The Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) starts the project turn-over of FOCAS/RAS funded projects in Lake Mainit Cluster. The PACAP officials led by Mr. David Swete Kelly, the Program Director and Ms. Lourdes Marina Padilla, the Program Coordinator successfully turned-over the project “Enhancing and Protecting an Agroforesty Area thru Abaca Fiber Production” implemented by San Isidro Upland Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative last September 21, 2009 at Barangay San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte.  The activity was also attended by Mr. Ricardo Sotto, the RAS Project Officer. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez, the FOCAS Project Officer for Surigao del Norte and some PACAP personnel.

Another project named EFASS or Enhancing Upland and Lowland Farming Systems and Strengthening of Local Organizations implemented by Alterdev Services Foundation, Inc. was also turn-over to the partner Peoples Organization in Tubod, Surigao del Norte last September 23, 2009. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez and Engr. Emil S. Pantejo, the Project Evaluation Officer of PPDO Surigao del Norte led the project turn-over ceremony to San Isidro Lihok sa Kalambuan Inc. (SILKA), Capayahan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (CABO), and Marga Farmers Irrigators Association (MAFIA).

Meanwhile, the project Community-Based Enterprise: Effecting Community Development and Economic Empowerment in Four Barangays in Lake Mainit implemented by Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao was finally turned-over to People’s Organization last September 28, 2009. With the presence of Ms. Hernandez, the PACAP PPO and Mr. Omar Barillo, the Lake Mainit FOCAS Project Coordinator, the project was turned-over to Canaway Farmer’s and Fisherfolk Association (CAFFA), Cuyago Farmers Association (CUFA), San Roque Multipurpose Cooperative (SAROMCO), and Bangonay Developers Farmers Association (BANDFA).

It is expected that there will be next ceremonial project turn over activities of PACAP assisted projects in Lake Mainit Cluster that will be done particularly in municipalities of Alegria, Mainit and Sison in the Province of Surigao del Norte.

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 By: Gilbert P. Leopoldo
LMDA Admin Staff

The Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) organized 5-day Training on Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Context of Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries on June 15-19, 2009 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.

The participants of the Training on Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Context of Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries on June 15-19, 2009 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City

 Said training was funded by Department of Agrarian Reform - International Fund for Agricultural Development Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives Resource Management Program (DAR/IFAD-NMCIREMP) through the Sustainable Fishery Program for Lake Mainit Phase II in collaboration with Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) and MSU-Naawan Foundation for Science & Technology Development, Inc.

Engr. Kaiser Recabo, Jr, the LMDA Program Director opened the program. Dir. Antonio B. Menor of DAR/IFAD-NMCIREMP delivered welcome message to the participants. The first day of the training devoted for the Final Report Presentation and action planning on Sustainable Fishery Program for Lake Mainit on June 15, 2009. The expected participants of the Final Report Presentation and Action Planning were the Provincial Agriculturist Officer of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, Chief of Capture Fisheries Division of BFAR-13, the LMDA, Municipal Mayors and Sangguniang Bayan Members of six (6) municipalities, Coastal Resource Officer and Municipal Agriculturist. Dr. Asuncion B. de Guzman, Project Leader of MSU-Naawan Foundation for Science and Technology, Inc. presented the Final Report. Mr. Isidoro Lagahit, the NMCIREMP NRM Specialist facilitated the open forum after the Final Report presentation.

Participants during the group workshops

 Municipal Agriculturists, representatives from BFAR and Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA) were the major participants throughout the training course which adopts the Training Manual on Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Context of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (SFM-CCRF). Cesario Pagdilao, the Deputy Director of Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) and Dr. de Guzman were the principal resource speakers of the training course presenting the following modules:

Module 1- Scenarios & Issues on the State of Fisheries Resources

Module 2- Relevance of CCRF to Sustainable Fisheries Management

Module 3- National and Local Adaptation of CCRF in the Philippines

Module 4- Sustainable Fisheries Management

Module 5- Integration of SFM to Coastal Resource Management

The training highlighted with the presentation of the modules, workshops, discussion and open forums. The activity culminated with the training course evaluation conducted by Ms. Maan Acedera of PCAMRD and distribution of the Certificate of Completion to the participants on June 19, 2009.  ♥ (more training photos)

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Thirty-two representatives from different stakeholders in Lake Mainit FOCAS convened at Kapihan sa Mainit Restaurant, Mainit, Surigao del Norte last May 19, 2009. Among the participating agencies actively involved in the activity includes the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Surigao del Norte, Surigao Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT), Province of Surigao del Norte representing the PPDO, LMDA-TWG especially the action officers/MPDC of the eight municipalities and partner Civil Society Organizations especially representatives from six (6) implementing NGOs and seventeen (17) POs implementing PACAP projects in Lake Mainit.

Engr. Kaiser B. Recabo, Jr., the LMDA Program Director welcomed the participants and presented the main rationale of the activity which is to present the partial report on the project Organizational Maturity Evaluation (OME) of the ongoing PACAP project implementation; identify facilitating & hindering factors; and identify and present issues and concern in the target areas with workable solutions.

