Diaspora Philanthropy: Strengthening and Rationalizing the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Donations Program

Conceptualized by CFO in 1989, LINKAPIL was developed as a mechanism to tap the resources of overseas Filipinos to support education, health and welfare, livelihood, and small-infrastructure projects. Assistance through the LINKAPIL Program may be monetary or in-kind, in the form of donations, grants or subsidies. LINKAPIL projects are fully documented and closely monitored by CFO through a monitoring and feedback mechanism. This program feature aims to encourage transparency and boost confidence among all parties involved in the project.

However, it was observed that the program had flaws, particularly in the area of targeting and directing donations towards areas that needs it the most. The program has been donor-driven, and has not provided the necessary guidance for donations to make a significant effective impact on local development.

Thus, strengthening of the program involves linking its donor database with a poverty mapping and local projects database to rationalize diaspora giving, eliminating red-tape and facilitating the receiving and delivery of donated goods and funds, strengthening the reporting and monitoring system with emphasis on stakeholder and CSO participation, and increasing donations through aggressive networking and promotions.

A key activity will be the inclusion of the Community-based Monitoring System (CBMS) and the development of an open development projects database emanating from local government units (initially through inputs from projects such as KALAHI-CIDSS) that can provide donors with the information they need to better target their donations for greater impact. Setting up of key management tracks (like a medical missions track, or an infrastructure track) will facilitate its promotion among potential donors, promote cooperation among agencies towards the elimination of red tape and facilitate the speedy entry of donations and its transfer to appropriate beneficiaries.

Implementing Mechanism

The LINKAPIL is an existing program, but reform is necessary to strengthen the program. A dedicated LINKAPIL secretariat will be set up in CFO’s PMD, with TWGs set up when needed to support inter-agency action on key issues and concerns.

A TWG on donations have been organized recently, and will push forward mechanisms to facilitate the entry of donations and eliminate red tape. An MOA with CBMS is in the works, and integration of CBMS into CFO’s databases may be achieved within the first semester of this year (2011), with the eventual integration of multi-lateral projects (KALAHI-CIDSS) database by the end of the year. Another TWG may be instituted with the DILG, the Leagues of Cities, Provinces and Municipalities to guide the integration of Local development plans may be explored at a later date.

Link to LINKAPIL website : http://www.cfo-linkapil.org.ph/new/