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SI - FSL Rapid Assessment Leyte - January 2014 1

Food Security and Livelihood Rapid Assessment

in inland municipalities of Leyte - January 2014 -

Author: Julie Mayans


Table of contents

1. Summary .............................................................................................................................. 3

2. Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 4

3. Results .................................................................................................................................. 5

- Region VIII, a top national producer of coconut ......................................................................... 5

- Damages of Yolanda in La Paz, Pastrana and Dagami municipalities ......................................... 8

- Livelihood groups and Yolanda consequences .......................................................................... 10

- Market analysis ......................................................................................................................... 16

- Stakeholders’ analysis ............................................................................................................... 17

4. Livelihood recovery strategy ............................................................................................... 19

Acronyms list

DA: Department of Agriculture

DAR : Department of Agrarian Reform

DENR: Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DSWD: Department of Social Welfare and Development

ERLC: Early Recovery and Livelihood Cluster

FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization

FSAC: Food Security and Agriculture Cluster

FSL: Food Security and Livelihood

ILO: International Labour Organization

NGO: Non Governmental Organizations

PCA: Philippines Coconut Authority

PHP: Philippine peso

SI: Solidarités International

UNDP: United Nations Development Programme

WFP: World Food Programme


1. Summary

Tacloban city and coastal municipalities such as Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and Dulag have been strongly

affected by typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013. A multiplicity of actors (government,

international and local NGO’s, religious associations, foundations, …) have since been targeting these

areas. However, in inland municipalities such as Pastrana, la Paz or Dagami, strong winds have

powerfully damaged the two main local livelihoods: rice production for the ongoing season and

coconut production for the next 6 to 10 years. Government agencies and different NGO’s have been

intervening in those inland areas but gaps of coverage have been reported. Moreover, food relief is

going to decrease in coming months while a major part of the population has no means to restart

their livelihood activities.

The Food Security and Livelihood advisor from SI-HQ conducted a rapid livelihood assessment in La

Paz, Pastrana, and Dagami municipalities between the 7th and 15th of January 2014 to: 1) analyze

different livelihood groups composition and needs, 2) give strategic orientations for interventions.

Food security and livelihood situation:

Regarding livelihoods, 600,000 ha of agricultural lands were affected by Yolanda, mostly in region

VIII (16% of crop area for rice, 4% for corn and 73% for coconut). In the 3 municipalities targeted by

the assessment, more than 40% of the barangays (located upland) are relying almost uniquely on

coconut production, 30% mostly on rice farming and the rest on a combination of both productions

and other non-agricultural activities (trade, crafts, services). In this area, more than 90% of coconut

trees have been damaged during Yolanda. As a coconut tree takes 6-10 years to produce(depending

on the variety), the coconut farmers (owners, tenants and daily laborers) need to access innovative

livelihood alternatives. Rice farmers have lost their last harvest (more than 90% of the planted seeds)

and their seeds stocks during Yolanda. They are receiving rice seeds and fertilizers from FAO and the

Department of Agriculture and will be able to plant part of their land this agricultural season but

harvest may be less than for a common season.

Regarding food access, food distributions have been implemented through blanket coverage by

different actors (mainly DSWD, WFP and NGO’s). Until now, the majority of the survivors is relying on

food aid and relief goods to cover their basic food needs. Most relief goods are composed of 2-3 kilos

of rice, a few packs of noodles and some canned goods. However, the content of relief packages can

be very different in variety and quantity from one barangay to another depending on the actor

conducting distributions (from one bag of rice for 3 days consumption to a complete ration with rice,

noodles, sardine cans, sugar for 2 weeks consumption). Thus, part of the households has used coping

strategies such as reducing the number of meals per day or eating less appreciated food. Others have

sent one member of the family to big cities such as Tacloban, Cebu or Manila. Food distributions are

due to decrease after February. However, affected populations will still lack economic access to

cover their basic food and non-food needs (especially for house reconstruction) as most of them

have no or few access to income.


Markets

Public markets have been damaged but are demonstrating a high level of resilience, with vendors

returning and attempting to respond to demand. The supply chain has been affected (destruction of

stocks and storage space, transportation means). As a consequence, prices have increased and many

traders have lacked capital for the replenishment of their stock. Access to credit is also limited as the

usual money lenders (loan sharks) do not rely on traders ‘reimbursement capacity.

