BatStateU creates Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive /p.5 LMC

BatStateU creates Tactical Operative

Amphibious Drive /p.5

The Official Newsletter of the Regional Development Council IV-A First Quarter

March 2016

LMC becomes the first HIV/AIDS

Treatment Hub in Calabarzon /p.8

Story on pp. 10-11

there is knowledge in news 2

Published quarterly by the Regional Developmen t Coun ci l IV -A (Calabarzon). The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose the articles to be published due to the limited space.

1st Quarter 2016

Page 2 RDC, Team Energy signs

MOA for ER 1-94 approved projects

Page 3 Batangas Province hosts

4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting

Page 4 RDC endorses LRT

Line 6 Project

Mahangin Ba? Alternergy

launches wind farm in

Pililla, Rizal

Page 5 BatStateU creates Tactical

Operative Amphibious

Drive (TOAD)

Calabarzon Region all set

for K to 12

Implementation

Page 6 SUMMID Calabarzon

Project Scaled-up

Migration and

Development in

Calabarzon

Page 7 NEDA Region IV-A pushes

entrepreneurship for OFs

and families

At last! Every Juan can be

a HENYO!

Page 8-9 Provincial News

Page 10-11 FEATURE: Empowering

MSMEs as agents of

development

Page 12 Calabarzon Welcomes new

Heads of Agencies

DTI SSF Project stimulates

inclusive growth; turns

credit cooperative into a

garments venture

Page 13-16 Quarterly Regional

Economic Situationer

Page 17-20

RPMC Bulletin

On this Issue

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief

OIC-RD Luis G. Banua

Managing Editors

ARD Gina T. Gacusan

Arlita E. Lopez

Editors

Agnes A. Daantos

Donald James D. Gawe

Valter L. Morada

Marcelo Cesar R. Palacio

Michael R. Lavadia

Layout and Design

Alvin Caezar V. Olanday

Feedbacks and article contributions

are welcome. Please contact:

NEDA Regional Office IV-A

4th Floor Marcelita Building

National Highway, Barangay Real,

Calamba City, Laguna 4027

Tel: (049) 545-7756 / 0091

Email: [email protected]

The cover depicts the products of some of the successful micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Calabarzon. The Region aims to develop and strengthen the MSME sub-sector through product development and marketing assistance, convergence of line agencies’ programs and projects in improving productivity of the MSMEs, among others.

About the Cover

RDC, Team Energy signs MOA for ER 1-94 approved projects by Revy Z. Jolongbayan , NEDA Region IV-A

RDC Vice Chairperson and NEDA

Region IV-A Director Luis G.

Banua signed seven Memoranda of

Agreements (MOA) for seven local

government unit (LGU) projects to

be funded under the Calabarzon

Energy Regulation 1-94 share last

22 February at the Diamond Resort

and Hotel, Lucena City. The MOA

was entered into by and among the

DOE, Team Energy Corporation,

RDC IV-A and the Mayors of

Agdangan, General Luna, Padre

Burgos, Guinayangan, Gumaca,

Pitogo and Candelaria in Quezon.

The projects include: Installation of

Solar Powered Streetlights,

Construction of Environmental

(Green House) and Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Center,

Improvement of Water Supply

System, Extension and Development

of Materials Recovery Facility and

Purchase of One Unit New

Ambulance.

The LGU projects were the results

of the three project development

trainings for Calabarzon LGUs

conducted by the NEDA Region IV-

A last year. There were 20 LGU

projects endorsed by the RDC to the

power plant companies in 2015, of

which, the remaining 13 are still

under review by the power plant

companies and DOE.

MOA Signing of seven LGU Projects funded under the Calabarzon ER 1-94 Regional Share.(Seated, L-R) SCID Co Chairperson Ladislao Andal, RDC Vice Chairperson Luis G. Banua, Mr. Gregory Romualdez, Head of Team Energy External Affairs and Ms. Ethel Osio, Manager of Team Energy External Affairs. (Standing, L-R): Mayor Erwin Caralian of Gumaca, Mayor Cesar Isaac of Guinayangan, Mayor Jose Stevenson Sangalang of General Luna, Vice Mayor Anatalia Atienza of Candelaria, Mayor Vicenta Aguilar of Agdangan, Mayor Paulino Sayat of Pitogo and Mayor Roger Panganiban of Padre Burgos. (Photo: Team Energy)

First Quarter 2016 3

Batangas Province hosts 4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting by Armina O. Espiritu, NEDA Region IV-A

The Provincial Government of Batangas hosted the

4th Quarter 2015 Calabarzon Regional Development

Council (RDC) Full Council meeting last December

10 at the Bulwagang Batangan, Provincial Capitol,

Batangas City.

In her welcome message, Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto

said that the Community-Based Monitoring System

(CBMS) helped the provincial government in

identifying projects needed by the people of

Batangas. She asked the members of the Council to

continue the programs and projects instituted by the

RDC such as the CBMS even with the change in

leadership after the national elections in May 2016.

During the meeting, 49 resolutions were passed by

the Council which included the endorsement of the

following projects: a) Light Rail Transit Line 6;

b) Laguna-Cavite East West Commuter Railway

Concept; and c) five Local Government Units (LGUs)

projects to be funded under the Energy Regulation

1-94 fund.

The RDC also approved the following resolutions

related to RDC operations: a) Calabarzon RDC Logo;

b) 2016 RDC Calabarzon Calendar of Activities:

c) CY 2016 RDC Calabarzon Priority Thrusts and

Activities; d) RDC Guidelines on Recognition,

Citation and Awards System; e) Revised Calabarzon

RDC Ground Rules and Regulations; f) Calabarzon

Hymn; and g) Guidelines for the 2017 RDC

Budget Review.

Other resolutions passed were: a) Calabarzon

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change

Adaptation Enhanced Regional Physical Framework

Plan 2017-2046; b) Three-Year Rolling Investment

Programs of Calabarzon; c) Inclusion of PNP Region

IV-A and NICA Region IV as members of the

Calabarzon Regional El Niño Task Force under the

Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Committee; d) Calabarzon Project Monitoring

System; and e) Inclusion of Geotagging of Projects

in the Regional Project Monitoring Committee

Work Program.

In relation to social development, the RDC passed the

following: a) Adoption of the Social Protection

Handbook; b) Creation of Local Verification

Committees by LGUs of Region IV-A in Support to

the Listahanan Household Assessment; and

c) Implementation by the LGUs of Region IV-A of

the DILG-NYC Joint Memorandum Circular No.

2015-01.

