DA-PRDP InFOCUS Caraga April-June 2021

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CARAGA VOL. 7 ISSUE. 2 April-June 2021

The official quarterly newsletter of the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Field Office Caraga

The Free Prior Informed Consent opened the eyes of the Indigenous People to further understand the Green Coffee Bean Facility project

Higaonons yes pushes green coffee bean facility construction The smell of fresh coffee beans is in the air in Caraga as the construction of the Green Coffee Bean Processing Facility in Casiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte is bound to start. All thanks to the approval of the Higaonon tribe during the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FCIP) meeting facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on April 21.

Represented by three Indigenous Peoples, namely: Melinda P. Masiste, Beniales B. Dominador, and Antonio T. Manlipayan Jr., the signed MOA signified a green light to issue the Certificate of Precondition, a document

certifying the building of a facility to be issued by the Provincial Government Unit.

This will be given to the Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association Inc. (CAWFAI), the intended beneficiary of the project funded by the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project.

“The DA and the government are here to build a coffee processing plant that will soon be turned over to CAWFAI. Let’s set our mind that this will benefit not only the CAWFAI but also the IPs here in Casiklan,” assured Atty. Siegfried A. Auza, NCIP Provincial Legal Officer.

Stories inside this issue Higaonons yes pushes green coffee bean facility construction DA-PRDP guarantees A&M cassava farmers sales thru marketing agreement InfoACE Caraga sets up virtual KM workshop Irrigation canal for ADS farmers washes away ‘failure’ Six PRDP proposals worth P415.185M advance to the Prioritization Run Banana farming plants hopes of progress in Veruela

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DA-PRDP guarantees A&M cassava farmers sales through a marketing agreement To assure the establishment of a cassava market, the Department of AgricultureCaraga (DA) through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) updated the marketing agreement between the A&M Multi-purpose cooperative (A&M) in Dinagat Islands and Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative (FMPC) in Leyte.

The marketing agreement crafted during the DA-PRDP planning stated that A&M can potentially supply cassava granules to FMPC. Subsequently, as A&M reached FMPC’s proposed cassava volume, DA-PRDP intervenes to finalize the documents.

A visit by the Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries

Productivity (I-REAP) or Enterprise Component in FMPC on April 6-8 at Region-8 ensured that the marketing agreement will then be signed to proceed with the delivery of A&M’s produce.

The DA-PRDP inculcates the importance of forging a formal marketing agreement where both parties remain grounded and protected.

This provides in-depth detail of the product’s volume, quality, and delivery frequency.

The marketing agreement guarantees A&M’s produce will be purchased and FMPC will get the required volume of cassava granules.

“Cassava is not only a staple food but a primary commodity. We in DA-PRDP continuation on page 7...

InfoACE Caraga sets up virtual KM workshop Despite being caught on the pandemic walls, DA Caraga never backed down in pursuing the Orientation and Workshop on Knowledge Management (KM) and Identification of the Philippine Rural Development Project’s (PRDP) good practices via zoom.

Organized by the Information, Advocacy, Communication, and Education (InfoACE) Unit, the twoday virtual workshop enabled the 15 Regional Program Community Officers (RPCO) and the 10 Provincial/ City Project Management and Implementation Units to convene and exchange ideas about PRDPs processes.

“I am excited for the outcome of this workshop. I know a lot of you have initiated unique practices to implement PRDP’s projects smoothly and efficiently,” exulted Emmylou T, Presdila, InfoACE Unit Head.

The InfoACE Unit intends to package the gathered data into a knowledge product (KP) to serve as a reference for DA and other organizations working on the same area.

Noel T. Provido, Deputy Project Director of PRDP Mindanao explained why knowledge management is important in an organization. He emphasized that KM is one way of preserving and disseminating essential knowledge to other organizations and the succeeding generations.

On the other hand, Joseph John A. Palarca, InfoACE Unit Head of PRDPMindanao identified the difference between Explicit and Tacit knowledge. continuation on page 4 ...

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Higaonons yes continuation ...

Since a portion of the ancestral domain will be used for the infrastructure, a documented consent is needed from the affected party through a signed MOA. “The process that we are doing is part of the agreement.

This will allow or nullify the construction of the facility based on your decision,” emphasized Andrew M. Salas, NCIP Bueneascar, Acting Community Development Officer.

The IPs agreed to the provisions stating the acceptance and approval of building a processing center worth P19 million. This will further boost the barangay’s coffee enterprise and increase farmers’ income. Moreover, the MOA stipulates that three signatories will represent the Higaonons in Casiklan, making them responsible for the agreement.

