municipales del Congreso, ha sido el espacio en el que se presentan, priorizan, discuten y validan las propuestas de reforma al marco jurídico municipal. En esta ocasión la CAM priorizó como las reformas más importantes para este año: 1. La II Generación de Reformas al Código Municipal 2. La Ley de Servicio Municipal
Para poder participar en la Mesa Técnica cada una de las entidades interesadas, incluida la ANAM, debe presentar su propuesta de reformas al Código Municipal, por lo que el PGL apoyó a la ANAM en la elaboración de su propuesta, fundamentándose en las solicitudes que con mayor frecuencia han hecho las municipalidades, siendo las más importantes las siguientes: 1. Regresar a las municipalidades la facultad legal de cobrar por la emisión de licencias de construcción; 2. Permitir el endeudamiento municipal por un periodo mayor al del gobierno municipal; 3. Permitir que los jueces de asuntos municipales puedan ser personas que tengan pensum cerrado en la carrera de derecho y no necesariamente abogados, pues en los municipios rurales es muy difícil conseguir abogados que quieran trabajar por el salario que las municipalidades ofrecen. 4. Establecer mayores calidades para el ejercicio del cargo de Secretario Municipal, Director Financiero, Director Municipal de Planificación y Directora de la Oficina Municipal de la Mujer.
Obstáculos
No existieron obstáculos significativos para este componente durante este trimestre. La única actividad que no fue posible realizar fue el apoyo a las reuniones permanentes de la Instancia Municipalista, pues fue hasta en junio cuando la AGAAI eligió a su nueva junta directiva.
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SUB-IR 2.3: MORE I NCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT POLITICAL PROCESSES
El PGL continúa brindando asistencia técnica y financiera para llevar a cabo reuniones de COMUDE y CODEDE en los diferentes municipios objetivo.
Además, ha proporcionado asistencia técnica y financiera para desarrollar, en coordinación con la SEPREM y SEGEPLAN, un taller para analizar las funciones asignadas a las Oficinas Municipales de la Mujer (OMM) como parte de las reformas al Código Municipal. Se ha conformado la red departamental de OMM de Chiquimula y la primera reunión se programó para el 15 de junio.
Monjas continúa siendo un reto para el PGL. Se llevó a cabo la primera reunión de COMUDE en dos años, promovida por el PGL. Sin embargo, la participación ciudadana sigue siendo tan débil como en trimestres anteriores y se evidencia la falta de voluntad política y el compromiso de las autoridades y del director de la DMP (Dirección Municipal de Planificación).
LLR 2.3.1: Mechanisms for citizen participation strengthened in each selected municipality
El PGL proporciona asistencia técnica y financiera para fortalecer los mecanismos de participación ciudadana a nivel departamental, municipal y comunitario. A nivel departamental, al CODEDE de Chiquimula (Consejo Departamental de Desarrollo); a nivel municipal, a los COMUDE (Consejo Municipal de Desarrollo) atendidos por el Proyecto; y a nivel comunitario, apoyando a las municipalidades a revisar y actualizar las juntas directivas de los COCODE (Consejos Comunitarios de Desarrollo), así como brindando asistencia técnica para diseñar planes de capacitación para las municipalidades objetivo.
Durante este trimestre, las reuniones de CODEDE se llevaron a cabo a puerta cerrada porque su propósito se centró en reprogramar los proyectos de 2012 por razones presupuestarias.
El cuadro que sigue resume las reuniones de COMUDE para las cuales el PGL proporcionó asistencia técnica y financiera. Asistió un total de 840 personas, 292 de ellas, mujeres (35%).
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REUNIONES DE COMUDE DEL TRIMESTRE ABRIL-JUNIO 2012
PARTICIPANTES TEMA PRINCIPAL TIPO DE APOYO FECHA MUNICIPIO H M TOTAL
Primera reunión de Asistencia técnica 18/04/2012 Monjas 35 17 52 COMUDE 19/04/2012 Jalapa 52 19 71 Funciones de COMUDE Asistencia técnica San Cristóbal Asistencia técnica y 25/04/2012 Acasaguastlán 52 32 84 Proyectos CODEDE 2013 financiera
San José La Asistencia técnica y 26/04/2012 Arada 35 15 50 Rendición de cuentas financiera Asistencia técnica 27/04/2012 San Juan Ermita 46 26 72 Rendición de cuentas
Presentación proyecto Asistencia técnica "Fomento a la 04/05/2012 Estanzuela 36 18 54 participación ciudadana"
Presentación sobre Asistencia técnica San José La funcionamiento de las 22/05/2012 Arada 35 17 52 comisiones 23/05/2012 San Jacinto 35 28 63 Rendición de cuentas Asistencia técnica Funciones de los alcaldes Asistencia técnica y 25/05/2012 Estanzuela 14 18 32 auxiliares financiera Asistencia técnica y 29/05/2012 Esquipulas 46 22 68 Rendición de cuentas financiera Asistencia técnica y 31/05/2012 Camotán 92 30 122 Juramentación COCODE financiera
Asistencia técnica 08/06/2012 Estanzuela 18 24 42 Incentivos forestales
Conformación de Asistencia técnica 15/06/2012 Jocotán 52 26 78 COMURED
TOTAL 548 292 840
Fuente: Informes semanales de PGL
El PGL continúa brindando asistencia técnica y financiera para fortalecer la participación ciudadana a nivel comunitario, a los miembros de los COCODE. Se brindó asistencia técnica a personal de las DMP para verificar la vigencia de los órganos de coordinación ante el COMUDE, y en los casos necesarios, se renovaron las juntas directivas, con el apoyo de personal de la DMP y la OMM.
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Para comprender mejor la dimensión de esta actividad, es necesario mencionar que los COCODE se crean por comunidad pero la Ley de Consejos de Desarrollo Urbano y Rural dicta que el número máximo de COCODE con voz y voto es de 20, por lo que hay que organizar los COCODE de 2° nivel. En Estanzuela existen 15 COCODE; en Esquipulas, 58; en Olopa, 47; en San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, 28; en Jocotán, 49; en Camotán, 32; en San Juan Ermita, 22; en Concepción Las Minas, 24; en San Jacinto, 24 y en San José La Arada 23. El período de la mayoría de ellos vence durante 2012.
Es por ello que el personal técnico del PGL se dedica a brindar asesoría al personal de la DMP y OMM, ya que son ellos los encargados de visitar y actualizar los órganos de coordinación de cada uno de los municipios. A la fecha se han renovado 167 órganos de coordinación de los 322 que existen en el área de influencia del Proyecto, (equivalente al 52%).
Es así como el 22 de mayo se brindó asistencia técnica y financiera a la DMP para realizar el taller de capacitación sobre "Los COCODE y sus funciones" dirigido a los nuevos representantes de COCODE (18 de 32) de San Juan Ermita. Participaron 39 personas (22 mujeres).
Obstáculos
Las actividades normales en Jalapa no han podido retomarse. Por un lado, el personal nuevo no asume plenamente sus puestos ni sus responsabilidades. Además, los disturbios e incidentes de violencia que se dieron en el municipio obligaron a USAID a suspender los viajes a Jalapa, por razones de seguridad. Una vez se restablezca la normalidad, se retomará el trabajo de campo.
Monjas continúa siendo un reto para el PGL. Se realizó la primera sesión de COMUDE en dos años, propiciada por el PGL. Sin embargo, la participación ciudadana sigue siendo tan débil como en los trimestres anteriores y es evidente la falta de voluntad política y el compromiso de las autoridades y del director de la DMP.
En Concepción Las Minas las autoridades y los funcionarios no se muestran anuentes a implementar las propuestas del PGL y esto interfiere con la integración del COMUDE. Todos los esfuerzos para llevarlo a cabo han sido inútiles y el PGL en este momento cuestiona la conveniencia de continuar brindando asistencia técnica a este municipio.
Sansare atraviesa una situación complicada. La población y el alcalde siguen sin ponerse de acuerdo sobre la legalidad de los resultados electorales y se está a la espera de la decisión de la Corte de Constitucionalidad. Entre tanto, el trabajo coordinado entre el PGL y la municipalidad sigue sin poder desarrollarse.
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1.0 NARRATIVE REPORTING OF SUB- IRS, LOWER LEVEL RESULTS, AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
1.1 SUB-IR 2.1: MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
1.1.1 Lower Level Result (LLR) 2.1.1: Municipalities use transparent financial management processes, procedures, and systems
A key activity for LGP technical staff was to assist municipalities in preparing their financial report (income & expenditure, debt) by the end of the fiscal period. The deadline was March 31st and public information was available on April 1st. LGP verified that its target municipalities’ reports had been submitted.
Additionally, it continued training activities for DAFIM (Dirección de Administración Financiera Integrada Municipal) and DPM (Dirección de Planificación Financiera) staff; for commissions involved in quoting and procurement actions, and for municipal council members who review them. The two main topics in these training activities were “Ley de Contrataciones del Estado y su Reglamento” (law that regulates government purchases) and the Guatecompras portal. LGP provided quoting and purchasing orientation in different municipalities, as it is an issue related to promoting and ensuring transparency. Among other actions, it encouraged the use of a documents checklist used in municipal projects, whether executed directly by the municipality or with resources from the Department Development Council – CODEDE.
LGP provided technical assistance and training to municipal staff to review and update municipal services rates. Additional practice in this matter was part of a regional workshop held: “Preparing the 2013 Municipal Budget, Module 1: How to calculate the cost of municipal public services”. Staff from 10 of the 13 target municipalities attended the workshop, which also attracted staff from the municipalities of Ipala and Quetzaltepeque, municipios of Chiquimula. Participants used as examples actual municipal water service cost calculations, based on the ARD, Inc. guide. LGP also provided technical assistance to municipalities on specific matters. For example, in Jalapa it helped develop a population survey form regarding public services and assisted in budget transfer management actions.
