Regional Development Updates | Volume 18 | No. 2 | April-June 2020

The Survival Garden project of LGU Tampakan in South Cotabato

CONTENTS Volume 18 | Number 2 | April - June 2020

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief TERESITA SOCORRO C. RAMOS Associate Editor MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO Contributing Editors MA. LULU E. VALENCIA GUILLERMO R. MANRIQUE, JR. ROMEL PATRICK E. TANGHAL LALAINE M. SAJELAN RDU Focal Persons EDEN F. RIDAO APOLLO Y. MANLAWE EVIE A. CABULANAN MICHAEL BJ S. ABELLANA JOSEPH DIDIUS L. CLAVE MYRA L. SAJO Layout Artist APOLLO Y. MANLAWE Contributors PIA XII PSA XII Photos NEDA XII PIA XII

The Regional Development Updates (RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII with editorial office at the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office XII, Prime Regional Government Center, Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, with Telephone No.: (083) 228-9203, Fax: (083) 228-9203. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit the manuscript for reasons of space and clarity. RDU assumes no responsibility on unpublished and unsolicited materials.

HOW TO REACH US Do you have questions, comments or suggestions? Send your letters with complete name and address to our editorial office mentioned above, or email us at nedaxii@ nro12.neda.gov.ph or nro12@neda.gov.ph.

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RTF-ELCAC XII continues commitment amidst COVID-19

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Economy Response Cluster and Anticipatory Forward Planning TWG endorse the creation of an InterAgency Monitoring Team to monitor LGUs’Compliance to Omnibus IATF Guidelines

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SOX Planners All-Set for the Preparation of COVID-19 RRP Volume 2

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SCAn Dashboard and Incident Report App Utilization Briefing for RTF XII on COVID-19 Economy Response Cluster

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No letup in bringing LSIs and ROFs home - Gov. Tamayo

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SOX COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan set out to Rebuild Regional Economic Resiliency

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Assistance to the needy - Best way to counter terrorism: Sec Lapeña

XII Economic Response 10 RTF Cluster sets eyes on safely restarting SOCCSKSARGEN economy

backs LGU Tampakan’s 11 TESDA Survival Garden project

RTF ELCAC XII CONTINUES COMMITMENT AMIDST COVID-19 By: Charmaine Lou D. Mapa, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY – The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTFELCAC) XII convened on June 26, 2020 via video conference.

The meeting was presided by the Chairperson, TESDA Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the SOCCSKARGEN Region. The virtual meeting was attended by 67% of the RTF regular members. In his opening message, Sec. Lapeña thanked everyone for the unstinted commitment in delivering government services to the public, amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic. He further stressed the need to innovate and initiate new means of delivery of services, in line with the new normal. The CORDS expressed optimism and looked forward to seeing better results in the coming days.

One of the highlights of the

8th RTF ELCAC XII Meeting was the presentation of major accomplishments of the Task Force in implementing the whole-of-nation approach. In presenting the report, TESDA XII RD Rafael Y. Abrogar, II featured the following accomplishments: (1) consultation-meeting with DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu to tackle the issue of overlapping tenurial instruments in Sultan Kudarat; (2) intensified Implementation of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP); (3) series of Serbisyo Caravan conducted accross the region; (4) harmonized Peace and Development efforts, wherein 100% of the LGUs in the region have operational local task forces for ELCAC; and (5) institutionalization of communication strategy, via the RTF ELCAC XII Facebook page.

the accomplishments of the various Lines of Efforts (LOEs)/ Clusters of the task force for the period March – May 2020 and the milestones of the provincial, city, municipal and barangay task forces. Further, Atty. Salahuddin M. Serad of DOJ-ORP 12 presented the salient features of the Draft Anti-Terror Bill for the information of the body.

The meeting ended with the Task Force passing 4 resolutions and 3 instructions from Sec. Lapeña.

DENR XII was also requested to submit a status report on the issue of overlapping tenurial instruments and land conflict caused by the issuance of IFMA in Sultan Kudarat.

The RTF-ELCAC XII secretariat also presented a summary of April - June 2020 | Regional Development Updates

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Economy Response Cluster and Anticipatory Forward Planning TWG Endorse the Creation of an Inter-Agency Monitoring Team to monitor LGUs’ Compliance to Omnibus IATF Guidelines By: Evie A. Cabulanan, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – An inter-agency monitoring team to monitor compliance of local government units in the implementation of the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) Omnibus Guidelines or Presidential Directives on modified general community quarantine in the region was endorsed during the joint virtual meeting of Economy Response Cluster (ERC) and the Anticipatory Forward Planning Technical Working Group (AFP TWG) on June 5, 2020.