However, it was made clear that the rights given to the signatories are limited only to the present agreement.

Another FPIC meeting will commence before the operation kicks off to tackle the terms and conditions of the enterprise and royalty of the Higaonon. The signed MOA will be forwarded to the province then to the region for the issuance of the Pre-Condition Certificate.

Enterprise component head Lynn A. Pareñas witnessed the signing of MOA together with NCIP’s Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Siegfried A. Auza.

Higaonon voices heard Furthermore, the FCIP served as an avenue to hear the voices of the IPs and clarify their concerns.

Tribal leader Datu Beniales B. Duminda encouraged his constituents to unify their answer and say yes to the building facility. He believes the project will benefit all the residents of Casiklan including the IPs since the majority are coffee farmers.

“This will surely pour overflowing opportunities to the tribe and will inspire those who quitted coffee farming to get back to business,” Datu Duminda exulted.

According to the 10-year coffee farmer, the 100x100m production area sums to P3000 input only. This earns them P7000 per harvest, which lasts for six months.

With the processing center, Datu Duminda believes both coffee production and income will increase.

Additionally, some IPs expressed their gratitude for including them in the whole process.

“We are pleased that they made sure to consult us for the construction of this project. We feel that our tribe has been significant to its realization,” Bae Thelma C. Makaundag expressed.

Completed Irrigation for ADS farmers washes away ‘failure’ No more cropping failure in the barangays of Agusan del Sur following the back-to-back turnover of the Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) in Rosario and San Luis.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project, the 2.71km main canal, lateral and structures of Laminga in San Luis, and 4.76km main canal with structures in Limbatangan, Rosario is perceived to maximize cropping potential and ease farming operations.

“This irrigation is very critical in rice cropping.

Here in Rosario. Before, harvest has always been a failure due to the lack of a good water source.

Now, as this project came to life, surely yield will increase so with the farmers’ income,” expressed Rex S. Fuentes, Rosario Sangguniang Bayan member.

The 2.71km Laminga CIS intends to cover 136ha rice fields with 703 household beneficiaries in Alejandro, Baylo, Dona

Flavia, and Poblacion. This is in addition to the 10-ha existing conventional rice area and will help increase the rice production from 2.2MT/ha to 4MT. A 29.22% increment in palay production is expected with the CIS. Limbatangan’s 4.76km CIS targets 264-ha rice area in Libuac, Poblacion, and Tagbayan, Rosario, having a 1,623 household beneficiaries. This will increase rice production from 3MT/ha to 4MT/ha for conventional rice and 3MT/ ha to 3.6MT/ha for organic rice.

Officials and farmers in Rosario and San Luis expressed their gratitude towards the implementors of the irrigation, promising to unceasingly support government interventions.

“Our hearts are filled with joy with the completion of this irrigation. This will make our lives easier.

This just proves that the government is listening to our sentiments,” declared Jeffrey Manlapas, Laminga Irrigators Association member. continuation on page 4 ...

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InfoACE Caraga continuation ...

These are essential in identifying the kinds of processes used throughout the project implementation and to present them in a way that readers could have a better grasp of those practices. The tacit and explicit knowledge matrix served as a guide in identifying PRDP’s good practices notes (GPN).

Completed Irrigation for ADS continuation ...

“Even if our generation ends, as long as farming is alive, this fountain of life will always be here because of you.

Rest assured that we will continuously support and help the government by maintaining this irrigation up to the next generations,” guaranteed Federico S. Guerrero, Jr, Limbatangan Farmers Irrigators Association President.

intended beneficiaries.

The CIS amounting to P21M for Laminga and P50M for Limbatangan would not be possible without the 10% counterpart from the local government unit of the beneficiary barangays. This is along with the 10% counterpart from the Philippine government and 80% from the World Bank.

Moreover, DA Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo reminded that despite the threats of the pandemic, officials adapt to the new normal ensuring that programs reached their

Furthermore, the Laminga canal was turned over to the Laminga Irrigator’s Association along with the Limbatangan canal to the Limbatangan Farmers Irrigators Association.

Six PRDP proposals worth P415.185M advance to the Prioritization Run

LGU Tago proposed the concreting of Kinabigtasan-Lindoy FMR with Bridge worth P184M. This would benefit 9,142 residents including 308 IPs who farm rice, coconut, corn, soybeans, and abaca.

A glimmer of hope shines in the local government units (LGU) of Caraga after the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved the endorsement of the six additional subprojects for the prioritization run under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Additional Financing (DA-PRDP-AF).

