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Frontliner. Conduit. Community organizer. Enabler. Facilitator. Advocate. Trainer. Learner. These and more sum up the local community facilitator (LCF). And thus did Dr. Lutgarda Tolentino (aka LLT) introduce prospective LCFs to their role in the implementation of the CGIAR Research Program 1.3 on Aquatic Agriculture Systems (AAS). Speaking to the gathering of community and partner representatives, LLT described what was expected of the LCFs and shared her own rich experiences in community work. Earlier, Country Program Leader Dr. Maripaz Perez (MLP), described the Program in the
Philippines and the “bigger picture”. “We will do this together, and we will learn together as we do”, she reassured. As the prospective LCFs signed on to become part of the roll-out team, they avowed to “use my capabilities and skills to help improve the life of every person living in the community. Siguro mas marami akong matutulungan sa aming community.” (Maybe I will be able to help more in our community.) The LCFs then countered by thanking WorldFish for including them in the AAS program and praising the team for being dedicated to empowering the “poorest of the poor” communities in
the VisMin Hub. �
AAS LCF team formed
LCFs complete CLCP training
“All communities have issues and concerns but they have the strengths to respond to these issues and concerns.” Thus, we learned at the Training on the Community Life Competence Process at the D Hotel in Dipolog City from May 28 to June 2.
The training taught us the CLCP process and how we can facilitate each step. We learned, too, how to be creative in sustaining the community’s interest.
The training gave us a chance to reconnect with old friends, and
make new ones. It allowed us to visit Dapitan and enjoy early morning walks at the bay.
We enjoyed the delicious, filling arroz caldo at one of the street stores, ate of LLT’s nonstop supply of banana and puto, and took home “tons” of the local bottled sardines (like we weren't ever coming back!).
Most importantly however, we found each other— we saw each one as a fellow traveler and glad that we were sharing the journey with the AAS
team. �
The AAS team in Dipolog : 1st row from left—Sarah, Leny, Rose, Brenda, Mymy, Jess, LLT, Bobby, Bons, Leah. 2nd row—Mars, Grace, Sirinate, Gigi, Ann, Melsky, SamG, Clod, Joy. 3rd row—Bambi, Mabel, Evits, Marj, Viani, Epoy, Palang, Dandan, SamP, Becky, Dorcas, Myrna, Aisa. Inset— Kaye Kahayag “K
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Volume 1, Issue 1 January—June 2013
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On May 8, 2013, the letters AAS were stamped into our consciousness. We will probably never forget these letters nor what they will come to mean for each of us as we travel the “Fields of Dreams” together. The AAS program will be for the long haul—15 years is longer than some marriages last even. But for you and I, that is the time we are given to make our communities’ dreams into realities. We will all soon be learning about our community’s concerns, problems and strengths. We shall learn about their dreams and how they plan to act on these dreams. As we learn about these, we
shall also be learning about ourselves—what our own individual issues and concerns are, our strengths as individuals and how they make us good facilitators, our dreams as well and how all of these can impact on and color the way we work with our communities. A major part of our work therefore is providing the materials and helping build the dream so that the community can go ahead and make it real. Together with the community, we are charged with the daunting task of sifting through the mountain of hopes and wishes, and unearth the golden dreams beneath—those priceless gems of actions with
which the community can show its strengths and through which they can eventually become the competent communities we envision. We saw how big the task is and how much is asked of all of us. We talked about how we will work together as well as partner with others. We did our “tai chi” (Thanks for this exercise Bons). We worried, became excited, danced and sang—all together. As we take our first baby steps in AAS, let us be encouraged by the dreams and strengthened by the presence of our team—the AAS team!
Page 2
Of dreams and strengths
KAHAYAG
Who are we and how do we contact each other?
PAHAYAG
The community dream for Pinamgo as drawn by Melsky, SamG, Mars, Claud, and Sarah
Water tank
Mangroves
ECOTOURISM
Seaweed farms
Farms
Homes
Safe beach
LIVELIHOOD
SERVICES
Institutions Capture fisheries
Livestock
Scuba diving
“Epoy” PHILLIP CENA
Mancilang, Madridejos, Cebu
Email: [email protected] CP: 0939-426-7006 B: December 12
“Sam P.”
SAMUEL PARCON
DOST 7 – PSTD Cebu Email: [email protected] CP: 0933-922-5490 P/F: (032) 255-9931 B: January 5
“Jess”
JESUS F. ZAMORA, JR.