Mr. Barillo presented the partial report of the OME and the Lake Mainit FOCAS project updates. Mr. Hermenio Garcia, STIDS-CARP announces the DTI development and partnership updates with  LGUs and POs.

The activity also highlights the workshop presentation of the hindering and facilitating factors on areas concerning organization, partnership/linkage, marketing, resources and sustainability. The said activity ended at about 4:37 in the afternoon. ♥

By: Rowena D. Yumol
Executive Director
Kasanyangan Rural Development Foundation, Inc.

Once more the Paco Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PCFMPC) in Barangay Paco, Mainit, Surigao del Norte has taken the next steps in modeling a strategy for sustainable upland development through the establishment of a decorticating machine which will help in their solid waste management program and earn incomes for the coop as well. This is one of the project in Lake Mainit FOCAS cluster funded by the  Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP). The project “Increasing Upland Farmers’ Competencies for Sustainable Livelihood” is implemented by Kasanyangan Rural Development Foundation, Inc. (KRDFI) in partnership with the Municipality of Mainit and the FOCAS Management Committee (FMC) facilitated by the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA). This component has a twin target of earning incomes and contributing to the health of the environment by reducing solid wastes. It targets to assist the coop earn P23, 400 per 2-month cycle; and reduce coco husks wastes by 312,000 per 2-month cycle.

Having completed the preparations, the members of PCFMPC and the Municipality of Mainit invited the resident minister of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Rev. Fe Onde, to officiate the blessing rites of the decorticating machine and multi-purpose building on March 31, 2009. The occasion was graced by LMDA Director and FMC Chairperson, Engr. Kaiser B. Recabo, Jr., and members of the Barangay Local Government Unit of Paco.

The machine was fabricated by Regwill Industries Inc. Mr. Ramon Barbosa, OIC of the Philipine Coconut Authority (PCA) of Agusan Del Sur assisted KRDFI in contacting Regwill Industries Inc. The package consists of one decorticating machine (capacity: 11,000 husks per day, single pass) one unit 4DR5 engine with transmission and radiator and uses diesel fuel, one sieving machine powered by ½ hp electric motor. It included transport and installation of the unit in the area.

The decorticating machine was installed in the multi-purpose building of PCFMPC and has made trial runs using the coconut husks gathered by the members. The machine has the capacity to decorticate 11,000 husks in an 8-hour shift with a single pass. The fibers produced in the trial run were of good quality. Operations will officially start on the first day of April to give time for the foundation or base area on which the machine was set to completely harden and become strong enough to stand the vibrations of the machine. ♦

By: Gilbert P. Leopoldo

The Lake Mainit Development Alliance successfully conducted a two-day Sustainable Fisheries Management (SFM) Planning Workshop on October 14-15, 2008. This was held at Agricultural Training Center, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The participants of this training – workshop were the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) Officers, Local Research Person’s (LRP), Municipal Agriculturist (MA), Agricultural Technologist (AT), Academe, LMDA PMO staff and selected Line Agency like NEDA, BFAR, and DA.

The programme was facilitated by the MSU-Naawan Team headed by their Team Leader Dr. Asuncion B. De Guzman. The purpose of the Planning- Workshop is the presentation of Progress Report of MSU-Naawan in their on-going study of the Lake and validation of data by the different stakeholders. The second day of the training was the actual planning-workshop for the formulation of Vision, Mission and Goals of SFM.

The programme started with the inspiring welcome address of Hon. Mayor Ramon Mondano of Municipality of Mainit. It was followed by the introduction of the Team members of MSU-Naawan by Dr. Asuncion B. De Guzman. The first part of the Workshop – Training was the presentations of MSU – Naawan Team of their Progress Report. They later categorized the workshop by module and its module has assigned 1 presenter. The participant positively responds and exchanged their experiences on the training. It was well presented by the MSU Team and as to participants was aspired and had a great challenge and responsibility in Sustaining and Conserving the Lake Mainit for our future generation.

In the second day, the team had grouped the participants by municipality. It was timely that they are building policies for Sustainable Fishery Management (SFM) since most of the municipal action officers are present together with their Municipal Agriculturist. The SFM policies had been made well and will be polish for the next SFM meeting. The most exciting part was the formulation of Vision, mission and Goals. On the whole, it was well participated as to sharing and exchanging of knowledge, experiences and ideas. It then came out with a good output during the end of the day. The LMDA PMO and MSU – Naawan Team has planned that the next SFM meeting will be the finalization of the Study. Engr. Recabo, Jr., LMDA Programme Director was confident that this could be the first step on the realization of the Unified Ordinance of Lake Mainit. He was also thankful to participants for their unending support to the SFM Lake Mainit Workshop-training.

A total of 22 participants are actively participating to the Assessment Workshop of PACAP Assisted Livelihood/Micro-Enterprise and NRM Projects in Lake Mainit FOCAS. Said activity was successfully conducted on October 29-30, 2008 held at San Lorenzo Ruiz Formation Center, Ampayon, Butuan City. The main objective of the assessment workshop is to capacitate the FOCAS Management Committee and Project Implementers in undertaking analysis of livelihood and natural resource management projects.

