Roadmaps are very important in setting the direction of every organization. But what is a roadmap? Austin (2013) defines a roadmap as a document that establishes a plan for accomplishing a particular strategic goal and describes why the goal is in place. The basic road map includes a charter, strategy and an assessment tool.

Some people believe that roadmaps or strategic plans are just hurdles to development, because they inhibit changes and discourage the organization from considering out-of-the box alternatives.

Mintzberg (1994, p.180) asserts that roadmaps may inhibit creativity and do not easily handle truly creative ideas. Moreover, Mintzberg (1994, pp. 180-202) enumerated some of the negative aspects of roadmaps or strategic plans, which include the following:

1. a) It is very hard to ensure commitment at the top, because in some ways, strategic planning reduces executive decision-making power;
2. b) If misused, roadmaps might become a tool for gaining control over decisions, strategies, present or future actions, management, employees, and customers;
3. c) Strategic plans may just be used as a tool to “impress” “influential outsiders”; and,
4. d) Strategic planning dismisses intuition and favors readily available, interpretable “hard” data.

Inter Organizational Coordination and  Roadmaps, programs and initiatives

Inter-Organizational Coordination and Inter-agency Cooperation in action

• https://thirdsrbn.wixsite.com/excelsior/single-post/2015/07/19/afp-roadmaps-a-comparison
• https://maritimereview.ph/some-notes-on-the-inter-organizational-coordination/

The importance of inter-organizational coordination is well covered by numerous literature. In contrast to inter-agency coordination where players come only from government, inter-organizational coordination involves participation from governmental, inter-governmental, non-governmental and private organizations.

The maritime domain is a highly complex system. The actions of the players reflect the pursuit of one’s own organizational interest, a compromise of internal norms, and adherence to rules. Thus, inter-organizational coordination players must complement the formal structures, relationships and processes with informal interactions among them to build a consensus and settle differences. This would significantly expedite inter-organizational decision making processes.

The Revised Administrative Code of 1987, sometimes referred to as the Philippine government’s organizational manual as it provides the principles, structures and rules of governance, expounds the Constitutional principle that the prime duty of government is to serve and protect the people. The Code empowers the governmental regional offices “to provide economical, efficient and effective service to the people in the area” and “coordinate” with their counterparts in other departments and the local government units.

Whether interagency or inter-organizational in nature, the goal of coordination is to “improve the effectiveness of cooperation, planning and partnership.” It is a process of organizing a complex undertaking that brings together the contributions of the member organizations to form a coherent and efficient work to solve a problem or meet an identified need. It entails creating formal structures, relationships and processes. It also facilitates unity of effort and provides common understanding.  The essence of coordination is the effective integration of multiple stakeholders with diverse perspectives, authorities, responsibilities and objectives.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/04/28/briefer-national-coast-watch-center/

Against this backdrop, the National Coast Watch Center is being inaugurated to serve as the national maritime single point of contact for maritime security coordination. The Philippine National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) is an inter-agency maritime surveillance and coordinated response facility established through Executive Order 57 signed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last 06-September-2011. It is established as a coordinating and implementing mechanism in a whole-of-government approach to address current and future maritime safety, security, and environmental protection challenges in the Philippines.

Mission of the Center. The mission of the NCWC is to coordinate and implement the whole of government efforts to protect the Philippine national interests against security threats, enforce national sovereignty and sovereign rights, and fulfill international responsibilities and obligations throughout the maritime jurisdiction of the country.

Purpose of the Center. The main purpose for the establishment of the NCWC is to promote maritime safety, enforce maritime laws, protect the marine environment and contribute to economic development.

