News and Events

Industrial Agriculture Advocates Say Organic Farming Cannot Produce Enough Food for 7 Billion People. A Group of Rice Farmers in the Philippines is Proving Them Wrong.

By Robin Broad and John Cavanagh

Danilo Atilano leads us onto the moist soil from which his waist-high stalks of rice grow. It is four o’clock in the afternoon. He has selected this time to meet because this is when “the vegetation is wet with dew and comes alive with insects.” In Hollywood, spiders star in horror movies; in Atilano’s rice field, they are “friends” doing good deeds like eating larvae of “bad” stem borers. We point with concern to bright red snail eggs on the soil. Atilano shrugs them off. Snails are pests during planting, he explains, because they eat young rice-shoots. Close to harvest, they become weed-eating friends. Read More...

Typhoon Sendong caused significant casualties and severe property damages in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in mid-December last year.  Thousands of families and individuals were affected leaving them with no basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and clothing.  As an immediate response, the Philippine Development Assistance Programme, Inc. (PDAP) made a cash grant of Php 10,000.00 to the Xavier Science Foundation, Inc. (XSF),-a member of the Association of Foundations (AF) which in turn is a member of PDAP-in support of the Cagayan de Oro-based foundation’s relief operations.

The Xavier Science Foundation, headed by Mr. Roel Ravanera, who also happens to be PDAP’s Chairperson, was one of the first organizations which stepped in to provide relief assistance to the typhoon victims.  XSF is now currently undertaking rehabilitation efforts in Cagayan de Oro.  These efforts include housing assistance that will be supported by community building/organizing and livelihood support, among others.

By: Jose Regulus Ortega

Typhoon Sendong which inflicted heavy death tolls and damages to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro last December 16, 2011 also affected several coastal towns of Surigao del Sur. The seaweed industry in the area was greatly affected as strong winds and waves hit the locality.  Reports from the local government unit of Barobo revealed that 160 tons of juvenile seedlings and 40 tons of harvestable seaweeds were damaged valued at Php 4.4 million.

A family inspecting the cultivar lines a day after Typhoon Sendong hit the locality

Among those who were affected in the area are PDAP’s 11 PO partners in the SEAWEED Project in the Caraga Region.  Their farms were destroyed as seaweeds were cut – off from the tangled cultivar lines bringing them down to the sea bottom with no chances of recovery.  Most of the farmers were saddened even more since harvests were to be made just a few days after the destructive typhoon.  Initial assessment of the field staff showed that there are still available seedlings from the locality that could still be used for replanting and new ropes for cultivar lines are just needed for them to be able to start anew.

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