(L-R) Governor Vilma Santos-Recto encourages everyone to pursue learning to be able to serve better; Turnover of coins by RDC Secretary and NEDA Region IV-A ARD Gina T. Gacusan to BSP Dir. Tomas Cariño; Ms. Nelia Cresino receives award for Cavite State University as the Most Outstanding GAD Implementer for SUC Category. (Photos: Farhad E. Ali Asgari, NEDA Region IV-A)

The RDC headed by its Vice-Chairperson Luis G. Banua awards a resolution of gratitude to the Batangas Provincial Government through Governor Vilma Santos-Recto for hosting the 4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting. (Photo: Farhad E. Ali Asgari, NEDA Region IV-A)


The Calabarzon Regional

Development Council (RDC)

endorsed the Light Railway Transit

(LRT) Line 6 during its 4th Quarter

RDC Full Council Meeting on

December 10, 2015 held at the

Batangas Provincial Capitol.

The Department of Transportation

and Communication proposed the 19

kilometer LRT Line 6 project that

will connect Bacoor City and

Dasmariñas City in Cavite. It will

provide higher quality, faster and

cheaper public transportation to

approximately 200,000 commuters.

During its operation, it is projected

that an average computer is expected

to save 30 days in travel time and

P5,216 in travel cost in one year.

The LRT Line 6 will be implemented

under a 30-year concession contract,

inclusive of a five-year construction

period that will commence in 2016.

The said project was endorsed by the

Cavite Provincial Development

Council and elevated to the RDC

through the Sectoral Committee on

Infrastructure Development.

The project costs P64.7 billion and

will be funded through the Build-

Transfer + Operation and

Maintenance Scheme as part of the

JICA Dream Plan.

RDC endorses LRT Line 6 Project by Alvin Caezar V. Olanday, NEDA Region IV-A

Mahangin Ba? Alternergy launches wind farm in Pililla, Rizal by Marlo E. Chavez, NEDA Region IV-A

Alternergy Wind One Corporation President Vicente S.

Perez, Jr. started his welcome remarks by a symbolic

question of “Mahangin ba?” during the launching of

the 54MW Pililla Rizal Wind Farm held January 20,

2016 at Pililla, Rizal. The Philippines is the first

country in ASEAN to develop on-grid wind power

since 2005.

The 54-megawatt wind farm in Pililla, Rizal is

developed and operated by Alternergy, a company

engaged in developing renewable energy. The project is

the first wind farm in Luzon outside Ilocos. The wind

farm is located within a 60-hectare area in Barangay,

Halayhayin, Municipality of Pililla, Rizal Province.

Completed in June 2015, the farm has 27 units of wind

mills or turbines measuring 125 meters tall, which is

equivalent to a 33-storey building. Each wind tower

generates two megawatts of electricity for a total of

54 MW, enough to power 66,000 households.

Electricity generated by the wind turbines feeds into the

distribution network of Manila Electric Company

(MERALCO) through a 10-kilometer transmission line.

The project is fully supported by the Provincial

Government of Rizal headed by Governor Rebecca

“Nini” Yñares. Governor Ynares served as the guest

speaker during the launching and ribbon cutting

ceremony. Also in attendance were Vice-Gov. Frisco

San Juan Jr., Mayor Leandro Masikip, Sr. of Pililla,

GM of Laguna Lake Development Authority Nereus

Acosta, and Major General Romeo Gan of AFP.

The wind farm is now emerging as one of the

popular destinations for tourists in

Rizal province.

(Left Photo) Rizal Gov. Rebecca “Nini” Yñares and Alternergy Pres. Vicente Perez, Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.


BatStateU creates Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive by Batangas State University Responding to the challenge of designing and

developing a low-cost amphibious vehicle for disaster

response, the Batangas State University spearheaded

the development of the Tactical Operative Amphibious

Drive (TOAD). It was officially launched at the

Taal Lake Yacht Club in Talisay, Batangas on February

4, 2016.

The TOAD is designed and developed by a four-man

team headed by the University President, Dr. Tirso A.

Ronquillo, Engr. Albertson Amante (Electronics), Prof.

Armando Sinohin (Automotive), and Mr. Eugene Ereño

(University Research Associate).

The TOAD was created to traverse effectively, even on

deep waters. The TOAD had two 4-stroke engines for

land navigation and water navigation. The TOAD has

been tested on rough terrains and on the waters of

Calumpang River in Batangas City.

BatStateU intends to commercialize the TOAD, bearing

a value proposition that it is rugged, efficient and

cheap. The project is jointly funded by Batangas State

University and Department of Science and Technology.

The development of TOAD is BatStateU’s way of

showing its researchers’ ingenuity in developing high

impact research which are relevant and responsive to

the needs of the community, true to its motto of

Leading Innovation, Transforming Lives. The TOAD is being test driven on water navigation at the Calumpang River, Batangas City.

(L-R) Mr. Eugene Ereño, Prof. Armando Sinohin, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, and Engr. Albertson Amante

Calabarzon Region All Set for K to 12 Implementation by Angela R. Llamas, NEDA Region IV-A

All preparations are expected to be

finished before the school opening

for Academic Year 2016-2017,

according to Dir. Diosdado San

Antonio of DepEd Region IV-A

and the Adhoc Committee on K to

12 Chairperson during the

Committee meeting on February 4,

2016 at NEAP, Malvar, Batangas.

In addition, three school division

superintendents from Batangas,

Cavite, and Calamba City and other

officials of selected private higher

education institutions (HEIs), state

universities and colleges, and

private secondary schools assured

that the region is ready for the

K to 12 Program implementation

in June.

Dir. San Antonio expressed

gratitude to NEDA Region IV-A

for providing venue for discussions

on the issues relative to the

implementation of the K to 12

program. He also acknowledged the

commitment of the members

especially TESDA Region IV-A in

this endeavor. Dir. Luis Banua of

NEDA Region IV-A and AdHoc

Committee on K to 12 Vice

Chairperson suggested that a

special meeting may be held after

the second quarter meeting to check

whether the remaining issues were

addressed. Ms. Olive Parilla,

representative of the Basic Sector,

thanked the DepEd, private

institutions and the SUCs for their

initiatives but also raised concerns

on the protection of students who

will be undertaking immersion at an

early age.

Meanwhile, the superintendents

reported that contingency plans

were prepared while procurement

of laboratory equipment, textbooks

and other learning devices by the

DepEd Region IV-A are ongoing.

Construction of classrooms under

the DPWH are also underway.

Dir. Diosdado San Antonio of DepEd Region IV-A assures the readiness of Calabarzon Region for K to 12 implementation.


The Strengthening, Upscaling, Mainstreaming

International Migration and Development in

Calabarzon (SUMMID) project under the Joint

Migration and Development Initiatives Phase II was

awarded by the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP) to Regional Development Council

(RDC) IV-A on 16 April 2014. The project was

implemented by the RDC through NEDA Region

IV-A, in partnership with Atikha Overseas

Communities and Initiatives Inc., Union of Local

Authorities of the Philippines, Commission on

Filipinos Overseas, and the Local Government

Academy. It aims to mainstream migration and

development (M&D) into local development plans,

establish overseas Filipino (OF) database, organize and

strengthen provincial migration centers, develop

knowledge products and tools and mobilize OF and

their families towards various savings, investment and

entrepreneurship activities.

