THE PLANNING

PROCESS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

THE PRE-PLANNING PHASE

THE PLANNING PROPER
GOAL DETERMINATION &
OBJECTIVE SETTING
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
SECTORAL PLANNING

PRE-PLANNING PHASE

Preparation of a SEPP
A

socio economic and physical profile

(SEPP) is a document that provides
data on the natural and human
resources of the LGU.
It includes historical background,
physical features, public services and
existing land uses.
Data are presented and analyzed by
sector to permit easy access to
information in the formulation of a local
development plan.

Steps in Preparing the

SEPP

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Organize the team.

Examine the existing document of the
LGU and identify missing data sets.
Prepare data generation instruments
Data generation
Data processing and presentation
Data analysis and interpretation
Prepare maps
Finalize and package the document.

1. Organize the team.

Initial

step in the preparation of SEPP

Team will be responsible for

Collecting
Processing
Analyzing
Interpreting sets of data

Composition

and responsibilities of each

team member shall be clearly defined in an
Executive Order issued by LCE.
When possible, the composition of the team
should be multi-disciplinary which provides
variety of expertise.

2. Examine the existing

document of the LGU and
identify missing data sets.
The

team involve in the

preparation of the SEPP should
review the existing document
available at the LGU:
To determine the data gaps, validity
and reliability of data.

The

team identify the data sets

required including the strategies
on how to generate them.

3. Prepare data generation

instruments.
To

facilitate collection of data from the

respondents.
Instruments can be in the form of guide
questions or checklists
Checklists to cover three aspects:
Biophysical environment
Economic setting
Socio-cultural characteristics
Guide

questions should be:

Framed in a way to encourage respondents to

talk freely expressing their views, aspirations,
and plans for the future.

4. Data generation.
Involves

collection of secondary
and primary data through visits
to government offices and
agencies concerned.
Involves direct visits or
observation of the area
Involves interviewing informants
using prepared instruments.

4.a. Secondary Data

Can

be obtained from existing agency files and

reports.
Validate them according to relevance and usefulness
Verify dates of the reports and statistical
information.
Sources of secondary data:
Bureau of Agricultural Extension, Bureau of Forest
Development
Depart of Health, Philippine National Police
DSWD, DPWH, NSO, NAMRIA, PAG-ASA
Bureau of Water and Soil Management
Provincial Plan, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
DENR, DAR, DEPED, DTI
LCRO, Assessors Office, Treasurers Office

4.a Suggested format in planning

and gathering data.
Agency/
Sector
DOH

Data to be
gathered
MMR, IMR

Year
2013-2014

Persons
Responsible
Dr. E. Garicia

4.b. Primary Data

Can

be obtained through

direct observation
interviews
use of questionnaires
discussions with key informants.

4.b. Tips in Conducting

Interviews
Properly introduce yourself before starting the interview.
2. Interviewer should be familiar with the dialect.
3. Put the person at ease before starting the interview.
First, ask simpler and easier questions followed by more
difficult ones.
4. Dont ask leading questions. Open-ended questions
should be used to generate more information on
attitudes and preferences.
5. Do not promise anything.
6. Do not ask several questions simultaneously.
7. Use indirect questions for sensitive aspects particularly
on income, property ownership, disability, age, marital
status, educational attainment, etc.
8. Blend with peoples activities.
9. Be conscious about the time you spend in conducting
the interview.
10.Do not preach.
1.

5. Data processing and

presentation
Can

be done by computer or processed manually.

Before analysis:
Data should be arranged in orderly manner to show and
emphasize the state or degree of its significance.
Data

are presented either in the following

methods:
Textual Method
Summarizes data in paragraphs.
Simplest and most appropriate when only few data are to be
presented.

Tabular Method
Systematic way of arranging data in columns and rows.
Facilitates comparison of various figures under the different
categories.

5.a Table consists of

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

7.

Table Number
Title
Captions
Columnar heading
Stub or designation to contain:
the categories (qualitative)
class intervals/numbers (quantitative) data

Body of the table:

Consists of numerical information(absolute number/frequency,
percentages, rates, ratio
Totals, sub-totals, averages should be provided in the table
whenever desirable
When no cases can be found, indicate dots or shoot dashes

Source Note:
Secondary data require the source in terms of author, title of
document, volume, page, publisher and date (any of those
items), and footnotes if possible.

5. Data processing and

presentation

Data

are presented either in the following

methods:
Graphical Method quick presentation of limited
amount of information; most appropriate in
presenting general situation; construct clearly and
simply information for easy understanding.
Line Diagram or Curve drawn within the horizontal
line called X-axis and vertical line called Y-axis; lines
vary from solid to dotted or dashed, and sometimes
in color.
Bar Chart show chronological comparison or
comparison of categories; vertical arrangement of
individual bars are used when a chronological
comparison is being made and horizontal
arrangement for a comparison of categories.