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1.1.2 LLR 2.1.2: All selected municipalities sustainably increase own-source revenues
IUSI Project: the use of GIS to improve own-source revenue
LGP technical and financial assistance through the IUSI Project continued during the reported quarter resulting in appropriate collection in all four target municipalities. By mid-June 2012, the collection figures for all of 2011 had been exceeded.
Water collection shows the most progress. However, IUSI collection exceeded 100% of last year’s in two municipalities and reached 90% in the remaining two. Municipal tax collection is lower. Customer service or DAFIM staff , usually responsible for municipal tax collection, tend to favor other duties before this one.
Progress in cumulative collection by mid-June 2012 with respect to 2011
Cumulative %
Municipal Municipality Water IUSI Taxes
Concepción Las Minas 133 95 33
Estanzuela 76 117 98
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán 51 75 30
San Jacinto 107 94 67
Source: SIAF System, Ministry of Public Finances, 2012
Municipal GIS development continues to show progress by digitizing the different information overlays. Work involves identifying basic municipal services (water, IUSI, municipal taxes) that may be collected and are the main focus of the IUSI project. Municipalities also requested additional overlays.
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Following is a detail of the information overlays:
1 Water: household water connection points.
2 IUSI: registered users eligible to pay property tax.
3 Municipal taxes and fees: grocery stores, hardware stores, municipal rental property, taxis, and other commercial activities that could generate fixed income for the municipality.
4 Drainage: household connection points for wastewater disposal.
5 Waterworks: wells, reservoirs, and valve systems.
6 Pipelines: water pipelines.
7 Roads: roads, streets, and footpaths.
8 Property: new overlay; initially included blocks located in municipal capitals and main population centers. Later lots will be segregated individually, based on ortho-images.
9 Sewers: manholes (overlay has been created; implementation will begin soon).
10 DPipelines: household drainage pipelines (overlay has been created; implementation will begin soon).
11 PPipelines: pipelines connecting to rainwater runoff points. This overlay complements the sewer overlay (overlay has been created; implementation will begin where applicable).
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The following chart shows municipio progress for each digitized overlay.
Dots added to the GIS with regard to the total number of users recorded in the SIAF and progress %, by overlay implemented in each municipality.
Information Concepción Las San Cristóbal Area Estanzuela San Jacinto overlay Minas Acasaguastlán Urban 415 of 572 = 73% 1,327 of 2,310 = 58% 1,052 of 2,197 = 93% 469 of 4774 = 98% Water Rural a* a* b* b* Urban 192 of 2,1684 = 9% 603 of 1,5924 = 38% 888 of 1,3374 = 66% 315 of 3154 = 100% IUSI Rural b* b* b* b* Municipal Urban 96 of 4044 = 24% 1,100 of 1,1834 = 93% 142 of 1574 = 90% 337 of 4004 = 84% taxes Rural b* b* b* b* Urban 0* 1,282 = 65%1 596 = 70%1 97=25%1 Sewers Rural a* a* a* a* Urban 100% 100% 100% 100% Waterworks Rural a* a* 0* 0* Urban 100% (water) 100% (water) 100% (water) 100% (water) Pipelines Rural a* a* 0* 0* Urban 0* 225=75%1 100=75%1 0* DPipelines Rural a* a* a* a* Urban 100% 100% 100% 100% Roads Rural 100% 100% 100% 100% Urban 100%3 100%3 100%3 90%5 Property2 and 1,0454 2,5964 1,4514 5,8394,5 Rural
Source: SIAF System, Ministry of Public Finance, 2012 IUSI Project, PGL 2012 References: 0*= Soon to begin a*= No services or coverage registered for this area b*= SIAF does not show either urban or rural classification 1= Estimated progress. Services checked individually in SIAF because the system lacks a module to generate the corresponding report 2= Recently created overlay 3= Only blocks in municipal capital and main population centers 4= Digitized property (urban and rural) 5= Source: Registro de Información Catastral (RIC) – Cadastral Information Registry
Following is a summary of progress made in each municipality.
Concepción Las Minas
Despite financial problems that limit technicians’ mobility to rural areas for continued identification of services to add to GIS overlays and for bill delivery, this municipality managed to eliminate 97 entries of non-existent users, thus reducing reported delinquency by Q80,000.
To date, the mayor has authorized billing of water services on three occasions and collection is improving. Cumulative water service collection exceeded 100% and IUSI reached 95%. Nevertheless, delinquent users persist, particularly in IUSI payments.
The mayor has been reluctant to authorize IUSI tax billing, fearing political repercussions. LGP’s IUSI coordinator has met on several occasions with the Municipal Council to present progress reports and to insist on the convenience of adequate service management (including billing and collection). Despite apparent interest, approval is necessary to implement further actions.
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Meeting with the mayor and members of the Municipal Council. Estanzuela, Zacapa. 2012.
Estanzuela
Currently, Estanzuela is the municipio with the largest number of registered users. The mayor has authorized LGP’s billing proposal to use a “unified statement of account” (a single bill showing all registered services for any given user). This haas allowed simultaneous collection of all three services (water, IUSI, and municipal taxes) , with positive results.
With the IUSI coordinator’s technical assistance, the officer of the Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales (Municipal Affairs Court) – JAM – now manages collection. Assistance results include: registry and service cancellation forms, payment agreement forms, an in-depth review of the database to determine delinquency figures, issuance of unified statements of account, and careful bill delivery planning based on delinquency information. This officer also performs customer service duties related to these services.
The Municipal Affairs Court officer performs customer service duties. Estanzuela, Zacapa. 2012.
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 26 A messenger was hired to deliver bills, ensuring user notification of service debt.
The municipal council appointed a specific commission to review SIAF- filtered information and to make recommendations based on technical information aand field visits. When the commission approves cases submitted for review, further entries may be filtered in the system.
Whenever users visit the municipality, they are encouraged to provide information about their service location. This allows continuous updating of GIS overlay information.
Neighbors provide information that helps identify and digitize services in the GIS overlay system. Estanzuela, Zacapa. 2012.
Neighbors provide information that helps identify and digitize services in the GIS overlay system. Estanzuela, Zacapa. 2012.
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán
The municipality continues to implement service collection and identificcation. Database review by the IUSI coordinator and the municipal technician, plus assistance frrom plumbers succeeded in identifying 48 illegal connections, 20 of them in the municipal capital. These efforts helped spot another 147 unauthorized commercial businesses (29 in the municipal capital) which have now begun their legal registration in the municipality.
A hired messenger now delivers bills to and collects payments from users.
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 27 With IUSI coordinator assistance, the San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán JAM officer now provides collection activity follow-up. This officer also performs teller duties and encourages users to sign payment agreements.
Cumulative revenue by mid-June, in comparison to that off all of 2011, is 51% for water and 75% for IUSI. This trend anticipates a positive outcome for 2012.
The municipality has appointed six temporary technicians to help with GIS overlay identification and digitizing actions. Having received IUSI coordinator training, they now use a GPS device provided by LGP and aerial photographs of the municipio during field visits to interview people to gather information.
Assistant technical personnel receive instructions before leaving to the field to gather information to identify and digitize services in the GIS overlays. San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, El Progreso. 2012.
San Jacinto
The municipality of San Jacinto shows the highest reported collection levels. By mid-June, cumulative revenue, compared to year’s end 2011 is 107% for water, 94% for IUSI, and 67% for municipal taxes. The municipal technician in charge of IUSI and water databases consistently issues bills for users.
Three community water systems, identified and added to the GIS overlays, broadeneed the municipality’s tax base. LGP has provided technical assistance for analysis of delinquency levels on which billing and service suspension orders are based.
Similarly, maps showing GIS delinquency support collection efforts. Thhese maps are displayed in the municipality to persuade delinquent users to catch up on their bills.
GIS overlays digitizing is complete; collection is ongoing and well accepted by the population.
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Maps showing delinquent users are displayed in bulletin bboards in the municipal building. San Jacinto, Chiquimula. 2012.
Obstacles and opportunities
Although increased income may be reported for all municipalities, delinquency persists, particularly regarding IUSI. With no existent enforcement mechanisms, the population still seems reluctant to pay. LGP suggested a “municipal clearance” tied to water service, to encourage users to pay regularly for all registered services. Municipal authorities have yet to approve the proposal. Some SIAF entries still require filtering and elimination approved by municipal councils. There is no person in charge of the municipal tax database in any of the municipalities, thus resulting in lack of control and increased delinquency. LGP has suggested that DAFIM staff assume this responsibility, but a deciision is still to be made. Mayors remain cautious regarding IUSI tax collection. Despite LGP showing the impact of current delinquency indicators, the IUSI tax is a sensitive issue that keeps them from readily implementing LGP recommendations.
1.1.3 LLR 2.1.3: Municipalities practice responsible indebtednness
LGP technical assistance to ANAM shows results in this aarea. With thiis assistance, and together with INFOM and CAM (Municipal Affairs Commission of Congress), ANAM proposed a bill to reform the Municipal Code. The bill will be submitted directly to tthe Chair of this commission in hope of full support to grant it national urgency status. If so, legislative approval would ensue and it could be in force shortly. The bill involves:
1. Restoring municipalities the right to charge for construction licenses; 2. Allowing municipal indebtedness beyond one government period of four years; 3. Restoring municipalities the chance to obtain loans from INFOM.
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1.1.4 LLR 2.1.4: Selected municipalities/Mancomunidades improve basic services
Promote improvement in water chlorination systems in order to comply with legislation in force.
