3.1.

2 Expanded Problem-Solution Finding

Matrix (EPSFM) Analysis
The Philippines by virtue of its
geographic circumstances is
highly prone to natural disasters,
such as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tropical cyclones and
floods, making it one of the most
disaster prone countries in the
world.

Priscella Mejillano, En.P

Resource Person
The Expanded Problem-Solution-Finding Matrix (EPSFM)

CDP+ Process
Mainstreaming CCA-DRRM in CDP
3.1.2 Expanded Problem-Solution Finding Matrix (EPSFM) Analysis

Workshop Objective:

To discuss the EPSFM as a tool for

analyzing the situation and
determining interventions to address
gaps/issues.
What is a Problem-Solution Finding Matrix
(PSFM)?

a. A tool used to diagnose development issues or what is known as

problem-finding phase and for determining appropriate policy
interventions or what is called the solution-finding phase.

b. The problem-finding phase includes making meaningful

observations from the available information, determining the causes
or explanations of the observed conditions and exploring the positive
and negative implications if no significant intervention is made.

c. The solution-finding phase entails identifying the appropriate

policy interventions to curtail the negative implications and
strengthen the positive ones.
CDP+ Guide. DILG. 2019
 SOLUTIONS
Problem

Problem-Solution-Finding Matrix (PSFM)

Observed Explanation Implications Policy Goals Objectives Policy Options

Conditions s (Causes) when Options
unresolved (that it takes to
close the gap)
PROGRAM PROJECT LEGISLATI
S S VE
AGENDA

WHAT DO WHY? SO WHAT? WHAT

THESE TO
FIGURES DO?
MEAN?
1. CDRA
2. From the
EP/LDIS
3. VRG
Why is the PSFM Expanded?
To highlight the risks in its observed condition, the sensitivity and adaptive
capacity that can affect the cause of the condition, the positive implications
contributed by high adaptive capacity and negative implications due to
vulnerability and risks.

To capture the issues and problems posed by climate and disaster risks
and presents the policy interventions that both address current needs and
anticipate future impacts of climate change and disasters.

To capture the Vision-Reality Gap analysis and cross-sectorally

matched wit other issues and challenges.

To further detail the implications of the technical findings in identified

decision areas and classify policy interventions into PPAs, legislative
agenda and capacity development requirements.
 SOLUTIONS
Problem
Expanded Problem-Solution-Finding Matrix (EPSFM)

Observed Explanatio Implication Policy Goals Objective Policy Options

s when Options s
Conditions ns
(Causes) unresolved

PROGRAM PROJECTS LEGISLATI CAPDEV

S VE
AGENDA

WHAT DO WHY? SO Whatever it What to What to

THESE WHAT? takes Do Do
FIGURES
MEAN?
1. From the EP Why are Given the
2. Results of elements technical
VRG exposed? findings,
3. Map Overly Why is what are
Analysis vulnerability the core
4. Results of high? problems if
CDRA Why are CCA-
- Decision estimated DRRM
areas risks high? issues are
- Technical not
 Policy interventions
should be able to Sample policy options linked directly to
reduce DRR-CCA:
vulnerabilities and
SOLUTIONS
increase adaptive ▪ resettlement/ relocation
capacities of the ▪ hazard mitigation infrastructure
LGU. ▪ ecosystem-based adaptation
▪ IEC programs for increased
level awareness on disaster and
climate change
Policy Goals Objective Policy Interventions ▪ disaster preparedness
s
Option
▪ formulation of river-basin
PROGRA PROJECTS LEGISLATI CAPDEV management plans (in
MS VE
AGENDA coordination with other
municipalities)
Whateve WHAT
▪ reforestation projects
r it takes TO DO?
▪ comprehensive agricultural
extension program (emphasis
on climate change resiliency);
capacity and capability building
of LCEs, officials in relation to
DRR-CCA
EPSFM: Illustration 1
VRG
EPSFM:
Illustration
2- CDRA
 Expanded Problem Solution Finding Matrix (EPSFM): Illustration 3
TECHNICAL FINDINGS Explanation of the Implications Policy GOAL OBJECTIV Policy Options
gaps when not Options S ES
responded PROGRAM PROJECTS LA CAPDE
S V

VRG: Only 30% of Only few organized Increase

barangay personnel are teams of BRTs. occurrence of
trained with DRRM. flooding;
Lack of funds to
Most households are not formulate the Increase
provided with training and BDRRMPs number of
administration of first-aid. households
Lack of funds to affected by
None of barangays have conduct capacity flooding.
approved BDRRMPs. building trainings.