On February 15 , 2016, the project ended with the

following accomplishments: a) improved database on

OFs through 13 rider questions included in the

Community Based Monitoring System, a school-based

questionnaire developed by state universities and

colleges, and survey on Filipino migrants developed by

Philippine Statistics Authority; b) five functional

provincial migration and development committees and

one-stop migration resource centers (OSMRCs);

c) 18 training of trainers with 629 migration

stakeholders trained to provide migration-related

programs and services; d) development of migration

governance framework and migration and development

mainstreaming guide; e) development of teaching and

learning materials on case management, reintegration,

planning and counseling, pre-migration orientation

seminars; and e) PhP24 million investments generated

as against the PhP10 million target. Through these

accomplishments, the project’s ultimate goal to assist

OFs to successfully reintegrate and be linked towards

meaningful contribution to the local economy's

development was achieved.

With these undertakings, the M&D in the region was

strengthened and scaled-up such that coordination and

data generation will be facilitated with institutionalized

programs and services at the local level through the

OSMRCs and the use of local level database.

SUMMID Calabarzon project can be replicated in other

regions provided that an institutional mechanism such

as a proactive Provincial Committee on Migration and

Development is in place. The support of the local chief

executive and the use of knowledge projects developed

by the project can facilitate M&D mainstreaming at the

local level.

The M&D experience of Region IV- A is becoming a

benchmark not only in the Philippines but also

globally. In view of this, the region will push through

with the creation of the M&D Academy which aims to

facilitate assistance on the institutionalization of M&D,

training of trainers and provision of M&D related

programs and services.

SUMMID Calabarzon Project Scaled-up

Migration and Development in Calabarzon by Lovely S. Mores, NEDA Region IV-A

Quezon OSMRC Focal Persons and Members of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee during the RPMC monitoring visit.

Mr. Mikael Ahlin of the The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia visits NEDA Region IV-A on January 15, 2016.

Pinoy Wise event held in Italy on June 11 to 22, 2015.


At last! Every Juan can be a HENYO! by Juan Carlos Manas, DOST Region IV-A

Energetic, enthusiastic, eager and hopeful - four words

that perfectly describes 2016’s opening for the

Department of Science and Technology Calabarzon.

With strong willpower and great optimism, the agency

has set to launch HENYO, its very first version of a

Smart Kiosk that will function as a one stop common

platform of Science and Technology- based services

specifically for businesses. Dr. Alexander Madrigal,

DOST Region IV-A’s Regional Director led the

conceptualization of the project to be concretized

by the Management Information Systems Unit of

the agency.

In a multiparty meeting with workshop on January 25,

2016, the National Economic Development Authority

Region IV-A, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources Region IV-A, Local Government Unit of

Los Baños, Department of the Interior and Local

Government Region IV-A, Department of Agrarian

Reform Region IV-A, Tanauan Packaging Services

Center, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and

Industry, San Pablo and Metalworking Industries

Association of the Philippines, Inc. suggested various

key features that will be included in the programming

of this innovation.

HENYO will be advantageous for entrepreneurs,

aspiring start- up business owners, farmers and DOST

scholars. It will carry out features that will include

equipment and raw materials suppliers, trade partners

for farmers, and updates on DOST Scholarship

programs which are all geared towards enhancing

DOST Region IV-A’s service delivery. Engr. Francisco

Barquilla, Officer-in-Charge for the Office of the

Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations

said, “Malaki rin ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga

OFWs, pwede silang pumunta dito at tumingin ng mga

potensyal na negosyo para hindi kung saan-saan na

pupunta yung mga inipon nila.”

The HENYO project will have three phases. The first

phase is expected to be introduced in June 2016 with

basic features, the second version will be released in

December 2016 while the advanced and final version

containing agency linkages is projected to be launched

mid-2017.

NEDA Region IV-A, through the Strengthening,

Upscaling and Mainstreaming International Migration

and Development (SUMMID) Project in Calabarzon,

conducted an Entrepreneurship and Management

Training of Trainors on January 19 to 21 at One

Tagaytay Place Hotel, Tagaytay, Cavite. The training

aimed to capacitate the project partners, particularly the

managers of the One Stop Migration Resource Centers

(OSMRCs), in assisting overseas Filipinos (OFs) and

their families on business establishment, investment

and entrepreneurship ventures.

The three-day training covered entrepreneurial mindset,

marketing, operations, people management and

finance. Experts from Bayan Academy, a social

development organization offering entrepreneurship,

management and education training programs, served

as the resource speakers.

The basic concepts of entrepreneurship were

introduced by Mr. George Quitoriano. “The

entrepreneurial mind frame, heart flame and gut game

are the fundamentals of an entrepreneur seeker,” said

Mr. Quitoriano. He cited the many sources of

opportunities in the macro-scale and micro-scale

environments and he facilitated personal reflections

and group activity for the participants in building initial

concepts for a business.

Mr. Angelito J. Domingo discussed on entrepreneurial

operations. For people management, he highlighted the

five M’s of managing people: mobilizing; motivating;

mentoring, coaching and advising; measuring; and

mixing and matching. He reminded the participants that

managing people takes patience and perseverance.

“Leadership is not an end result. Leadership is a

process,” he noted.

In the last day of the training, Ms. Estelita Chavez-

Catacutan tackled entrepreneurial finance. She pointed

out that finance function is specified as financing,

investing, negotiating, administering, numbers

generation, cash management and evaluating. Ms.

Catacutan informed the participants of the different

investment ventures the OFs and their families might

consider like franchising and investing in stocks,

bonds, mutual funds and real estate. She shared tips on

managing personal finances and preparing smart

money goals. She reminded that aiming for financial

freedom should never compromise generosity.

NEDA Region IV-A pushes entrepreneurship for

overseas Filipinos and families by Angela R. Llamas, NEDA Region IV-A


Cavite MSME Business Conference highlights green innovation by Del Llacer, Provincial Government of Cavite

A total of 295 micro, small and medium-scale

entrepreneurs (MSMEs), cooperative members and

other business stakeholders participated in the 2nd

Cavite MSMEs Business Conference with the theme,

“Go Green! Empowering Cavite MSMEs Towards

Green Innovation” on November 26, 2015 at the Salrial

Ballroom, CTHM Building, De La Salle University-

Dasmariñas in Dasmariñas City. The conference aims to

empower MSMEs in the province while promoting an

eco-friendly trade.

Cavite Small and Medium Enterprise Development

Council, Inc. President Teresita Leabres gave their

commitment to help strengthen MSMEs and provide

them ease of access to services they need such as

training, financing, marketing and other areas.

Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Entrepreneural

Development Office Head Alvin S. Mojica mentioned

the provision of Php 10,000.00 financial assistance to

all qualified cooperatives in the province.

Mr. Arnold Grant Belver, Planning Officer of the

Malacañang Climate Change Commission urged

businesses for a joint effort to lessen the wastes

emissions and resort to clean alternatives as prime

investment for a greener country.

Mr. Klaus Peter Berkemeyer, Adviser of the German

International Cooperation (GIZ), shared about Green

Alternative. Developed countries use waste products by

industrial sites into renewed energy source while

providing cheap energy to the producer of goods. Ms.

Revelyn Cortez of DTI-Cavite expressed her

appreciation to the entrepreneurs and encouraged

everyone to continue participating and cooperating to

future conferences.

Laguna Medical Center becomes the first HIV/AIDS Treatment

Hub in Calabarzon by Provincial Government of Laguna

Laguna Medical Center was recommended to be the

first LGU hospital to become a DOH-designated HIV

Treatment Hub in Calabarzon after the evaluation of

DOH Region IV-A and National AIDS and STI

Prevention and Control Program.

The Laguna Medical Center HIV and AIDS Core Team

(LMC-HACT) - Treatment Hub was created to provide

healthcare services including prevention, treatment,

care and support services for people living with HIV

including but not limited to HIV counseling and

testing, clinical management and patient monitoring.

The said institution will also use its resources in

minimizing the impact and spread of HIV infection.

The Laguna Medical Center is one of the 39 treatment

hubs in the Philippines. This provides better access for

the care and treatment. Because of the initiatives of

Laguna Medical Center was awarded as the “Best Performing Hospital HIV and AIDS Core Team” during the 3rd Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Awarding for CALABARZON. Left to Right: Mr. Rex Howell Ortiz, Dr. Joselito Salonga, Ms. Malou Hurtado, Councilor Ruth Hernandez, Governor Ramil Hernandez, Dr. Edgar Palacol, Dra. Donna Catherine Ortiz, Dr. Nestor Santiago, Dra. Corazon Flores, Atty. Dulce Rebanal, Dra. Imelda Palacol and Mrs. Fe Bernardino.

CaSMEDC President Teresita Leabres welcomes the exhibitors.


The Rizal provincial government through the

stewardship of Gov. Nini Ynares strongly supports the

advocacies of the Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI-Rizal), and one way of doing this is by

empowering the Micro Small and Medium

Enterprises (MSME).

DTI-Rizal led by Provincial Director Mercy Parreño

together with Gov. Ynares recently opened the 15th

Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association Inc.

trade fair at Event Center, SM Taytay. The event

showcased the best quality products from business

entrepreneurs of the province.

Also in time for the Yuletide Season, mall shoppers

will get to choose from a wide variety of products,

which are pocket friendly and are all made in the

province. In her speech, Gov. Ynares assured the

province’s support to MSMEs of and laud their efforts

in promoting the province’s best products and making

sure that the customers get their money’s worth. DTI-

Rizal also promises that more trade fairs, will be

conducted in the province to drum up awareness about

the MSMEs of the province.

Rizal gov’t empowers MSME by Rizal Provincial Information Office

Governor Rebecca Ynares (in blue) tours around the booths of the exhibitors during the Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association Inc. Trade Fair in SM Taytay.

Quezon Province strengthens local cooperatives by Quezon Provincial Information Office

In line with the Serbisyong Suarez thrust of securing

Quezon’s future, the Office of the Provincial

Agriculturist spearheaded a seminar focusing on value

chain analysis of herbal production and processing.

This was specifically formulated with the intention of

capacitating small businesses and helping them develop

the quality of their merchandise.

The three-day activity held in Queen Margarette Hotel,

Lucena was attended by members of associations and

cooperatives already in related processing industries.

The training included packaging techniques, retailing

approaches, and highly in-demand products which

include herbal teas, herbal soaps, coco suka, herbal

wines, herbal candies and ready-to-drink herbal juices.

As a sign of its commitment to keep assisting small and

rising entrepreneurs, the provincial government gave its

green light for the construction of the Pinagdanlayan

Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s

Instant Salabat Processing Center extension as well.

The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted this

January 18, 2016 in Brgy. Pinagdanlayan, Dolores. The

construction of the said extension is expected to help

the processing center meet the rising demand for

herbal teas.

According to Gov. Suarez, the success story of

Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose

Cooperative should serve as an inspiration to

Quezonians. He said that people should not be afraid to

organize and work together to achieve inclusive

prosperity, and the local government is ready to help

them in attaining a better and brighter future.

Governor David Suarez heads the ground-breaking ceremony of the Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s Instant Salabat Processing Center .

LMC-HACT, Laguna Medical Center was awarded as

the “Best Performing Hospital HIV and AIDS Core

Team” on February 2015 during the 3rd Kalusugang

Pangkalahatan Awarding for Calabarzon.

As of December 2015, Calabarzon ranked second in the

most number of reported HIV and AIDS cases in the

Philippines, next to National Capital Region. Among

the provinces in Region IV-A, Laguna ranked 3rd.


From the Backyards to the World:

ChocoVron’s Sweet Success

Talagang nag level-up, at yung market namin, natanaw

namin! – Joel Yala, President, ChocoVron Global

Corporation

ChocoVron started as a simple family owned backyard

venture that has perfected its formulation for the most

craved polvoron in 2003, producing only 10 packs

daily. The business is being managed by Mr. Joel Yala

and his wife Marissa.

Selling mainly to their neighbors, friends and

officemates in the beginning, today ChocoVron

products are now available all-over the country with

dealers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Olongapo, Tarlac,

Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite, Legaspi

City, Iriga, Bacolod, Silay, Cebu

City, Davao City, Cotobato,

Surigao, Butuan, Ozamiz,

Cagayan de Oro, and

Zamboanga.

ChocoVron has

grown to a global

corporation with a

daily production

capacity of 2,500

packs per day.

ChocoVron’s visions is to be excellent provider of

chocolate coated polvoron, that is distinctly Filipino,

yet competitive in taste, health value, and aesthetic

quality.

In 2006, it was awarded the National Shoppers Choice

Award as the No. 1 Chocolate Coated Polvoron. In the

same year, it was chosen as the giveaway item during

the JICA and DOST-ITDI launching in November.

It is a featured product in various national and

international trade fairs. The company was also

highlighted in the May 2007 issue of the

entrepreneur Magazine./ DOST Region IV-A

One strategy is to enhance competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),

to help them access local and global markets. Here are some success stories of MSMEs.


“Lagi kang magkaroon ng passion sa lahat ng iyong ginagawa. Pwedeng mag-

umpisa ito sa maliit, pero kung nandon kasi yung passion, siguradong ito ay

isa sa mga key factors para maging successful ka sa kahit anong pasukin mo.”

