Strengthening the National Monitoring and Evaluation System in the Philippines: February 2008

Final Process of 2008 UNGASS Country Progress Report

Maggie

The Philippines submitted inputs for National AIDS Spending Assessment, National Composite Policy Index and UNGASS indicators with comments last January 31, 2007 utilizing the Country Response Information System (CRIS) Software.

The narrative report was presented in February 5, 2008 to PNAC Executive Committee for comments and validation. Present in the meeting were Dr. Maria Pureza Fontelera (DOLE-OSHC), Cesar Montances (DILG), Thelma Oliver (PIA), Arlene Ruiz (NEDA), Glenn Cruz (TLF), Dr. Jessie Fantone (PNAC Secretariat), Noemi Leis, Emily Magharing, and Dr. Edelina dela Paz of HAIN It was also circulated among the members of UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS for comments.

In February until March 2008, the UNGASS core team responded to claficatory questions from UNAIDS Geneva and awaited additional data on the indicators. The narrative of the 2008 UNGASS Country Progress report is yet to come with the approval from the Secretary of Department of Health as the lead agency. The launching of the final report will be on last week of April 2008 through the Dissemination Forum.

The 12 Components

Create an enabling environment for the M&E system (Components 1 – 6)
1. Organizational structure with HIV M&E functions
2. Human capacity for HIV M&E
3. Partnership to plan, coordinate and manage the HIV M&E system
4. National, multi-sectoral HIV M&E Plan
5. Annual, costed HIV M&E work plan
6. Advocacy, communication and culture for HIV M&E

Generate accurate, timely, and relevant HIV data
(Components 7 – 10)
7. Surveys and surveillance
8. Routine HIV programme monitoring
9. National and sub-national HIV databases
10. Supportive supervision and data auditing

Improve HIV Evaluation and Research
(Component 11)
11. HIV evaluation and research

Using Information to Improve Results
(Component 12)
12. Data dissemination and use

The Philippine M&E System

The Philippines has gone through a rigorous process of strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system in the last two years. The CRIS was pilot tested towards fulfilling the UNGASS goals.

Among the M&E components installed or enhanced in the last three years are: 1) surveillance, 2) evaluation and research, 3) data dissemination and use, 4) M&E partnerships [linkage with UN, Global Fund, and technical advisory groups], and the installation of a National M&E officer at the PNAC Secretariat.

Surveillance in Philippines is of two kinds, passive and active. The epidemiological information system seems to be working quite well. The information is collected by the National Epidemiology Center and shared across the DOH and PNAC and UNAIDS.

The program data however, is not being collected systematically. Most implementers also do not have a system of sharing information.

Although M and E is housed within the PNAC Secretariat’s office, the flow of reports has been challenging. The reporting is hampered by the absence of a clear mandate or department orders, and is largely left to the vagaries of interest and persons.

All the agencies of the PNAC that are mandated to contribute to the national plan do not have clear work plans and allocated funds.

The challenges faced by the M&E system are the following: 1) Limited functionality of M&E structure (there is no M&E unit supporting the PNAC officer; ad-hoc or project-based M&E working group); 2) no routine programme monitoring (because either programme plans are unclear or unavailable), 3) no HIV database or databank, 4) no capacity building plan for M&E .

AMTP4 Assessment, March 2009

Collaboration

Contents

Final Process of 2008 UNGASS Country Progress Report

Google this BLOG

Three Ones

The 12 Components

M&E Products

M&E Resources

Other M&E References

The Philippine M&E System