In the municipalities assessed, there is a main market based at municipality center, working once a

week (as before Yolanda) and having some small stores (“sari sari stores”) open daily. At the time of

the assessment, a large variety of food and non-food items were available including fresh products

such as fish, chicken, eggs and vegetables. Then, at the barangay level, there are few sari sari stores

(an average of 5-6 for 100 families) with very basic items (milk, coffee, sugar, salt, biscuits and

hygiene items). Some mobile vendors used to come to barangays with dry fish or meat. Problems

encountered by all those traders are the lack of customers as most of the affected population is

receiving food relief and remains with low purchasing power. On the other side, some commodities

(mainly fresh food) remain at a higher price (around 25% to more) than before Yolanda. Indeed,

small vendors from municipalities buy their items from suppliers mostly based in Tacloban, Ormoc,

Baybay and Cebu and prices increase because of congestions and delays all along the supply chain.

Strategic recommendations

- Short term (3-6 months): to address the immediate basic needs (food and shelter) of affected

communities and contribute to economic recovery through cash-based interventions and shelter

assistance for reconstruction

- Short and mid-term (6-12 months): to support alternative short-term livelihood activities in

coconut production areas

- Long term (12-24 months): to support sustainable and disaster resilient livelihood activities by

promoting diversification of agricultural and non-agricultural activities

2. Methodology

- Literature review from previous assessments done by other humanitarian actors :

o ACAPS secondary data review (January 2014),

o Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment (MIRA II, December 2013),

o FAO/DAR Rapid Assessment of selected agrarian reform communities affected by typhoon

Yolanda (December 2013),

o Philippines government “Reconstruction assistance on Yolanda” (December 2013),

o WFP Rapid Trade and Capacity Assessment in Leyte, Cebu and Samar (December 2013),

o Save the Children Markets Rapid Assessment Summary Leyte (December 2013),


o Oxfam Emergency FSL assessment, Leyte (November 2013).

- Key informant interviews (Annex 1) with municipal and barangays authorities (LGU’s), DSWD, DA,

PCA, NGO’s, ERL and FSAC clusters representatives, SI expatriate and local teams.

- Focus groups discussions (Annex 2) with coconut farmers, rice farmers and mixed rice-coconut

farmers and informal discussions with affected households.

- Market price monitoring and interviews with sari-sari stores (Annex 3) and observations on

markets.

- Workshop with SI team involved in Cash for Work programme in La Paz and Pastrana

municipalities.

The three municipalities assessed are commonly divided into three types of livelihood areas: urban

areas, low land areas, and upland areas. The assessment has been conducted in all three types of

areas. This was essential to guarantee that the information collected was representative as

livelihoods and levels of destruction vary from one area to the other.

3. Results

� Region VIII, a top national producer of coconut

Region VIII, where Leyte Province is located, is mostly agriculture-based. 45% of the region’s land is

agricultural, 28% is forest land, 25% is grassland, and the rest is used for other purposes (urban…).

Regarding agricultural lands, 70% is planted for coconut production and 20% is planted for rice and

corn production. The rest is other crops (vegetables, fruit trees, root crops…), used to raise livestock

and poultry, or fish ponds.

Region VIII land use:

Source: Bureau of Soil and Water Management, Government of Philippines, 1992

In 2012, Region VIII was a top national producer of coconut with a 1.771 million MT production on

0.419 million ha of land and a top producer of palay rice with 0.984 million MT on 0.285 million ha of

land (FAO 2013).

The coconut industry gives employment to a large part of region VIII’s population, all along the value

chain, from production to processing (see following figure).


Description of coconut value chain in region VIII:

Source: Regional coconut industry development plan, multi-actors, 2009 (in Annex 4)

Regarding the situation in Leyte Province, farming is the major source of income. A rapid assessment

realized by FAO and DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) in December 2013 reported that

agriculture (mainly coconut and rice) was the main livelihood activity for 99% of the interviewees.

Complementary activities were ranged as follows:

- agricultural labour (82%),

- livestock husbandry (58%),

- fisheries (10%),

- other wage labour (36%),

- sari-sari store1 (36%),

- transport/service sector (31%)

The following table from the Department of Agriculture shows the damages and losses in crops and

agricultural infrastructures. It shows that coconut followed by rice were the crops that suffered the

most damages (646,818 coconut farmers and 17,596 rice farmers affected).

1 A sari-sari store is a convenience store found in the Philippines. The word sari-sari is Tagalog meaning

"variety".