-Roland Petisme President Philippine Moringa and More Corporation

Fresh Marvels of Philippine Moringa

and More Corporation

Philippine Moringa and More Corporation (PMMC)

used to be known as MLGS Herbal Food Products. It is

one of the youngest but most viable companies assisted

by DOST’s- Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading

Program (DOST- SETUP) through its Provincial S&T

Center (PSTC) in Rizal.

Peter M. Petisme, the late patriarch of the company,

established PMMC with the vision of producing high-

quality health and wellness food products. Aggressive

and fearless, he entitled industry which was then

dominated by multinational companies.

Keenly observant, he capitalized on the fast growing

awareness and demand of consumers for nutritious

snack food and healthy beverages. He introduced a

product line of tea, snacks and noodles all made

with Malunggay.

He made eating his product a smart choice. At present,

his products are being sold in major supermarket

chains such as Robinson’s, SM, Metro Gaisano, Ever

Gotesco, and 10 others in the Metro Manila area and

Rizal Province. PMMC has also penetrated markets in

Australia, the USA, Japan, Canada and South Korea.

In 2011, Philippine Moringa and More was proclaimed

provincial winner of DTI’s SME Rising Star Award,

Micro Enterprise Category. To date, it holds the Gold

Brand of the Philippines Award for its brand image

appeal, and trust and market acceptance./ DOST Region IV-A

Will of Steel: Riclet Engineering

The dream started when Mr. Enrique Mirador, who

hails from Cavite, decided to walk towards his fate.

In 1995, Enrique Mirador registered “E.M. Mirador

Machine Shop” in the trade industry. Primarily

located at Daang Amaya, Tanza, Cavite, E.M. Mirador

Machine Shop catered to only walk-in customers.

Mr. Mirador decided to one day, market his services

and products by going to industrial factories and

distributing promotional pamphlets. Hard work paid

off and orders start to flock in. Mr. Mirador sought the

assistance of DOST. In 2007, the company was able

to acquire modern equipment such as milling machine,

granite surface grinder, and a precision gauge block

through the DOST- Small Enterprise Technology

Upgrading Program. With the new equipment,

the enterprise has expanded its workforce to

166 employees.

Today, Riclet Machine Shop services more than 20

factories with fabrication and

machine works. Among

their clients are

Transnational Paper

Corp., Metrolab

Industries Inc.,

Philsteel group of

Companies, and

Maxim Phil.

Operating Corp.

Mr. Mirador is still

vying for a larger

market share./DOST

Region IV-A


Dir. Rio L. Magpantay has a comprehensive

and authoritative knowledge in the fields of

Public Health, Applied Epidemiology and

Health Systems Research.

He had successfully completed Harvard

School of Public Health’s Program on

Managing Health in Developing Countries,

in 1997, Dir. Magpantay is a recipient of the

“BatsebaPhiri Award for Most Outstanding

Country Workplan Presentation,” in October

2002, at Atlanta Georgia, USA. He is the

concurrent Director of DOH Region IV-A

and the Office for Health Operations.

He dedicated his life to championing health

& is an advocate of life, love & happiness.

Calabarzon welcomes new heads of agencies!

Dir. Rio L. Magpantay, MD, CESO III,

DOH Region IV-A

Dir. George T. Roma

BLGF Region IV-A

Ms. Charito C. Armonia is the new OIC-

Regional Director of the newly created

Philippine Statistics Authority in Region IV-

A. She started her government service in

1984 as statistical trainee of the former

National Statistics Office (NSO). She held

several statistical positions at the NSO

Central Office Region IV before she

assumed a position as Provincial Statistics

Officer of NSO-Batangas in 1999.

She is a BS Statistics graduate from the

University of the Philippines, Diliman in

1984. She studied Master of Science in

Survey Methodolody at the University of

Maryland College Park, Maryland, USA as

USAID scholar in 1999.

Dir. Charito C. Armonia

PSA Region IV-A

Dir. George T. Roma took his

Bachelor of Laws at the University of

Santo Tomas in 1987. He started his

career at the Bureau of Local

Government Finance (BLGF) as Legal

Officer I in 1989. He rose from the ranks

and he eventually became the OIC-Assistant

Regional Director of BLGF Region

IV-A from 2005 to 2006. He also served as

OIC-Director at BLGF Region VIII from

2007-2013.

Dir. Roma has also served other

government offices like the Bureau of

Customs, Masbate City, Pasay City and

BLGF Central Office. Dir. Roma is married

and resides in Parañaque City.

In the city and elsewhere, you may have noticed that the

tailoring or dress shop you have patronized for years has

closed. These small shops have been closing one after the

other. The big stores, malls, and even markets that sell

affordable clothes including the ukay-ukay stall that sells

clothes at rock bottom or giveaway prices proved to be too

much for the neighborhood tailoring. But sewing is a skill

that could be diverted to equally profitable ventures.

In the booming Cabuyao City in Laguna, 15 seamstresses

bonded together to start a small rag-making business to

augment their income. Making rags using discarded

remnants from garment factories they sold these to many

business establishments, households, and drivers of public

transport. As time progressed, the group of 15 swelled to 50

and turned in to the Sipag Pinoy Credit and Savings

Cooperative. The prolific rag sewers had expanded their

vision and skills to making garments and other items. The

shift proved providential for after three years the DTI

assisted the cooperative through the Shared Service Facility

(SSF). The SSF provided the group with high speed sewing

and edging machines which helped push the cooperative’s

garment production. The improved and faster production

increased the income of cooperative members.

The cooperative opened its doors to new opportunities.

Employment rose to 81 direct and 200 indirect members.

From the simple rags, doormats, and potholders, the

garments center also churned out polos and blouses, ecobags,

and overall marine wear.

There is no doubt that the demand for Sipag Pinoy’s outputs

will also increase in the booming Cabuyao City where the

cooperative is based. With the help of the SSF program, the

cooperative is confident it will meet the demands of current

and prospective clients that include institutional buyers and

large companies in the Laguna Industrial Park.

DTI SSF Project stimulates inclusive growth; turns credit

cooperative into a garments venture

by DTI Laguna


Regional Economic Situationer by Policy Formulation and Planning Division, NEDA Region IV-A

October– December 2015

CALABARZON’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

Higher consumer price index at 140

Increase in average inflation rate at 0.7 percent

Lower purchasing power of peso at PhP 0.71

Increase in rice, corn, pineapple, cattle, carabao, goat, hog and

aquaculture production

Decrease in coconut, chicken and commercial and municipal

fisheries production

US $ 21.10 billion or 52 percent of the national PEZA export sales is

from Calabarzon

Decrease in overnight tourists by 2,717 visitors

Increase in same day tourists by 1.46 million visitors

The average inflation rate of the

Calabarzon region accelerated from -0.2

to 0.7 percent. The increase in the

inflation rate in the region was reflected in all the

provinces except for Batangas which had a decrease in

inflation rate from 0.7 to 0.4 percent, and Cavite which

remained at 0.7 percent. Cavite has the highest inflation

rate among the provinces in the region. The increase in

the region’s average inflation rate is attributed to the

increase in the demand of consumer goods and services

due to the then approaching holiday season. However,

the general prices did not pose a significant increase as

compared to the 2014 fourth quarter inflation of 3.3

percent. This is due to the several oil price rollbacks

which caused the decrease in the cost of production and,

therefore, affected the prices of the goods and services.

