News and Events

By: Evangeline Faburada

Last November 19, 2011, the people of Tandu Owak, Sibutu, Tawi - tawi celebrated “SHeG Day” which is part of the Child Focused Community Development Project initiated by PDAP in partnership with KnH.  This whole day activity was meant to give recognition to the importance of women and children in the community.  It also aimed to develop camaraderie among members of the different Self Help Groups (SHeG).

The celebration started with a parade from the bridge entrance of Tandu Owak to its center.  After the parade, a short program was held wherein Ms. Evangeline Faburada, PDAP Program Officer, explained the rationale behind the activity.  This was later on followed by various activities such as a group singing competition, participated in by different SHeGs and several parlor games, prepared by the Community Development Facilitators (CDFs) for the children to enjoy.

Barangay officials of Tandu Owak were all present to witness and show support to the activity.  Brgy. Chairman Edwarden expressed his gratitude to PDAP and KnH on their initiative to gradually open the minds of his people to the relevance and significance of the Self Help approach.  He also mentioned that in his three terms of service as Brgy. Chairman, it was his first time to witness such an activity with an overwhelming number of participation from women and that he hopes to see more of these in their community in the future.

Indeed, the SHeG Day celebration had been an unforgettable experience in the lives of the people of Tandu Owak.  The individuals felt the sense of belongingness in a group and in the community.  Women were able to realize that they do deserve a good break from their stressful daily routines of doing household chores. As Hja. Hajiba Maing, a Bajau from Tandu Kasamuhan, shared, “The activity was a consoling break from the routine household work that I do since I got married at an early age.  On that day, I forgot that I had a problem.”  Also, the children were able to finally relate and play as normal kids since they do not usually get the chance to do so with the reality that at an early age, helping with the livelihood of their families had been their priority.

By Jose Regulus Ortega

PDAP in partnership with Fundacion CODESPA and AECID, facilitated a three – day Enterprise Development Training in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte last October 19 – 21, 2011 and November 10 – 12, 2011, respectively, as part of the move to step up the Capacity Development (CapDev) interventions of its SEAWEED Project for the people’s organizations (POs).  The training, which was participated in by a total of 70 farmers coming from 18 PO partners, aimed to enhance the participants’ competencies and capacities in managing enterprises not just as individuals but also as organizations developing seaweeds as an industry.

Participants were introduced to ENTREFARM Game modules which were customized for seaweeds farming.  These modules were used in running through different simulation exercises in: Basic Farming Cycle (Module 1); Negotiations and Cooperativism (Module 2) and; Processing (Module 3).

Participants with the facilitators during one of the simulation exercises of the ENTREFARM Game Modules

The training gained positive responses from the participants.  As one of the participants from Surigao del Sur shared, “Iisod at the start pero nindot kaau pagnakuha.  Nindot labi na ug plastar sa cash in ug expense. Maayo nasumban para sa negosyo.” (There was difficulty at the start; however, it became enjoyable when we got the hang of it given the hands – on recording of simulated financial transactions. This could be applied in business.)

By: Hector Tuburan

Fifty two (52) men and twenty four (24) women seaweed farmers participated in a 3 – day training on Seaweed Farming Technology Enhancement held in Lianga, Surigao del Norte last September 19 – 21, 2011 and in Dapa, Siargao, Surigao del Sur last September 23 – 25, 2011.  The training was conducted as part of PDAP’s ‘Seaweeds Enterprise Action Working for Empowerment and Economic Development’ (SEAWEED) project in the Caraga region.

The SEAWEED Project, which was started last April 2011 in partnership with Fundacion CODESPA and AECID, aims to scale – up the seaweed industry in the Caraga region through the adoption of new farming technology.  The project is expected to increase and improve the household income of seaweed farmers thereby helping eradicate poverty in the project areas.

Through the 3 – day training, seaweed farmers were introduced to the new seaweed farming technology.  Eight (8) seaweed nurseries will be established as a mechanism for the continuous education of seaweed farmers on seaweed farming.

Since the Caraga region is considered as highly vulnerable to natural calamities, the participants of the said training were oriented on the issues of climate change and disaster risk reduction. This raised the farmers’ awareness on the possible effects of climate change to their livelihood and at the same time help them come up with mitigating measures to ensure the viability of their seaweed farms in times of disasters and calamities.

