RAPID Newsmakers Issue #2

Outputs vis-à-vis interim logframe targets

11 DIPs approved/on-going implementation,

2 Recommended for NO; 6 for Parallel review/ revision or compliance to Parallel Review comments; 15 ongoing development; 2 for development

22 RSIPs completed; 2 for completion

15,089/25,00 (60%) smallholder farming households participated in the DIPs

18,222 hectares for expansion & rehab

103/180 (56% ) Farmer Organizations participated in the DIPs

26 Million worth of Matching Grants

3 Pilot FMIs, with a total of 8.17 kilometers, approved and launched, 1 Pilot FMI for Approval. 2nd batch of 7 FMIs for prep of technical documents

21/10 (210%) networks of Negosyo Centers collaborated with project in assisting project beneficiaries

24/24 (100%) Participated in/ supported National/ Regional/ Provincial Industry Councils activities

21/8 (263%) pool of qualified service providers per province set up

One Project MIS / Profiling Application developed

3,767/45,000 (8%) Farmers/FAs/ MSMEs trained on Enterprise Strengthening

44/150 (29%) market linkages established

534/710 (75%) MSMEs assisted

216/100 (216%) Commercial Partnership Agreements (CPAs) Signed

17 Anchor Firms engaged

193/300 (64%) products developed/ improved to conform with market requirements

3/3 (100%) FSPs engaged (LBP, SBC, DBP) Ongoing collaborations with DAACPC and PCIC

3/5 (60%) financial products of FSPs utilized for the Project beneficiaries

Mindanao Trade Expo 2022

Biggest Regional Expo in Region 10 showcases the RAPID Growth Project Stakeholders

The Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair is a much-awaited annual event in Northern Mindanao where consumers, buyers, and producers convene to indulge the bountiful products produced by the Region. In this year’s “Kahimunan”, the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office features the stakeholders and services of the Rural Agro-enterprise for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project through the various activities laid down for the event which was held last August 19-29, 2022 at SM City Uptown, Cagayan de Oro City.

Among the RAPID stakeholders featured in the Expo are the Linear Coffee Roaster, Mang Kiko’s Cacao and Tableya, and AM Noble Natures Blessing. These anchor firms and MSMEs delighted the buyers and consumers with the invigorating aroma of freshly brewed coffee, thirst-quenching cold brew, and luscious hot chocolate drinks. Coconut-based decorative and accessories, and other coconut-based products such as geonets, coco pallets, coco pole and coco peats produced by RAPIDassisted farmer organizations were also promoted. The Alayon Multipurpose Cooperative based in Gingoog City, and the Malingao Community Service Cooperative (MCOCO) were among the known coconut-based product producers assisted by RAPID that were featured in the Expo.

Apart from the joy of drinking coffee and chocolate, and appreciating the creativity of RAPID-assisted MSMEs and FOs in making coconut-based decorative and accessories, a one-day event dubbed as “RAPID Day at Kahimunan”, was conducted on August 22, 2022 . The “RAPID Day” provided opportunities for the Project to present the situations, challenges, and business opportunities of assisted industry clusters namely, Cacao, Coffee, and Coconut. This also became a venue to inspire other stakeholders with the sharing of entrepreneurial journey of SMEs being assisted by the Project, and through the actual demonstration on the process of preparing coffee and chocolate drinks.

The participation of the RAPID Growth to the 2022 Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair is one of the market promotion and facilitation support provided by the Project to its beneficiaries, seen to contribute in augmenting the income of farmers, farmer organizations, and MSMEs assisted by the Project. Initially, a total of 122 product/ company inquiries were generated through the event, and these inquiries are expected to materialize as market linkages and/or sales in the future.

-Gemima Lopez

Ayala Malls Abreeza, Davao City August 12 - 21, 2022

Members of the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) and partners participate in a day of interactive learning during the “RAPID Day at Kahimunan” where key industry speakers present the status and potential of coffee, cacao, and coconut in Region 10.

Indigenous People Groups Receive RAPID Growth Assistance during the 108th Kalivungan Festival

M. Noble, President of the AM Noble

Blessing, one of the producers of tableya chocolates, demonstrates the joy of making tableya hot choco.

