Various Lake Mainit FOCAS stakeholders from partner Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Local Government Units (LGU) and Government Line Agencies actively participated and contributed to the success of the 9^th CSO-LGU Meeting and Lake Mainit Disaster Preparedness Forum on October 22-23, 2009 with the activity theme “Strengthening CSO-LGU through networking and disaster preparedness”. The CSO is composed of LMDAs partner non-government organizations and people’s organizations. The provincial, municipal and barangay LGUs are invited to grace the activity.

Lake Mainit FOCAS updates, PACAP project updates and partners’ updates were the major agenda of the 9^th CSO-LGU meeting held at Mainit Legacy Resort, Mainit, Surigao del Norte last October 22, 2009. Engr. Kaiser B. Recabo, Jr, the LMDA Director, who presides over the meeting, presented the LMDA updates and accomplishments during the meeting. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez, the PACAP Provincial Project Officer reported about PACAP activities while Mr. Omar C. Barillo, the Project Coordinator of Lake Mainit FOCAS presented the FOCAS accomplishments. Meanwhile, Ms. Ann B. Jaquilmac of NEDA-Caraga announced that KR2 Productivity Enhancement Project  is calling for project proposals especially from LGUs and academe.

The meeting culminated with the awarding of certificates of recognition and appreciation to partner LGUs, GLAs and project implementing partners for acknowledging their significant contribution to the success of PACAP projects implementation in Lake Mainit cluster. Awards of distinction were also bestowed to Propegemus Foundation, Inc., Caraga Consortium and Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc., and San Isidro Upland Multipurpose Cooperative as the top performing project implementing partners implementing PACAP projects.

Meantime, the Office of Civil Defense – Caraga Region led by its Regional Director Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong, successfully facilitated the Lake Mainit Disaster Preparedness Forum last October 23, 2009 at Agricultural Training Center, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. Hon. Vice Mayor Jesnar Mosende, the Acting Municipal Mayor graced the activity and warmly send messages of welcome. Along with Dr. Gobenciong who facilitated the forum were Ms. Marie Lyn B. Tadle, the Head on Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Unit; Mr. Amado M. Posas, the Head on Coordination for Response & Operations Unit; and Ms. Lorene S. Catedral, Training Specialist I and Program Coordinator for Civil Protection & Preparedness. Ms. Tadle discussed about The Philippine Disaster Management System and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. Dr. Gobenchiong presented the Update on the DRM Program in Caraga Region. Mr. Posas presented the legal basis, structure and functions of Disaster Coordinating Councils while Ms. Catedral facilitated the workshops processes.

Workshops on disaster risk management inventory and assessment (Mapping of Past and Current DRM Initiatives and mitigation) and strategic visioning highlighted on the said forum which ended about 5:30 in the afternoon.

…
[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

.

.

Pages: 1 File Size: 283KB Type: PDF

.

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

 
By: Johny S. Natad
Assistant Project Coordinator
Lake Mainit FOCAS

The  three Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) clusters in Surigao del Norte represented by the FOCAS Management Committees of Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA), Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), and Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS) and partner project implementing NGOs met in Dotties Place Hotel & Convention Center, Butuan City for the Surigao del Norte FOCAS Sustainability Planning workshop last May 26-29, 2009. 

The workshop highlighted the presentation of the input by resource person, small group workshop and discussion, and presentation of group workshop outputs.

Mr. Pete Baclagon, the PACAP Area Manager for Mindanao FOCAS and Ms. Hernandez were the principal faciliators and resource person of the said activity.

…
[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

Niadtong Hunyo 16, 2009 usa ka kalihukan nahitabo sa sitio Nagubat, Gigaquit nga gitambongan sa mga lokal opisyales ug representante sa DENR, BFAR ug PACAP. Ang kalihukan mao ang paglunsad sa Sanktwaryo sa Isda o Fish Sanctuary sa sitio Nagubat, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

Dakong kalipay ang barangayanon sa Sitio Nagubat sa pagdawat sa proyekto na gisugdan sa PACAP-HIPADA Focas project nga mao ang  Sustainable Management of Micro Enterprises among Fishing Communities of Surigao del Norte (SUMMEFCO). Ubos sa pagpadumala sa SEDF o Surigao Economic Development Foundation, Inc..