The said activity was attended by the Lake Mainit FOCAS Management Committee and the project implementing partners coming from the Caraga Consortium for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc., Alterdev Services Foundation Inc., Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao Inc., San Isidro Upland Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Kasanyangan Rural Development Foundation Inc., and Propegemus Foundation Inc.

Mr. Alberto M. Garrido warmly welcomed the participants of the workshop assessment. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez keenly facilitated through-out the workshop assessment activity.

Presentation of the Project Comparative Assessment, Key Result Areas, and the Project Impacts were the major output of the said activity.

The workshop assessment culminated with the closing program and distribution of Certificate of Participation to the participants of the activity at about 4 P.M on October 30, 2008.

By: Gilbert P. Leopoldo

The FOCAS Management Committee (FMC) team and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) Project Management Office team have made a successful Lakbay Aral on Lake Management and Development at the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) in Manila last September 16-19, 2008. The said activity was facilitated and funded by Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP). The FMC team are who participates the activity were Mr. Alberto M. Garrido, FMC Chairperson and Peoples Organization Representative of Agusan del Norte; Engr. Nivard S. Gonzales, Provincial Focal Person of Agusan del Norte; Engr. Emilio Pantejo Provincial Focal Person of Surigao del Norte; Mr. Felix Maglaque, People’s Organization Representative of Surigao del Norte; Mr. Carlos Dunque, Academe Representative from SNCAT; Mr. Emmanuel A. Miraballes, Project Officer of ALTERDEV; and Ms. Ann B. Jaquilmac, Representative of NEDA. Together also is the LMDA Program Management Office headed by LMDA Program Director Engr. Kaiser Recabo, Jr.; Forester Omar C. Barillo, the FOCAS Project Coordinator and the two (2) administrative staff Mr. Jonathan Natonio and Mr. Gilbert P. Leopoldo.

The Team billeted at the KABAYAN Hotel where both LLDA and LMDA presented and shared their Plans and Programs during the short program. The program was followed with and open discussion between the two parties. It was such a pleasure indeed that the LLDA mentor and Lake Mainit team sharing ample knowledge and experiences. In fact the LLDA General Manager Edgardo Manda quoted that “They see their past; and the Lake Mainit sees their future”.

The second day of the activity was scheduled for whole day tour of Lake Laguna. It was a wonderful moment that the team had experience the rich culture and beauty of the Laguna Lake. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez, the PACAP Provincial Project Officer led the visit to the recognized Solid Waste Management (SWM) best practices of Municipality of Teresa, Rizal. The team had a courtesy call with Hon. Mayor Rodel N. Dela Cruz, who personally brought the team to the municipal SWM site. The source said that it was previously featured in “Rated K” hosted by Miss Corina Sanchez of ABS-CBN as one of the cleanest Municipality of Laguna. The team had experienced and witnessed the area and so the operation on how the wastes recycled and turn into a valuable resources. It’s certainly a showcase.

After the Laguna Lake tour, the team travelled to University of Los Baños, Laguna for a stop over where the team find that the Splash Mountain Beach Resort was owned by a Surigaonon. The following morning the team proceeded to the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture Los Baños for the proper care and management of various crops and also they introduced the latest technologies on crop management and pest management. It was facilitated by Dr. Jose Hernandez the director of Institute of Plant breeding, Crop science cluster, College of Agriculture. The team had also visited the preserved Botanical Garden and the well-known Philippines Raptors of University of Los Baños and it’s quite amazing where Trees and endangered species had been protected and cared of. One of the highlighted specie was the Philippine Eagle from Surigao area which died this year in the occurrence of strong typhoon.

In the afternoon, the team visited the Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTRI) Animal & Dairy Sciences Cluster, College of Agriculture. Mr. Cesar C. Sevilla, animal Dairy Sciences Director gave a brief but interactive lecture presentation & discussion about DTRI. Then the team proceeded to the Dairy Processing Plant. The mentor brought us also to the Fresh Milk centre where some of us bought sort of fresh milk. After the whole day activity, the team returned to the Splash Mountain Resort where the team was lodged. The following day the team timely travelled to Manila to visit the La Mesa Watershed. It is said to be famous in rehabilitating and sustaining the Natural Ecosystem of the La Mesa Watershed after the human devastation of the area. Dr. Mendoza, the officer-in charge of the programme informed that it’s now attracts thousand of donors for the total protection and rehabilitation of the La Mesa Watershed.

Then the following hour the Team had decided to go to PACAP main office in Ortigas City and we were having our lunch. The team was delightful of the acquaintance made between the PACAP employees. Ms. Monina G. Hernandez suggested to go to Tagaytay before sunset. But it was really out of time and the team was so tired, where it decided to look for Hotels for our lodging for the night. Finally, were in the Boys Scout of Philippines Building which we know the only low budget place in the area and strategically located to other venues in Metro Manila and the airport. The Team packed up for the early departure on the next day home bound.

   
 The Lake Mainit is located at the north-eastern part of Mindanao, Caraga Region XIII, Philippines. It is astride between the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

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