What is the CBMS?
The Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) is an organized technology-based system that collects, processes, and validates disaggregated data at the local level. It empowers communities to participate in the process while serving as the basis for planning, budgeting, and implementing government programs aimed at poverty alleviation and economic development.
Key Provisions of RA 11315:
- Short Title: The law is known as the “Community-Based Monitoring System Act.”
- Declaration of Policy: RA 11315 aims to free people from poverty by providing adequate social services, promoting a rising standard of living, and ensuring access to an improved quality of life. It recognizes the need for focused measures to reduce poverty and allocates resources where they are most needed.
- Data Collection System: The CBMS generates updated and disaggregated data necessary for targeting beneficiaries, conducting comprehensive poverty analysis, prioritizing needs, designing policies, and monitoring impact over time.
- Privacy and Data Protection: The system respects privacy rights, ensures data quality, and upholds principles of transparency and proportionality.
- Terms Defined:
- CBMS: An organized system for collecting and validating data at the local level.
- Geo-tagging: Adding metadata about government projects to various media, allowing real-time progress tracking.
- Data: Compendium of localized facts, figures, and maps related to dimensions of poverty (e.g., health, nutrition, education, income, security).
How Does CBMS Benefit Communities?
- Informed Decision-Making: CBMS data helps citizens make informed choices by providing accurate information on local needs and priorities.
- Targeted Interventions: The system identifies households requiring assistance, enabling targeted poverty reduction programs.
- Evidence-Based Policies: Policymakers use CBMS data to design effective policies and allocate resources efficiently.
- Impact Monitoring: CBMS allows monitoring of project impacts over time, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Implementation Nationwide
- RA 11315 institutionalizes CBMS across all cities and municipalities in the Philippines, ensuring synchronized and standardized data collection.
- The CBMS Council facilitates secure data sharing between local governments and national agencies for social protection and welfare programs.
In summary, the CBMS is a powerful tool that empowers communities, informs decision-makers, and contributes to poverty reduction. By conducting synchronized data collection, we pave the way for more resilient and prosperous communities.