The SIPLAS FMC thru its Sub-Committees shall also assume the committee membership and functions of the CBP and On-Site Development Committees of the PAMB.

All the levels in the SIPLAS FOCAS have substantial representation from all the major stakeholders, to ensure effective participation in major policy-making process and in the actual management and operation of the projects.

The FOCAS Management Committee (FMC) for the SIPLAS or The Siargao Integrated Development Committee (SIDC)

The SIPLAS FMC is comprised of ten (10) regular members; of which five (5) are from the government sector and the remaining five (5) representing the private sector, to wit :

The FMC also has a Pool of Consultants which includes specialists from the DENR, BFAR, DTI, DA and other NGOs.

The lead NGO for the SIPLAS is the Surigao del Norte NGO Coalition for Development Incorporated ( SUNGCOD )
…

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

The FOCAS Strategy for intervention has six (6) complimentary component programs, characterized by its focus concern and contribution to the over-all strategy :

1. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

This program component focuses on the empowerment of the base communities through the strengthening of people’s organizations and the enhancement of the technical competencies of the partner NGOs and LGUs.

2. LIVELIHOOD / COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

This component responds directly to the economic needs of the community and focuses in establishment of sustainable livelihood to ensure food security, and develop PO-managed micro-enterprise to increase its income. This component will also determine the appropriate technology for these economic activities that would be consistent to the over-all environmental concern for the area.

3. COMMUNITY - BASED PROMOTION / IEC & ADVOCACY

This program component focuses in grounding and raising the critical awareness of the communities / stakeholders on the environmental concerns, towards collective actions and effective advocacy work. This program will feature the operationalization of a site-specific community-managed promotion, education and advocacy scheme, which will be linked to the broader initiatives of the LGUs, NGOs and the DENR.

4. HABITAT REHABILITATION & ECO-SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

This component directly responds to the environmental crises in the area, specifically in alleviating the crisis strain on the identified critical eco-systems and bio-diversity hotspots. This component also aims to establish marine sanctuaries and watersheds, as model for bio-diversity conservation and the improvement of existing initiatives in the management of other eco-systems.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION SERVICES : SWM & POWAS ACCESS

This focuses in the delivery of basic social services that indirectly contributes to the improvement of the communities’ capability to address the environmental and economic concerns. These support interventions are designed to provide adequate access to potable water and appropriate technology for solid waste management.

6. PARTNERSHIP – BUILDING & SUPPORT TO ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

This program component focuses in improving partnerships with the LGUs, LAs and NGOs, towards consolidating and coordinating its respective development initiatives and in the provision of effective and community-driven mechanism to support the proper implementation and enforcement of existing environmental laws.

This component also focuses in the mobilization of local communities and POs in forming appropriate community-based groups / task force to assist in monitoring and enforcing local ordinances and key facets of the EMP.

7. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & PROJECT SUPPERVISION

This vital and cut-across support component focuses in ensuring proper implementation of the SIPLAS Strategy and effective management of its specific interventions. Also, this provides the actual systems and procedures in utilizing and maximizing the project resources, manpower and logistics.

The aforementioned program components are correlated, and interdependent. Thus, it would be only proper that the various specific project interventions must integrate these components, and be implemented in the identified pilot areas with peculiar/distinct eco-systems, to wit :

1. The Mangrove Forest in Del Carmen and San Benito , Dapa and General Luna

2. The Inland Body of Water in Socorro ( Lake Tiktikan )

3. The Municipal Watersheds in Burgos, Del Carmen and Pilar

4. The Marine Sanctuaries in Talisay and Corrigedor, Dapa

…

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

The proposed SIPLAS FOCAS Strategy is a two-pronged approach characterized by its interrelated goals, to wit:

Goal 1 :

To protect, conserve and develop priority eco-systems and habitats identified as critical / hotspots areas with endangered flora and fauna, and deteriorating bio-diversity.

Goal 2 :

To develop community capabilities, in terms of governance and economic viability, to effectively manage its resources and sustain its development thrusts.

Thus, strategy is basically anchored on the precepts of bio-diversity conservation and sustainable development, specifically on community resource management, effective governance and the introduction of appropriate technology for resource utilization.

The SIPLAS FOCAS will facilitate the establishment and management of effective partnership mechanism and programs for community-driven environmental protection and resource development, with appropriate socio-economic enterprise / activities and pro-active policy and enforcement support.

