The CBMS is an organized way of collecting information at the local level for use of local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society and development partner agencies for planning, program implementation and monitoring.

It is a tool intended for improved governance and greater transparency and accountability in resource allocation. The tool promotes evidence-based decision making. It involves the participation of various stakeholders at each geopolitical level

The CBMS tool generates the 14 core local poverty indicators (CLPIs) that measured to determine the welfare status of the population. These indicators capture the multidimensional aspects of poverty. It uses an encoding and mapping software (CSPro and NRDB) to facilitate CBMS-based poverty mapping and for storing and displaying household- and individual level information.

Rationale for CBMS:

Seeks to address the existing gaps in data for:

• Diagnosing extent of poverty at the local level
• Determining the causes of poverty
• Formulating appropriate policies and programs
• Identifying eligible beneficiaries
• Assessing impact of policies and programs

Support the decentralization process by capacitating LGUs to collection, analysis and use data in local planning and program implementation

Complement efforts of the National Government to institutionalize a local MDG/poverty system.