On the purchasing power parity (PPP) of the peso, the

decrease in the purchasing power by 0.01 from the

previous quarter was consistent with the minimal

increase in the average inflation rate for the same

quarter. While the general PPP decreased, the PPP in

Batangas, Cavite and Laguna remained at 0.72 and 0.71,

respectively. The PPP in Rizal and Quezon, on the other

hand, went down by 0.01 from the previous quarter. The

lowest PPP in the region was pegged in Quezon

province at 0.66.

The average consumer price index (CPI) in the region

and the price indices of major commodity groups

generally increased except for the housing, water,

electricity, gas and other fuels. While this major

commodity group posted a decrease in the CPI, only the

price index of electricity, gas and other fuels marked a

significant decrease of 4.4 percent. This mark down can

also be attributed to the price rollbacks in oil and

petroleum products during the quarter. The highest CPI,

however, was the alcoholic beverages and tobacco. The

alcoholic beverages had a minimal increase of 0.2

percent while the tobacco CPI posted a 7.4 percent

increase, as compared to the previous quarter. The

increase in the CPI of tobacco was consistent with the

implementation of the Sin Tax bill, which imposed an

increase in the tax of tobacco products and hence,

causing an increase in its price index. The CPI of the

provinces in the region, on the average, increased.

Prices and Inflation

Source: PSA Region IV-A

4th Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr


Calabarzon's agriculture performance

for the quarter generally recorded an

upward trend as most commodities

posted considerable increases in production except

chicken and commercial and municipal fisheries.

However, on a year-on-year basis, rice, corn, hog,

poultry and fisheries production decreased while other

crops, livestock, and aquaculture fisheries production

showed improvement.

Rice production increased by 283 percent or 105,024

metric tons (MT) from third quarter to fourth quarter of

2015. The increase in production is due to increase in

both irrigated and rainfed area harvested in the

provinces of Quezon, Cavite and Batangas. This

quarter’s rice production is four times higher than the

previous quarter with Quezon as the highest producer in

the region.

Production of rice during the fourth quarter of 2015

contracted by 17.75 percent or a decrease of 30,689 MT

compared to the same period in 2014 due to

unfavourable weather condition and damages brought

about by typhoon Nona, Northeast monsoon, dry spell

and drought. The year on year decline can also be

attributed to decline in area harvested for both irrigated

and rainfed rice in which the highest decline are from

the provinces of Quezon and Batangas with 2,557 and

841 hectares, respectively.

Production of corn for the fourth quarter of 2015 went

up from 12, 436 metric tons (MT) to 26,600 MT, of

which 70 percent were from yellow corn production.

This quarter’s corn production is twice as much as the

previous quarter’s production with Quezon as the

highest producer in the region. Compared to the same

period last year, a decline of 22 percent or 7,524 MT

was noted. Higher production output for both rice and

corn could also be attributed to the use of high yielding

varieties and subsidy on production inputs.

Coconut production went down by 27.79 percent or

142,991 MT during the fourth quarter of 2015. The

decrease in production was attributed to dry spell in the

provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas and drought

in the Province of Quezon. Other commodities such as

coffee, sugarcane and pineapple have positive

production performance compared to the previous year.

The livestock sub-sectors also posted increasing growth

performance. Volume of production was generally

increasing from first quarter to second quarter of the

year for both 2014 and 2015 except for a 445,900 heads

decrease in volume of chicken from third and fourth

quarters of 2015. Year-on-year comparison showed that

2015 volume of production was lower than the previous

year’s production performance by 1.46 million heads.

The decline in chicken production can be attributed to

the damages brought about by typhoon Nona and the

effect of dry spell in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite

and Rizal.

A 173.23 percent increase in volume of goat was noted

from third quarter to fourth quarter of 2015. Also noted

was the increases in production of cattle (0.69 percent or

123 heads), carabao (11.27 percent or 530 heads), and

hog (10.79 percent or 56,846 heads). The production

increment could be attributed to high demand and

commanding price for livestock brought about by the

Agriculture and Fishery

The number of establishments in the

region which reported a retrenchment

decreased as compared to the previous

quarter. The majority of these establishments (53.6%)

were in Cavite while the least reported (0.56%) were in

Rizal. The decrease in the reported retrenchment,

however, did not post a decrease in the number of

employees affected which incurred, on the contrary, an

increase relative to the previous quarter. Majority of the

employees affected were in Laguna (57.6%) and Cavite

(38.4%). Also, the affected female employees increased,

on the average. The decrease in the retrenchments in the

region relative to the previous quarter can be inferred to

the improving performance of the industry sector as only

35.7 percent of these establishments reported

retrenchment due economic reasons such as redundancy

of workers, lack of market demand and reorganizing,

and 61.2% due to non-economic reasons.

The number of shutdown cases for the quarter decreased

by six establishments. The reported shutdown cases

were mainly in Laguna (67.57%). It was also reported

that in the region, both affected female and male

employees decreased by 514 and 166, respectively.

Labor and Employment



Calabarzon’s performance in terms of

tourism improved both on a year-on-

year and quarter-on-quarter basis. Total

tourist arrival increased by 38 percent compared to the

previous quarter and 17 percent as against the same

period last year. Most tourists who visited Calabarzon

were domestic (97 percent) and only stayed for the day

(87 percent). Notably, more foreign tourists preferred to

stay overnight than within the same day compared last

year as data on the former increased by 63 percent while

the latter declined by 26 percent.

Laguna attracted the most number of tourists (1.071

million) while Quezon was the least-visited (29,000). It

should be noted, however, that Batangas (164,014) had a

slightly higher overnight tourist arrival than Laguna

(163,789). On the other hand, 45 percent of the region’s

same day tourist arrivals were recorded in Laguna.

Cavite had the lowest number of same day tourists

among the four provinces. Data on same-day tourist

arrivals for Quezon is up to 2nd Quarter 2015 only.

Likewise, no data available for Tagaytay City. Irregular

and untimely submission of data from Provincial

Tourism Offices remains to be a challenge.

Tourism

holiday season. Still, the bulk of production of livestock

and poultry supply in the region comes from Batangas,

Cavite and Rizal.