Trade Fairs: Providing Opportunities to MSMEs Amidst the Pandemic

TACLOBAN CITY- On July 9-12, 2022, five (5) RAPID Growth- Assisted Farmer’s Organizations (FOs) namely; Nenita Coconut Farmers Association (Table, Banana Chips), Arraiza Farm (Virgin Coconut Oil), Arm Farm (Banana Chips, Tablea, Mixed Nuts), Malitbog Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Table, Turmeric, Chili Oil), KAMMPIL Agricoop (Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Vinegar, and Coco Hanks, Coco Poles, Coco Peat) participated in BAHANDI: Hanap-Yaman sa Kanayunan Trade Fair at Robinsons Mall, Tacloban City

The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly detrimental to the operations of some Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Some MSMEs halted their operations due to lack of potential buyers both in the local and international market. With this, RAPID Growth Project created opportunities for FOs through market affiliation and participation in trade fairs.

The five (5) assisted FOs were able to showcase and sell their different agri-based products which in turn helped in boosting their economic productivity with cumulative profit of Php 400, 000 in this time of crisis.

Trade fairs play an important role in marketing and business networking. These kinds of events provide excellent opportunities for our farmer-entrepreneurs to assess opinions from clients, determine a market potential, conduct research and evaluate market competition, and initiate joint ventures and project partnerships.

-Leo Abuda

In line with the term “Kalivungan” which is a generic term among indigenous people (IPs) in Cotabato which means a gathering to celebrate good harvest, or a convergence of tribes to resolve community concerns, the RAPID Growth Project initiates various developmental interventions for the IP farmer organizations in time with the 108th Kalivungan Festival of the Province of Cotabato. These interventions include the conduct of Market Matching for cacao and coffee producers, Financing Forum, Cacao Postharvest Training, and Orientation Seminar on Basic Food Safety and Food and Drugs Administration – License-to-Operate (FDA-LTO) Application Process.

The Indigenous People groups of Barangay Ilian Tribal Farmers Association (BITFA) and Doles IP Workers Organization (DIWO) were among the Indigenous People farmer organizations (FOs) that benefited the market matching activity. As a result of this intervention, BITFA and DIWO inked

Ms. Marle

Nature’s

Ms. Jacky of the Mang Kiko’s Cacao caters the inquiry of a client .

...Indigenous People Groups Receive RAPID Growth Assistance during

the 108th Kalivungan Festival

a bilateral Marketing Agreements with Curve Coffee Collaborators (a subsidiary of Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation) for their October 2022 to March 2023 coffee harvest season on August 30, 2022 . Signatories of the Agreement Signing were Mr. Jeffrey Barrios, President of BITFA, Ms. Emma Pacete, President of DIWO, and Mr. Paquito Nalugon of Curve Coffee Collaborators.

Other than BITFA and DIWO, coffee stakeholders namely the Tambad Farmers Association, New Israel Farmers Association, Alamada Multi-purpose Cooperative, Kinarum Rural Improvement Club, and Joric’s Coffee also received an orientation of the various financing options that they may tap for their equity as the intended beneficiaries of the matching grants provided under

the RAPID Growth Project. These financing options were presented during the Financing Forum through the Department of Agriculture –Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) focal person, Ms. Farra Peńas, and Desk Officer Frederick Aurel of the Small Business Corporation

The capacity building activities on postharvest, food safety, and FDA-

LTO requirements were provided to capacitate the cacao and coffee stakeholders of the province on the market and regulatory requirements in relation to their respective business activities.

The RAPID Growth Project Team believes that with the provision of these services, community concerns on marketing, productivity, and access to financing will be addressed.

RCU 11 Launches Hybrid Retail Support Program

DAVAO CITY - The RAPID Growth Project Regional Coordinating Unit 11 launched the Hybrid Retail Support Program on July 6 in Abreeza Mall here.

This flagship initiative provides an avenue for the beneficiaries to promote and sell their products through GiftingLife Community Store, a hybrid retail shop that offers physical retailing, e-commerce, digital marketing, and an immersive consumer experience to help small businesses, especially social enterprises, amid the global economic and health crises.

Likewise, the program capacitates the 20 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and farmer organizations (FOs) through a series of online training interventions on Digital Marketing Media that will run until December 2022.

Head Delia M. Ayano, who is also the Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11, envisions MSMEs and FOs increasing their digital presence to expand market reach and keep up with the demands of the new normal.

“We hope for the full support and active participation of our dear MSMEs to maximize the gains from the program, resulting to their increased income and a more robust agri-enterprise sector in the region,” she concluded.