The omnibus guidelines spell out the protocols on the gradual lifting of restrictions on the movement of people and the delivery of other services, including guides on the transition from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general CQ (GCQ), from GCQ to modified GCQ (MGCQ), and finally to the new normal. The guidelines likewise provide relaxation of some of the restrictions like opening of borders and opening of other nonessential services by 50% while

adhering to the minimum health standards/protocols of wearing face mask, proper hygiene such as washing of hands with soap or use of alcohol, observing physical distancing, and proper sneezing/ coughing etiquette.

The implementation of the guidelines is a prelude to the new normal. However, adoption at the LGU level is not uniform across provinces and cities in the region.

Ronan Eugene Garcia and Alfredo Hebrona, Jr., RDC XII – Private Sector Representatives, stress that the unhampered movement of goods and people will provide conducive environment to restart and revive the economy after the lull during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Thus, it would be helpful if the LGUs adhere and comply with the provisions set in the Omnibus Guidelines issued by the National IATF in order to avoid confusion, especially on the opening of boundaries and on the movement of people.

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Consistent with the role of ERC in providing recommendation to protect economic interest, NEDA XII Director Ramos approved the motion to endorse to the Regional IATF the creation of the said monitoring team. Details of the monitoring mechanism will be further discussed with the Secretariat.

Also tackled during the meeting were the: a) Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program; b) demographic vulnerability tool; c) key agencies accomplishment reports to address the COVID-19 pandemic and status of Economy Restart Plan; and, d) ways forward for the preparation of Regional Rehabilitation and Resiliency Plan.

SOX Planners All-Set for the Preparation of CoVID-19 RRP Volume 2 By: Gwyneth Grace B. Collado, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office XII conducted a technical briefing for the planning officers of the regional line agencies and provincial and city planning and development offices on June 19, 2020 via video conference.

The activity was a levelling-off session among the planners for the preparation of inputs and schedule that will guide the crafting of Volume 2- Rehabilitation and Resiliency Plan, 2021-2022 of the SOCCSKSARGEN-Regional Recovery Plan (SOX-RRP), 2020-2022.

Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos of NEDA XII emphasized that in the said volume of the RRP, the spatial dimension must be considered especially the growth corridors of the Region in anticipation of the full implementation of the Exectuive Order 114 or the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program.

She also highlighted that the results of the NEDA Online Survey, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) covering business sector, several Economic Stimulus Packages and the proposed extension of the RA 10469 – Bayanihan to Heal as One Act shall serve as inputs to the plan.

The plan’s Volume 1- Regional Economy Restart Plan focused on the recovery phase or the shortterm period from May to December 2020. “Under Volume 1, it is ensured that government strategies and resources are focused on the urgent recovery interventions for CoVID-19, thus priority PPAs were realigned inorder to abide with RA 10469 or the Bayanihan We Heal as One Act.” as elucidated by RD Ramos.

Volume 2 of the Plan.

Series of planning activities were lined up by the NEDA Technical Staff with its partner regional and local planners starting June 26 to complete the SOX-RRP Volume 2.

The said volume is expected to be completed and shall be presented to the RDRRMC XII, RDC XII, RIATFEID XII and RTF XII on COVID 19 by August 2020.

RD Ramos shared to the planners a quote saying “Plan for what could be done for the future, but also focus on what should be undertaken in the present.”

Presentations made during the briefing include the salient features of the EO 114 Implementing Guidelines; the key findings of the Online Survey and FGD with business sector; and, the outline for

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SCAn Dashboard and Incident Report App Utilization Briefing for RTF XII on COVID-19 Economy Response Cluster By: Gwyneth Grace B. Collado, NEDA XII Privacy Commission before proceeding to the report/message to ensure that the data provided are well-secured and protected.

Dr. Basilio also emphasized the fourth component of the dashboard which is the link to other government dashboards such as DA’s Deliver-E dashboard and DTI’s Logistics Observatory. They are also coordinating with the Bureau of Customs to link the E-TRACC System and developing a link to DOH Medical Supply Chain.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato. The Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND) team of the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF), through its chief of party, Dr. Enrico L. Basilio conducted a briefing and served as resource person on the Supply Chain Analytics (SCAn) Dashboard and Incident Reporter App to the members of the RTF XII on COVID-19 Economy Response Cluster during its 4th Regular Meeting on June 18, 2020.