DOST 7 – Sup’g SRS Email: [email protected] CP: 0919-430-8010; 0922-814-5008 P: (032) 414-7477 B: May 20
“Melsky”
MELECIO B. QUIAO
Puerto San Pedro, Bien Unido, Bohol Email: [email protected] CP: 0927-933-8799 B: February 12
“Mars”
MARCIAL TANGAAN
DOST 7 – PSTD Bohol Email: [email protected], [email protected] CP: 0905-689-2004; 0939-916-7410 P: (038) 500-3546 B: October 19
“Sam G.” SAMUEL J. GULAYAN
BISU – Chair, Extension and Training
Email: [email protected] CP: 0920-918-1332 B: February 15
“Palang” EDGAR BONIZA
Email: [email protected] CP: 0933-396-4990 B: March 22
“Mabel” MABEL R. CALVA
SLSU –Campus Admin, SLSU-Bontoc Email: [email protected] CP: 0917-314-8239 B: June 30
“Becky” REBECCA T. RUBIO
Brgy Maac, Sogod, Southern Leyte Email: [email protected] CP: 0905-261-6688
B: June 2
“Evits” EVELYN TABLANTE
DOST 8 – SRS I Email: [email protected]
CP: 0916-665-6779
B: September 28
“Bobby” BOBMIL FLORES
JRMSU – Extension Director Email: [email protected], [email protected] CP: 0906-812-9134 B: February 22
“Brenda” BRENDA SABIJON
Blk 44 Lot 3, VCH, Obay, Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte 7106 Email: [email protected] CP: 0918-451-8952 P: (065) 918-0074 B: March 7
“Mymy” MERILYN M. CADAG
DOST 9 – SRS I PST Center, Upper Turno, Dipolog City Email: [email protected] CP: 0917-629-9331 B: February 6
“Kaye” KRYSTAL KAREN VALLECER Banicapt, Galas, 7100 Dipolog City Email: [email protected] CP: 0920-664-7329; 0915-374-0024 B: July 7
“DanDan” DANILO MONTEMAYOR
Brgy. 5, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Email: [email protected] CP: 0905-755-7215; 0949-143-4994 F: (088) 333-2175 B: July 10
“Bons” BONITA AGCOPRA
Side B, Talusan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Email: [email protected] CP: 0926-322-7177 F: (088) 333-2175 B: March 25
“Rose” ROSELYN V. ARELLANO
DOST 10 – Sup’g SRS Email: [email protected], r [email protected]
CP: 0917-707-1127
B: December 21
“Viani” VIANNEY ANTHONY GAPUZ
BFAR 10 – Aquaculturist II Email: [email protected] CP: 0917-705-2488 B: February 26
Directory of Local Community Facilitators (LCFs) A.K.A. The SALT of the VisMin Hub
CP –cellphone P—telephone F— Fax B—Birthday
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 3
Page 4
Sogod Dreams
KAHAYAG
• Population: • Sogod 41,411 • Maac: 1,788 • Mahayahay 914
• Poverty Index = 36.80 • Portion of agricultural area = 47% • Population dependent on farming = 70% • Dominant crops:
• Rice (most farmers are tenants) • Coconut • Abaca (attacked by bunchy top)
• Secondary source of income = fishing • Territorial waters = 1.05 km2 • Most nonmotorized bancas • Passive gear like gillnets, hook &
line, and traps
Sogod—2ndclassmunicipality
Maac and Mahayahay— like all our
communities in the VisMin hub are dependent on aquatic agriculture systems. Farmers and fishers report a decline in their produce. Most of the farmers are “mananaop” (tenants) while the fishers own mostly non-motorized bancas. Pre-scoping and scoping reports of the site mention degradation of resources in the area. Our LCFs here are Ed and Mabel for Mahayahay and Evits and Becky for Maac. Along with Mam Lut, Sir Gigi, Claud and Marj, they laid the ground work for the visioning on 18 to 22 July by starting out with the SALT visits, a week before the scheduled visioning. LLT arranged for us to use the social hall of the SyShore Resort. The hall was big enough to accommodate two big groups and allowed for separate break out areas. There were seven groups invited from Mahayahay. These were the farmers, fishers, in-school youth, out-of-school youth, women and the barangay council. After the group’s discussion of their concern’s,
issues and problems, they agreed to reduce 17 common themes to three priorities as follows: 1. Rehabilitate abaca production 2. Rechannel river water 3. Set-up livelihood opportunities Nine sectors represented the Maac community. They were the senior citizens, youth, barangay council, women, fishers, out-of-school youth, farmers, Liberty and Bordon. The last two sectors represented geographical rather than sectoral divisions. Those from Liberty were on the coast , occupying private land. Those from Bordon were located at the “dam site”. After group discussions, they came up with 22 common themes but their three priorities were: 1. Rehabilitate abaca production 2. Rehabilitate coconut production 3. Own a residential lot. The visioning in Sogod was our first experience in community dreaming. It was as we imagined it would be from our practice during the CLCP training. It was challenging to get everyone in on the day and time we said they should come. As we adjusted schedules, Palang, Becky, Evits and Mabel had to be constantly texting and calling the participants. As the discussions started, our LCFs were a bit hesitant to carry the conversations. But with a little prodding from Mam Lut, Sirinate, Gerlie, and Mam MLP, they soon became more confident. But in many ways too, it was different than what we expected. Many of the participants wanted to come and to bring others—even if they had to bring their own food. They were not bothered that we kept them for five days because they said, “We are being helped”. The women of Mahayahay said they saw hope in the process—”We must be united for our community”.