-Gerlie Rivero

Project

-Gandhi Benitez

A NEW CHAPTER UNFOLDS – RCU 11 Project Head Delia Ayano (left) and GiftingLife Community Store General Manager Liezel SaleraManabat (right), officially commence the partnership for the Hybrid Retail Support Program during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Farmer Cooperatives in Zamboanga Del Sur Convenes to Iron Out Implementation of Detailed Investment Plan

The Detailed Investment Plan (DIP) is a vital document that lays down the consolidated investment projects and activities that needs to be undertaken by the proponent value chain actors to strengthen its supply chain. It is the document that shows the connection of backward linkages actors (farmer organizations) to a specific market center (anchor firm) and alternative markets (MSMEs). As such, approval of the DIP signals a green light to the RAPID Growth Project to proceed with the funding and interventions to the intended beneficiaries.

Following the approval of the DIP of Granexport Manufacturing Corporation, Provincial Coordination Unit of Zamboanga del Sur (PCUZDS) gets the ball rolling by convening the value chain actors involved in the DIP in preparation for its implementation.

On July 14, 2022, the Bulawan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (BARCO) and Gubang Farmer Beneficiaries Cooperative (GUFARBECO) together with the Granexport Manufacturing Corporation convene in the Technical Meeting for DIP-BP Implementation Planning. The said activity

RAPID Growth project capacitates DavNor cacao farmers

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - The Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project has continued to support the cacao industry as its series of capacity-building activities has finally kicked off. This intervention is an offshoot of the Detailed Investment Plan for Kennemer Foods International Supply Chain that was approved to be implemented by the Project this year.

The capacity-building activities, which is identified to improve the capacities of the cacao farmers by deepening their understanding of cacao farming, farm record keeping, factors affecting its biodiversity, soil fertility, proper plant establishment, and rejuvenation, are part of the direct assistance that will be provided to the smallholder cacao farmers as beneficiaries. These will be carried out in collaboration with the Triple 20 Foundation Inc., Kennemer Foods International Inc, DTI-Negosyo Center, and DTI Industry Cluster Enhancement Program.

facilitated by the PCU enabled these coconut value chain actors and the DTI to plan out and level-off on the processes and requirements in implementing the approved DIP.

A Matching Grant Ceremonial Signing was then signed last August 12, 2022, to formalize and bind BARCO, GUFARBECO, and DTIZamboanga Del Sur of their commitment to implement the matching grant component of the DIP amounting to PhP3.5 Million Pesos worth of productive investments. These productive investments include upgrading/procurement of tools and equipment for copra production, the establishment of a warehouse, and the procurement of hauling trucks, among others.

A Financial Service Provider Consultation Meeting was also arranged by the PCU to assist BARCO and GUFARBECO in exploring and identifying financing packages for their counterpart equity. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Small Business Corporation (SBC), and Department of Agriculture Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) were among the FSPs present in the consultation.

The RAPID Growth Project recognizes the role of farmer cooperatives in driving countryside development. As such, convening these cooperatives and providing them technical support so that they can carry out the plan well is among the approaches that will help the project reach its goal of reaching more farmer households in regions with high poverty incidence.

Among the farmer organizations provided with the initial interventions based on the approved DIP were the Del Monte Coconut Planters Association, Sta. Fe Coconut Planters Association, and Kapalong Cooperative. The trainings were held in three batches: Del Monte Coconut Planters Associations on August 2, 9, 16, and 23; Sta. Fe Coconut Planters Association on August 3, 10, and 17; and Kapalong Cooperative on August 5, 12, 19, and 26. A total of 110 farmer beneficiaries composed of around 55 women, 10 youth, and 32 senior citizens participated in the training activities.

“Daghan kaayong salamat sa DTI-RAPID Growth project sa gipahigayon nila nga mga trainings sa amo nga mga mag-uuma. Daghan mi og nakat-unan mahitungod sa pagpalambo sa among mga uma sa cacao. Kami nanghinaot nga magpadayon pa kini (Thank you so much to the RAPID Growth project for the training activities it conducted for us farmers. We learned a lot on how we can develop our cacao farms. We hope that these will continue)”, Sta. Fe Coconut Planters Association chairperson Teofilo S. Orehuela said.

With the capacity-building activities provided with these target beneficiaries, the RAPID Growth Project is expecting that results on these interventions will manifest through the augmentation of income of farmers with the increased level of productivity, and sustainable cacao supply chain.