The said briefing is in response to the cyclical challenges and incessant complaints received by the regional authorities with regard to the hampered flow of goods and other basic necessities in the region especially during this time of the pandemic.

The UPPAF RESPOND is the technical partner of the National Economic and Development Authority-Regional Development Group in the development of the SCAn Dashboard. Through the initiative of Undersecretary

Adoracion M. Navarro of the NEDA Regional Development Group, the proposal was presented to, and approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases on April 15, 2020 through IATF Resolution No. 24.

Dr. Basilio informed the members that on May 21, 2020, the team turned- over the said dashboard to IATF and National Task Force and simultaneously launched the SCAn Mobile App. “The dashboard is comprised of five (5) key components namely: Supply Chain Incident Report, Trip Videos, Survey of Supply Chain Issues, the link to the other government dashboard, and the Supply Chain Bulletin,” he said.

He also elaborated that in incident reporting, additional information are requested from the reporter to ensure that the uploaded cases are valid, to prevent nuisance reporting, and further supported by trip videos to be provided by the reporter.

Moreover, the reporter must also click the Data Privacy Statement which is submitted to the National

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“The dashboard also contains supply chain-related news articles, an archive of COVIDrelated issuances by various government agencies, and other literature on supply chain as well as infographics,” Dr. Basilio highlighted.

He also encouraged the members of the cluster to download and install the mobile app and participate on the upcoming E-Forum so that experts can further shed light on the challenges, issues and concerns encountered by the MSMEs in the region as it moves towards the new normal.

The members of the cluster expressed their appreciation to Dr. Basilio. During the open forum, they recommended to put in place a regional monitoring system link to the SCAn dashboard so that authorities at the regional level can quickly respond to the reported incident in their area of jurisdiction.

No letup in bringing LSIs and ROFs home – Gov. Tamayo By: Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 17 (PIA) -- “There is no chance that we will not bring home our locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipinos,” South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said.

Tamayo’s statement was a response to question whether he considers halting the local Balik Probinsiya initiative after a number of the returning residents tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“As I have said, at all cost we will bring them home, but under proper protocol,” Gov. Tamayo continues.

Data from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that from May 25 until June 15, South Cotabato received a total of 1,391 individuals through the provincial LGU’s local Balik Probinsiya Program.

This number consists of 1,060 LSIs and 331 ROFs. Eight of the LSIs and ROFs who arrived here since last week of May have tested positive for COVID-19, which raised the total number of confirmed COVID in the province to 12 in only about two weeks. All of them are confined in isolation facilities and are in stable condition.

The latest arrival included nearly 300 LSIs who travelled aboard 2GO sea vessels from Metro Manila to Cagayan de Oro City. The provincial government hired 10 buses to fetch the LSIs from CdO. This batch of LSIs arrived in Koronadal City Wednesday (June 17) dawn.

In an earlier press conference, Gov. Tamayo emphasized that the provincial government is determined in bringing home stranded residents to South Cotabato “where we can take care of them.”

“My only request is for all of the LSIs and the ROFs to strictly follow the protocols that we have set.

These rules are intended for the protection of their family and the people of South Cotabato,” he said.

These protocols include obligatory 14-day quarantine at home subject to availability of dedicated room and toilet or in facilities built or designated by the receiving local government units.

South Cotabato provincial government’s initiative to assist residents stranded in Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and other places in the country started in April with the Arts, Culture, Tourism, Sports (ACTS) Promotion Unit in partnership with the Department of Tourism advising South Cotabateños stuck outside of the province due to the pandemic to register for possible assistance, in case opportunities arise for them to be allowed to travel.

Later, this developed into a full operation of the provincial government and its component

city and municipal government units with the ACTS Promotion Unit leading in contacting stranded residents, coordinating with tourism offices and LGUs in places of origin, advising residents on the documents to be prepared, coordinating with receiving LGUs for needed documents and quarantine accommodation, arranging air, sea, or land travels, and other other activities.

PLGU South Cotabato chartered two Cebu Pacific flights on May 30 and 31 to bring home residents stranded in Metro Manila and Cebu City and neighboring places. South Cotabato LGU spent P2.1 M for the special flights.

The provincial government also hired buses to fetch LSIs and ROFs from seaports and airports in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City.

From points of arrival and places of origin, LSIs and ROFs are brought to the parking lot of the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City for disinfection and documentation. They are immediately endorsed to receiving LGUs for mandatory quarantine.

Gov. Tamayo estimated that at least a thousand more LSIs and ROFs are returning to South Cotabato in the coming weeks.