Functions of the Center. Pursuant to EO 57 and EO 82, the Center shall have the following functions:

• Gather, consolidate, synthesize, and disseminate information relevant to maritime security;
• Develop and maintain effective communications and information systems to enhance inter-agency coordination in maritime security operations;
• Coordinate the conduct of maritime surveillance or response operations upon the request of a member agency or when an exigency arises;
• Plan, coordinate, monitor, evaluate, document, and report on the conduct of maritime security operations;
• When so authorized by the Council, coordinate cross-border and multinational maritime security operation;
• Coordinate support for prosecution of violators;
• Conduct periodic assessments on maritime security;
• Conduct regular activities to engage all maritime stakeholders in various fora, seminars, workshops, etc.;
• Coordinate and facilitate training activities and exercises of members and support agencies of the Council to enhance coordination and interoperability in the NCWS;
• Pursuant to Executive Order 82 series of 2012, perform the role of Crisis Management Office of the Chairperson for human induced threats within and adjacent to the Philippine maritime borders.  As such, the Center shall assist the Chairperson to implement the 5Ps of crisis management, including among others;
  • Conduct Horizon Scanning or scanning for emerging threats and conveying strategic warnings; and undertake Situation Awareness processes at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels;
  • Prepare or update inter-agency contingency and crisis action plans;
  • Systematically undertake “Prepare” activities (organize, train, equip, exercise and evaluate/improve) as well as undertake capability building and enhancement activities;
  • Systematically determine and declare an incident approaching crisis level, activate an Incident Command System (ICS) and identify an Incident Commander to implement the crisis action plan;
  • Post-Action and Assessment. Systematically provide Post Action and Assessment Reports to the Chairperson for submission to the National Crisis Management Committee and the EXECOM/National Crisis Management Committee;

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/03/17/memorandum-circular-no-94-s-2016/

In less than 100 days in office,
President Benigno Aquino III had created
a high-level task force that would synchronize a “unified” government action in protecting the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

In Memorandum Circular No. 94, the President has assigned the National Security Adviser to chair the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea with several government departments and security agencies as members.

The formation of the high-level task force came amid the country’s protest against China’s aggressive reclamation activities to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea. Manila is still waiting for a decision of the UN tribunal on its petition asserting maritime entitlements in the disputed territory.

“Consistent with the Constitution, the Philippines’ interests in the West Philippine Sea include the maintenance and protection of Philippine sovereignty, preservation and defense of territorial integrity, and promotion of the welfare and well-being of the Filipino people,” the circular read.

Source: https://portaljapan.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/24-mar-Aquino-creates-new-task-force-to-protect-West-Philippine-Sea.jpg

“Given the country’s national interest, national policies and evolving strategic lands, a more deliberate and coherent approach in addressing the West Philippine Sea issue is needed for the purpose of orchestrating the national effort an achieving unified action in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.

The President acknowledged that the issues and actions required in the WPS transcend maritime security domain since these extend to other areas of concern such as “diplomatic, politico-legal, information, military and law enforcement, and socio-economic fields.”

Members of the New Task Force

Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Finance, and National Economic and Development Authority.

Other task force members are the National Coast Watch System, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

In the MC 94 signed on 17-March-2016, the new task force will receive guidance from the President though the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace. It will also be responsible in orchestrating and synchronizing the employment of the different national government agencies’ capabilities to achieve the national objectives in the WPS. Regular reports will be submitted to the President through the cabinet security cluster.

The same circular created an Area-level Task Force that will coordinate the efforts of the different government agencies at the area level.  Tactical-level Task Forces (TTs) may also be organized to perform mandates with the direction from the ATF.

The President also directed government agencies and local government units to render support and cooperation to the new task force. In issuing MC 94, Aquino said: “Given the country’s national interest, national policies, and evolving strategic landscape, a more deliberate and coherent approach in addressing the West Philippine Sea issue is needed for the purpose of orchestrating the national effort and achieving unified action in the West Philippine Sea.”

The President created the body as tension erupted anew between Chinese authorities and Filipino fishermen in an area considered as traditional Philippine fishing grounds – Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) – 124 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province. (READ: PH: ‘Disconcerting that nobody is stopping China’)

A Chinese coast guard vessel reportedly rammed into Filipinos fishing in the shoal. Beijing later accused the fishermen of hurling fire bombs at the Chinese vessel.