PALIBOT
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 5
Felina Gutierrez, currently on her second term as barangay captain of Mahayahay, was amazed to see that the youth had dreams for the community. “Everyone has dreams”, she said. “But these dreams are often personal, individual. I didn't expect to see the youth, dreaming for the community.” By the time the action plans were presented, she was pleased to see her constituents eagerly planning and anticipating their next steps. Seasoned leader that she was, she had some apprehensions especially since her constituents were planning actions in July—two weeks from the visioning. But the youth and the farmers assured her that they would be able to handle these steps. “As long as we do this together and everyone does his part”, she said, “then its okay.” For his part, Maac barangay captain Raul Galola was invested in the process from the very start. He was active in the SALT visits, helping to identify the sectors, bringing people together and marshaling resources to get his constituents to participate. After sharing the people’s dream to possess their own residential lot, he said “Our dreams are linked to everything we have and do in the community. If we own our land, we can plan to grow vegetables and raise livestock on it. We can think about improving our community because now, we own the land.” As the sectoral representatives explained the
““““Kung may kahayag, Kung may kahayag, Kung may kahayag, Kung may kahayag, may paglamay paglamay paglamay pagla----omomomom”
[With light,
there is hope.]
~Farmer from Mahayahay
community dreams, potential champions began to emerge. Jaime Botad, farmer, of Mahayahay shared the community dream and described the CLCP process in his own words. He clearly understood why we took the steps we did and explained to his community, their role in realizing their dreams. Joel Olar , out-of-school youth from Maac, showed a deep appreciation for how the process gave him and the youth a voice in the community. He talked on the community’s common themes and ably explained the reason for each. Recognizing that they had found one leader, his community promptly named him the focal person for their youth. At the closing program, the community people thanked WorldFish—”Because of the workshop we have been reminded of the concerns of the community. We did not know how to address them but now, we know we can do something
about them.” �
Community Dreams of (left) Maac and (right) Mahayahay
Page 6 KAHAYAG
They came, they worked with us and they will stay with us as we journey on the CLCP path. The stars of our “constellation”—Sirinate, Myrna and Girlie. Thank you for teaching, guiding, prodding, re-directing, facilitating, showing. We value your presence and look forward to more chances to
work with you.�
“Constellation isn't something up there in the sky! They’re on the ground, and they’re with us.” [From Brenda, after the CLCP
training.]
Left: Sirinate Piyajitpirat Middle: Myrna Maglahus Below: Gerlita Enrera (in white)
PAHISAYON
Our First Steps: Learning from the Sogod Visioning
The first time, as they say, is always memorable. Sogod gave us a valuable chance to learn and as LLT said, “justified the reason for our existence. We know we are in the right place to make a difference. “ We learned a lot from this first time foray into uncharted waters. Here are some of them:
• Get the leader on your side early. It pays to have the barangay captain on your side from the very start. Maac mobilization was facilitated because of this.
• Prepare to adjust . It is possible for one team (two persons) to facilitate two sectors at the same time if the following exist: (1) commonality between the sectors, (2) constant reminders of which sector they are representing, (3) dedicated documenter/recorder using prepared
forms.
• Team work is required, not optional. Our individual strengths boost our partners skills and our weaknesses become their chance to teach us something. Communicate with each other constantly.
• Lets use Bisaya as often as we can. Negotiating a common self-assessment rating is more challenging than it seems. That’s why the team translated the descriptions of the different levels to ease understanding. (Please see next page for this.)
