CADIS FINAL EVALUATION VISIT TO BOHOL, PHILIPPINES, FOR PROJECT CLOSURE

On March 7, 2024, the Director of CADIS, Fr. Aris Miranda, MI, conducted the evaluation visit in the Bohol area where the project “Improving the capacities of Bohol farmers to respond to disasters and climate change” was carried out.

Funded by the CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference), the project concluded with positive results for the population.

The expected outcome was the improvement of the capacities of 300 Bohol farming families to respond to disasters and the effects of climate change.

The project was approved for funding by the CEI on February 13, 2018. The implementation of the three-year project began in 2018 with the Central Visayas Farmers Development Center (FARDEC) as a partner. However, activities were suspended in 2020 as the entire country was placed in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed only at the beginning of 2021.

After the last monitoring carried out in 2023 (report here), the purpose of the recent visit was to verify whether the implemented programs achieved the expected results; to verify whether the implemented programs contributed to the resilience of the 300 farming families challenged by the effects of climate change and to listen to the direct beneficiaries of the project.

The area visit was conducted on March 7, 2024 together with the two field officers of the project in the three OPs of Trinidad (CUFA), San Miguel (SIMABAFA), and Ubay (UFSF). The visit was followed by a meeting with the project coordinator in Cebu City.

Observations

1. SIMABAFA (Association of Farmers of Sitio Mahayahay Bayongan)
   
    

• The people's organization (PO) SIMABAFA is officially registered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This allows them to access some government-funded programs.
• The PO has 27 active members out of over 40 registered.
• The PO is still processing its accreditation with the local government units (LGU) (municipal and barangay). Accreditation will give them the opportunity to participate in any LGU discussion and deliberation for the development of the population in general.
• A DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction Management) committee has been established. The committee proved effective when super typhoon Rai (Odette) hit the area in December 2021. Although it devastated most of their personal and communal assets, lives were spared thanks to their preparedness.
• The income of PO members has increased from 2% to 25% of the rice harvest.
• The training of community health workers has been effective and functional. The CHWs have served as reference points for their primary health needs.
• Access to water was restored after being devastated by typhoon Rai in 2021.
• The project has therefore achieved results 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• The PO has requested a complete set of post-harvest facilities and machinery. If provided, farmers' incomes will be stabilized.

2. UFSF (United Farmers of San Francisco)

• The UFSF is a people's organization registered by DOLE. It currently has 33 active members. Accreditation at the municipal and barangay level is ongoing.
• The installed water system has served not only the members but also other neighbors. The water is used only for personal consumption, such as drinking. For other needs, they use water from natural streams and creeks.
• The organization has engaged in organic farming. They now produce a good amount of organic fertilizers and intend to produce more to sell to other farmers.
• They are also planting some herbal/medicinal plants for community use.
• The project has therefore achieved results 1, 2, 3, and 4.

3. CUFA (Association of Farmers of Catoogan-Tubog)

• CUFA is composed of two POs from the barangays of Catoogan and Tubog. It has 95 active members. Both have formed an alliance in view of the arduous struggle for land ownership. Their alliance has proven strong and they continue to cultivate their land without uncertainties.
• CUFA is a PO registered by DOLE and its accreditation at the barangay and municipal level is ongoing.
• The installed water system has met the personal and community needs of the communities (members and non-members). Maintenance is entrusted to the PO itself. However, in February 2024, due to El Nino, the water source decreased. They hope to recover it during the rainy season, from July onwards.
• The two communities are engaged in sustainable agriculture as their primary source of income.
• The PO has requested a post-harvest plant and machinery to strengthen its organization and increase its members, especially as it is achieving the goal of food security and a dignified life.
• The project has therefore achieved results 1, 2, 3, and 4.