-Allan Pelong

-Engr. Rollie Jay Dupitas

RCU 8 Connects with Local Cacao and Coconut Industry Development Councils in Leyte and Northern Samar

The Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project collaborates with the local Cacao Industry Council and Northern Samar Coconut Industry Development Council to discuss plans, concerns, and updates related to cacao and coconut industry clusters.

During the Coordination Meeting with the Northern Samar Coconut Industry Development Council (NSCIDC) held last July 22, 2022 in Catarman Northern Samar, the RAPID Growth Project participated in the discussion of the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). The participating line agencies and financial service providers (FSPs) presented and discussed their respective work plans with the Council members to identify areas of convergence, and synchronize the implementation of interventions for the coconut industry cluster.

The Project Team also attended the First Semestral Review and Revalidation Workshop cum Council Meeting of the local Cacao Industry Development Council in Merida, Leyte last August 16, 2022 . This was attended by farmers, MSMEs, LGUs, and line agencies such as DAR and

DTI. During the meeting, the RAPID Team presented its first semester accomplishments and also participated on the discussion related to the implementation of CFIDP which also include the intercropping of coffee and cacao.

The involvement of the Project to these council meetings are crucial as the Project has Detailed Investment Plans on cacao and coconut that are in the pipeline. Aligning its interventions with the region’s industry development plan and having collaborative networks with the industry councils, LGUs, and other industry enablers will help the project be able to reach its goal of reducing poverty in the assisted municipalities by strengthening the value chain of cacao and coconut industries.

The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (MTIT-BARMM) through its Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project held three batches of Focus Group Discussion and Consultation sessions with its coffee stakeholders in the Province of Maguindanao.

Among the participants who attended the FGDs last July 26, 2022 until August 3, 2022 are farmer organizations, MSMEs, and consolidators/traders. Local Government Units of Cluster 3 composed of Parang, Matanog, Barira, Buldon in Iranon Area joined the FGD held in the Municipality of Matanog. The Cluster 2 LGUs on the other hand composed of municipalities of Ampatuan, Datu Odin Sinsuat Datu Abdullah Sangki, Guindulungan, Raja Buayan, and Sharif Aguak, joined the FGD held in Sharif Aguak.

Through these FGD sessions and consultations, the Project was provided with avenues to communicate to stakeholders and target beneficiaries the project’s goals and objectives, and level off expectations. These also afforded the Project to generate inputs/feedbacks on the coffee industry status, challenges, and trends observed by coffee players of the province, which are deemed relevant in the preparation of Detailed Investment Plans in the targeted municipalities of Maguindanao.

-Neimar Abalo, Jasper Dula

RAPID-BARMM Holds Focus Group Discussions and Consultations with Coffee Stakeholders

-Nishreen Yu Hashim

FGD in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao with MSMEs

PCU Sarangani Facilitates Coffee and Cacao Councils’ Meetings

PCU-Sarangani, in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Sarangani, facilitated the “Sarangani Coffee Industry Development Council (SCoIDC) Meeting“ and “Sarangani Cacao Industry Development Council (SCaIDC) Meeting” last June 24, 2022, and July 7, 2022, respectively at Anchor Hotel, General Santos City.

DTI through the RAPID Growth Project acknowledges that private and public partnership plays a pivotal role in the achievement of its bottom line goals and objectives.

Tackling issues of Value Chain constraints in both coffee and cacao in the Province of Sarangani, the council is expected to draft and enact the province-wide policy in coordination with line agencies for a more inclusive, dynamic, and sustaining environment for all stakeholders.

During the council meeting, the council together with the PCU team discussed the: provincial adaptation of RAPID-Growth Project interventions, participation in local and national quality assessment competitions, crafting of standardized quality classification of both green coffee beans and dried cacao beans, and ways forward.

-Cresinte Gumilao Jr.

PCU Sarangani Holds LGU Agro-Industrial Complementation

RAPID PCU-Sarangani, in partnership with the Provincial Planning and Development Office of Sarangani, conducted an Agro-Industrial Convergence Complementation: Roles of LGUs in the Value Chain at Anchor Hotel, General Santos City last June 24, 2022 .

The Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDOs) and Municipal Agriculturists (MAs) attended the activity that focused on the current developments of the Project, estimated timelines, project design, and possible partnerships along with project implementation.

The program also aimed that respective MPDOs and MAOs be well-informed of the proposed grants of various farmer organizations in the province.

The MPDOs and MAOs expressed their appreciation of the holistic development approach of the RAPID Growth Project and expressed interest to assist in the pre-implementation activities and monitoring.