Manila has brought a case before an international tribunal to rule on the disputes over territories, including Scarborough Shoal. It argued that an unfavorable ruling would rob its fishermen of the right to fish in their own waters, among others. (READ: China to build ‘Berlin Wall of the Sea’)

The move has infuriated Beijing, which insists the matter is outside the court’s remit. A ruling on the case is expected.

Constitutional mandate

In creating the NTF-WPS, President Aquino said that “consistent with the Constitution, the Philippines’ interest in the West Philippine Sea include the maintenance and protection of Philippine sovereignty, preservation and defense of territorial integrity, and promotion of the welfare and well-being of the Filipino people.” He added, “The issues, policies and required actions in the West Philippine Sea transcend the maritime security domain as these extend to other areas of concern such as in the diplomatic, politico-legal, information, military and law enforcement, and socio-economic fields.” He cited several constitutional provisions, among them, Section 7, Article II of the Constitution “that provides that national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination are paramount considerations of the Philippines in its relations with the international community.” Aquino also cited the constitutional provision mandating the Armed Forces of the Philippines “to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory” and the duty of the government “to protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone” for sole use of its citizens.

Members, Functions

The body will have as regular members representatives from the following departments and offices:

• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Department of National Defense
• Department of Justice
• Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Department of Energy
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Department of Transportation and Communications
• Department of Finance
• National Economic and Development Authority
• National Coast Watch System
• Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Philippine National Police – Maritime Group
• Philippine Coast Guard
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The task force chair may also seek out other government officials and private citizens. The National Security Council will provide administrative and technical support to the task force.

The NTF-WPS will receive guidance from the president, through the cabinet cluster on security, justice, and peace. It will be responsible for tapping the government agencies in achieving Philippines objectives in WPS, and will give reports and recommendations to the Chief Executive via the cabinet security cluster. The NTF-WPS, which will assume the functions of the Inter-Agency Committee on the West Philippine Sea, will create an area-level task force (ATF) which will synchronize the efforts of the different government agencies at the area level. The ATF may also organize tactical-level task forces.

• https://www.rappler.com/nation/126901-aquino-creates-task-force-west-philippine-sea/
• https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/13/2295876/congress-seeks-creation-west-philippine-sea-authority

Amid calls for a focused and more organized handling of West Philippine Sea (WPS) affairs, a lawmaker has proposed the establishment of a “West Philippine Sea Authority” under the Office of the President.

In his House Bill 9027, Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting said the “specialized authority” would be dedicated to the “protection, management and sustainable development of the maritime resources and territories within the WPS.”

The proposed body would also be instrumental in “upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights, protecting its maritime resources, and contributing to regional stability and cooperation. This proposed act seeks to address the complexities and challenges associated with the WPS by outlining a clear framework for the establishment and operation of the West Philippine Sea Authority.” He stated the West Philippine Sea encompasses a significant portion of the country’s exclusive economic zone and “holds vital economic, environmental and strategic importance for the Philippines.” The creation of such body, he said, has become more urgent with China’s heightened aggressiveness in asserting its claim in waters and land features within Philippine territory. He cited the China’s repeated attempts – using water cannons and dangerous maneuvers – to stop Filipino vessels from delivering supplies to a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Tambunting said his proposed legislation is aligned with the 2016 landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims. Senators, meanwhile, are inclined to approve a bigger budget for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has figured prominently in tackling China’s provocations in the West Philippine Sea.

The Individual Maritime Agencies

I would not tackle all the agencies mentioned in the task force WPS and the Agencies involved in the National Coast Watch Center. However, the DTI, Bureau of Customs and the Department of Tourism is also vital to the Blue Economy. The agencies I will cover in this 4-part series are the following:

1. Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
2. Department of Transportation (DOTr)
3. Maritime Transportation Authority (MARINA)
4. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
5. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
6. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources (BFAR)
7. NAMRIA
8. Philippine Navy (PN)
9. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
10. PNP Maritime Group (PNP-MG).