For LGU San Agustin, the proposed Construction of Buhisan-Manumnum FMR amounting to P84M will be the lone road in the area of Buatong and Buhisan. The 3,226 residents who primarily farm rice, lanzones, abaca, banana, and root crops will generally benefit from the project. If realized, the project would reduce hauling costs, save travel time, and increase the traffic rate in the area.

After the presentation of documents proving that the projects were suitable and essential in the area, the LGUs of Tago, San Agustin, and Cantilan Surigao del Sur, Bayugan City, PLGU Agusan del Sur, and Placer, Surigao del Norte, received a resounding YES from members of the RPAB.

Likewise, the concreting of MahapagBucac-Marcelina FMR proposed by the Province of Agusan del Sur having a 4.79km distance worth P60M will cover a 2,712-ha influence area. The road will make life easier for rubber, rice, coconut, and banana farmers since the FMR will reduce 10% transportation

Every RPCOs and PPMIUs was given the chance to present and improve their GPNs through a one-to-one mentoring of Palarca and comments from coparticipants.

Despite being done virtually, the workshop still served its purpose as a way of introducing to the RPCOs and PPMIUs the importance of knowledge management and gathering the GPNs for the production of a knowledge product.

cost and 50% travel time.

From land to sea, Placer, SDN advocates the establishment of the 30 Ton Ice plant with an Ice Storage Facility amounting continuation on page 6...

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Banana Farming Plants Hope for Progress in Veruela

Having no signal and distant from industrial developments, residents of Brgy. Sta Emilia, Veruela, Agusan del Sur almost lost hopes in improving their lives by selling the only common commodity in the community, the bananas.

However, when the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Caraga intervened in 2018, it restored the farmers lost confidence and shed light on the community.

Improving Banana Industry The Kinabugawan Farmers Producers Cooperative (KIFAPCO) is one of the Proponent Groups of the I-REAP or Enterprise Component of PRDP. The 9-year-old coop started from 25 members and struggled to establish their coop since it’s in a remote area.

According to Maricel Bautista, KIFAPCO Secretary and a banana farmer, aside from the problems in the field, selling bananas has been unlucrative since many times buyers reject their products.

Members were also lost in the marketing operations of the coop, unaware of the financial process and management.

In 2018, PRDP funded KIFAPCO with P928,000 for the two interventions: the establishment of a 2-hectare (ha) Lakatan plantation as an expansion to the existing 13-ha Lakatan area of KIFAPCO and a provision for the buying continuation on page 6...

station, weighing scale, and operational fund for its banana production and trading business.

The project allowed KIFAPCO to expand its economic activities on buying and selling bananas thereby generating income for the coop. On top of the income from their Lakatan production, a P0.25/kg is added to their coop.

Further, the microenterprise members and banana growers are guaranteed a sure market for their produce since KIFAPCO consolidates and sells it to their contracted buyer.

Likewise, farmers get a fair market price, increasing their income up to 5%.

For three years, PRDP provided training to the coop such as Enterprise Operations and Manual, Simple Bookkeeping, and Capability Development Planning. This engaged them in properly managing the coop’s finances and operations.

“These training helped us how to manage the coop’s money, how much it should profit and the annual patronage refund of the beneficiaries. We learned how to manage a business,” blurted Bautista.

Gabato also emphasized that the training opened their eyes to how credit and debit work.

“We thought before that credit is loan and debit is just arguing during a session. Then PRDP taught us that it’s different in the financial aspect. Credit is income and debit is expenses. Now we can itemize our operations and regulate our financial record and that’s very important in a cooperative,” Gabato said.

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Banana Farming continuation ...

Empowered banana farmers All the interventions of PRDP gave strength to KIFAPCO. They expanded their plantation area from the original 2-ha plantation to 5-ha. The coop also accumulated assets worth P3M. Banana farmers were empowered to expand their area and immerse themselves in business.

“My banana area was just 1-ha before. With PRDP’s training on proper planting, I was encouraged to expand my plantation to 7-ha. My income increased from P10,000 to P30,000 per month depending on the market price. Residents here have been buying cars already since their monthly income is guaranteed and has a huge increase. PRPD helped us a lot,” Bautista said.

Further, even during the pandemic, KIFAPCO had no issues in selling their products since their contracted buyer could freely come to their coop and buy their bananas.