-Cresinte

M. Gumilao Jr.

Helping Farmers Mitigate Risks Through Crop Insurance

Farmers’ livelihood is mainly dependent on the quality and quantity of their crop yields; accordingly, higher quality crops and higher volume of produce equate to higher sales for the farmers. However, it is inherent that there are uncertainties in production such as the occurrence of natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestation which affect the value of their products and may reduce their harvest potential.

As part of the RAPID Growth Project’s interventions, the project provides support for farmers in accessing insurance products to ensure the stability of crop production. Hence, a “Crop Insurance Information Caravan: Information Drive on PCIC Products for Rural Farmers” was conducted in Barangay Sto. Niño, Bagumbayan; Barangay Kuden, Sen. Ninoy Aquino; Barangay Basak, Lebak; Barangay Poblacion, Lebak; and Barangay Poblacion, Kalamansig last August 10-11 & 1618, 2022

The activity was facilitated by the DTI RAPID Growth Project in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and facilitation of the Local Government Units (LGUs) particularly the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA), the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) and the Negosyo Centers (NCs) with a total of 276 participating farmer-beneficiaries

This activity helped the farmerbeneficiaries be familiarized with the different insurance products of PCIC, and learn the process of how to apply, and how to claim insurance benefits.

-Mary Lou Andrada

The Department of Trade and Industry Kicks Off the 1st RAPID Regional Innovation Roadshow in Davao City

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) together with DTI-Region 11 piloted the first Regional Innovation Roadshow (RIR) under the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) and Growth Project on September 21-22, 2022, in Sotogrande Hotel, Davao City Hinged on the penta-helix model of the Davao Region, the event gathered more than seventy (70) innovation leaders and enablers from government agencies, private sectors, academic institutions, media, and civil society organizations (CSO) from Region XI.

Led by Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, the twoday stakeholder dialogue bannered vision and experts talks from the regional innovation champions and experts from the DTI, University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Mindanao), the National Academy of Science

RIR participants form breakout session groups and discuss the priority constraints and opportunities for the Workshop Challenges: Value Capture Innovation, Value Creation Innovation, and Value Delivery Innovation

and Technology (NAST), and RTI International in pursuit of achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial transformation and development in the Philippines.

Day 1 of the Regional Innovation Roadshow was officially opened by Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group (ROG) Blesila A. Lantayona and RAPID Growth Project Director and DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, emphasizing the essence of collaboration among stakeholders to address industry challenges in the region. Moreover, Competitiveness Bureau (CB) Director Lilian G. Salonga presented the intent and design of the RIR. The RIR has six major component activities such as vision talks, expert talks, innovation challenges, synthesis sessions, action agenda settings, and site visits.

Undersecretary Aldaba laid out the Philippine Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) driven industrialization strategy to set the framework. Notably, she highlighted that the Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers (RIIC) would be an excellent avenue for channeling industrial

development. Looking into the regional lens, Assistant Regional Director Delia M. Ayano shared the status and prospects of Davao Region’s priority commodities such as cacao, coffee, and coconut while emphasizing the perennial concerns and challenges due to low quality of seedlings, lack of farm input support, difficulty in acquiring quality and food safety certifications, lack of working capital, among others. Dr.Larry N. Digal of the UP Mindanao presented his study on the current status, challenges, strategies and recommendations to push forth the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in region XI. The presentation was derived from the Innovation Assessment Studies for the four RAPID priority commodities: cacao, coffee, coconut, ad processed fruits and nuts.

During the Expert Talks, the country’s formidable scientists shared on-the-ground experiences to describe

the current innovation landscape. This portion is envisaged to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the participants’ knowledge of creation and co-creation, technology utilization, commercialization, and intellectual property, among others.

Dr. Alvin B. Culaba of NAST discussed the reinvention of STE innovation ecosystem to accelerate regional development and stressed the critical role of local government units (LGU) in innovation policy implementation. Another NAST scientist, Dr. Gonzalo C. Serafica, contributed to the conversation as he urged the community to engage in technology utilization and commercialization. He further highlighted that this will potentially create an impact to scale production and distribution and complete product development.

Dr. Richard S. Abendan of RTI International led the synthesis sessions and workshops with Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong. The participants were presented with data and insights from past and present studies and

Competitiveness Bureau Director Lilian G. Salonga

tackled the three workshop innovation challenges on value capture, value creation, and value delivery. After the first workshop, the participants identified issues and concerns aptly categorize into four (4) needs pillars on research and development, infrastructure, supply chain, and skills and capability.

