Institutionalize SRP Management Office - JICA

CEBU, Philippines -  The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recommended to the Cebu City Government that the South Road Properties – Management Office (SRP-MO) be institutionalized to empower and equip the office to respond to SRP’s long-term needs.

A study commissioned by JICA showed that SRP, Cebu City’s future center of economy, has no structured organization administering it.

The study was conducted by the Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. and among its findings is that the current SRP-MO has no clearly defined Mission, Vision and Goal and has strong political influence.

This political influence, the study said, is “affecting the development (of the SRP) not to be so active.”

It recommended that the SRP-MO be institutionalized through an ordinance that will define its functions.

For medium and long-term solution, JICA recommended the creation of an independent organization in a form of JV Corporation or a Government-Owned-and-Controlled-Corporation, for instance, that will develop and manage SRP “effectively” and “professionally.”

When an institutionalized office is established, JICA said, the personnel must have a clear job description and must have security of tenure.

Currently, all the employees are not secured according to JICA since they are only casual employees whose contracts are renewable every six months.

People also change depending on the administration and JICA believes, this is the reason for lack of motivation among the staff.

“(There is) only one personnel who can operate CAD. (There is) lack of engineers. Not enough knowledge and skill on project management. Lack of trainings,” the study reads.

In the financial aspect, the study found that SRP-MO has no individual account so the office cannot control and manage its resources.

Currently, there are only six personnel handling the SRP-MO. JICA recommended that an office be established with at least 25 people who will be divided into different departments or sections.

JICA also recommended the hiring of more professionals such as civil engineers, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, draftsmen and technicians.  (FREEMAN)