5. Data processing and

presentation
Data

are presented either in the following

methods:
Pie Diagram show relationships of various parts of a
whole by comparison of the angles at the center of the
circle or comparison of odd-shaped areas of various
sections of the circle.
Pictogram show pictorial part to form a bar chart to
create satisfactory visual comparison. Only comparison
should be portrayed in a pictograph.
Statistical Map - shows quantitative information on
geographic phases classified as:
Hatched Map plots ratios, densities or variations in
magnitudes (distinction between patterns must be in terms of
light and dark shades whether or not the design is changed.)
Dot Map shows geographical distribution of occurrences,
denoted by dots of varying sizes or number of units.

6. Data Analysis and

Interpretation
These

are conclusions about the

data presented including
observations which can guide the
planners in the analysis of
existing situation and
identification of problems and
development needs.

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.

6.

7.
8.

9.

Steps in Data Analysis and

Interpretation.
Refer to the graphical or tabular presentation for the write-up.
Write a short, introductory statement about the data to be presented.
State the table or chart source and the agency source (if necessary), by
presenting first the general facts about the data. Then present the
revealing facts with highest and lowest figure, as well as the common
trend of the data.
Cite relationship or comparison of data.
Appropriately state and discuss uncontrolled factors or reasons
influencing data outcomes (if highest, lowest, common) in order to
explain facts obtained. The meaning of the data shown can also be
explained.
Include information gathered from direct observation, semi-structured
informal interviews, case studies and the like to provide further
explanation or strengthen validation of information.
Discuss with emphasis the limitations or weaknesses of the data
avoiding over generalization or sweeping statements.
In the absence of quantitative data, organize the information in a
descriptive and narrative manner to form a coherent write-up about
certain variables.
In writing conclusion, the scope and level of generality should be
justified by the data presented. The conclusion should also be
coordinated with the goals, objectives and targets posed by the situation
considered.

7. Prepare Maps
Show

the locational and spatial relationships of the

elements of the areas. Use uniform scale for all maps.
Some of the maps to be prepared are:
Location Map indicates the location of the municipality with
respect to the province and barangay with respect to the city or
municipality.
Base Map shows the boundaries of barangays and the
municipality, waterways and major roads.
Topographic Map indicates mountain ranges, slopes, water
bodies and plains.
General Land Use Map shows agricultural, industrial,
commercial, forest, pasture, idle lands and other uses by the
use of color scheme to distinguish each use.
Urban Land Use Map shows spatial allocation of built-up areas
categorized as follows:
Residential, commercial, institutional (govt. bldgs), parks and open
spaces, industrial (light and heavy), and others.

8. Finalize and Package the

Document.
Review

each part of the

document;
Check, revise, rewrite the
contents of the document, when
necessary;
Bind the document and present
them by its component parts.
Provide Table of Contents,
Bibliography, and/or Footnotes,
and others which are necessary.

PLANNING PROPER

1. Land Use Planning

The

land use plan represents

the desire of the community to

achieve a spatial distribution of
population;
activities that will permit greater
interaction among the inhabitants;
prevent the deterioration of the
environment.

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan
1.

2.

The land use committee will conduct the

land use survey which will lead to the
preparation of the existing land use map.
For inaccessible areas, interviews will be
resorted to.
Assessors office can also provide additional
information about land use through the data
found in every parcel of land in the files.

The existing uses are plotted on the base

map with each use represented by a
particular color.

Color Representation of Land

Uses
Land Categories

Suggeste
d Color

Residential (low and high quality)

Yellow

Commercial (retail and wholesale)

Red

Institutional (government buildings, cultural

facilities, medical facilities, churches and sports
complexes)

Blue

Industrial (light and heavy)

Violet

Parks and Open Spaces

Light Green

Agricultural and other rural uses

Dark Green

Vacant land (idle land)

Any
appropriate
color

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan
3.

Present the existing land use in

a tabular form showing current
distribution of land (in hectares)
among the different uses and
the percentage of the total area
each category occupies. Present
in textual form the degree of use
of each of the identified uses.

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan
4.

5.

6.

Study what standard should be applied for

each use.
Example: Residential density in terms of persons or
houses per hectare; height of building or floor space ratio
to ground space; mixed uses; and services to be provided.

Determine land needed for residential

expansion, commercial activities, industries,
parks and other uses based on projection of
population, social and economic activities,
and adopted standards.
Determine land available to accommodate
new developments such as sites for housing
units, industries and commercial centers.

