Systematic Adjudication in Leyte

For the last two and a half years I have been based in Leyte with the LAMP2 operations as the International Adviser for Systematic Adjudication. Over these years there has been some tremendous achievements made.

Coming into this position (September 2005 when LAMP was in a transition between phase 1 and phase 2) the field operations for systematic adjudication were in their infancy. At this time there were two Systematic Adjudication Teams (SATs) in operation and the outputs and productivity levels for these SATs were not high. With LAMP2 came a change in focus from a learning and innovations phase to a focus on expanding the operations of systematic adjudication and meeting output targets while maintaining quality and adhering to prescribed procedures.

It has been during this time (2006-2008) that there are two standout achievements for systematic adjudication in the Philippines-Australian Land Administration and Management Project. The first key achievement was to increase the outputs and ensure quality of field works remains high. This achievement has been exemplified with the outputs from the SATs in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 there were two SATs in operation and the titling achieved for the year was just above 2500. While in 2007, the province of Leyte embarked upon an expansion program that saw two additional SATs being deployed and the output of 7700 titles for the year. This increase in outputs heralded changes in management focus and instilled a self-belief in field staff and provincial managers that systematic adjudication can be applied in an operational mode.

The second key achievement during this time was the successful development and undertaking of an intense immersion training program for all new recruits. The project has developed an operations manual and standard training curriculum and materials based on competency based learning principles. This training program provided all new recruits for the SATs with a 6 week training program covering many subjects from what is land administration, the guiding principles of monitoring and evaluation, the application of social and environmental safeguards in LAMP to the job and position specific training. This training program in Leyte is now supporting operations for other provinces and also for the innovations support fund (local government units undertaking activities for improved land tenure security) and will be a good basis for future development of the Leyte Resource Centre for Land Tenure Security.

On a personal note, after nearly 7 years abroad it is time to take a break and spend some time back home with family and friends in Australia for a while. I am taking leave to pursue a Masters of Social Science (Environment and Planning) at RMIT. It will also be an opportune time for me to prepare and plan for our wedding next year. The past two and half years have been thoroughly enjoyable with many a friendship developed. It has been especially enjoyable to work with such dedicated, intelligent and friendly people as Hernani Delos Reyes (the PENRO for Leyte and Project Manager for LAMP at Leyte), Winston Solite (the Deputy Project Manager at Leyte), Engineer Lito Castanares (the Operations Chief for the SATs), Engineer Noemi Ponferrada (Head of the Technical Services Unit at Leyte). To all the staff at PPIO and the OSS of Leyte I truly wish you all the very best. And to the many technical advisors who had the pleasure of being based and working at Leyte- I say thank you for the good times and happy days. A special mention must be made to Mr Eusebio Panganiban (Mono) and Mr Nick Roxas our dedicated local experts. And last but not least, a huge thank you to the administration and support staff at Leyte. Without Reggie, Leah, Junal and Lemuel the office would not function and work in Leyte would be just that much more difficult.