Evaluation of loss and damages in the agricultural sector in Letye province:

Province Farmers Affected

Area Affected (ha)/ No. of heads affected

Production Loss

Volume (mt) Value (PHP**)

LEYTE 712 622 799 660 576 131 13 639 552 418

Rice 17 596 18 434 22 420 141 169 875

Corn 4 246 2 981 4 083 74 858 000

Vegetables 27 720 1 155 1 154 81 655 000

Fruit trees 1 170 786 1 449 11 796 675

Root Crops 2 178 1 826 4 756 63 582 900

Banana 8 163 7 394 15 195 154 967 340

Organic agriculture 3 130 000

Livestock (head) 1 564 590 246 523 358 110 458 700

Fisheries 689 31 101 330 000

Infrastructure * 629 524 005

Coconut (PCA) 646 818 171 853 12 161 313 923

Abaca (FIDA) 2 478 4 954 3 715 105 766 000

Source: Department of Agriculture statistics on Yolanda damages for Leyte Province, nov. 2013

* Losses in agricultural equipment, post-production facilities, irrigation systems and rural infrastructures

** PHP: Philippine Peso

Map of damaged coconut trees after Yolanda in Region VIII:

Source: FAO

Pastrana

Dagami

La Paz


� Damages of Yolanda in La Paz, Pastrana and Dagami municipalities

In these municipalities as well as the rest of inland areas affected by Yolanda, strong winds reached

up to 360 km/h and heavy rains were continuous during several days. Public and individual

infrastructures have been partially destructed and people have lost many of their assets.

Almost 100% of houses in assessed areas have been affected by Yolanda, as described in the

following tables. Most homes are traditionally made of light materials such as bamboo, coconut tree,

plywood, and pawod (made of leaves of nipa plant or of galvanized iron sheets), and did not resist

the winds of the typhoon. Other structures made of heavier materials, were also severely impacted,

such as schools, churches, and government buildings. The following tables show statistic on social

damages in the 3 municipalities. For each municipality, families and households (that can gather

different families)are differentiated. A family composition varies from 4 to 7 members in the visited

areas.

PASTRANA

On 29 barangays: Number % of total

Affected population 20,988 100%

Affected families 3980 100%

Totally damaged houses 755 19%

Partially damaged houses 3203 81%

LA PAZ



Affected families 5,142 100%

Totally damaged houses 3,329 65%

Partially damaged houses 1,813 35%

DAGAMI



Affected families 9,303 100%

Totally damaged houses 5,612 69%

Partially damaged houses 2,534 31%

The population of these municipalities is mainly relying on the agricultural sector, as previously

presented. The following tables show some statistics on the level of damages in the agricultural

sector gathered from the DA at the municipal level (N.B: presentation and types of data differ from

one municipality to another).


Agricultural damages in Pastrana muncipality

Crops

Nb of

Barangays

(2010

census)

Nb of ha % of cultivated

area

% of

damages

Rice 28 1,851 42% 50%

Coconut 28 2,354 54% 90%

Banana 29 89 2% 80%

Rootcrops:

- Cassava

- Sweet potato

4

11

29

20

0,7%

0,5%

/

Vegetables 11 21 0,5% /

Fruit trees 9 15 0,3% /

Total 4,380 ha 100%

Fishponds 7 1,3 100%

Agricultural damages in La Paz municipality

Crops

Nb of

farmers (2012

census)

Nb of ha % of cultivated

area

Nb of

damaged ha

Damages

per crop

Rice 441 741 8,6% 141 22%

Coconut 6088 7,300 85% 7,300 100%

Corn 20 10 0,1% 10 100%

Banana 60 25 0,3% 25 100%

Abaca 110 313 3,6% 313 100%

Rootcrops 50 24 0,3% 24 100%

Vegetables 22 14 0,2% 14 100%

Inland fishery 110 3 0,03% 3 100%

Fruit trees 25 1,59 1,9% 1,59 100%

Agricultural damages in Dagami municipality

Commodity Nb of

barangays

affected

Nb of farm

families

affected

Standing

crops (ha)

Area totally

damaged (ha)

/ nb of trees

Production

loss (Mt)

Value (PHP)

Rice 38 588 606,6 606,6 ha 2,547 40,177,460

Coconut 36 1,360 2,893 316, 562 trees 1,086 16,550,906

Corn 5 28 12 12 ha 30 300,000

Vegetables 27 300 9 9 ha 18 540,000

Root crops 22 100 20 15 ha 45 225,000

Banana 56 500 30 6250 trees 125 1,200,000


� Livelihood groups and Yolanda consequences

In the 3 municipalities targeted by the assessment, more than 40% of barangays (located in upland

areas, mostly in western parts of municipalities) are relying almost uniquely on coconut production,

30% mostly on rice farming (mostly in lowland areas) and the rest on a combination of both

productions and other non-agricultural activities (trade, crafts, services). The following seasonal

calendar shows the rain patterns and the distribution of agricultural activities all along a year.