LGP continues providing technical assistance to improve water service in the target municipios, despite poor organization prevalent in some municipalities where new authorities took office.
In Esquipulas, for example, the municipal water office official has not been appointed yet. In other municipalities, the staff’s current work load interferes with implementation of recommendations and work plans developed jointly with LGP staff.
In Concepción Las Minas, LGP met with municipal council members on several occasions. However, no significant progress is reported because the mayor’s focus is smaller villages of the municipio.
In contrast, in Camotán and Jalapa, LGP’s hydrological zoning proposal to improve water pressure and quality was completed and awaits implementation during the next quarter. Regarding the quality of water, it is important to note that, when the rainy season begins, water reaching storage tanks tends to be muddy. LGP provided special recommendations to deal with this problem, depending on specific conditions in each case. These range from installing filters at the water source to building water treatment plants. However, the mayor decides whether or not recommendations are implemented, depending on funds available.
LGP provided most target municipalities with chlorine meters to determine water chlorination compliance with standards. Operators were trained in appropriate use of the devices and received the reactant used to determine residual chlorine level in water samples.
LGP also worked to train operators of production, distribution, and treatment systems in best operation and maintenance practices, emphasizing chlorination, control, and monitoring. In those places where treatment plants do exist, the operators’ routines were reviewed and improved.
Additionally, technical assistance has included orientation to OMA staff (Municipal Office for Water) of Camotán and San Juan Ermita. Orientation may include, among other aspects, specific training in use of chlorine meters to determine residual chlorine levels.
Training in the use of the chlorine meter in San Juan Ermita
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A recent newspaper publication read that water in Jalapa was highly contaminated. In response, LGP staff reinforced actions in the municipio by training the DMP director and a plumber on chlorine meter usage. Additionally, it studied water quality and determined that although no micro-bacterial contamination existed, there was no trace of chlorine either. Results were discussed with local authorities. A final solution is expected following implementation of the LGP hydrological zoning proposal.
Training in the use of the chlorine meter in Jalapa.
Encourage municipalities to prepare digitized blueprints of the water distribution network in the selected municipalities.
LGP also provided technical assistance for target municipalities to create digitized blueprints of the water distribution network. An overlay system was designed to standardize available information and make it easy to use.
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 31 Digitized blueprint of Jalapa
Blueprint of the hydrological zoning of Jalapa proposed by LGP
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Hydrological zoning of Camotán
Provide technical assistance in selected municipalities intended to improve operational efficiency (pressure and continuous flow) of water systems in urban areas of the selected municipalities (local consultancy).
LGP completed the Camotán and Jalapa hydrological zoning proposal shown in the preceding illustrations. Technical staff from both municipalities participated in the exercise. LGP provided technical assistance to the DMP of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán to design a water distribution pipeline to supply water to a large part of the population. Both the hydrological zoning and the mentioned design will significantly improve water pressure and continuous flow in Camotán and Jalapa. As digitized information of the remaining municipiios becomes available, LGP will continue supporting improved water service.
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Jalapa municipal staff involved in determining hydrological zoning of the municipio
Camotán municipal staff involved in defining hydrological zoning of the municipio
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Waater distribution pipeline designed to improve pressure in a sector of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán (Page 2 of 2)
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Carry out a workshop on Best Practices and Lessons Learned regarding Municipal Water Management in each of the selected municipios.
On June 20 and 21, LGP carried out a regional workshop on Best Practices and Lessons Learned regarding municipal water management. Twenty-four attendees representing eight LGP target municipalities participated in the workshop with the following objectives:
1. Raise awareness on the importance of disinfecting water and the relationship between safe water and food and nutritional security; 2. Learn about appropriate water management through the Municipal Offices of Water (OMA); 3. Promote exchange of experiences and best practices in water management, as well as lessons learned.
The context was ideal to introduce “Safe water & Food and Nutritional Security” into the discussion. LGP technical staff stressed the importance of water not only to ensure bodily functions and to regulate body temperature, but also the role of safe water as essential for health and nutrition.
Obstacles
Counterparts are not available in all municipalities, for different reasons. This interferes with recommendation follow-up and implementation provided by LGP. Mayors decide whether or not recommendations and plans to improve water quality and distribution are to be implemented. They determine budgetary priorities. Water distribution assessment has identified that some systems are in poor condition and require repair before any further recommendations or procedures may be implemented. Repairing water distribution systems is beyond the scope of LGP’s technical assistance. LGP has provided technical assistance to prepare proposals for improved water regulations and water rate plans. However, the decision to implement depends on municipal authorities.
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Success Story EXCHANGING EXPERIENCES RELATED TO MUNICIPAL WATER SERVICES
Twenty-four people representing eight of LGP’s target municipalities in the east of Guatemala attended an LGP-sponsored workshop to share experiences that can help municipalities improve water service delivery. During two days (June 20 and 21), two important topics were enthusiastically discussed – safe drinking water and food and nutritional security.
LGP continues to promote the inclusion of nutritional security as a priority in municipal agendas, but also to change the mindset of municipal authorities and community leaders so that they may link safe water to food and nutritional security. Case studies, open discussion, and sharing experiences among participants allowed them to learn about practices, successes and difficulties other municipalities have experienced.
The representative of the Monjas municipality explained how it has profited from LGP’s orientation on how to carry out a census of water service users to increase revenue from collection, and how an increased income has allowed them to replace two water pumps and transformers.
The representative of the Jalapa municipality explained how it has worked together with LGP to define hydrologic zones as a means to better manage the water distribution network.
The outlook on water management and improvement of water services is positive. Despite the fact that significant investment is often required to implement hydrologic zoning in Jalapa and other municipios, municipal councils seem willing to implement recommendations and develop the necessary works.
Improving water services will have a significant impact not only on collection possibilities, but also on reducing one the most important causes of illness and consequently, of malnutrition: unsafe drinking water.
1.1.5 LLR 2.1.5: Municipalities improve the enabling environment for local economic development
There has been progress regarding municipal development plans – PDM –. In Chiquimula, in coordination with SEGEPLAN, work began to develop a department SAN plan congruent both with municipal PDMs and the central government’s No Hunger (Hambre Cero) program. Two meetings were held, after which a draft was submitted to the CODESAN (Food & Nutritional Security Department Commission).
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The new authorities of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán have reviewed the proposed plan. LGP is working with SEGEPLAN to incorporate suggestions made by the Municipal Council before its final approval prior to publication.
No progress was possible regarding the PDM of Sansare while the Constitutional Court issues a resolution on the mayoral election. A decision is expected by next quarter. Jalapa and Monjas municipal authorities and officers have neither reviewed nor approved the PDM submitted to them. LGP cannot move the process along without this approval.
LGP provided technical and financial assistance to the SAN Commission of Estanzuela – COMUSAN – to design a work plan based on the municipio’s SAN plan. Also, in Estanzuela, COCODE training activities carried out by the Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente with LGP funding will begin, as part of the project “Promoting citizen participation with gender equity”.
LED Plans
LGP continued work on the Estanzuela LED plan. The municipality and Grupos Gestores are working to introduce the concept of “territorial branding” of Estanzuela, an initiative supported by LGP.
On May 9, LGP provided technical and financial assistance in coordination with Grupos Gestores to carry out the workshop “Sustainable Tourism”, during which LGP presented its view on the municipio’s potential for tourism. Among the forty-five attendees, eighteen were women.
On May 10, LGP’s COP and members of the municipality and Grupos Gestores visited areas of the municipio to assess agro-industrial potential to consider it within the Estanzuela LED plan. Proposals assessed included improved corn seed, moringa, okra, artisan cheese, mango jelly, and embroidery.
1.2 SUB-IR 2.2: MORE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LOCAL CITIZEN PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Major LGP achievements in this component, through its technical and financial assistance to ANAM (Asociación Nacional de Municipalidades) may be summarized as follows:
1. Regional roundtables were held in Petén, Santa Rosa, Jutiapa and Escuintla. 2. Consultancy began to assess and recommend on the situation of municipal public lighting. 3. ANAM devised and submitted four proposed legal reforms to improve municipal financial situations. 4. Training activities addressing the municipal legal framework and municipal finances were held upon request of several municipalities. These are follow-up activities to the National Orientation Training Workshops held during the previous quarter.
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1.2.1 LLR 2.2.1 Municipal associations effectively represent their constituencies
Meetings of ANAM’s Board of Directors
LGP provided technical and financial assistance for two of the three meetings held by the Board of Directors. LGP supports these meetings because important municipal decisions are made here. Following are some of the issues discussed:
April:
1. An LGP-financed consultant was introduced to assess the situation of public lighting. He provided details on what the assessment would involve and learned about mayors’ main concerns regarding the issue. 2. Evaluation of results from orientation workshops for municipal authorities and officers.
May:
1. Presentation of the Post-Disaster Protocol by CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Mitigation). 2. Discussion of the proposed Municipal Autonomy Charter for Central America and the Caribbean, promoted by the Central American Integration System (SICA).
June:
1. Discussion and approval to hold the National Meeting of OMM (Municipal Offices for Women) on July 19 and 20, 2012. 2. Presentation of the resolution of the Constitutionality Court by which municipalities may again request loans over periods exceeding one term in office. 3. The Comptrollership General shared the most common audit findings for municipalities. 4. Discussion of proposals to modify the VAT and the Tax on Oil Derivates laws to increase government transfers to municipalities from taxes.
ANAM implements Regional Dialogue Roundtables
LGP provided technical assistance to ANAM to design, plan and define objectives for the Regional Roundtables. These are ANAM’s approach to a direct political discussion with mayors to learn about each department’s real situation. Although addressed to mayors, the roundtables may include some members of Congress and department governors. During this quarter, three roundtables in all were held in Petén, Santa Rosa, Jutiapa, and Escuintla.