The availability of land can be

determined through a Sieve Map
analysis.
Sieve Map technique is done by
overlaying thematic maps over a
base map of the municipality to
detect portions still open for
development.
Eroded areas or those subject to
frequent floods or those destined
for conservation are not
considered available.

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan
7.

Define the goals and objectives

that should be attained by the
land use plan.

Goals: Improvement of the quality of

the environment; adequate services for
residential neighborhoods; freedom in
the choice of residential location;
increased mobility.
Objectives: Increase accessibility of
essential services; avoid nuisances in
residential areas; and minimize
conversion of highly productive
agricultural land to urban use.

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan

Prepare the proposed land use for a sixyear period, based on projection of
population and urban activities.
9. Present the proposed land use in a tabular
form showing the distribution of land in
accordance with land use categories.
10.Formulate policies that can promote the
achievement of objectives.
8.

Example: Acquisition of land for government use; low

tax for agricultural land to discourage its conversion
to urban use; preservation of sites of historical
significance and of high landscape value; maintain
compatibility of uses; and provision of buffer zones.

Steps in Preparing Land

Use Plan
11.Study

what projects can be

implemented within the period
of effectivity of the plan.

Redevelopment of a slum area;

acquisition of land for park purposes;
tax-mapping to update the assessors
records on each land parcel.

12.Draft

a zoning ordinance to be
endorsed to the Sangguniang
Bayan for approval.

2. Preparation of Socio-Economic
Plan
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Situation Analysis
Vision/Mission/Thrust
Goal Determination & Objective
Setting
Development Strategy
Sectoral Planning

a. Situation Analysis
This

activity is done to ensure that the

plans are based on accurate picture of
the existing conditions in the
community.
Pre-analysis will cover

the demographic aspects

economic activities
physical characteristics
major problems
settlement patterns, and
mobility of the population.

Steps in Pre-Analysis
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Examine the potentials of the area which could

contribute to the solution of development problems.
Identify supportive forces which can be mobilized.
Provide pertinent information using baseline data from
the updated socio-economic and physical profile.
Determine land use implications on socio-economic
trend based on the land maps prepared earlier. (The land
use plan is not final at this stage.)
Determine the role of the LGU to the province and the
importance of this role to the neighboring municipalities.

6.

Ex.: Municipality X is the food center of the western part of province Y or

it is the educational center for a number of municipalities.

Analyze institutional capability of the LGU. The following

should be taken into account in reviewing performance
of the LGU:

Delivery of services to the community

Revenue generation and collection record
Effectivity in project implementation and monitoring

b. Vision/Mission/Development
Thrust
Vision

a concise statement about a description

of a desired future state which an institution or
an LGU is committed to achieve within a plan
period. Basic considerations are its mandate
and resources available.
Mission a concise statement about a
description of the institution or LGUs distinctive
and continuing activity in pursuit of its vision.
Development Thrust major areas of concern
that the LGU must address to move towards the
vision aspired for by the citizens.
it is also a guide to the planners in choosing
strategies geared towards problem solving.

Subject areas to serve as the

focus of activities and decisions:
Poverty

Alleviation

The minimum basic needs (MBN) identified

in the Philippine Program for Poverty
Alleviation could serve as a guide in the
determination of the development thrust in
this area.

Environmental

Management

A plan for environmental management will

identify the areas for the protection,
conservation or enhancement of the natural
environment, principally the forests, lakes,
rivers, and in urban areas.

Subject areas to serve as the

focus of activities and decisions:
Infrastructure
Identifies the need for transport,
communication, power, water supply and
other physical inputs to long-term
development.

Human

Settlement

Involves the analysis of the existing land

uses of built-up areas (residential,
commercial, industrial, institutional, open
spaces, etc.) and based on trends of
population growth, economic expansion and
changes in lifestyles.

c. Goal Determination and

Objective setting
This

phase basically answers the questions:

Given our present problems/needs and our resource potentials

and constraints, what do we want to achieve? Where do we want
to go?

Goals are stated in general terms and must be

formulated into more concrete and achievable
objectives.
Goals should attempt to unify and integrate the
diverse views on where to go and what
resources to mobilize.
Goals express values, there should be a method
of determining the different areas that are of
public interest.

Steps involved in Goal/Objective

Determination
1.

Review identified problems and needs

Based on the situation analysis, review the analysis of data
gathered to validate and reinforce identified felt needs and
aspirations of the people.

2.

Hold discussion meetings

Consult other community leaders, interest groups, and
residents through formal or information gatherings to be
able to get a composite view of their individual visions for
the community.

3.