Commercial fisheries produced a total of 11,907 MT in

the fourth quarter of 2015 posting a 14.98 percent

decline in production from last quarter’s 14,005 MT. It

also recorded a 10.25 percent decline from the last year's

record of 13, 267 MT. Among the contributing factors to

the negative quarter on quarter and year on year

performance of commercial fisheries include

unfavourable weather condition due to occurrence of

typhoon Nona coupled with the north east monsoon and

dry spell.

On quarter-on-quarter basis, municipal fishing went

down by 23.10 percent or more than 10,172.17 MT.

Likewise, year-on-year production also decreased by

4.48 percent. The decrease in fish catch was due limited

fishing operations brought about by rough sea condition.

The region’s overall aquaculture production increased

by 6.90 percent on quarter on quarter basis and 5.63

percent compared to the same period last year. The

improvement in aquaculture production was attributed to

the increased production from the provinces of

Batangas, Laguna and Rizal due to provision of

production inputs from BFAR and provincial/local

municipal agriculture offices.

Source: Provincial Tourism Offices

As a highly industrialized region,

Calabarzon continues to host many

industrial estates with 14 percent of the

country’s economic zones currently located in the

region. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority

(PEZA) reported a total of 48 registered economic zones

in the region in 2015. These include 32 manufacturing

economic zones, seven information technology centers,

four information technology parks, one medical tourism

park, two tourism economic zones and two agro-

Exports/Industries



Rice/Palay

Rainfed

Carabao


The region is expected to have a

positive performance in the next quarter

due to the following:

Various government agencies are providing

agricultural services, and local government units are

ensuring implementation of the rehabilitation and

recovery measures towards better and resilient

agriculture sector. Among the long term plans for the

agriculture sector include continued support for

production inputs such as seeds and fertilizers from

Department of Agriculture and fingerlings from

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, crop

insurance and continued capability development

programs for both trainers and farmers in the region.

Interventions will be in place especially in the

province of Rizal where the El Niño forecast showed

that the dry spell from January to February is expected

to level up to drought by the end of March 2016. In

addition, the region will ensure the implementation of

interventions to mitigate the impact of El Niño on

food security, health, energy and safety. Periodic

assessment will be conducted to determine the impact

of these interventions.

Foreign and direct investments are expected to

maintain solid growth in 2016 with extensive efforts

towards ASEAN economic integration. Regional

initiatives on enhancing government’s efficiency and

competitiveness to make doing business with the

government easier may further encourage investments

in Calabarzon.

The flow of tourists in the region is expected to

intensify in the first and second quarters of 2016 with

many schools conducting field trips in the region as

well as the faithful going to popular religious

destinations in line with the Lenten Season. The cold

weather of Tagaytay City and its environs as well as

the resorts, beaches and theme parks of the region

would likewise contribute to tourism arrival in the

region. The DOT Region IV-A to continue

implementation of the Basic Tourism Statistics

Training and Mentoring.

Increased election-related spending that would help

boost the region’s economy in the next quarter.

Temporary jobs are expected to be generated during

this period.

Development Prospects

industrial economic zones. Most of these are in Laguna

(19), Batangas (14) and Cavite (11) while three are in

Rizal and one is in Quezon.

The 48 economic zones produced total export sales of

USD 21.10 billion from January to November 2015.

With this, Calabarzon accounted for 52 percent of the

country’s total export sales (USD 40.38 billion) during

the said period. Laguna posted the highest export sales

at USD 11.19 billion, followed by Cavite with USD

5.90 billion, Quezon with USD 0.75 billion, and Rizal

with USD 0.39 billion.

In terms of employment, the economic zones generated

465,701 jobs in Calabarzon in the same period. This is

equivalent to 37 percent of the employment created by

economic zones nationwide (1,252,321 jobs).

Accordingly, Laguna’s economic zones generated the

most employment (208,322 jobs), followed by Cavite

with 151,896 jobs and Batangas with 100,390 jobs.

With only four economic zones in Rizal and

Quezon, 4,643 and 2,067 jobs were created in these

provinces, respectively.

The Crime situation in the region has

slightly improved or almost stabilized

during the 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2015

as minimal changes in Crime Rate, Index Crime Rate

and Non-Index Crime Rate from the two quarters was

recorded. Among the notable crime incidents in the

region during the 4th Quarter 2015 is the assault of

DILG Region IV-A Director Renato Brion.

The improvement in the crime situation of the region

could be attributed to the continuous effort of PNP

Region IV-A to address the crime situation in the region

through the implementation of Lambat-Sibat wherein

they also derived other anti-criminality strategies,

policies and practices such as Oplan Hugot, Balik

Armas, Kamustahan, Project Pabili Nga po, and One

Time Big Time, among others. On the other hand, the

crime situation rate has improved by 2.06 percentage

points from 46.44 percent to 48.5 percent.

Peace and Security


The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)

has reviewed and consolidated progress monitoring

reports of projects implemented in the region by the

national government agencies. Among the projects

monitored include projects under the DOT-DPWH

Convergence Program, Strengthening, Upscaling and

Mainstreaming International Migration and

Development (SUMMID) in Calabarzon Project,

Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure

(PSIP) Project, Calabarzon Regional Government

Center (RGC), among others.

The RPMC conducted its first quarter meeting on 23

February 2016. The major agenda items that were

discussed include updates on the implementation status

of the following projects and activities: a) First Quarter

Field Monitoring Report; b) Calabarzon Project

Monitoring System Updates; c) DOT-DPWH

Convergence Project Map; d) PSIP Phase 1 Project

Completion Report; e) Roadmap to Address the Impact

of El Nino; f) Updates on Local Project Monitoring

Committee Creation/Activation; g) Migration and

Development Initiatives; and h) RGC Updates.

The Committee approved the following: a) Post-

Evaluation Report on “Enhancing Production and

Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic Vegetables in

Calabarzon Project”; b) 2016 RPMC Priority

Activities; and c) Monitoring and Evaluation Planning

Workshop. The committee likewise adopted the 2016

RPMC Accomplishment Report.

4th

Quarter CY 2015 RPMES Accomplishment Report by Richard P. Engasa, NEDA Region IV-A

Name/Funding/Agency/ Location/

Cost Description Description Status

ONGOING

LRT 1 Cavite Extension Project

PPP/DOTC/NCR, Cavite/P64.90 B

Involves 11.7 km. extension of existing LRT from

Baclaran Station to Niyog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.

Of this length, 10.5 kilometers will be elevated and

1.2 kilometers will be at-grade. The whole stretch

of the integrated LRT 1 will have a total length of

approximately 32.4 kilometers and will be operated

and maintained by the private sector

As of 11 February 2016,

ongoing soft renovation and up-

grades of LRT Line 1 existing system

and other pre-construction activities

Tanauan City Public Market Redevel-

opment Project

PPP/Tanauan LGU/Batangas/

P400.12 M

Construction of a public market with modern

structures and state of the art commercial facility

with wet and dry sections, parking spaces,

transport terminal, material recovery facility (MRF)

and other amenities in a 2.6 hectares lot.