• Follow-up and dig deeper. There are lessons to be learned and insights to be gleaned from seemingly simple responses. Lets work on “unpacking” the responses we get.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 7
Level Description of level ( English) Description of level (Bisaya)
5 We do it naturally. The practice becomes part of our lifestyle.
Atong natural nga gimbuhaton ug atong naandan
4 We do it regularly or systematically with good results.
Kanunay natong buhaton sa eksaktong pamaagi ug maayo ang resulta
3 We do it once in a while, with some results. Usahay atong buhaton ug adunay resulta
2 We know enough what to do, but don’t do it yet. Nasuta na nato ug unsaon pero wala pa nato buhata
1 We are aware of the practice, but do not know what to do.
Kahibalo ta nga naay bulohaton sama niini pero dili ta kabalo ug unsaon
For example, we were surprised to learn that the fishers didn't want to have “payao” [fish aggregating device] and even said that it was illegal. Further discussion revealed the underlying issues of “inclusion/exclusion” in government programs.
In another situation, one fisherman didn't want to stand up and share his sector’s action plans to the whole body when in fact he was one of the most vocal during his group’s discussions. We found out later that he didn't want to speak in public because he was unfamiliar with the terms “proposal” and “feasibility study”, which were in the action plans. Please note too that both terms were suggested by a facilitator. Which brings us to our next tip…
• Make sure that everyone is on board all the time. Remember our CLCP training and how Myrna kept asking us if we were ALL on the boat. In this instance, silence does not mean yes.
• Food inspires. If you are feeding the participants, plan on a menu that they want. We had some initial problems because we planned on a menu that we (AAS team)
Wh
at’
s i
n K
ah
ayag
?
wanted— ginamos, steamed camote shoots, tomatoes, eggplants, boiled viands, etc. Then we realized that these are what they eat everyday and understood why the food wasn't too popular at the start.
• Expect the unexpected. No amount of preparation will ready you for everything. As LLT said, “Lets be ready to learn and to enjoy the process.”
• PAHABOL
• Ed is very popular in Mahayahay as “Palang” —a name we shall call him from now on—and he CAN sing very
very well. LCFs got talent for sure! �
Translation of the self-assessment descriptions
Our First Steps: Learning from the Sogod Visioning
EDITORIAL BOX
Editor in Chief: Lily Ann D. Lando Editorial Consultants: Maripaz L. Perez Enrique Avila Lutgarda Tolentino Editorial Assistant: Joy Abigail Cañas Contributors: The Philippines AAS Team Telephone: (+63-49) 501-3953 Fax: (+63-49) 536-0202 Email: [email protected]
With communities, changing lives
Welcome to Kahayag, the “official” newsletter of the Philippine AAS team. Inspired by your responses on the communications audit, we set up this newsletter as our venue for connecting with everyone on the team, for catching up with what everyone else is doing, for getting to know our “Ka– hayag” and even for sharing. Thank you to Sir Gigi for our newsletter’s name, and to the people of Sogod for inspiring the name. [Kahayag = Bisaya for light/radiance/limelight/glow/enlightenment. Hayag = Tagalog for declare, express, something known. Thus, our newsletter Kahayag brings light as we “mga ka-hayag” declare, express or make something known.] Atin ito, so your contributions are all welcome (expected actually)—articles, art work/drawings, photos, literary attempts, jokes, ice breakers, suggestions, insights, anything that you want to share with the rest of the team. It may be in whatever language you are most comfortable with, Bisaya, English, Filipino – Sorry Sirinate, Thai is not included for the time being. Thanks to: the able note-taking & reports of Clod, Marj, Bambi, Glai and Joy; photos from Sarah, Joy, Aisa, Karlo, Sirinate and Gerlie; and the drawings from the LCFs, Maac and Mahayahay.
SCHEDULES
AAS Facebook group
coming up...
DATES ACTIVITY VENUE TEAM MEMBERS INVOLVED
July 8-11 SALT & community mobilization Pinamgo Mancilang
Gigi, Claudia, SamG, Melsky, Mars Lut, Sarah, Jess, SamP, Epoy
July 13 LCF Meeting Cebu All
July 22-26 Community Visioning Galas 1 Galas 2
Brenda, Mymy, Lut, Ann, Karlo, Marj Bobby, Kaye, Gigi, MLP, Claud, Sarah, Bambi
July 28-31 Community Visioning Pinamgo Mancilang
Melsky, Mars, SamG, Lut, Ann, Dohna, Sara, Marj Epoy, SamP, Jess, Gigi, MLP, Claud, Karlo, Bambi
August 2-5 Community Visioning Binitinan Waterfall
Bons, Viani, Gigi, Ann, Karlo, Marj Dandan, Rose, MLP, Lut, Claud, Sarah, Bambi
Sept 18-20 Stakeholder Consultation Workshop Cebu Key partners
Nov 11-15 BOT Meeting Cebu Selected PCO officials and staff
Nov 18-22 Design Workshop Cebu To be determined
Dec Knowledge Fair Cebu Selected community participants
Kung wala ka pang FaceBook account, may oras ka pang magset-up ng isa. Log-in na!
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