The roundtables have allowed mayors to consult ANAM and its advisors on legal and financial matters, as well as to request ANAM to follow-up on the President’s offer to increase government transfers to municipalities.
First results from the consultancy to assess the municipal public lighting situation were ready for these roundtables and mayors learned about their particular situation and had specific questions answered. They requested ANAM’s intervention to retrieve income from public lighting that electric companies owe municipalities.
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Minutes of the roundtables were prepared and include any agreements reached as well as expressed support of mayors to ANAM’s current board of directors. These roundtables have evidenced the mayors’ satisfaction with and appreciation for ANAM’s participatory approach. Lobbying before the Municipal Affairs Commission of Congress of the Republic
Work in the “Mesa Técnica para la Socialización y Análisis de Inciativas de Ley Municipalistas” (Technical Commission for the Analysis of Municipal Bills) began again under coordination by the Congressional Commission for Municipal Affairs (CAM). In this context, reform proposals to the municipal legal framework are presented, prioritized, discussed, and validated. Resulting priorities of the CAM were:
1. The II Generation of Reforms to the Municipal Code 2. The Law of Municipal Service
Institutions interested in participating in the technical commission had to submit their proposals to reform the Municipal Code. LGP provided technical assistance to ANAM to prepare its proposal, which included the four most frequent requests made by municipalities.
1. Restore municipalities’ right to charge for construction licenses. 2. Allow municipal indebtedness beyond the four-year government period. 3. Allow Municipal Affairs Judges to be law students with completed coursework requirements and not necessarily professional lawyers who are hard to find in rural municipios. 4. Raise profile requirements for certain municipal positions, mainly the Municipal Secretary, Financial Director, Municipal Planning Director, and Director of the Municipal Office for Women.
The technical commission will review submitted proposals in July. LGP will provide legal assistance to ANAM as required.
LGP also provided technical assistance to ANAM so that, together with INFOM and the CAM, it can prepare a bill to reform the Municipal Code. This bill will be submitted directly to the President of the CAM hopefully as a matter of national urgency, so that the legislative process is shortened and the bill is enforced shortly. The bill’s issues include:
1. The municipality’s right to charge for construction licenses. 2. Municipal debt beyond a four-year government period. 3. Municipal loan procurement from INFOM.
Lobbying before the Executive Body
During ANAM’s General Assembly, the Guatemalan President promised municipalities larger government transfers. As follow-up, LGP provided technical assistance for ANAM to prepare two reform initiatives that the President is currently analyzing:
1. A modification to the Value Added Tax (IVA) by which government transfers to municipalities would increase by 66%, overall. Municipalities would receive 2.5% instead of 1.5%. The 1% increase comes from funds reduced for Department Councils by 0.5% and funds for social investment, by 0.5%. 2. A modification to the Ley del Impuesto a la Distribución de Petróleo Crudo y Combustibles Derivados del Petróleo (IDP) (Petroleum derivates law) by which
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transfers to municipalities resulting from this tax would be increased by 200%. Municipalities would be granted 90 cents per gallon instead of 30.
The President himself will present these reforms before Congress with approval expected by late 2012 and expected income applicable in 2013. LGP provided technical assistance to ANAM in preparing a proposal to modify the Reglamento de Evaluación, Control y Seguimiento Ambiental (Environmental evaluation, control, and follow-up regulations) that would exempt municipalities from the costly Environmental Ministry’s “environmental license tax” and reduce the time needed to issue said licenses.
ANAM has participated in a group created by the President, called “The Agenda for Change” in which municipal issues have been addressed. Coordinated by the President himself, government ministries and secretariats participate in this group.
ANAM succeeded in getting the Mathematical Calculation Commission (of government transfers to municipalities) to allocate transfer funds for operation and investment to Las Cruces, a newly created municipio of Petén.
ANAM remains active in the National Decentralization Forum, coordinated by SCEP (Secretaría de Coordinación Ejecutiva de la Presidencia) where a central topic has been the municipal administrative career.
Gender and indigenous peoples
ANAM received LGP technical assistance to organize the National Meeting of Municipal Offices for Women (OMM), to be held on July 19 and 20, 2012. This meeting will promote sharing experience and establishing food and nutritional security as an OMM priority. The event involves coordinating ANAM with AGAAI, SEPREM (Secretaría Presidencial de la Mujer), and SESAN (Secretaría de SAN).
To further include indigenous peoples, ANAM decided to invite the recently elected AGAAI President to all its board meetings, so both associations can resume coordination.
1.2.2 LLR 2.2.2 ANAM is financially capable to carry out its mission.
Implementing the business plan (reducing debt)
One profitable LGP recommendation to ANAM’s business plan was selling stands during ANAM events. However, since no large events took place this quarter, focus shifted to reducing associates’ delinquent accounts.
ANAM’s collection efforts have resulted in three municipalities catching up on their membership fees:
Santa Cruz Balanyá, Chimaltenango Q12,000.00 Ocós, San Marcos Q 8,000.00 San Miguel Acatán, Huehuetenango Q14,000.00
The municipality of Malacatancito, Huehuetenango is willing to pay its debt to ANAM and is currently analyzing whether it may do so in a single payment or if it will subscribe a payment agreement.
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Current ANAM service has convinced many municipalities to update their accounts.
1.2.3 LLR 2.2.3 ANAM improves its service delivery capacity.
Providing legal, financial, and communication assistance continues to be important for ANAM to approach municipalities. During this quarter, 209 legal service actions, 221 communication service actions, and 445 financial service actions were reported. The most frequent requests, per service category, are the following:
Legal and judicial
Labor issues resulting from dismissals. Writing regulations for municipal services. Payment agreements with social security (IGSS) for delinquent municipal accounts. Seizure of bank accounts resulting from municipal debt and overdue IGSS fees. Proper interpretation of the Ley de Contrataciones del Estado (government procurement regulations).
Financial
Correct application of budget line items. Increasing own-source revenue. Correct application of government procurement regulations. Hiring temporary or permanent municipal staff. Evacuating hearings related to findings of the Comptrollership of Accounts.
Communication
Daily monitoring of media communication. Preparing the weekly bulletin “ANAM Informa.” Reinforcing communication and ANAM’s institutional image. Advice regarding communication with the media
Follow- up to municipal authorities, officers, and staff trained in ANAM events
High-impact training activities carried out by ANAM nationwide, reported previously, resulted in specific requests from municipalities for additional workshops on legal and financial topics pertaining to municipal activities, the most frequent being:
Municipal legal framework. Compliance with municipal financial norms. Interpreting and applying the Government Procurement Law.
Training workshops were held in the following localities during this quarter:
1. Quetzaltenango 2. Palencia 3. San Pablo El Rodeo 4. La Nueva Concepción
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5. Jalapa 6. Escuintla 7. Estanzuela
Consultancy to clarify municipal income from public lighting in the municipal budget
An important LGP-funded consultancy began this quarter in response to a request from ANAM’s board of directors, to clarify municipal income from public lighting in the municipal budget. This issue was stated as strategic for municipalities wanting to understand why no revenue from public lighting charged by electric companies ever reaches municipal accounts.
Some initial results have shed light on the problem:
a. The formula applied by distribution companies to determine how much each municipality must pay for public lighting was determined (number of existing lamp posts x power per lamp x cost of kilowatt x 12 hours legally authorized);
b. The study determined that many municipalities have contracted a power level beyond what their water pumps actually require which has resulted in legal fines charged monthly to municipalities;
c. An agreement was reached with electricity distribution companies to include in bills to municipalities, starting July, 1) number of lamp posts being charged for, 2) legal applicable rate, and 3) number of users billed monthly.
Obstacles
There were no significant obstacles for this LGP component during this quarter. The only activity that did not take place as planned was the permanent technical assistance provided during meetings of the Instancia Municipalista. These were not held because it was not until June that AGAAI elected a new board of directors.
1.3 SUB-IR 2.3: MORE INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT POLITICAL PROCESSES
1.3.1 LLR 2.3.1: Mechanisms for citizen participation strengthened in each selected municipality
LGP provides technical and financial assistance to strengthen citizen participation mechanisms at department, municipal, and community level. At department level to Chiquimula’s CODEDE (Department Development Council); at municipal level, through the COMUDEs (Municipal Development Councils) served by the Project; and at community level, by helping municipalities review and update CODEDE boards (Community Development Councils) as well as providing assistance to design training plans for LGP target municipalities.
During this quarter, CODEDE meetings were held in private because their focus was to reschedule 2012 projects for budgetary reasons.
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The following chart shows a summary of the COMUDE meetings for which LGP provided technical and financial assistance. A total of 840 persons attended, 292 of them women (35%).
COMUDE MEETINGS DURING THE APRIL-JUNE QUARTER
PARTICIPANTS TYPE OF TOPIC ADDRESSED DATE MUNICIPIO M F TOTAL ASSISTANCE 04/18/2012 Monjas 35 17 52 First COMUDE meeting Technical COMUDE Technical 04/19/2012 Jalapa 52 19 71 responsibilities San Cristóbal Technical and 04/25/2012 Acasaguastlán 52 32 84 CODEDE 2013 Projects financial Technical and 04/26/2012 San José La Arada 35 15 50 Accountability report financial 04/27/2012 San Juan Ermita 46 26 72 Accountability report Technical Presentation of the Project "Promoting Technical 05/04/2012 Estanzuela 36 18 54 Citizen Participation" Presentation on how Technical 05/22/2012 San José La Arada 35 17 52 commissions operate 05/23/2012 San Jacinto 35 28 63 Accountability report Technical Functions of subsidiary Technical and 05/25/2012 Estanzuela 14 18 32 mayors financial Technical and 05/29/2012 Esquipulas 46 22 68 Accountability report financial COCODE swearing of Technical and 05/31/2012 Camotán 92 30 122 board members financial 06/08/2012 Estanzuela 18 24 42 Forest incentives Technical Integration of the Technical 06/15/2012 Jocotán 52 26 78 COMURED
TOTAL 548 292 840
Source: LGP weekly reports
LGP continues providing technical and financial assistance to strengthen citizen participation to COCODE representatives (community level). Technical assistance was provided to DMP staff to verify the terms of COCODE boards before the COMUDE, and where necessary, boards of directors were renewed, with the support of DMP and OMM staff.
