Last July 24, 2017, the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) – Luzon Secretariat held a final public conference for the closing of its UNDEF supported project entitled, “Enhancing the Productive and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Capacities of Rural Women in Luzon, Philippines” at Verjandel Hotel, Quezon City. PhilDHRRA Luzon gathered the assisted community members, people’s organizations, LGU (local government unit) officials, and implementing partners who supported and contributed to the project’s success. Representatives from the Philippine Commission on Women, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, and AsiaDHRRA also attended the said conference. In the event, project officers from each area presented the project’s outputs during its 2-year run. Likewise, various stakeholders shared their learnings and experiences as well as expressed their gratitude for the intervention.

This project aimed to empower rural women in critical production and geohazard areas in Batangas, Kalinga, and Quezon through awareness raising, capacity building, and leadership and participation in the aspects of disaster risk reduction management, gender sensitivity, and social enterprise.

For the awareness raising outcome of the project, the project team organized local research teams (LRTs) that were composed of rural women and LGU representatives. These LRTs were trained to conduct a baseline research in their respective areas. Socio-demographic profiles and DRRM data were gathered and used to draft Participatory Vulnerability Capacity and Needs Assessment (PVCNA) maps which later on, were installed in different strategic areas. The installed PVCNA maps provide the locals and LGU officials some vital information that can be used in times of disasters. The created database for each target areas were also utilized by LGUs in their plans and reports.

The project team conducted a series of thematic training workshops on values formation, gender sensitivity, and climate change adaptation, among others, for the capacity building outcome of the project. The training workshops equipped these rural women the necessary skills to establish gender responsive and sustainable communities with climate-resilient social enterprises. Aside from these, each of the areas were given an opportunity to experience study visits which further expanded their knowledge on agri-based production and operation management. Women-members of NAGKASAMA MPC (Multi-Purpose Cooperative) in Batangas visited the successful cooperatives and micro-entrepreneurs in Ilocos region who venture in vinegar and basi production. The visit serves as part of the organization’s plan to produce vinegar in Batangas as an alternative source of income for their members. Meanwhile in Quezon, members of the two assisted people’s organizations (POs) went to Zamboanga Sibugay to learn more about aquasilviculture. They scouted the mangrove areas located in Ipil where they observed and learned about the importance of mangrove reforestation in aquasilviculture which can produce high quality crabs, shrimps, and groupers. On the other hand, rice farmers in Kalinga visited a small agri-cooperative in San Mateo, Isabela to learn about integrated organic farming. During the learning session, the rice farmers were able to observe their facility as well as organic backyard farms around San Mateo. The participants engaged in a dialogue with other farmers and gained insights from their experiences with organic farming.

In realizing the representation and participation of rural women in resource governance and community decision-making processes, workshops and round table discussions were organized by the project team to draft plans for DRRM initiatives and social enterprise development. In Batangas, rural women were able to establish a sugarcane vinegar production. These women, together with some LGU officials, started planning for an integrated Barangay DRRM (BDRRM) plan for each barangay. In Quezon, members of the assisted PO adopted aquasilviculture which enabled them to produce high quality crabs that are sellable in the local markets. Through the project intervention, the two barangays in Panukulan were able to enhance their BDRRM plans. In Kalinga, rice mill rehabilitation for the locals in Maledda was already set. The rehabilitation aimed to provide better milling services for the farmers in Sitio Maledda as well as income generation for the assisted PO who will operate the service. Income that will be generated from the milling service will be utilized for the start-up of organic rice production in the said sitio.

There were also issues and challenges encountered during the project implementation. Some LGU officials did not participate in the conducted activities where their engagement was crucial for the development of plans. Internal conflicts among members in some of the POs and lag in the project schedule due to unexpected events comprised these challenges. However, as the project progressed, these challenges were successfully addressed.

Even though the project has come to an end, continuous evaluation and monitoring has been conducted by the implementing partners to ensure the sustainability of the established social enterprises. The implementing partners continuously guide the POs in managing their resources until they can finally operate on their own.

Germaine de Ruña is the Luzon Coordinator of PHILDHRRA.