State the goals and objectives

Goals are broad statements defining the overall

purpose of a development plan, objectives are
concrete and specific statements of desired
and possible sectoral achievements.

Test Guide in Goal Determination

Does
Is
Is

it have a broad coverage?

there a long term focus?

it understandable to the
community?

Test Guide in Selecting

Objectives
Is

there at least one major sectoral

function?
Are they suitably framed to be used
as sectoral translation of goals?
Are they output based?
Are they measurable?
Are they practical, realistic and
relevant?
Are they understandable to the
community?

Set Targets
Quantification

of objectives which
specify in numerical terms the
intended sectoral outputs.
To serve as basis for determining
and measuring whether stated
goals and objectives have been
achieved.
Targets are location and client
specific.

Things to remember in target

setting.
Directly

related to sectoral
objectives and priorities.
Show the present level of
performance and desired level of
performance within the period.
Based on reliable, accurate data.

Test Guide in Setting

Targets
Is

there a broad coverage of

sectoral concerns?
Is there one for each objective?
Are they measurable?
Are they practical and realistic?
Are they client specific?
Are target dates set?

Activities for target setting

Set

and review preliminary targets

By sector
Assess resource implications on preliminary
targets
Determine amount of resources generated to
support present conditions
Compare these with resource requirements of
the preliminary targets.
Adjust

targets as needed

On the basis of gaps/surplus in resources with

respect to the set preliminary targets
Adjust target upwards or downwards.

d. Development Strategy
The

generation of a strategy to achieve the

set goals and objectives is a necessary step
in the formulation of a development plan.
Strategy will guide the implementation of
projects
Strategy will result in the economy of time
and financial resources.
It can assure the community of the proper
implementation of the plan
It can assure that the implementors will not
lose sight of the goals and objectives towards
which actions or decisions are directed.

d. Development Strategy
It

will suggest what resources to utilize;

When to start the implementation of a
project
Which organization or office is in charge.
In selecting best alternative strategy,
situation analysis may be useful.
Ideas bearing importance on the
determination of a development strategy,
include:
Employment location, urban redevelopment,
journey to work pattern, existing infrastructures,
direction of growth, constraints and opportunities.

Factors in Strategy
Formulation
Financial

capability of the LGU

Private sector participation
Welfare of the underprivileged or
disadvantaged and minorities
Redistribution of income and job
creation
Environmental protection and
preservation of the natural system
Strengthening social services
Political climate

Activities involved in Strategy

Formulation
Determine

development potentials of the

area based on the analysis of resources.
Identify leading and lagging development
sector and which have the greatest impact
on development.
Determine pressing problems and concerns.
Those which have the strongest negative
impact should be given particular attention.
Identify relevant national/regional/provincial
policies which directly affect planning at the
municipal level. They serve as bases for the
formulation of development strategies.

Activities involved in Strategy

Fomulation
Evaluate

the bio-physical, socio-economic

and institutional impact of the strategy. This
is specially critical if the general strategy to
be undertaken entails drastic changes.
Example:

Possible migration effects

Impact on major land-use pattern
Effect on the poorest sector of the municipality
Extent of reliance on infrastructure facilities
Equity effects (distribution of benefits)
Others

Test Guide in Strategy

Formulation
Have

options been fully

considered?
Have all resources constraints
been recognized?
Do they specify methods?
Are they consistent?

e. Sectoral Planning
Sectoral

plans and programs

depend largely upon
development goals and strategies
envisioned for the LGU.
They will serve as the overall
guideline in the quantification of
targets for each planning sector.

Process of Sectoral
Planning
1.

Sectoral Analysis

2.

To ascertain condition of the community to

draw sound planning.
To formulate definite objectives and propose
appropriate projects and activities.

Problems and Needs Identification

Result of data analysis and consultation with

the community.
Active peoples participation is vital in
planning.
Realistic plans should take into consideration
planning constraints which hinder or limit
development of the locality.

3.

Goal/Objectives and Target Setting

4.

Strategy Formulation

5.

With the guiding policies, realization of the goals may

be obtained through strategic plans of action.
Depend on the art of devising techniques in order to
obtain the desired goal.

Programs/Project Identification

6.

Based on the profile of the existing situation

Based on the identified problems and relevant factors
affecting the sector.
The goal should reflect the sectors need.

Programs are packages of interrelated projects within

a definite area of action and oriented towards the
attainment of a common objective.
Projects are specific activities within a program.

Submission of the Sectoral Plan for

integration with other plans.

Classification of Sectors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Land Development (Land Use

Sector)
Economy and Development
Financing (Fiscal Sector)
Agri-Industrial Sector
Human Development Sector
Infrastructure Development
Sector
Development Administration
Sector