Towards a Competency Framework for Local Planning: The Case of the City and Municipal Planners in Two Philippine Provinces

This study addresses the limited published studies on identifying, consolidating, and ranking planning-related competencies in developing countries like the Philippines. Through its exploratory sequential design, this study developed and validated a competency framework or model (CF) detailing the knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics (KSPs) aligned with local planning work. This was based on the perspectives of city and municipal planners from two provinces, subject matter experts (SMEs) from the academe, relevant national government agencies (NGAs), and professional organizations in the Philippines. Specifically, the CF features eight general competencies aligned with planners’ roles – (1) understanding underpinning planning principles, (2) information and knowledge management, (3) comprehensive and multi-sectoral planning, (4) project development and management, (5) policy research, (6) zoning administration and development regulation, (7) monitoring and evaluation, and (8) effective communication. This study also identified eighteen personal characteristics, twenty-five knowledge items, and fifty-four skills related to these general competencies. Further, core KSPs that are more likely to apply to most planners, regardless of their position and local government characteristics, were identified. On the other hand, specialized knowledge and skills that are either job role- or context-specific were also determined. With these findings, this study forwards recommendations vital in re-examining and improving the planning practice and training in the Philippines and other countries with comparable planning contexts.