Overview of "One Cluster- One Vision (OCOV) for Local Development

Project Description

Pursuant to its mandate to develop and strengthen the capabilities of LGUs for them to effectively deliver the basic services to their constituents, DILG through its staff bureaus continuously pursue in conceptualizing and implementing appropriate programs and projects.

Among those projects that DILG is implementing is the “One Cluster, One Vision for Local Government” (OCOV). This project was conceptualized in 1991 after the passage of the Local Government Code of 1991. Full blast implementation was in 1992 with its first title as “Area Management for Local Governance” (AMALOG) and was later changed to OCOV.

OCOV is a project that aims to encourage the formal organization of contiguous/geography adjacent municipalities within the province with common needs, interests, potentials and willing to pool their available resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them, to meet major development requirements.

One Cluster-One Vision (OCOV) Defined

“OCOV” is a project of the DILG that aims to assist Local Government Units (LGUs) build their capacities to enable them to operationalize their constitutional (Sec. 13, Article X) and LG Code of 1991 (Section 33) mandated functions to “consolidate and/or coordinate local resources to address common needs and aspirations”.

It is a project that aims to assist develop contiguous LGUs into growth point centers that will address common needs and interests; improve service delivery; and spur socio-economic development of the area

It is a project that also aims to institutionalize the “One Village, One Product” (OVOP) Movement of Oita, Japan through the peoples/farmers cooperatives and the micro/small-scale enterprises - a strategy that would help accelerate local economic transformation of the clustered LGUs by revitalizing rural areas and empowering local people through employment opportunities.

The OVOP Movement is a form of people’s participation strategy used in the regional development process introduced by former Governor Morihiro Hiramatsu of Oita Prefecture, Japan in 1979.

By institutionalizing the “One Village, One Product” in clustered LGUs, “OCOV” envisions to facilitate clustered LGUs develop into peaceful, revitalized, and self-reliant communities - where there are equal opportunities to develop and market globally competitive unique local products reflective of their culture and heritage.

“OCOV” adopts an integrated area development, participatory planning and implementation approach for maximum utilization of scarce resources and human development.

 

Project Objectives

  • To organize contiguous municipalities and cities into a cluster that will serve as a growth center in their area;
  • To advocate for the integration and maximum utilization of local resources, facilities and services for cluster development;
  • To establish alliance with concerned agencies, institutions (local and foreign) and the private sector for sustained project implementation
  • To adopt the “One Village, One Product” Movement of Oita, Japan as one strategy that would help accelerate local economic transformation of the clustered LGUs;

OCOV IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

The Project "One Cluster-One Vision (OCOV) is carried out by::

  • Conducting an orientation on the overall concept of OCOV- rationale/background, goals and objectives, major components; operational framework; the cluster as an organization; concept of “One Village, One Product” Movement; etc.
  • Organizing 3 to 5 low income LGUs into a cluster - LGUs that are geographically adjacent or contiguous to each other; with common interests, needs, and development requirements; have the willingness to commit to share local resources, facilities and services for cluster development;
  • Providing coaching/technical services in the formulation of cluster plan; project proposals development ;
  • facilitating LGU’s participation to the “One Village, One Product” training in Oita, Japan (through JICA) and other training opportunities;
  • brokering of cluster’s project proposals for capacity development or funding assistance;
  • collaborating with concerned agencies, institutions, private sector, NGOs, foreign donors in connection with continuing capacity development of clusters; and
  • monitoring cluster organization and management; and cluster programs/projects implementation

 

LGU Benefits in Joining a Cluster

  • Supplementation of development requirements of LGU member by other member LGUs’ share resources (e.g. equipment for infrastructure development; indigenous materials and human resource for product development; marketing of local products)
  • High probability of funding assistance and approval of project proposals (as a cluster) from donor agencies/institutions
  • Human resource development opportunities both local and abroad
  • Opportunity for the enhancement of capacities of local enterprises (small-scale or micro enterprises) and/or strengthening of people’ cooperatives through identification and development of new technology of marketable local products, product packaging and marketing, and enterprise development.

 

Basic Requirement for LGUs in Joining a Cluster

Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Resolution allowing the Local Chief Executive to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with other LGU cluster members and committing to share resources to address common needs and aspirations

Implementation Strategies

  • Technical assistance on the organization of Cluster Management Board and Support Committees/structures
  • Capacity building
  • Alliance building
  • Advocacy on the adoption/institutionalization of the “One Village, One Product” Approach
  • Technical assistance on Cluster Master Plans Formulation
  • Brokering of Cluster Project Proposals/Investment Promotion
  • Fund Sourcing for sustained project implementation
  • Monitoring and evaluation

Criteria for Clustering LGUs

  • Should be composed of not less than 3 and not more than 7 LGUs
  • Should be geographically adjacent or contiguous to each other
  • Have the commonness in interest, needs and development requirements
  • Willingness to commit and share local resources, facilities and services for cluster development