Day 2 focused on gathering actionable insights which are aligned with the STI-driven industrialization strategy and setting a regional action agenda. Lastly, DTI Davao del Norte Provincial Director and RAPID Growth Deputy Project Director Romeo L. Castañaga capped off the event with three key action points for the penta-helix collaborators in support of regional industrialization: increasing appreciation for Industry 4.0 (I4.0), expanding horizons for trade and investment, and cultivating a robust innovation ecosystem.

RCU CARAGA Brings Industry 4.0 Closer to the MSMEs

An Orientation on Industry 4.0 was conducted on June 8, 2022 at the Watergate Hotel, Butuan City. This was spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) together with the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project’s Regional Coordination Unit in CARAGA (RCUCARAGA)

This activity was participated by MSMEs that aim to acquire functional knowledge about Industry 4.0 and the nuances

One of the RIR breakout session groups pose with Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba after presenting their inputs for the Workshop Challenges in support of the regional industrialization

Aside from the various talks and workshops, site visits were also conducted to the following partner academic institutions and MSME beneficiaries: University of Southeastern Philippines, Ateneo de Davao University, UP Mindanao, Rosario’s Delicacies, Malagos Chocolate Factory, and Belviz Farm

The next RIR team is scheduled in Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental in October and December 2022, respectively. Under the RAPID Growth Project and RIIC programs, inclusive and sustainable industrial transformation and development in Mindanao are further pushed to improve innovation readiness and adoption, productivity outcomes, and market competitiveness among micro, small, medium, and large enterprises.

-Kristine

Daplin

of this concept. Further, participants had been given opportunities to generate knowledge about the current capabilities in innovation, technology adoption, and information on the use of advanced technologies among farmers and MSMEs.

The orientation is in line with the Innovation Component of the RAPID Growth Project, which seeks to provide an enabling environment for MSMEs in the priority agri-based value chains. The Project foresees that by leveraging on the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in this time of post pandemic recovery, the productivity of farmers and MSMEs will increase, hence, positively affecting the competitiveness of our agriculture-based industries.

-Karl Lawrence Gonzalez

RAPID Management Assesses Project’s Progress

The Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project Management Team convened in Tacloban City, Eastern Visayas on July 21-22, 2022 for the conduct of the RAPID Growth Midyear Assessment and Planning (MYAP)

The RAPID-National Project Coordination Office (RAPID-NPCO) spearheaded the MYAP with the Regional Coordination Unit 8 as hostregion. The RAPID Management Team composed of DTI Regional Directors of covered project areas, directors of DTI - Resource Generation and Management Services (DTI-RGMS) and DTIFinance Services (DTI-FS), and the Project Supervising Undersecretary, Blesila A. Lantayona attended this hybrid event.

“This 2022 MYAP enabled us from the Management Team, to be able to see a clear picture of what is happening on the ground. By seeing the status of implementation, we will able to identify strategies that are to be implemented in the coming months to address existing challenges and bottlenecks”, RAPID Project Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi conveyed to the team during the culmination of the MYAP.

The MYAP concluded with major agreements related to project activities, and implementation procedures, among others, that are expected to be accomplished within three months, in preparation for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Implementation Support Mission in October 2022 .

-Gelyn S. Llana

Institutionalization of Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines in RAPID Growth Project

The RAPID Growth Project has integrated principles and policies on gender equity and social inclusiveness. The Project has its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming Strategy where several strategies aimed at mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion across all dimensions of the project components were identified.

Part of the GESI strategy is to strengthen the efforts in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in its design and implementation. With this, RAPID Growth Project has formally institutionalized the use of the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) which

aims to ensure that the Project’s plan and implementation are gender responsive.

In line with this, a capacity building on the use of HGDG for the seven RAPID Project covered regions was conducted in August 2022 in Davao City to capacitate project staff on the integration of HGDG across the various stages of project cycle, including: identification and design of detailed implementation plans and business plans, management and implementation of proposed interventions, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

HGDG was formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority to provide a common guide and instrument in integrating gender and women’s empowerment perspectives in the development of programs and projects among government agencies, donor organizations, and other stakeholders. It has successfully facilitated gender mainstreaming efforts in both government and foreign assisted projects, programs, and activities.

Email:+63 995 3068 911 rapid.npco@dti.gov.ph

-Bem Cabiza