More than a dozen representatives from Timor-Leste's districts and subdistricts are spreading the word about empowering local government after their decentralization study tour to the Philippines recently. Through one-on-one meetings and a special workshop with other local government officials, they are showing what can be done with know-how and enthusiasm even before financing for local government is in place.

The study tour took four district administrators, three deputy district administrators, five subdistrict administrators, and two district development officers to Manila, Bulacan, and Naga City to talk to local government counterparts about decentralization. The Local Government Administration Division (DNAT) and the National Public Administration Institute (INAP), two national departments that oversee local government development in Timor-Leste, also sent representatives.

The Philippines has been going through the process of decentralization for a decade, and local governments are responsible for many activities once the domain of the central government. With decentralization in mind, the Timor-Leste government is learning practical lessons from its neighbors. Study tour participants have agreed a series of activities and recommendations to share with their peers. These include:

• developing a vision and mission statement for each district. Study tour participants were impressed with the clear goals displayed in every local authority office they visited in the Philippines. "And there is no need to wait for central government for this," said one.
  
  
• making recommendations on where to start the decentralization process in Timor-Leste, based on successes in the Philippines. Participants propose starting with easier sectors, such as agriculture, environment, and water supplies.
  
  
• establishing direct relationships with donors at the local government level, instead of channeling all donor support through central government.

A major follow-up workshop for many of Timor-Leste's local government officials is set for July 2. "We learned many useful things from the Philippines. We need to share with others in Timor-Leste, and also to put them into practice," said INAP Director Florindo Perreira.

USAID supported the Philippines decentralization study tour and workshop with a $77,360 grant to Timor-Leste's Ministry of State Administration. The trip and the follow-up meetings help establish the basis of good local governance, foster the process of decentralization, and develop the skills of local administrators as their roles expand.

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