Public Management Development Program. Middle Managers Class Batch 12 Thesis (MMC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

"Harmonizing and Implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Effective, Efficient and Economical Operations of the DBM-CAR" or "HI-SPEED DBM-CAR" is a Re-entry Project (ReP) that aims to attain a high level of efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the service delivery of the Department of Budget and Management - Regional Office, Cordillera Administrative Region by streamlining the Regional Office's operation through harmonization and standardization of its current operating procedures. The ReP is a response to the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte which requires all heads of departments and agencies to streamline government processes and applications - which means to remove redundant requirements and to reduce processing time of all applications, from submission to release - with the objective of providing faster and better services to the Filipino people. Thus, as lead in instituting sound public financial management in all government operations, the DBM-CAR must ensure that its operation is aligned and compliant with the aforementioned objective. Through the ReP, the DBM-CAR was able to review its systems and processes; identify deficiencies and areas of improvements on services by consulting its clients, officials and employees; and determine activities (i.e, operating procedures) and applications (i.e, documents required from clients) that could be removed, reduced, or improved. As a result, the DBM-CAR was able to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its service delivery; the implementation of which significantly reduced processing time and rationalized documents required from clients. For instance, in FY 2015, the time spent by the DBM-CAR in processing requests for the release of funds to cover Terminal Leave Benefits of employees of clientele agencies was five (5) days on the average; however, through the streamlined operating procedures, funds for the same budgetary request can be released in only three (3) days. Likewise, the Local Government Code of 1991 requires the DBM to review the annual and supplemental budgets of local government units (LGUs) within 90 days; however, through the use of the SOPs, LGU budgets can be reviewed in approximately 75 days. The same is true with the other services of the DBM-CAR covered in this ReP. Furthermore, through the use of the Checklist of Documentary Requirements (CDRs), immediate processing of budgetary requests is facilitated and processing of budgetary requests with incomplete supporting document is avoided. In the process, the DBM-CAR was able to document and consolidate the SOPs and produce its very first Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual. The Manual provides specific steps that guide employees in performing their functions, duties and responsibilities which ensure that operating procedures are performed in a consistent and reliable way; thus, resulting in efficient, effective and economical service quality. Moreover, the Manual provides employees with relevant legal bases, references, as well as general and specific guidelines which ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements. The Manual likewise provides employees with flowcharts that clearly present processes and procedures for each service, as well as usable pro-forma forms that facilitate easier processing of transactions. Ultimately, the use of the standard operating procedures contained in the Manual contributes in attaining a high level of efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the operation of the DBM-CAR thereby resulting in improved employee performance and productivity, and faster and better service delivery which fundamentally redound to the Regional Office, its employees and officials, and most importantly to the Filipino people.