It is important to mention that COCODEs are created at community level, but the law that regulates them (Ley de Consejos de Desarrollo Urbano y Rural) determines a maximum number of 20 members with full voting rights, making it necessary to create second level COCODEs. In Estanzuela there are 15 COCODEs; in Esquipulas, 58; in Olopa, 47; in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, 28; in Jocotán, 49; in Camotán, 32; in San Juan Ermita, 22; in San Jacinto, 24, and in San José La Arada, 23. Most of the terms in their corresponding boards expire during 2012, on different dates.
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For this reason, LGP provides assistance to the DMP and the OMM so they may visit COCODEs and update the boards in each of the municipios. To date, 167 COCODE boards of directors out of 322 have been renewed in the LGP target area (52%).
LGP provided complementary assistance to the DMP to carry out the training workshop “The COCODEs and their responsibilities”, addressed to new COCODE representatives (18 out of 32) of San Juan Ermita. Thirty-nine people attended (22 women).
1.3.2 LLR 2.3.2: Improved public communication mechanisms at the local level regarding municipal processes
No activities were carried out for this LLR during this quarter.
1.3.3 LLR 2.3.3: Increased participation of women and indigenous people in selected municipalities
As part of coordinated activities with the DMP network of Chiquimula, and with the support of SIAF-SAG of the Ministry of Public Finance, LGP provided technical and financial assistance to carry out the workshop “Preparing the 2013 Budget: Estimating Municipal Service Costs (Module 1 of 3) addressed to DAFIM, DMP, and OMM staff. LGP promotes participation of OMMs in these workshops to encourage them to assume their corresponding technical role so that municipalities may better respond to the demands of women in the municipio.
On April 17, LGP provided technical and financial assistance to carry out the four-hour workshop “Organization and Citizen Participation” addressed to female leaders of Esquipulas. A group of 42 people attended, 39 of them women, including a municipal council member.
LGP agreed to provide technical and financial assistance to carry out the CMM election in June; it took place on June 7. The aforementioned municipal council member agreed to swear in the elected commission in the following COMUDE meeting. A group of 49 people attended (48 women).
Obstacles
Normal activities in Jalapa have not been resumed yet, one reason being, the new staff has not fully assumed their positions and duties. Additionally, unrest and violent incidents in the municipio forced USAID to suspend travel to Jalapa, for security reasons. Once normality is restored, field work will resume.
Monjas continues to pose challenges for LGP. The first COMUDE meeting in two years took place upon encouragement of LGP. However, citizen participation continues to be as weak as in previous quarters and lack of political will of authorities and commitment from the DMP Director is still evident.
In Concepción Las Minas, authorities and officers seem unwilling to implement LGP proposals which has interfered in setting up the COMUDE. All efforts to do so have been useless and LGP currently questions the convenience of continuing to provide technical assistance to this municipio.
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Sansare is experiencing complications. The population and the mayor continue to disagree on the legality of election results and await the Constitutional Court’s decision. In the meantime, LGP and municipal work coordination has been impossible.
1.4 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
1.4.1 Coordination with other donors, partners, and/or USAID Projects
There are no special activities to be reported during this quarter.
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2.0 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES: GENDER, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2.1 GENDER AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
LGP continues to focus technical and financial assistance on strengthening and training municipal CMMs directly or through OMMs.
LGP resumed strengthening activities in the Mancomunidad Copanch’orti’. However, turnover among gender issues staff interfered with initial activities. LPG efforts shifted to SEPREM and SEGEPLAN delegations instead in an attempt to organize Chiquimula’s OMM network.
At department level, LGP provided technical assistance to the Chiquimula OMM network so they may participate in the Chiquimula DMP network meetings.
On May 30, LGP provided technical and financial assistance, in coordination with SEPREM and SEGEPLAN, to carry out a workshop to analyze duties assigned to OMM within the reforms to the Municipal Code. The Chiquimula OMM department network was integrated and the first meeting scheduled for June 15, with LGP support. A group of 16 people attended (all women), representing 9 out of 11 municipios of the department.
On June 15, in coordination with SEPREM, LGP provided technical and financial assistance to hold the first meeting of the OMM network to work on the OMM administrative manual. Of the 27 people attending, 26 were women, representing all 11 municipios of the department.
At municipal and community level, during this quarter LGP trained women leaders of Esquipulas in the workshop “Organization and Citizen Participation”. The Municipal Commission for Women was elected and its swearing-in scheduled for the following COMUDE meeting.
Parallel to field work in the target municipios of Guatemala’s eastern region, LGP provided technical assistance to ANAM to organize the National Meeting of Municipal Offices for Women (OMM), to be held on July 19 and 20, 2012. This meeting aims to promote an experience exchange among OMM and to introduce food and nutritional security as an OMM priority. The event involves coordinating ANAM with AGAAI, SEPREM (Secretaría Presidencial para la Mujer), and SESAN (Secretaría de SAN).
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To reinforce inclusion of indigenous peoples, ANAM decided to invite AGAAI’s recently elected President to all its board meetings, so activities of both associations resume coordination.
2.2 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On March12, LGP’s COP visited nine tourist sites of Estanzuela to assess their tourism potential. The results of this assessment were presented on May 9, in coordination with the Red Nacional de Grupos Gestores. Carlos Arenas, advisor to Grupos Gestores, lectured participants on sustainable tourism. One conclusion reached was that, although there is culture and nature tourism potential in Estanzuela, the place cannot support high tourism rates (the total population is only 7,000 inhabitants). It is unlikely that tourism alone could provide sufficient income or jobs to be the municipio’s economic engine.
During the same visit, the Feed the Future Coordinator assessed the municipio’s agro-industrial potential. She and the COP visited existing projects currently producing improved-seed corn, moringa, okra, processed mango, artisan cheese and other dairy products, as well as a group of local women embroiderers. Municipality and Grupos Gestores staff will provide complementary information that could not be collected during this visit. LGP is currently working on the LED plan for Estanzuela and overall results will be presented during the last quarter of the current fiscal year.
On April 25, 2012, upon request of USAID, the COP presented an integrated LED/SAN development approach before members of Congress belonging to the SAN Commission and guest mayors. USAID aims for participants to assume the same approach to LED/SAN and this approach may be considered within the legal reforms to be promoted by this Commission.
LGP continues to support Mancomunidad Copán Chort’i in its search for private investment to develop call centers or maquilas (apparel factories) in the region. On June 12, they contacted Rubén Morales, Export Services Manager of AGEXPORT, to request he promote interest among potential investors.
AGEXPORT informed that Transactel is interested in the Chortí area, but would need further information on security, transportation, connectivity, electricity infrastructure, and qualified manpower.
Transactel is interested in initially setting up a call center operation in Spanish, then incorporating English, as the Technological Institute of the Copán Chortí region becomes capable in training bilingual persons.
LGP team members participated in a local economic development workshop organized by DEMUCA, intended to promote an inter-institutional policy to highlight LED as a basic strategy for sustainable development.
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3.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION
3.1 M&E QUARTERLY REPORT
LGP’s M&E Plan contains 10 indicators; five are reported quarterly (2, 5, 6, 8, and 9); the remaining three are reported, annually (1, 3, and 7). Indicator four will be reported in Year Three and indicator 10 was only reported in Year Two.
Indicator 2. USG FACTS 2.1: Number of Sub-National Governments receiving USG assistance to increase their annual own-source revenue
According to the target for Year 3, the Project would provide technical and financial assistance to 13 municipalities. To date, technical assistance is being provided to increase own source revenue to all 13 municipalities served by the project.
During this quarter, technical and financial assistance continued for San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, San Jacinto, Concepción Las Minas, and Estanzuela to increase IUSI collection (See LLR 2.1.2 IUSI Project).
LGP proposals had a positive impact on improving revenue. Collection in all four municipalities has been properly managed and, as a result, by June 2012, it has exceeded 100% of collection reported for all of 2011 in some services.
In Concepción Las Minas, further database filtering eliminated 97 non-existing entries and delinquency figures were reduced by over Q80,000.00
To date, the mayor has approved three billings for water services, resulting in improved collection levels. Cumulative water collection has exceeded 100% and IUSI is currently 95% of 2011 overall figures. Despite progress, delinquent users persist, particularly in IUSI tax payment.
Estanzuela has the highest number of recorded users. The mayor approved LGP’s proposal to issue a “Unified Statement of Account” that contains all registered services for any given user. This allows improved overall, instead of separate, collection for services (water, IUSI, municipal taxes).
The Municipal Affairs Court officer is now in charge of collection and has received technical assistance by the IUSI coordinator.
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán continues to make progress in collecting and identifying municipal services. Joint work between the IUSI coordinator and the municipal technician, supported by plumbers’ field work, achieved identification of 48 illegal connections, 20 of them in the municipal capital. Similarly, 147 non-registered businesses were identified, 29 of them in the municipal capital. These have now initiated their legal registration in the municipality.