LDIS: Increased rate of

malnutrition.
Decreasing report and
occurrence of criminality.
EPSFM:
Illustration 4
(with solutions)
The EPSFM can be done through participatory
processes such as sectoral workshops and focused
group discussions (FGDs).

The technical staff may take off from the ‘technical

findings’ as ‘observed conditions’; ‘implications’
detailed as positive or negative; and ‘policy
interventions’ into ‘regulatory measures’, ‘programs’,
‘projects’, and ‘activities’ or ‘capacity development
requirements’ and the information gathered from the
Planning Indicator Systems and the VRG.

The EPSFM is a major reference for situational

analysis towards structuring solutions.
3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis

Climate and disaster information provide the

general scenario from which the planning area is
affected by climate change and disaster risk.

Having information on the sectoral risks and

vulnerabilities will aid decision makers to come up
Social with better interventions for each development
Economic
sector/sub-sector that are likely to be affected by
ONA L climate change and hazards.
T I
ITU
INST
This information should be utilized in analyzing
Infra Envi each of the development sectoral concerns.
3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis

CDRA CDP
Climate Information
Platform for CROSS-
SECTORAL
Population Social and sub-sectors Situational Analysis

CPF Infra and sub-sectors

Exposure
Sensitivity
LL Threat
Environment and sub-sectors Adaptive Capacity
NatRes Vulnerability
Risks
Economic and sub-sectors
Urban Ecosystem Maps
 3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis

The quantitative and qualitative data and mapping for the

CCVA and CDRA can input to cross sectoral analysis.

POPULATION URBAN AREAS

NATURAL CRITICAL POINT

RESOURCES FACILITIES
(Agricultural, Forestry,
and Fishery Areas) LIFELINE UTILITIES

What are the exposure units (population, urban Where are they located? What are contributing
areas, natural resources, critical facilities, (indicators of sensitivity and adaptive capacity) to
lifeline utilities) that are with high vulnerability or the level of vulnerability and risk?
high risk?
 3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis

Impact Chain Sector Low productivity/yield

40% Increase in Economic Decrease in income of

farmers
Precipitation
(Habagat Season) Decrease in revenues of
Agriculture Sub-sector Sector
LGU
Heavy rainfall ▪ Crops submerged in water Decrease in revenues of
Bio-physical effect ▪ Stored palay soaked LGU

▪ Post Harvest Facilities flooded Need additional funds

for support to farmers
Sector and support to the
health sector
Social
Increase incidence of water-
borne diseases
Health
sub-sector Contamination of water
sources

Primary Impacts Secondary Impacts

3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis
POSSIBLE
Primary Impacts Secondary Impacts Exposure
INDICATORS
Sector Low productivity/yield
▪ Total # of
Economic Decrease in income of
farmers
barangays affected
▪ Yield per hectare
(in tons)
Decrease in revenues of ▪ No. of PHFs per
Agriculture Sub-sector Sector
LGU barangay
▪ Crops submerged in water Decrease in revenues of
▪ Stored palay soaked LGU
▪ Additional fund
▪ Post Harvest Facilities flooded Need additional funds needed to support
for support to farmers agriculture &
Sector and support to the health programs
health sector
Social • No. of water-
Increase incidence of water- borne diseases
recorded in past
Health borne diseases
XXX years
Contamination of water • No. and type of
sub-sector water sources
sources
3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis
Pairing of Sectors
While issues are confined
within the conceptual
boundaries of the
sector/sub-sector, other
issues are common to two or
more sectors.

These issues can be

addressed jointly by the
sectors concerned through
inter-sectoral consultations,
round-robin fashion.
3.1.3 Cross-Sectoral Analysis: Sample Pairing of
sectors
Workshop 4: Exercise on Expanded Problem Solution Finding Matrix

Workshop Objectives:

1. To understand the process of analyzing the situation and determining

interventions to address gaps/issues

2. To understand the value of generating core through cross sectoral

analysis
Observed Explanation of Implications Implications Policy Options
condition the gaps when not when responded (what it takes to
responded (positive) close the gaps)
(negative)
CDRA CDRA
VRG
LDIS/RaPIDS

3. Refer to the outputs of workshop 3.