Banana farmers meet World Bank Six PRDP proposals continuation ...

to P58.4M to support their Tuna industry. The LGU ranks 1st in the landing sites of tuna with an annual production estimate of 10,116.43mt. Such produce made a high demand to process and commercialize their tuna. With this, the P30M worth additional ice plant would help them in tuna preservation.

A fishery proposal was also presented by Cantilan with the construction of the three units Watch Tower costing P17M. The alarming overfishing and climate change issues pushed the LGU to come up with the project. Cantilan also envisioned to alleviate and improve the living condition of the fisherfolk-beneficiaries by encouraging sustainable fishing. It would then benefit 1,380 fisherfolks.

Lastly, Barangay Tinago of Cantilan raised that the water system in the community should be improved since it can only serve 7 households out of the 243 homes. Moreover, the P9M water system would help uplift the lifestyle of the predominant coconut farmers in the community.

Careful deliberation After the intense deliberations, the RPAB chaired by DA Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo signed the resolutions approving the subprojects under the Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) component for endorsement to the DA-PRDP National Project Coordination Office for further evaluation. If approved, the subprojects will receive a No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) which would indicate that the project has been funded and should proceed to the implementation of the subproject.

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With the banana farmers’ hard work and PRDP’s interventions, KIFAPCO has grown to be a booming enterprise. This gave them the ticket to represent PRDP Caraga’s I-REAP to the World Bank Mission consultation and dialogue.

Chairman Gabato addressed the question from the world bank consultant Agnes Deshormes on how they foresee the coop’s growth.

“We envision to strengthen KIFAPCO’s marketing strategies which will also improve the lives of the banana farmers. In business marketing, we encourage the members to sell their bananas to us so that our income will increase. In every purchase, P0.25 goes to our coop. The amount will surely increase and we can use this to improve the coop and help our banana farmers,” he said.

Gabato added that despite the many negativities brought by the pandemic, it became an advantage to them.

“During the height of the pandemic when the lockdown was implemented, residents concentrated in farming specifically banana since it is the notable commodity here. Most untilled lands were now planted and this increased banana production,” Gabato disclosed.

KIFAPCO and other PGs from Visayas and Mindanao were lauded by the World Bank consultants including Eli Weiss, Maria Theresa Quinones, Tim Hancock, and Agnes Deshormes for their hard work despite the crisis they have encountered along the way.

DA-PRDP guarantees continuation ...

are like supporting actors for the success of this project.

With this, we make sure to establish a market for the produce of the A&M to make it profitable,” Lynn A. Pareñas, DA-Caraga PRDP I-REAP Component Head said.

Furthermore, the signed document is one way of educating the farmers to exercise their rights and authority especially when it comes to bulk orders.

“During investment forums, we bring in personnel from the industry itself including San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI). Through this, they will have a picture of the coops’ needs. These forums built a close partnership with the SMFI which also allowed us to connect to FMPC, one of their cassava granules suppliers,” she added.

A&M cooperative agreed to

supply 10 metric tons or 10,000 kilograms of cassava granules per month with a buying price of P11/kg to FMPC. This will then be delivered by FMPC to SMFI to be processed as feeds.

“I-REAP assures that cassava granules consolidation and marketing are viable considering the market. Even if the project reaches its term, the enterprise can continue, and support from DA will always be there,” Pareñas guaranteed.

Moreover, I-REAP plans to organize a field visit for the staff of A&M to the facilities of FMC to expose them to the coop’s process and give them a hands-on experience of the machines used. Also, a prospect production training which will be funded by I-REAP in partnership with FMC will happen in Dinagat Islands for the cassava farmers of A&M. “For now, as the project progress, we also continue the capability building, institutional development, and other related engagements with A&M,” Pareñas asserted.

The MOA that will be signed in May serves as the go signal for the maiden voyage of A&M’s high-quality cassava granules. This will be tentatively transported to Matalom Leyte, then directly delivered to SMFI BMEG Plant in Ormoc City.

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Wilfredo C. Abrea Photographer/Videographer Advisers: Jodel A. Tabada Deputy Project Director Abel James I. Monteagudo Project Director PRDP INFOCUS CARAGA

CARAGA ARD Melba B. Wee RPCO 9

darfo13

Mary Grace b. Sta Elena RPCO 10

da13caragainfo @gmail.com

Elizabeth C. Torio Region 11 OIC Edgar Allan Pasaol Region 12

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Zenny G. Awing Writer/Layout Artist

RPCO InfoACE Focal Persons

Emmylou T. Presilda Editor-in-Chief

(085) 815-2009

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is the quarterly newsletter of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) - Regional Project Coordination Office- CARAGA.