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LGP’sIUSI coordinator also provided technical assistance to the Municipal Affairs Court officer of this municipality to follow-up on collection. By mid-June, cumulative collection was 51% of 2011 for water services and 75% for IUSI. This trend anticipates positive results by the end of 2012.
San Jacinto shows the highest collection levels. By mid-June, cumulative collection was 107% of 2011 for water, 94% for IUSI, and 67% for municipal taxes. A municipal technician has consistently been issuing and distributing bills. Digitizing of GIS layers is complete and collection activities are taking place smoothly and without resistance from the population.
(See LLR 2.1.2 IUSI Project).
Indicator 5. Number of strategic or development plans strengthened through participatory means
For Year 3, the Project will assist in designing, modifying, or updating at least three strategic or development plans.
LGP continues to work in coordination with government agencies and municipalities to complete municipal development plans – PDM. With the Chiquimula SEGEPLAN delegate, work began to design the department’s SAN (Food & Nutritional Security) plan, while taking into account municipal PDMs and guidelines contained in the government’s “Hambre Cero” (No Hunger) program, as well as the guide developed by LGP.
Progress was made with San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán’s PDM: the new municipal authorities have now reviewed it and suggested modifications.
Progress with the Sansare PDM remains stalled until the Constitutional Court issues a resolution regarding the elected mayor’s standing.
Municipal authorities and officers have not completed the review and approval process of the Jalapa and Monjas PDMs. Without said approval, LGP cannot proceed to the next stage (printing and distribution).
Work continued during this quarter to formulate the Estanzuela LED plan and to develop the concept of “territorial brand” for the municipio, promoted by the municipality and Grupos Gestores. (See LLR 2.1.5).
Indicator 6. USG FACTS 2.2: Number of individuals who received USG assisted training, including management skills and fiscal management, to strengthen local government and/or decentralization
According to the LGP M&E Plan, the Project will train a total of 1,772 persons (688 women, equivalent to 30%, and 1,034 men) during Year 3.
During the first quarter of Year 3, LGP trained a total of 982 persons (46% women), as the following table shows. From October 1, 2011 to date, LGP has trained 3,215 people (917 women).
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LGP Indicator 6 USF FACTS 2.2: Number of individuals who receive USG-assisted training, including management skills and fiscal management, to strengthen local government and /or decentralization (April- June 2012 )
Start and end dates/ No. Target group Women Men Total of Name of the training Place participants program/Field of study (male/ female) Workshop: Municipal Members of the 1 Chiquimula, March 27 Services DMP network 13 12 25 Workshop: Government Procurement Law and Municipal 2 Jalapa, Jalapa, March 28 Regulations and the Officers Guatecompras system. 5 4 9 3 Workshop: Municipal Jalapa, March 28 12 9 21 public services and 4 customer service Jalapa, March 29 19 3 22 Workshop: Citizen Municipal Esquipulas,Chiquimula April 5 organization and Officers 17 participation 38 4 42 Workshop: Preparing the Esquipulas, Chiquimula May 6 2013 Municipal Budgets 24 & 25 19 27 46 Workshop: COCODES Miembros del San Juan Ermita, 7 and their duties COCODE Chiquimula, May 22 19 21 40 Workshop: Importance COCODE 8 and duties of community Estanzuela, Zacapa, May 25 members mayors 9 15 24 9 Regional Workshop to Rio Hondo, Zacapa, May 30 Exchange Experience IUSI related 5 18 23 municipal officers Regional Workshop to 10 and technical staff Rio Hondo, Zacapa, May 30 Exchange Experience 4 1 5 COCODE and COMUDE 11 workshops held during 11 members and April and May in Estanzuela, municipal Zacapa technical staff 67 61 128 26 workshops held during Workshops held by the 12 April and May in Mancomunidad de Nor- Esquipulas 74 140 214 Oriente with a LGP 11 workshops held during donation: Democracy and 13 April and May in Empowerment Río Hondo 52 53 105
13 workshops held during 14 April and May in
El Progreso 21 25 46 17 workshops held during 15 April and May in
Zacapa 92 101 193 Workshop: Exchanging Experiences on drinking Municipal Río Hondo Zacapa, June 20 16 water services at Officers & 21 municipal level 3 21 24 Officers of San 17 Cristóbal Hotel El Atlántico, June 19 Acasaguastlán 0 7 7 Workshop: Municipal Estanzuela Legislation Municipal 18 Hotel El Atlántico, June 22 Council and officers 2 6 8
TOTAL OF PEOPLE TRAINED 454 528 982
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Training activities carried out by Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente and funded through an LGP small grant began during this quarter. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity and leadership of men and women to provide opportunities and freedom of democratic participation in decision-making that affects development in their region. The project promotes equal opportunities in citizen participation for men and women in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, Zacapa, Río Hondo, San Jacinto, Esquipulas, and Estanzuela. LGP will ensure legal mechanisms for citizen participation and gender equity are respected and applied.
A total of 78 workshops were carried out during this quarter in communities selected by Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente, organized in 5 regions: Estanzuela (11 workshops), Esquipulas (26), Río Hondo (11), El Progreso (13), and Zacapa (17). Workshops are mainly addressed to municipal technical staff and members of COCODEs and COMUDEs.
It is important to mention that the high impact training activities carried out by ANAM nationwide, reported previously, have resulted in specific requests from municipalities for additional workshops on various legal and financial topics pertaining to municipal activities, the most frequent being:
Municipal legal framework Compliance with municipal financial norms Interpreting and applying the Government Procurement Law
Training workshops were held in the following localities during this quarter:
1. Quetzaltenango 2. Palencia 3. San Pablo El Rodeo 4. La Nueva Concepción 5. Jalapa 6. Escuintla 7. Estanzuela
LGP carried out 91 training workshops during the April-June quarter. This includes training activities with Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente’s grant. For this report, 18 of these will be reported because training workshops delivered by Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente were grouped into regions. All workshops were evaluated using a pre- and post- survey which provided information on women participation, effectiveness, relevance, and satisfaction of participants, as the following table shows.
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Table 1: Results from LGP surveyed training workshops held April to June 2012
Total Atten- Female % of previous % of User % Total Training workshop*/ dance partici- knowledge applicability 3/ satisfaction Women participant (average) pants 1/ 4/ s 1/ Pre 2/ Post 2/ Pre 3/ Post 3/ Pre Post
LGP Surveyed training workshops No. Workshop: Municipal Services 1 Chiquimula, March 27 18 10,0 56% 0% 89% 89% 94% 100% 17 18 Workshop: Government Procurement Law and Regulations and the Guatecompras system . Jalapa, Jalapa, 2 March 28 9 5,0 56% 11% 100% 100% 100% 100% 9 9 Workshop: Municipal public services and 3 customer service. Jalapa March 28 21 11,0 52% 19% 100% 95% 86% 95% 21 20 Workshop: Municipal public services and 4 customer service. Jalapa, March 29. 22 18,0 82% 0% 100% 100% 91% 100% 22 22 Workshop: Citizen organization and participation . Esquipulas, Chiquimula 5 April 17 39 37 95% 8% 95% 87% 95% 87% 39 39 Workshop: Preparing the 2013 Municipal Budgets . Esquipulas, Chiquimula, May 6 24 & 25. 45 20 44% 13% 98% 98% 87% 93% 46 43 Workshop: COCODES and their duties. 7 .San Juan Ermita, Chiquimula , May 22 31 14 45% 6% 81% 84% 74% 68% 31 31 Workshop: Importance and duties of community mayors , Estanzuela, Zacapa, 8 May 25 22 9 41% 18% 100% 95% 91% 100% 21 22 Regional Workshop to Exchange Experience among IUSI related municipal staff and technical staff. Rio Hondo, 9 Zacapa, May 30 23 5 22% 26% 96% 87% 87% 96% 23 23 Regional Workshop to Exchange Experience among IUSI related municipal staff and technical staff. Rio Hondo, 10 Zacapa, May 30 5 4 80% 0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 5 5
Grant to Mancomunidad Nororiente. 11 ESTANZUELA (11 community workshops) 70 41 59% 44% 96% 96% 93% 93% 72 67 Grant to Mancomunidad Nororiente. ESQUIPULAS ( 26 community 12 workshops) 170 70 41% 39% 94% 94% 97% 38% 171 170 Grant to Mancomunidad Nororiente. RIO 13 HONDO (11 community workshops ) 74 42 57% 23% 93% 91% 88% 93% 70 71 Grant to Mancomunidad Nororiente. EL 14 PROGRESO (13 community workshops) 132 72 55% 38% 88% 80% 90% 89% 132 131 Grant to Mancomunidad Nororiente. 15 ZACAPA (17 community workshops) 201 51 25% 23% 93% 92% 91% 87% 194 205 Workshop: Exchanging Experiences on drinking water services at municipal level . 16 Río Hondo Zacapa, June 20 & 21. 22 3 14% 9% 100% 95% 95% 95% 23 21 Workshop: Municipal Legislation . Officers of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán. Hotel El 17 Atlántico June 19 6 0 0% 33% 100% 100% 100% 100% 6 7
Workshop: Municipal Legislation. Municipal Council and Officers of 18 Estanzuela. Hotel El Atlántico, June 22 8 2 25% 63% 100% 100% 100% 100% 8 8
SUB TOTAL 918 414 45% 27% 93% 91% 92% 81% 910 912
3/ Refers to participants’ expectations regarding applicability of the training topics. 4/Based on the question: Would you recommend this workshop to other persons? Source: Prepared by LGP based on pre and post surveys collected after each of the workshops delivered during the April- June quarter.
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 53 It is important to mention that low schooling and illiteracy among indiggenous participants in the workshops accounts for differences in the number of pre- and post- evaluations and the number of attendees, particularly in Estanzuela, Esquipulas, Río Hondo, El Progreso, and Zacapa, where Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente currently carries out training activities with LGP funding.
