A BREAKTHROUGH IN DATA GATHERING, MAPPING NAPC uses mobile devices to document communities

Considered as a breakthrough in data gathering and mapping, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has introduced the use of mobile devices to accelerate the process of conducting the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) and generate immediate data that can be used by local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders. CBMS is one of the tools developed specifically to help LGUs in locating who and where the poor are. It is an organized process of data collection, processing and consolidated into useful information relevant for policymaking, program implementation and targeting, among others. Called Rapid CBMS Technology, this tool works by using mobile devices such as tablets or cellular phones to collect important data from the field using the usual interview method, answers of respondents are automatically be inputted in these devices which are automatically saved and consolidated into a data bank program. Before the Rapid CBMS Technology, a tedious and time-consuming process of using pencil and paper was the usual method for data collection but with this user-friendly instrument, a paper-less and faster approach is looming. The Rapid CBMS, however, is more than just data collection tool that will replace paper-based questionnaires. It also includes other functions such as mapping of location of households which would be helpful in generating poverty maps of the communities. Just recently, the NAPC saw success when it pilot tested this technology in the conduct of CBMS in the municipalities of Matnog in Sorsogon and Sta. Elena in Camarines, Norte. Instead of using paper and pencil, trained enumerators used Android mobile units where the questionnaires are loaded. The information gathered were sent to a server which served as the repository of the generated data. What’s so important about the use of this technology is that aside from expediting the entire CBMS process and subsequently reducing the cost of implementation, it also minimizes if not eliminates errors during data collection by reducing intermediate steps. Usually, it takes about 6 months to one year and in some cases more than one year to conduct a census of all households in a locality and have validated data that can already be used for planning programming and budgeting, in most instances, the availability of validated CBMS data/information does not meet the budgeting and programming schedule of LGUs. Thus most often than not the programs, targets and activities set for the upcoming year does not fully reflect the needs and problems of the community. Equally important also is the partnership developed among the implementing agencies and LGUs. The NAPC shoulders the training expenses, provides the technical support for the implementation of the project and the maintenance/ troubleshooting of the units used in the survey, the downloading software and the laptop server unit which will serve as the repository of the generated data. On the other hand, the LGUs assist in the hiring of enumerators, provide the mobilization and travelling expenses incurred during the activity, monitor, supervise and give adequate support services while the barangays are tasked to provide food and accommodation for the enumerators during the data collection in their barangay. Spearheaded by the NAPC, in close partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the CBMS Network, the Rapid CBMS is expected to provide immediate information on the development problems in the communities, present a multidimensional poverty data and maps on all households in the country that would identify who and where the poor are. In this manner, the government can accurately target the exact beneficiaries of poverty reduction programs and projects identify development interventions that would truly address the welfare gaps in the communities which will help LGUs in formulating an evidence-based budgeting that would create an efficient allocation of limited resources. (JSABDAO)