Pursuing Excellence
Science City of Muñoz

In 1992, Muñoz, in the province of Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon, was a fourth class municipality with nagging social, economic, political, and environmental problems. Basic social services (health, education, and potable water supply) were poor, and basic infrastructures were lacking.

Yet, Muñoz is home to a number of institutions known worldwide for their expertise and dramatic researches on science and technology. They include the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), distinguished for its pioneering researches on agriculture, and a host of specialized research and training centers—the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice), Philippine Carabao Center, Farmers’ Training Institute, National Seed Center, National Watershed Management Center, Freshwater Aquaculture Center, National Farm Mechanization Center, National Small Ruminants Centers, and others.

If Muñoz is to break the cycle of economic stagnation and take the path of progress, it must reinvent itself.

Reinvention

Thus, in May 1992, the then newly elected Mayor, Efren L. Alvarez, made a decisive move to transform Muñoz from a problem-ridden fourth-class municipality to one of the country’s proud cities. He launched the program “Moving Onwards to Muñoz Agricultural Science City.” The program had three major aims:

1. To transform Muñoz into a vibrant center of science and technology, trade, and agro-industries;
2. To enhance its image as an attractive center for education and human resource development in the field of science and technology; and
3. To take the opportunities presented by the existence of science and technology institutions for the development efforts of the municipality.
   

The municipal government diligently set out to achieve its aims. It enhanced municipal administration by putting up an effective project management system, preparing area profiles for formulation of development plans, and improving the tax collection system. It provided energy to the 15 barangays which, until then, had remained without electricity, delivered social services to improve the productivity of the poor, implemented a scholarship program, and provided extension services to cooperatives.

Most important, it forged strong partnerships with science institutions, local government units, non-government organizations, and people’s organizations. This enabled the municipal government to enhance its development efforts, such as the “clean and green” campaign, sanitation, sports development, and arts and culture programs, and, more importantly, in agricultural production.

Infrastructure development

One of the municipality’s most important projects under the “Moving Onwards” program was the “Acquisition of a Complete Equipment Pool” for infrastructure development. This project addressed the problems of poor drainage system, narrow streets, decrepit infrastructure, inadequate irrigation facilities, and poor farm-to-market roads.

The pool consisted of 21 units of various equipment and vehicles, such as dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, bulldozers, graders, drilling rigs, and others. Some of the equipments were not functioning when acquired, and the municipal government had to spend PhP1.7 million for their repair.

The municipality maximized use of the equipment. The municipality saved PhP1 million for the construction of bridges. Other infrastructure improvements, such as road widening, improvement of drainage systems, and construction of barangay roads were completed at half the estimated costs. The equipment were also rented out, bringing added income to the municipality.

In 1995, this project received an Outstanding Award from Galing Pook Foundation.
Transformation of the municipality came soon after. With irrigations systems, farms increased the production of rice, vegetables, and cash crops. With farm-to-market roads and public markets, the commercial districts buzzed with business and trade. And with science institutions mobilized for development efforts, the municipality had become a primary beneficiary of new and emerging technologies.
In 1999, Muñoz became a city. At the same time, it was given the Trailblazing Award by the Galing Pook Foundation for its “Moving Onwards” program. The award recognized the city’s exemplary achievements in local administration and management.

Addressing water issues

In 2002, the Science City of Muñoz received another award for its project “Developing the Matingkis Farm-Tourism.”

Barangay Matingkis, three kilometers southwest of the city proper, derives its main income from farming, but production is low due to lack of water. The problem also affects three other adjacent barangays—Calabalaan, Catalanacan, and Palusapis.

Life was dull and dreary for the 4,800 residents of the four barangays, but that was before the city government learned that, in the past, a natural spring existed in Barangay Matingkis. The city government initiated an excavation of the site in 1998 with the help of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The natural spring was rebuilt, along with an access road. Today, at least 300 hectares of farmlands are irrigated by the Matingkis Small Reservoir Irrigation Project. Fish cages, producing tilapia and prawn fingerlings, have also been built. The four barangays which used to rely on rain for rice production now produce vegetables and high value crops. Moreover, Barangay Matingkis is fast becoming a destination of local tourists.

The project started with the aim of addressing the farmers’ need for irrigation water. When water became available, the residents were organized to engage in livelihood and cooperative activities, and to develop the area into a tourist destination.

Dialogues with barangay officials and residents were held to assess their needs and to formulate ways of addressing them. They coordinated with NIA to help design the construction of the small reservoir. They organized the irrigators’ association, provided equipment and technical manpower during the construction of the reservoir and the access road. They coordinated with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for the seedling to be planted around the reservoir and the tilapia fingerlings to be released in the mini-lake.

