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Planning Environment. Where are we right now?

Descriptions and analyses of the social, economic, and physical conditions and trends of the

province serve as basis for identifying development issues and subsequent goals and courses of

action (strategies, programs, projects, and activities).

Development Issues, Goals, Objectives, and Targets

Given our knowledge of the planning environment, what are the development issues and

constraints and what goals, objectives and targets should we set to address these issues towards

the attainment of our vision?

Development issues, constraints, problems, and corresponding goals, objectives, and targets serve

as basis for identifying strategies and plans, programs, and activities intended for implementation.

Strategies, Plans, Programs and Activities. How do we get there?

Specific strategies, programs, projects, and activities to address development issues andaccomplish objectives are the outputs of the PDPFP and become the primary inputs to the

preparation of the Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) as the overall process

shifts towards implementation.

As shown in the example in Figure 3, the typical section/subsection of the Guidelines starts with a

key figure outline showing where the section topic is located relative to the entire PDPFP. This is

followed by a statement of the specific objective of the section, a very brief explanation of how the

objective is approached and/or a summary outline, and a step-by-step description of the

recommended process. Required maps, figures and tables are listed; additional (optional) maps,

figures, tables and other illustrative materials are also mentioned. Examples of most (not all) of therequired maps, tables, or figures are also provided, along with clarificatory notes and planning

tips, in separate boxes. More detailed descriptions of specific references and methodologies may

also be provided as annexes.

D. METHODOLOGY

Planning Environment

As described in greater detail in the guidelines, and to the extent possible given available data,analysis of the planning environment involves four basic lines of inquiry that are summarized as

ETC/S:

Existing levels: Where are we?

Examine existing levels that describe the current state of the population, economic activities,

physical resources, and service access

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22 GUIDELINES ON PROVINCIAL/LOCAL PLANNING AND EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT

Figure 3: Typical Structure of Section/ Subsection

D Development Issues, Goals, Objectives

Planning Environment Vision

Population

Economic Activity Income &Services

Physical Resources/Transport

Land Use and Physical Framework

Development Issues, Goals, Objectives/

Targets

InvestmentStrategies and PPAs Program

Objective:

Approach/Summary:

a. Step 1 ___________________________________________

b. Step 2 ___________________________________________

c. Step 3 ___________________________________________Map, Table, Figure

Notes:

Trends: Where are we headed?

Analyze trendsdetermine the future direction or historical trajectory of existing levels given

certain scenarios and assumptions.

Comparisons: How do we compare with desired conditions and/or other benchmarks?

Compare levels and trends internally (e.g., inter-municipal), externally (e.g., inter-province or

relative to the country as a whole) or with other benchmarks of provincial performance.

Strategic significance: So what? What do the existing conditions and trends mean with

respect to our vision, needs, and available resources?

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

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VOLUME 2: PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK PLAN 23

Assess the significance of the levels, trends and comparisons in terms of identifying what needs

to be done and how these can be achieved given limited resources. The basic intent of the ETC/

S format is to steer analyses into specific courses of action that take into account the strengths

and weaknesses of the province and other strategic considerations.

For each of the sections of the planning environment, therefore, the focus is on deriving

planning implications given current trends and scenarios.

Development Issues, Goals, Objectives, and Targets

The assessment of the planning environment reveals problems in each sector and indications

of the extent of each problem relative to benchmarks and standards. This allows the

identification of development issues or the most pressing problems facing the province. From

these issues, overall goals and corresponding objectives and targets may be derived, guided bythe long-term vision of the province.

While goals, objectives and targets are firmed up and formalized after the assessment of the

entire planning environment, they can already be identified as each sector is analyzed. Thus,

for example, if elementary school student survival is identified as an important issue during

the analysis of the education sector (because provincial elementary cohort survival rates are

below nationwide levels and/or are further declining), then improving elementary school

student survival may be identified as an objective. And in this case, an improvement of the

nationwide survival rate may be identified as the target. This objective and its target may then

be firmed up after the planning environment assessment process, taking into considerationother development issues and the overall vision of the province.

E. DATA REQUIREMENTS

Data gathering and multi-stakeholder consultation should take place throughout the planning

process. Although consultation is obviously necessary during the initial data-gathering stage,

the formulation of the vision, and as part of the final approval stage, it should take place as

often as necessary, whether formally or informally. Data and information should be compiled

in both text and map forms, whenever applicable.

The guidelines recognize the lack of data that hinders straightforward technical analysis. It

is assumed, therefore, that planning decisions will be made with incomplete information.

Still, some data are essential to the use of the guidelines. For example, some data that are

disaggregated by gender may improve the identification of strategies and PPAs. It is also

expected that the amount of available data will increase in the future as monitoring, data

gathering, processing, and documentation mechanisms and facilities improve.NATIONAL ECNOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY