DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Participatory Process - perhaps its most unique and important feature is the emphasis on a truly participatory process at every stage of its operation. Its working relationship and its clientele is based on a "partner-beneficiary" perspective. That is, people not the issues are the primary focus.

Promotes Partnerships - the promotion of partnerships is institutionalized within its organizational and operational processes. It has established "collaborative partnerships" with government organizations, non-government/people's organizations, the private sector, and the communities. And in the process, implemented several "collaborative projects" whereby it acts as the primary facilitator benefiting its clientele as well as the community.

Building Community Organizational Skills & Networks - most often, after conducting skills trainings it encourages participants to undertake a project on a "group management" scheme. And in the process, participants learn commitment, how to establish individual responsibilities, and how to remain activity oriented. These are precursor to deal with other community issues and with other government or private entities in fostering mutual understanding and appreciation amongst them, thus, reducing duplication and contradictory efforts.

Internal Organization and Management - it bolsters confidence through transparency. Its records are open and information freely disseminated to its clientele and the public at large. Its management and staff are conscientious about maintaining integrity, capability, and sound management practices in order to uphold the trust and confidence of community members. It also provided assistance to other LGUs in replicating its programs and projects.

BASIC PROCEDURE AND PROCESSES

Program/Project Development - primarily based on results of researches or surveys combined with appropriate planning. (tailored to actual needs).

Client Identification/Selection - it depends on the program being accessed or implemented. (specific on a per program/project basis).

Prioritization - the following variables are considered: a) urgency to address the issue, b) level of community preparedness,

and c) number of beneficiaries.

Periodic/Regular Monitoring - constant evaluation measures its effectiveness and to enable the institution of corrective measures or to make the necessary adjustments, if any, to insure its success.

WORKING PHILOSOPHIES

Community Organization as the Major Mechanism - communities are  central to its development strategy and community organizational development is its primary vehicle to achieve long-term development. Activities under this are geared toward allowing:

a)  pooling of resources to reach goals that cannot be achieved by individual initiatives;

b)  collective undertakings to improve the welfare of the group as  a whole and enable the to better

endure and overcome hardships that may befall them; and

c)  collective stand to enable them to have their views and concerns heard in the multi-

dimensional socio-political and economic arena.

Credit as a Catalyst - access to credit plays an important role in poverty alleviation.  It helps to level the playing field, so to speak. However, providing loans at reasonable interest rates should not be an end in itself, rather, it should be a:

a)  means of developing the potentials of the beneficiaries;

b)  a powerful mechanism to strengthen their capacities in dealing with their own development

process; and

c)  means to build their capacity for self-improvement, self-reliance, and self-management in their

personal lives, businesses, and communities.

Community Development Should Reinforce Self-Reliance - community development should ultimately lead to self-reliance. The development process should gradually support  and facilitate the graduation of the beneficiaries out of poverty.  Simply put, assisted self-reliance is the very heart of all its undertakings.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Employment Facilitation - focuses on the different programs of DOLE, DILG, and DPWH, it includes the following:

a )  Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES),
b )  Work Appreciation Program (WAP),
c )  Working Youth Program (WYP),
d )  Tulong Alalay sa Taong may Kapansanan (TULAY),
e )  Apprenticeship and Learnership Program (ALP),
 f )  Government Internship Program (GIP),
g )  Youth in Infrastructure Development Program (YIDP) and
h )  Local and Overseas Employment Assistance.

Livelihood Enhancement - focuses on the different programs of DTI, DSWD, DBP, LBP, and TLRC, it includes the following:

a )  Mico-enterprise Development Program (MEDP),
b )  Investment Promotion Program (IPP),
c )  Self-employment Assistance Program (SEAP),
d )  Special Credit Assistance Program (SCAP) , and
e )  Program for Countryside Economic Empowerment & Development (PROCEED).

In addition, it provides all services of the
KABUHAYAN Center program.

Cooperative Development - focuses on the different programs of CDA, it includes the following:

a )  Cooperative Development Program (CDP),
b )  KAAKIAN (Youth Cooperative Formation)
c )  KABABAIHAN (Women Cooperative Strengthening), and
d )  KINAPOBREHAN (Urban Poor Cooperative Development).

In addition, it provides all services of the
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT Center program.

Manpower Upgrading - focuses on the different programs of TESDA (formerly NMYC) , and DECS, it includes the following:

a )  Manpower Skills Training Program (MSTP), and
b )  Non-formal Education Program (NEP).

In addition, it provides all services of the
MANPOWER SKILLS Training Center program.

MULTI-SERVICE FACILITY

Community Employment Center  (CEC)  - takes care of the employment facilitation under the technical supervision of the  DOLE.

Enterprise Development Center  (EDC)  -  promotes livelihood enhancement under the technical supervision of TLRC.

Cooperative Development Center (CDC) - initiates cooperative development under the technical supervision of CDA.

Manpower Skills Training Center (MSTC) - promotes manpower upgrading under the technical supervision of TESDA.