…

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

Surigao FOCAS Leaflet

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[News Event]

By: Monina G. Hernandez
Provincial Project Officer
PACAP

The 21 community-based FOCAS projects funded by the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte are contributing significantly to the Provincial Engagement Strategy (PES) or the Four Development Pillars of the province. This major finding highlighted the PACAP – Surigao del Norte (SDN) FOCAS Strategy Review Workshop held at Gateway Hotel in June 10, 2008.

Members of the FOCAS Management Committee (FMC) for the Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA) and the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) cluster participated in the activity facilitated by Monina G. Hernandez, PACAP Provincial Project Officer (PPO) along with the PPOs from other FOCAS provinces and the FOCAS Area Managers. The activity started with a presentation of PACAP Updates by Lourdes Marina Padilla, PACAP Program Coordinator, followed by Arturo Cruje’s presentation of excerpts on Gov. Barber’s SOPA 2008.

Ms Padilla presented PACAP’s revised goal and objectives, which was a result of a Logframe Review at the program level:

Revised Goal: “Poor communities in the Philippines are empowered to pursue economic growth and achieve better standards of living”

Revised Objectives: “Devolved networks of civil society, government, and private sector organisations are collaborating to identify and meet local priorities in selected provinces, and creating an enabling environment for further development.”

The PACAP SDN Stakeholders then presented the project outcomes & immediate impact in the key result areas (KRAs) identified in the revised PACAP Logframe. These KRA’s include Participatory Governance, Economic Development, Community Empowerment, Partner Capacity Building, Delivery of Basic Services, Peace Building, Gender & Development (GAD), Anti-Corruption, and Environment. Protection, rehabilitation, and conservation of the environment and natural resources, as a key component are inherent to all PACAP projects in SDN. It is one of the main strategies of the province, and highlighted as a FOCAS strategy in the three FOCAS clusters. Tangible outcomes were reported concerning the environment as all projects feature natural resource management component such as marine sanctuary establishment, mangrove rehabilitation, watershed & water resource protection thru reforestation, and agro-forestry with sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, the provincial engagement strategy of preserving and rehabilitating critical eco-system, habitats and coastal resources or articulated as environmental management under the Four Pillars of Development of the province have been realized through the implementation of PACAP assisted projects.

The ongoing livelihood projects are generating income, thus contributing to the poverty alleviation goal of the province. The provision of start-up capital for fishing, livestock, mariculture, crop production, non-farm types of livelihood, and even processing of raw materials such as vinegar and coconut oil, have productively increased the capacity and skills of local communities to manage financial and material resources. The Grouper culture in Lagoon Tiktikan, Socorro, Siargao have reported continuous earnings while the abaca project in Santiago have helped increase the price of such raw material in the neighboring communities.

Members of the PACAP governance structures, the Provincial Stakeholders’ Committee (PSC) and the FOCAS Management Committee (FMC) remain proactive in their role to ensure that projects are aligned with the provincial development plan and framework, and adhere to AusAid/PACAP’s direction and general standards. The LGUs, government line agencies, NGOs and the local communities have been providing material, technical, and financial contributions as their counterpart.

Moreover, the activity reiterated that SDN’s Main Strategies are anchored on its vision of alleviating poverty and building the capacity of poor communities in Siargao Group of Islands and the Coastal communities along the Hinatuan Passage and the municipalities traversing the Lake Mainit Ecosystem. The Provincial Engagement Strategies (PES) for PACAP was lifted from the province’s core development strategy. Overall, projects are more aligned with the preservation and rehabilitation of critical eco-system, habitats and coastal resources, improved delivery of basic health services, and improvement of existing water supply systems. All projects have corresponding livelihood components, majority of which are already operational with recorded initial earnings.
————————————————————————————————————
More FOCAS NEWS Updates (click here)

….

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]

[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]

…
The Province of Surigao del Norte is located at the northestern mindano in Caraga Region, Philippines.

Surigao FOCAS is composed of three clusters: Lake Mainit (LMDA), Hinatuan Passage (HIPADA) and Siargao Islands (SIPLAS).

…

[HOME]-—[SIPLAS]-—-[LMDA]—–[HIPADA]
[Surigao FOCAS]—–[Contact Us]—–[Partners] —–[FOCAS News]