The Philippine Development Assistance Programme, Inc. (PDAP) held its Annual Membership Meeting last September 9, 2011.  The members unanimously approved to change its name to Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines, Inc. (PDAP).  The new name aptly reflects the organization’s character as an institution as well as its current thrusts.  PDAP will officially carry the new name as soon the necessary regulatory approval is secured.  In the same meeting, the following were elected to the Board of Trustees:

• Mr. Benjamin Abadiano – Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI)
• Ms. Juliet Bucoy – National Council for Social Development (NCSD)
• Mr. Rafael Lopa – Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)
• Ms. Divina Luz Lopez - The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA)
• Mr. Nathaniel Don Marquez – Asian Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC)
• Mr. Roel Ravanera - Association of Foundations (AF)
• Mr. Roberto Ansaldo – Independent Trustee

In the Organizational Board Meeting held on the same day, the following were elected as PDAP officers:

• Mr. Roel Ravanera – Chairperson
• Mr. Roberto Ansaldo – Vice Chairperson
• Mr. Nathaniel Don Marquez - Treasurer
• Ms. Divina Luz Lopez – Secretary

The Philippine Development Assistance Programme, Inc. (PDAP) is a non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 1986 to become an effective instrument in reducing poverty and inequity in the Philippines. PDAP prides itself in having 6 member networks with more than 300 community-based members and partner NGOs. PDAP has distinguished itself in promoting and developing rural enterprises for poverty reduction and as a tool in promoting peace in conflict-affected areas.

PDAP is seeking applications for Guaranty Fund/Micro Finance Officer. The Job Description (JD) detailing the scope of work, roles and responsibilities and qualifications are provided. Salary is competitive and commensurate to the qualifications of the successful applicant.

Interested applicants must submit the following:

1. Letter of Intent addressed to the PDAP Executive Director
2. Comprehensive CV, not to exceed 4 pages detailing the following:

• Name and citizenship
• Education and pertinent dates and degrees received
• Length of service with current employer, position and status (permanent, temporary, contract employee, associate, etc.)
• Pertinent experience: A summary of the skills and experience that would be valuable and applicable to this position
• A history of employment and assignments (in reverse chronological order)

Please send applications via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   not later than September 15, 2011. Only short-listed applicants will be called for interview.

We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and partners who might be interested and are qualified to apply for this position.
PDAP encourages both women and men to apply.


JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Specifications:
Position Title    : Guaranty Fund/Micro Finance Officer
Reports to    : Program Manager
Supervises    : Agricultural Loan Officers and (administrative supervision of) AMF/MF Bookkeepers
Job Objective:
Ensures the efficient and effective operations of PDAP’s Agricultural MicroFinance /MicroFinance (AMF/MF) Program and Loan Guaranty Fund

Duties & Responsibilities    :
1.    Prepares annual work plans and budgets of the AMF-MF Program and Loan Guaranty Fund and recommends them to Management.
2.    Ensures the appropriate, accurate, complete, and timely documentation of all transactions involving the Loan Guaranty Fund and the AMF-MF.
3.    Ensures the achievement of the targets of the Loan Guaranty Fund and AMF-MF.
4.    Acts as the secretariat of the FMC during meetings.
5.    Reviews periodically the design of the Loan Guaranty Fund and the AMF-MF including policies, systems and procedures and makes the necessary recommendations to Management.
6.    Develops other financing mechanisms/products for adoption by PDAP and makes the necessary recommendations to Management.
7.    Drafts periodic reports pertaining to the operations of the Loan Guaranty Fund and AMF/MF for submission to the FMC and Board of Trustees.

Loan Guaranty Fund-
8.    Markets the Loan Guaranty Fund; reviews requests for guaranty cover and makes the appropriate assessments and recommendations to Management.
9.    Ensures the timely submission of quarterly status of guaranteed- accounts report by partner financial institutions; reviews/assesses the same and takes the necessary actions including, but not limited to, preparing the corresponding quarterly guaranty fund report to Management.
10.    Monitors on a periodic basis the repayment and delinquency status/rates of the loans guaranteed by PDAP.
11.    Provides immediate feedback to Management and partners/borrowers with PDAP-guaranteed loans from partner FIs on the repayment/collection performance of the latter and recommends mitigating measures especially on delinquent accounts.
12.    Assesses claims for guaranty cover and makes the necessary recommendations to Management.
13.    Ensures the appropriate, timely, accurate, and complete documentation of guaranty claims approved by the Board of Trustees, including but not limited to, updating of the corresponding loan documents.
14.    Ensures the periodic monitoring “guaranty-called” accounts, including but not limited to, the collection of the loan amortizations.
15.    Whenever necessary and appropriate, facilitates negotiations between partner FIs and ME/LMC partners on loan terms and agreements including restructuring agreements.