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SOX COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan set out to Rebuild Regional Economic Resiliency By: Myra L. Sajo, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY –The RDC XII Sectoral Committees convened to review the first of the two (2) volumes of the Regional Recovery Plan (RRP) 2020-2022, drawn in collaboration with the Regional Line Agencies and Local Government Units in SOCCSKSARGEN. Presided by the respective Chairpersons, the four main sectoral committees of RDC XII conducted simultaneous virtual meetings via different video conferencing platforms to discuss Volume 1 of the RRP of the region.

Volume 1 of the SOX-RRP lays down the multi-sectoral strategies and interventions needed to address the challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic. The plan will provide direction towards economic recovery and restoring the momentum for the realization of AmBisyon Natin 2040. It shall serve as the guidepost in pursuit of economic stability under the new normal condition or post-pandemic

state.

These interventions will be carried out by the RLAs, LGUs and other government entities covering major sectors – social, economic, political, technology, infrastructure, legal, and environment, among others.

Concerned RLAs presented the status/updates of their agency’s COVID-19 initiatives and interventions to their respective Sectoral Committees. Also, the secretariat presented to the members of the Committee the consolidated sector issues, challenges and interventions identified by the RLAs and LGUs. The LGUs also prepared their Local Economy Restart Plan, which served as inputs to the RRP. The preparation of the RRP is guided by Economic Response Cluster Resolution No. 10, series of 2020 “Approving and Adopting

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the Guidelines for the Preparation of the SOX-RRP consisting of two (2) volumes, namely: Volume 1: Regional Economy Restart Plan, May to December 2020; and, b) Volume 2: Rehabilitation and Resiliency Plan 2021-2022”. The plan preparation is in compliance with the directives of the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases on rebuilding the resilience of the country and communities, and facilitating the rapid transition of the people’s way of life based on new normal.

The synchronized conferences, which transpired on May 12, concluded with a set of agreements and suggestions/ recommendations from the four (4) different committees for the further improvement of RRP volume 1 and the inclusion of the realigned PPAs of RLAs which would form part of the plan.

Assistance to the needy – Best way to counter terrorism: Sec Lapeña By: Michael BJ S. Abellana, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The best way to counter terrorism is to provide the poor their most needed assistance, according to Secretary Isidro Lapeña.

Lapeña, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) told members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) XII that the “best way to counter misinformation perpetuated by Communist-Terrorist Groups (CTG) is to show concrete deeds through assistance to the disadvantaged kabayans.”

At the 7th meeting of the RLFELCAC XII via video conference, the Secretary reported that the “CTG took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to malign government efforts through their deceitful propaganda.”

Hence, Lapeña stressed the need to intensify government efforts to assist those seriously affected by the pandemic as he specified the priority barangays of the Task Force. Efforts will focus on food sufficiency, health and jobs for employment.

The Secretary also emphasized the need for a strategic development communication “to counter misinformation.”

At the meeting, representatives of the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat

and Sarangani reported on their respective accomplishments to end local communist armed conflict and efforts to combat COVID-19.

South Cotabato Province representative, Chris Fuentes, reported that they conducted area validation in the 13 priority barangays identified by the National Task Force ELCAC. This was done to identify issues and concerns of the residents so that government could address these.

James Domini Labiano, representative of Cotabato Province, said that they purchased the produce of vegetable farmers from far-flung areas, as well as those from local rice-millers, for relief goods distribution.

Melvin Ado of Sultan Kudarat Province added that they have identified one priority barangay and they are now finalizing their Economy Restart Plan in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Sarangani Province, Gov. Steve C. Solon said there were 33 rebels who surrendered to the government in the past two months. This was due to the local government’s intensified communication to the residents in geographically isolated areas that “the main enemy is COVID-19”.

Lapeña responded that this is exactly what RTF-ELCAC wants, that “without fighting, they [CTG] will go back to the folds of the law”.

Regional Line Agencies also presented their reports. Among them was Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) XII Director Rafael Y. Abrogar, II, who presented Project TALA which stands for TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso.

The project would provide a 15-day Photovoltaic Systems (solar panel) Installation Training to 500 Assistance to the ... page 10

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RTF XII Economic Response Cluster sets eyes on safely restarting SOCCSKSARGEN economy By: Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Economy Response Cluster (ERC) of the Regional Task Force (RTF) on Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has set its eyes on restarting the economy of Region XII by formulating a Regional Recovery Plan (RRP).

This was the overriding concern as the Committee held its joint meeting with the Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee of the RDRRMC on 27 April.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandates Local Government Units (LGUs) to formulate their respective Local Economy Restart Plan embodying protocols and guidelines for a new normal.