The first PPP LGU project approved by

NEDA ICC.

As of 01 January 2016, the project is

For ICC confirmation of reasonable

rate of return (ROR)

COMPLETED

Daang Hari-SLEX Link/Muntinlupa-

Cavite Expressway (MCX)

PPP/DPWH-PPS/NCR, Cavite/ P2.0 B

Construction of 4 km., 4-lane toll road connecting

Daang Hari in Bacoor to SLEX near Susana

Heights Interchange passing through the NBP

Reservation in Muntinlupa City.

Opened to traffic on 24 July 2015 and

started of toll collection on 24 August

2015. Initial toll rates are P17.00 (class

I), P34.00 (class II) and P51.00

(class III).

Public-Private Partnership Infrastruc-

ture Project Phase I (PSIP)

PPP/DepEd/

Regionwide/P2.819 B

Design, construction, maintenance and financing

of 9,300 classrooms in one and two-story buildings

in Regions I, III and IV-A under Build-Lease-and

Transfer scheme. A total of 4,261 classrooms are

allotted for Region IV-A.

As of 23 February 2016, 4,255 class-

rooms are already completed equiva-

lent to 100% physical accomplish-

ment.

STAR Tollway Stage II PPP/DPWH-

PPPS/Batangas/

P1.95 B

Construction of 2-lane, 19.74 kms. expressway

(northbound) from Lipa City to Batangas City. It

also includes asphalt overlay of Stage I (Sto. Tomas

-Lipa City), STAR-SLEX TR3 interconnection and

other miscellaneous works.

100% completed as of 31 May 2015.

Widening of Sabang and Tingga

Bridges was endorsed by RDC to the

DPWH through Resolution No.

IV-A-2015.

Status of PPP Projects in Calabarzon


The Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT) of

Calabarzon Region conducted a four-day field

monitoring of the Strengthening, Upscaling &

Mainstreaming International Migration & Development

In Calabarzon (SUMMID) Project on 12-15 January.

The RPMT visited the One-Stop Migration and

Resource Centers (OSMRCs) in the 5 Calabarzon

provinces to verify their status and identify issues on

their operations. The team was composed of

representatives from DILG, DBM and the Private

Sector Representative of the Regional Development

Council. The NEDA technical secretariat coordinated

and assisted in the conduct of said monitoring activity.

The Team focused on the four key result areas (KRAs)

namely: a) KRA 1 – Guide on mainstreaming

migration and development into local development

plans; b) KRA 2 – Database of Overseas Filipinos in all

the provinces developed, pilot-tested and implemented;

c) Migration & Development Committees and Councils

in the five provinces established; and d) KRA 4 –

Engagement with OFs and their families in the

mobilization of migrant resources such as investment

promotion and entrepreneurship.

Notable observations of the Regional Project

Monitoring Team include: a) limited database of OFs

and their families; b) limited data exchange between

the province and partner agencies; c) OSMRCs are

lodged under different departments across provinces;

d) budget and operational constraints; and e) difficulty

in getting information on the amount of investments.

The RPMT recommended the following: a) inclusion

RPMC conducts field monitoring

of the SUMMID Project in Calabarzon by Richard P. Engasa, NEDA Region IV-A

The RPMC visits the One-Stop Migration and Resource Centers of the different provinces in Calabarzon. (Clockwise) Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, and Laguna.


The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)

held a briefing on February 23, 2016 for the conduct of

the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Planning Workshop. The briefing was attended by nine

implementing agencies and four Provincial Planning

and Development Offices.

The briefing aims to provide an overview of the

workshop as well as assist the implementing agencies in

accomplishing the RPMES Forms 1 to 4. A brief

overview of the Calabarzon Project Monitoring System

(cPMS), an online system, was also presented.

The workshop which will be conducted on March 17

to18 aims to:

1) orient the implementing agencies on the revised

RPMES Operational Guidelines;

2) review project implementation performance for 2015;

3) generate monitoring and evaluation plan for 2016;

4) train the participants on how to use the cPMS; and

5) conduct technical launch of the cPMS.

The conduct of the workshop was approved by the

RPMC during its first quarter meeting on February 23,

2016 through RPMC Resolution No. IV-A-04-2016.

Briefing on Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Planning Workshop by Luningning D. Llames, NEDA Region IV-A

The NEDA Region IV-A successfully conducted ex-

post evaluation of two NEDA Productivity

Enhancement Projects (PEP) in 2015. The NEDA

PEP, a Japanese government KR2 grant aims to

enhance productivity and increase rural incomes of

underprivileged farmers. The methodology in the post

evaluation include validation workshop and

interview with key stakeholders, site inspection and

review of project documents such as the project

completion report.

First, is the post evaluation of the Establishment of

Medium-Scale Dairy Processing Plant Project in

Jalajala, Rizal. The project was implemented by the

Jalajala LGU from January 2009 to May 2011. The

project beneficiaries are the members of the Llano

Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The major issues

found in the project are the insufficient supply of

carabao’s milk, and operation and maintenance of the

dairy plant. One of the lessons learned in the project

was the need to ensure commitment of the beneficiaries

through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the

operation and sustainability of the dairy plant. The

LGU and the cooperative agreed to execute a (MOA)

for the operation of the dairy plant before the May

2016 elections. The assistance of the partner agencies

will only resume upon signing of the MOA. The post

evaluation report was approved by the Regional Project

Monitoring Committee (RPMC) on November 16,

2015 through Resolution No. IV-A-04-2015

Second, is the post evaluation of Enhancing Production

and Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic

Vegetables in Calabarzon. The project was

implemented by the University of the Philippines

Agriculture System Cluster from September 2007 to

September 2010. The project beneficiaries are those

farmer groups engaged in organic vegetable farming in

Baras in Rizal, Tayabas in Quezon and Bauan in

Batangas. The project was found to perform

satisfactorily based on the post evaluation conducted.

The major recommendations include, among others,

replication of the project in other areas and for the

LGUs to allocate regular fund, designate organic zones

and continue to implement programs and projects for

organic agriculture. The results of the post evaluation

will be presented to the key stakeholders for their

comments and commitment. The post evaluation report

was approved by the Regional Project Monitoring

Committee (RPMC) on February 23 through

Resolution No. IV-A-01-2016.

NEDA Region IV-A conducts post evaluation of two projects by Josephine D. Hapil, NEDA Region IV-A

of migration and development initiatives as a distinct

part in the Provincial Development Physical

Framework Plan and Annual Investment Program/

Provincial Development Investment Program to ensure

regular budget allocation; b) communication and

advocacy on best practices and success stories;

c) establishment of city/municipal migrant desks and

cascading M&D in the barangay level;

d) strengthening participation and involvement of

SUCs, private sectors, partner agencies in M&D.


Documents

BatStateU creates Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive /p.5 LMC