Agri Micro Finance-Micro Finance (AMF/ MF)-
16.    Ensures the timely submission of monthly reports (i.e. operating and financial) by the AMF-MF offices; reviews/assesses the same and takes the necessary actions including, but not limited to, preparing the corresponding monthly AMF-MF status report to Management.
17.     Ensures the adherence by the AMF MF Area offices to established policies, guidelines, and expectations.
18.     Conducts Group Recognition Tests (GRT) for new AMF/MF borrowers.
19.    Assesses the performance of his supervisees (jointly with the Finance Officer in the case of the AMF-MF bookkeepers) in accordance with the applicable PDAP Performance Management System.

Job Qualifications:
1.    Accounting, Finance, Economics or business administration graduate
2.    At least 3 years supervisory experience in development financing (e.g. micro-finance, SME lending)
3.    Understanding of loan guaranty mechanisms
4.    Excellent analytical and report writing skills
5.    IT-literate

The Global Organic and Wellness Corporation (GLOWCORP) received Php5M investment from the Philippine Development Assistance Programme (PDAP).

The investment will be utilized as part of the operating capital of GlowCorp. According to Cornelio Castaneda, Jr., President of GlowCorp, the investment will greatly improve the capacity of the corporation to purchase more organic rice and muscovado from its partner producers and eventually increase their income and expand their production capacities. GlowCorp sources its organic and muscovado supply requirements from PDCI in Camarines Sur, Bios Dynamis Multi-Purpose Cooperative in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Farmers and Millers Corporation in Sultan Kudarat. These organizations are principal shareholders of GlowCorp with combined members of more than 1,000 farmers. The availability of capital will enable GlowCorp to provide better prices for farmers.

For more information about GlowCorp, please visit the corporation's website.

The terminal report validation workshop for PDAP's program, "Promoting Rural Industries and Market Enhancement (PRIME)," will be held on March 10, 2011 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. The activity aims to produce an improved document validated by partner organizations before submission to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). It is also a venue to revisit PRIME exit strategies and explore avenues for future partnerships. There are 22 representatives from partner micro-enterprises (MEs), local market consolidators (LMCs), financing institutions (FIs), and local government units (LGUs). Guests from CIDA are outgoing Head of Aid Laurenne Garneau and Senior Program Officer Myrna Jarillas. PDAP Board of Trustees and staff will also be in attendance.

Here is proof that organic farming reaps good harvest if practiced using appropriate technology.

Mr. Eugenio Abungan was a recipient of organic black and red rice seeds from the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED).  As a trained farmer-beneficiary of the LGSP-LED-supported One Pangasinan Alliance of LGUs (OPAL), an alliance of seven local governments in Western Pangasinan, Eugenio converted 1,500 square meters of his farm into an organic demonstration field.

Eugenio practiced all of the techniques he learned from the training series on organic rice chain development, which was given to selected farmers and agriculture technologists from the municipalities of Anda, Agno, Bani, Mabini, Burgos, Sual, and the city of Alaminos.

In compliance with the organic standards which they developed themselves, Eugenio never used chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides in his demonstration field.  Instead, he used vermi-composts and natural fermentations to fertilize his crops.

The result: his 750 square meter- red rice plot produced 11 bags of palay. With this yield, assuming that Eugenio converted one hectare of his rice field into organic, he would have produced 146 bags of palay.  This produce is even higher than the usual production he had under conventional farming system.  Because of this encouraging result, Eugenio now plans to increase organic production during the next cropping season and hopes to convert everything into organic soon.  Eugenio was able to save good quality red rice seeds from his first trial.  Not only that, Eugenio was also able to feed his family with chemical-free rice.

This story should encourage more farmers to choose organic and forget about chemical farming that is known to cause serious damage to all living things and the planet as a whole.

The Philippine Development Assistance Programme, Inc. was tapped by LGSP-LED to provide training and consultancy services to OPAL’s organic agriculture program.