Among the 918 pre-and post-evaluation forms completed in the 18 training workshops, 45% were done by women.
Female participation in the training woorkshops evaluated April – June 2012
45% 55%
Men Women
Source: LGP records
Training activities during this quarter focused on: municipal public services and customer service, the Government Procurement Law & Regulations and the Guatecompras system, citizen organization and participation, preparation of 2013 municipal budgets, duties of the COCODE and community mayors, IUSI, drinking water services, and municipal legislation. Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente focused on democracy and empowerment.
The following graph highlights female participation in each of the training workshops. See Table 1, where workshops are listed.
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 54 Women Participation in workshops evaluated April – June 2012
201 200 170
150 132
100 70 74
45 50 39 31 18 21 22 22 23 22 9 5 6 8 0 12345678 910111213 14 15 16 17 18
Workshops held under subcontract with Manncomunidad del Nororiente Workshops held directly by LGP
Source: LGP pre- and post- training evalluation slips
Survey results were also helpful to determine the level of perceived effectiveness of the training: participants were asked how much they knew before and affter the workshop. As a result, for the 18 workshops evaluated, 27% responded they had “considerable or some” knowledge on the subject, compared to 93% that reported knowledge gained by the end of the training. The following table shows results reported for each workshop.
Perceived effectiveness of LGP training workkshops April – June 2012
180% 160% 100% 140% 100% 96%94% 100% 120% 100% 96% 88% 100% 98% 93% 93% 100% 100% 100% 95% 100% 80% 89% 81% 60% 63% 44% 40% 39% 38% 33% 20% 19% 18% 26% 23% 23% 11% 13% 9% 0% 0% 0% 8% 6% 0% 1 23456789101112 13 14 15 16 17 18
Post-training knowledge Pre-training knowledge
Fuente: boletas pre/post capacitación PGL
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Similarly, participants evaluated applicability of knowledge acquired during the workshops. They were asked to indicate their expectations on pre-and post- evaluation slips. Results showed 90% responding before the workshop that they would apply acquired knowledge in their jobs. At the end of the workshop, 92% ratified they would use acquired knowledge on the job.
Relevance of LGP training workshops April – June 2012
250%
100% 200% 94% 91% 100% 100% 100% 95% 93% 97% 95% 87% 91% 88% 91% 86% 87% 90% 150% 74%
100% 95% 100% 100% 100% 98% 96% 92% 95% 100% 89% 100% 84% 87% 94% 91% 87% 95% 80% 50%
0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Post-training applicability Pre-training applicability
Source: LGP pre- and post- training evaluation slips
Another aspect assessed in all 18 workshops was participant satisfaction level, with 81% responding on post-evaluation slips that they would recommend the workshops to other people.
Level of satisfaction, expressed in percentages April – June 2012 110
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 95 96 95 93 93 93 95 90 89 87 87 80
70 68 60
50
40 38 30
Source: LGP pre- and post- training evaluation slips
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 56 Indicator 8. Number of services provided by ANAM to its members
The Project’s target for Year 3 is to assist ANAM in providing 300 service actions (consultations) to members. During this quarter of Year 3,, ANAM provided 422 service actions to members, classified as follows: 209 legal, 131 communication, and 82 financial.
Indicator 8 Types of services provided by ANAM to its members April- June 2012
422 450 400 350 300 250 209 200 131 150 82 100 50 0 Legal Communication Financial Total services provided
Source: LGP records
The following table details all service actions provided by ANAM during the quarter.
Indicator 8 Types of services provided by ANAM to its members monthly April- June 2012
Services Provided April May June Total Services
Financial 22 31 29 82 Communication 8 63 60 131 Legal 63 73 73 209
Total 93 167 162 422
Source: LGP records
GUATEMALA LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT (APRIL-JUNE, 2012) 57 As evident in the table above, in April, ANAM provided 93 financial, communication, and legal service actions to members; in May, 167; and 162 in June. Four advisors were hired during this quarter (two legal, one financial, and one communication). It is important to mention that LGP keeps a database and physical files of all service actions provided by ANAM to its members.
Indicator 8 Types of services provided by ANAM to its members April- June 2012
80 73 73 April 70 May 63 60 63 June 60 50
40 31 29 30 22 20 8 10 0 Financial Communication Legal
Source: LGP records
Providing legal, financial, and communication assistance seervices continues to be an important mechanism ANAM uses to approach municipalities. During this quarter, 209 legal, 221 communication, and 445 financial service actions were reported. The most frequent requests, per service category, are the following:
Legal and judicial
Labor issues resulting from dismissals Writing regulations for municipal services Payment agreements with the social security institute (IGSS) for delinquent municipal accounts Seizure of bank accounts as a result of municipal debts and delinquent IGSS fees Proper interpretation of the Ley de Contrataciones del Estado (government procurement regulations)
Financial
Correct application of buudget line items Increasing own-source revenue Correct application of government procurement regulations Hiring temporary or permanent municipal staff
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Evacuating hearings related to findings of the Comptrollership of Accounts
Communication
Daily monitoring of media communication Preparing the weekly bulletin “ANAM informa” Reinforcing communication and ANAM’s institutional image Advice to municipalities regarding communication with the media
Selling stands during ANAM events has proven a profitable LGP recommendation to ANAM’s business plan. However, since no large events took place this quarter, focus shifted to reducing associates’ delinquent accounts.
ANAM’s collection efforts succeeded with three municipalities that updated membership fees:
Santa Cruz Balanyá, Chimaltenango Q12,000.00 Ocós, San Marcos Q 8,000.00 San Miguel Acatán, Huehuetenango Q14,000.00
Malacatancito, Huehuetenango is willing to pay its debt to ANAM and is currently analyzing whether it may do so in a single payment or if it will subscribe a payment agreement.
Current ANAM services have contributed in making municipalities more willing to update their accounts.
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Indicator 9. Number of local mechanisms supported with USG assistance for citizens to engage their sub-national government [USAID Guatemala PMP Custom Indicator]
The LGP/M&E monitoring plan targets 30 local citizen participation mechanisms to be supported during Year 3.
During the third quarter of Year 3, LGP provided technical assistance to carry out 13 meetings promoting citizen participation. This includes a COMUDE meeting in Camotán, three meetings in Estanzuela, one in San Cristóbal Acasaguatlán, San Jacinto, San Juan Ermita, and two in San José La Arada. One meeting was also held in Olopa, Jocotán, Monjas, and Esquipulas, in ten out of thirteen LGP target municipios in the region, as shown in the table below.
Indicator 9 April-June 2012 Meetings supported by LGP mechanism to engage local citizen participation Amount Camotán COMUDE 1 Estanzuela COMUDE 3 San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán COMUDE 1 San Jacinto COMUDE 1 San Juan Ermita COMUDE 1 San José La Arada COMUDE 2 Olopa COMUDE 1 Jocotán COMUDE 1 Monjas COMUDE 1 Esquipulas COMUDE 1 TOTAL MEETINGS SUPPORTED BY LGP 13
Source: LGP records
During this quarter, assistance was provided to 21 citizen participation mechanisms, including: 13 COMUDE: Camotán, Olopa, Estanzuela, San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, San Jacinto, San Juan Ermita, San José La Arada, Jocotán, Monjas and Esquipulas; 1 CMM: Esquipulas; 1 COMUSAN in Estanzuela; the DMP network, CODEDE and CODESAN in Chiquimula; 1 COCODE in San Juan Ermita. Assistance was also provided to LED alliances with Nor-Oriente and Copán Chortí Mancomunidades, as the following chart shows.
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Indicator 9 April – June 2012 USG FACT Number of local mechanisms supported with USG assistance for citizens to engage their sub-national government
Type of Mechanism Number CMM Esquipulas 1 COMUSAN Estanzuela 1 RED DMP Chiquimula 1 CODEDE Chiquimula 1 CODESAN Chiquimula 1 COMUDE Camotán 1 Olopa 1 Estanzuela 3 San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán 1 San Jacinto 1 San Juan Ermita 1 San José La Arada 2 Jocotán 1 Monjas 1 Esquipulas 1 COCODE San Juan Ermita 1 LED PARTNERSHIP Mancomunidad de Nororiente 1 Mancomunidad Copán Chortí 1 TOTAL 21
Source: LGP records
Main topics discussed during COMUDE meetings during this quarter include:
Estanzuela: Presentation of the Project “Promoting Citizen Participation”. Forest Incentives and Accountability Reports Monjas: First COMUDE meeting Jalapa: COMUDE duties Jocotán: Integration of the COMURED San José La Arada: Accountability report and duties of the different commissions San Jacinto: Accountability Report San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán: CODEDE 2013 Project San Juan Ermita: Accountability Report Camotán: Swearing in of COCODE board members Estanzuela: Duties of auxiliary mayors
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4.0 SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
The Project “Promoting citizen participation with gender equity”, funded by LGP’s small grants program and carried out by Mancomunidad de Nor-Oriente, began during this quarter. Its main objective is to build and strengthen participatory democracy and citizen involvement in community affairs, to overcome inequality and social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion.
Training activities are being carried out in six municipios, four of them LGP target municipios (Esquipulas, San Jacinto, Estanzuela, and San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán). The first training module, “Democracy and Empowerment” was completed. It is addressed to municipal technical staff, boards of directors of COCODEs, and COMUDEs.
The first module is delivered in four stages: (1) training workshop for municipal technical staff; (2) community workshops for COCODE boards of directors; (3) meetings with COCODE community assemblies; and (4) meetings with COMUDEs to learn about the project, its objectives, and activities.