Today, at least 300 hectares belonging to 210 farmers are fully irrigated by the Matingkis reservoir. At least eight organizations have forged cooperation to help maintain the irrigation system and pursue common objectives. Amenities for tourists were constructed above the mini-lake, including three inter-connected pavilions and a multi-purpose building.

The reservoir has also provided a source of livelihood—fish farming. Forty fish cages had been constructed, owned by 12 farmer-operators, or an average of 3.33 cages per operator. Harvest is 3-4 times per year. Average yield per cage is 144 kilograms, sold at P55 per kilogram, or a gross of PhP7,920. With expenses of PhP5,300 per cage, net income is PhP2,620 per cage per harvest, or PhP7,860 to PhP10,480 per cage per year. This means that an operator earns a net income of PhP26,174 to PhP34,898 per year.

Among rice growers, organic farming has become a popular practice, reducing cost of production by 25%. With technology provided by CLSU and Philrice, cropping is three times per year, with an average yield of 120 cavans per hectare (up 50% from 80 cavans before irrigation).

Others planted vegetables and cash crops as substitute to rice. Some 40 farmers tilling 30 hectares are growing onions, earning an average of PhP170,000 per hectare. Others are into growing amargoso, string beans, and mongo, with a net income of PhP1,780 per week, while others are into mushroom culture, with a net income of PhP40,000 every five weeks.

Overall, the Matingkis project had resulted in ample supply of water for irrigation, better drainage system, environment-friendly programs, generation of livelihood projects, better farming production, and more basic infrastructure. Since all these benefits are derived from the rehabilitation of the natural spring, conservation measures have been institutionalized in the city and barangay development programs. These are practiced by the residents.

Bigger budget, better services

In 2002, the Science City of Muñoz received an internal revenue allotment of PhP160.8 million, up almost 18 times from the 1992 budget allocation of PhP9.1 million. The bigger budget enabled the city to substantially upgrade the delivery of services.

More school rooms and day care centers were constructed or rehabilitated. Potable water systems were installed in 11 barangays. Solar dryers were distributed. Bridges, drainage systems, barangays halls, roads, multi-purpose gymnasiums, and others were constructed or rehabilitated.

Health services were upgraded through more health units, regular dental and medical missions, and medical insurance under Philippine Health Insurance Corp. More people-oriented social services were undertaken, including assistance to individuals in crisis situation, pre-marriage counseling, mothers’ class, and effective parenting.

More livelihood enterprises were developed, including candle making, soap making, dairy production (milk, cheese, and related products), rice cake making, nata de coco making, slipper making, livestock and poultry raising, fish dispersal, and many other projects.

MDG Deliveries

The achievements of the city government’s programs and projects form part of the Philippine government’s commitment to the millennium development goals of the United Nations.

Between 2002 and 2005, the city government reduced by 27% the number of people living in extreme poverty and by 47% the number of people with no access to safe drinking water (Goal 1). Enrolment ratio in primary education is 80% as of 2005 (Goal 2). The ratio of girls enrolled in primary schools is 92 per 100 boys, and in secondary schools, 104 per 100 boys (Goal 3).

The mortality rate of children under five years of age has been reduced by 68.5% in 2005 (Goal 4).

In 2000, based on the City Social Welfare and Development Office report, the proportion of preschoolers with normal weight was 74% against 19% mildly underweight, 4% moderately underweight, 0.35% severely underweight, and 3.54% above normal weight.

In 2005, based on the annual accomplishment report, the proportion of preschoolers with normal weight was almost 95% against 4.23% “below normal low” weight, 0.1% “below normal very low” weight, and 0.7% above normal weight.
The proportion of women who died due to pregnancy and related causes was reduced from 3 per 100,000 in 1990 to 2 per 100,000 in 2004, or a reduction of 33.3% (Goal 5).

There were no reported cases of HIV/AIDS or of people dying of malaria (Goal 6), while the number of informal settler families (squatters) has been reduced by 48% in 2005 (Goal 7).

Accountability

The quality of governance is the critical and vital factor in development. The leadership of the Science City of Muñoz puts a premium on transparency, sincerity, fairness, and responsiveness.

For accountability, projects funded by local funds and implemented by the LGU are monitored by representatives of NGOs. Projects funded jointly by the LGU and a donor agency are monitored by representatives of the donor agency and NGOs.

Today, people from all walks of life say that community leaders can enter any office in the City Hall to seek help or make suggestions. There is respect and harmonious relations between the city’s executive and legislative offices. Muñoz has truly evolved from a municipality to a modern city.