NEDA XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Chairperson of RTF on COVID-19 ERC, enjoined the LGUs to work on their ERP as they transition from ECQ to GCQ to meet the deadline for submission on May 7.

Romel Patrick E. Tanghal of NEDA Assistance to the ... from page 9 beneficiaries from 13 RTF-ELCAC priority barangays in the Region, Abrogar stressed. The trainees from the 13 barangays which do not have access to electricity, “will own and use the solar panels for their own houses,” he added.

Before the meeting ended, Lapeña

XII, stressed in his presentation that the plans of the LGUs should contain the strategies and interventions that will allow the people of SOCCSKSARGEN to adjust and adapt to the new normal. Covering the months from May to December this year, Tanghal specified that the recovery plans should detail new normal activities in the political, economic, social, technological, infrastructure, legal and environmental well-being of communities.

To support the implementation of the plan, programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) funded under the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) that are not aligned with RA 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and other related policies shall be deferred.

RD Ramos also relayed that the government has decided to “defer” implementation of already funded projects that are not aligned with RA 11469, to support the implementation of programs, projects and activities (PPAs) supportive of recovery plan of LGUs. The budget for the PPAs shall instructed the members to continue moving despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reminded them to ensure that government services are felt by the people of the region.

The RTF-ELCAC XII is composed of members of the Regional Development Council and the

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be re-programmed to fund new interventions that are intended to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramos said, as she enumerated provision of assistance, in cash or in kind, to the vulnerable groups, including stimulus subsidies for the business sector to start-up regional socio-economic activities, among others.

The submission of RRP to OCD and RDRRMC in the region, and to NEDA Regional Development Group (RDG) is set on May 15, 2020.

Aside from the LGUs, the meeting was attended by members of the Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee and the chairpersons of four RDC XII Sectoral Committees namely: PSR Ronan Eugene C. Garcia of the Macro-Economy, Development Administration and Finance Committee (MEDAFC), PSR Alfredo P. Hebrona, Jr. of Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee (InfraCom), PSR Rolando S. Doria of Economic and Development Committee (EDC), and Richlie Lyndon L. Magtulis of Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC).

Regional Peace and Order Council in the region. Both councils are represented by 14 Local Chief Executives, 42 heads of Regional Line Agencies, 13 Private Sector Representatives, the chief of the Philippine National Police in Region 12, and Army commanders operating in the region.

TESDA backs LGU Tampakan’s Survival Garden project By: Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

Part of 21-hectare Survival Garden project site will soon become a training ground for vegetable growers in surrounding communities, most of whom are members of the Blaan tribe, the primary beneficiary of the project. The south side of the Survival offers a panoramic view of the north face of the majestic Mt. Matutum.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 22 (PIA) – The local government of Tampakan has gained partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the development of the municipality’s Survival Garden in Sitio Salway, Barangay Tablu.

TESDA XII Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II and TESDASouth Cotabato Provincial Director Reynaldo Bernal met with Tampakan Mayor Leonard Escobillo at the project site to discuss the support that the national agency could offer to the LGU. “The immediate action the partnership would do is to conduct an organic agricultural crops production training at the project site,” Director Abrogar told Philippine Information Agency in an interview after the meeting.

Initially, at least 50 vegetable growers working at the farm and in neighboring villages are the

first beneficiaries of the training, Abrogar added. Most of the vegetable growers in the area are members of the Blaan tribe.

“The training is only an initial intervention. Eventually, we will proceed with multi-skilling of the vegetable growers along agriculture-related qualifications,” he said, including but not limited to, processing and preservation of garden products and organic chicken production.

“The immediate need is to train the vegetable growers to upgrade their agricultural productivity,” he said.

TESDA trainings are free of charge and, while on training, beneficiaries will receive financial allowance and other support.

Abrogar explained that their support for the Survival Garden project of LGU Tampakan is in line with the initiative of TESDA to promote agricultural productivity.

The municipal government tapped

Rows of seedlings almost ready to be transferred to garden plots at the Survival Garden.

the Blaan tribe residing in the area to manage the garden where assorted vegetables such as Chinese pechay, raddish, eggplant, cabbage, string beans, okra, pumpkin, upo (bottle gourd), and others are grown.

Escobillo also hopes to establish a regional vegetable research facility in the Survival Garden project site, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

After the COVID pandemic and when the site shall have been fully developed, LGU Tampakan plans to open the site for farm tourism.

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12 | Regional Development Updates | November - December 2019