Activities mainly involve training municipal staff in charge of COCODEs and women’s groups so they may replicate training activities at community level. So far, out of a total of 161 in the municipios where the project is carried out, 119 COCODE boards (74%) have been trained.
Replication of activities, by levels
Trainers
Municipal technical staff
COCODE boards of directors
Community Assemblies
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Woorkshop for municipal technical staff
Workshop for COCODE boards of directors (119 have been held so far).
Workshop for COCODE community assembly.. A total of 48 community assemblies have been held in 7 municipios. Although stated in the “Ley de Consejos de Desarrollo,” it is not a regular practice and citizen participation needs to be promoted.
COMUDE meeting. The COMUDE is the link between the municipal council and the COCODEs. Addressing and involving COMUDES is a project indicator. Three COMUDE meetings took place in the quarter: Estanzuela, San Cristóbal, and Esquipulas to share details about the project.
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5.0 RAPID RESPONSE FUND
Rapid Response Fund (RRF):
On March 8, 2012, USAID approved use of Rapid Response Funds to finance a consultancy service to ANAM regarding public lighting, upon request of municipalities. On March 29, USAID approved a contract for Aldo Estuardo García Morales, the engineer hired for this consultancy.
Additionally, on April 11, 2012, USAID approved use of Rapid Response Funds to purchase an ultrasonic water flow measuring device “medidor de flujo ultrasónico” for Estanzuela, Zacapa.
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6.0 TRAINING AND SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
See Section 3.0 of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for Indicator six.
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7.0 SPECIAL REPORTING
7.1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT
On June 1st, 2012, USAID approved a contract for Stephanie Williams Caballeros to fill the vacancy of the financial assistant. Mrs. Williams began working on June 11, 2012.
7.2 FINANCIAL REPORT
7.3 BUDGET REALLOCATIONS
Budget Realignment was approved by USAID on June 13, 2012.
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8.0 ACTIVITY PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER: JULY– SEPTEMBER 2012
SUB-IR 2.1: MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
LLR Main Activities Responsible LLR 2.1. 1 Assisting in the financial administration transition Municipalities use phase in the municipalities served by the project. transparent Provide technical assistance to elected authorities financial and municipal officials to ensure an appropriate Fernando management onset of financial operations in the municipalities Castañaza processes, served by the project. procedures, and Promote agreements to focus expenditures on systems improving drinking water services. Continuing technical assistance focused on expanding the tax base as a key strategy to increase own source revenue of municipalities. Promote registration of new users of municipal services and taxpayers. Strengthening the capacity of target municipalities to collect service fees and taxes, particularly IUSI. Provide technical assistance in preparing and LLR 2.1.2 All applying collection policies in selected selected municipalities. Fernando municipalities Assist municipalities in strengthening their local Castañaza sustainably legal framework in order to ease the application increase own- of a collection policy. source revenues Assist and training Municipal Affair Courts in the collection of IUSI, ordinary and delinquent taxes. Promote and supporting the implementation of a municipal clearance certificate. Assist in designing and implementing communication campaigns to facilitate collection of fees and taxes.
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Providing technical assistance for the LLR 2.1.4 Selected improvement of other basic municipal services municipalities/Ma Providing technical assistance to target Fernando ncomunidades municipalities to improve delivery of other Castañaza improve basic municipal public services. services
IUSI Project
Continue technical assistance focused on expanding the tax base as a key strategy to increase municipalities’ own source revenue.
Complete the updating of the SIAF user and taxpayers' registry in the municipalities served by the IUSI project. Promote the use of a single Municipal Identification Number (NIM) applicable to both registries of users and taxpayers. Promote registration of new users of municipal services and taxpayers. Provide technical and financial assistance to design and implement a communication strategy that will support updating of records and payment of services and taxes (local consultancy). LLR 2.1.2: All selected Provide technical assistance to prepare and apply municipalities collection policies in selected municipalities Hector Solis sustainably increase (possible alliance with SAT). own-source revenues Provide technical assistance to municipalities to strengthen their local legal framework in order to ease the application of a collection policy. Assist and train Municipal Affair Courts in the collection of IUSI, as well as ordinary and delinquent taxes. Promote and support the implementation of a municipal clearance certificate
Implement in selected municipalities a multi-use geographic information system, as a basic tool for the graphic administration of municipal services.
Provide technical assistance in generating and digitizing information layers of issues related to municipal management. Provide training on how to use the GIS to support collection policies, planning, resource allocation, and municipal decision making. Promote responsible municipal indebtedness practices. LLR 2.1.3: Municipalities practice Assist ANAM in advocating for the restructuring of Jorge Escoto and responsible Fernando Espina municipal debt and changes in current legislation. indebtedness
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Promote improvement in water chlorination systems in order to comply with the legislation in force.
Train operators of production, distribution, and treatment systems in best operation & maintenance practices, (emphasizing chlorination, control, and monitoring).
Promote improvement in coverage of the water systems in order to achieve satisfactory levels of pressure and continuous flow.
Provide technical assistance in selected Marco Vinicio municipalities intended to improve operational Ochoa LLR 2.1.4: Selected efficiency (pressure and continuous flow) of water Fernando municipalities/ systems in urban areas of the selected Castañaza mancomunidades municipalities (local consultancy). improve basic services
(According to work plan Promote financial sustainability of water services for year 3) provided by selected municipalities.
Provide technical assistance to selected municipalities to make collection of water service fees more efficient.
Providing technical assistance for the improvement of other basic municipal services.
Provide technical assistance to selected municipalities to improve delivery of other municipal public services.
Some of the activities will be carried out during the nex t quarter, as the report indicates. Assist selected municipalities in designing economic LLR 2.1.5: development plans. Municipalities improve the enabling Integrated development plans completed in each Roberto Rodríguez environment for local selected municipality/Mancomunidad. Jorge Escoto economic development Increase public and private capabilities for the promotion of an integrated LED/SAN approach.
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SUB-IR 2.2 : MORE EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LOCAL CITIZEN PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
LLR Tasks Responsible
Provide technical assistance to ANAM in developing the agenda and methodology, as well as finance the Extraordinary Assembly.
Provide technical and financial assistance for ANAM’s and AGAAI’s permanent Board meetings.
Assist ANAM in the implementation of the Mesas Regionales de Diálogo, in coordination with AGAAI and other donors on municipal matters.
Provide technical and financial assistance for the permanent meetings of the Instancia Municipalista in coordination with other donors. LLR 2.2.1: Municipal Support the Instancia Municipalista’s advocacy before the Commission associations for Municipal Affairs at Congress regarding fulfillment of the Municipal Fernando Espina, effectively Agenda. Jiny Moreno & represent their Jorge Escoto constituencies Support the Instancia Municipalista’s advocacy before the new government (Executive Branch) regarding fulfillment of commitments assumed during the 2011 electoral process.
Support the inclusion of gender and indigenous people’s issues in the national dialogue through the roundtables the Instancia Municipalista participates in.
Advise the Instancia Municipalista in the signing of cooperation agreements, letters of understanding, etc. with national key actors (MinFin, Contraloría General de Cuentas, INFOM, CAM, SCEP, SEGEPLAN, etc.)
Provide technical and financial assistance to ANAM in completing its management reorganization as approved by the Board, as part of the reengineering proposal financed by the Project (purchase order to ANAM).
LLR 2.2.2: ANAM Advice regarding the development and approval of manuals and Fernando Espina, is financially internal regulations of ANAM intended to consolidate its Jiny Moreno & capable to carry administrative structure. (Internal Regulations, Job Description Manual, Jorge Escoto out its mission Per diem Regulation Manual, and Recruitment and Selection Manual).
Support the implementation of a policy to reduce arrears of ANAM members, as recommended by the business plan.
Provide technical assistance to ANAM to promote a legal reform that transfers tax funds to ANAM.
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LLR Tasks Responsible
Continue to provide technical and financial assistance to strengthen ANAM's capacity to provide legal and judicial representation services (purchase order to ANAM).
Provide technical and financial assistance to ANAM in the implementation of financial advising services to municipalities (purchase order to ANAM).
Provide technical and financial assistance to ANAM in strengthening the Public Information Units of municipalities, emphasizing those served by the Project (purchase order to ANAM).
Finance for ANAM advisory services for the implementation of communication strategies of municipalities (purchase order to ANAM).
Provide technical assistance in developing ANAM`s capacity to promote best practices (identification of best practices, peer to peer exchange programs, and workshops). LLR 2.2.3: ANAM Fernando Espina, improves service Provide technical assistance to ANAM in the development of Jiny Moreno& delivery capacity workshops or lectures on reforms to the municipal legal framework. Jorge Escoto
Improve ANAM's capacity to inform municipalities about activities it holds, issues affecting municipal activities, and relevant municipal news (purchase order to ANAM).
Improve ANAM's capacity to provide advisory services to the mancomunidades by creating a client service department for that purpose.
Advise ANAM in the follow-up of trained municipal authorities, officials, and employees.
Provide technical assistance to ANAM in implementing a training and knowledge management department.
Advise ANAM in developing its training plan.
Support ANAM in implementing its training plan.
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SUB-IR 2.3: MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND OVERSIGHT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING
LLR Main Activities Responsible
LLR 2.3.1: Mechanisms for
citizen Strengthen citizen participation mechanisms and Roberto participation capacity of local organizations to implement such Rodríguez strengthened in mechanisms each selected municipality
LLR 2.3.2: Improved public communication mechanisms at No activities are scheduled next quarter for this
the local level LLR. regarding municipal processes
LLR 2.3.3: Increased participation of Increased participation of women and indigenous Roberto women and people in selected municipalities. Rodríguez indigenous people in selected municipalities
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9. ANNEXES/OTHER REPORTS
There are no annexes to this report.
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