Agricultural seasonal calendar:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC RAINFALL PATTERN

Rainy season

Dry season

CROPS (harvest)

Rice

Coconut Sweet potato

Cassava

Vegetables

Source: Adaptation of San Roque development plan, Tolosa municipality

Gender distribution of work: Coconut farming is almost exclusively done by men. Rice farming is

mainly engaging men but some specific activities can be dedicated to women (such as rice sowing),

depending on the area. Vegetables and root crops are mainly grown in backyards and mostly

managed by women as well as small livestock rearing but men help for heavy works. Most of the

time in rural areas, women stay close to home to take care of children and house chores. Some

women could be involved in trade, owning a sari sari stores or/and in charge of getting supplies from

other cities. In urban areas, men and women can find part-time jobs in non agricultural fields more

easily (transport, trade, restaurant, etc.).

Coconut farmers

Across Leyte province, coconut (copra2) production is the main source of economic activity with

almost 70% of the population engaged directly (production) or indirectly (process) in it. Once a

coconut tree has reached the age of maturity (fruit production) 6-9 years after being planted, it is

possible to harvest about 5-6 times a year during 50 – 70 years in normal climatic conditions.

Coconut farmers are divided into 3 categories:

- owner

- tenant/sharecropper

- daily laborer

2 Copra is the dried meat of the coconut used to extract coconut oil for human consumption and cosmetics

production.


Independently of land tenure, plantation sizes vary from 1 hectare to 7 hectares in the visited areas

with an average around 2,5ha (taking into account that it is not easy to get the exact number of

hectares as some owners are afraid to pay more taxes).

Farmers borrow funds from local copra dealers for their production expenses. Hence, they are

compelled to sell their copra to their creditors even at a lower price. When tenants are in charge of

coconut plantations, they give back 50% of the income to the landowner. The following table shows

the cost and benefit table for copra production (based on a focus group discussion in Pastrana

municipality). For one year (6 harvests), benefit can vary from 10,920 PHP to 39,720 PHP per hectare

depending on copra prices fluctuation.

COCONUT production system (for 1 ha)

Activity Period Description Costs

Planting T 0 Around 100 trees / ha No daily workers for less

than 1 ha

Fertilizer

(urea)

Ev. 5 years 150 kg / ha No daily workers for less

than 1 ha

Harvesting Ev. 2 months 5-10 coconut / tree (an average

of 800 coconuts/ha for 100 trees)

5 PHP / 1 tree = 500 PHP

Gathering 1 day = 200 PHP

Dehusking 20PHP/100 nuts = 160 PHP

Hauling 50PHP/sack * 4 sacks = 200

PHP (1 sack = 200 nuts)

Expenses : For 1 harvest = 1,060 PHP / ha

For 1 year (or 6 harvests) = 6,360 PHP / ha

Copra

production

Ev. 2 months 100 coconuts = 30 kg of copra 1ha = an average of 240 kg of

copra

Copra selling Variable during low season: 24 PHP/kg in municipality

32 PHP/kg in Tacloban

during high season of harvest: 7 PHP/kg in municipality

12 PHP/kg in Tacloban

Incomes (if sold in Tacloban) : For 1 harvest = from 2,880 PHP to 7,680 PHP

For 1 year = from 17,280 PHP to 46,080 PHP

1 year-benefit (Tacloban prices) = from 10,920 PHP for high season to 39,720 PHP for low season


With the massive destruction of the coconut plantations, a large number of families relying on this

activity is suddenly without any source of income. Given the estimate of about 6-10 years (depending

on coconut variety) after planting for coconut trees to bear fruit again, there is a high level of

uncertainty for those families. Some families have already sent some members to work in main cities

(Tacloban, Cebu, Manila, Ormoc…) as they do not find other alternatives locally.

The Department of Agriculture and the Philippines Coconut Authority are actually coordinating with

other organizations to support those farmers with coconut seedlings and alternative food and cash

crops seeds and seedlings.

Rice farmers

Rice farming is the second major livelihood activity in the area involving around 30-40% of the

population. It consists mainly of irrigated rice (around 90%) and the rest is rainfed rice.

Like coconut farmers, rice farmers are divided into 3 categories:

- owner

- tenant

- daily laborer

Independently of land tenure, plantation sizes vary from 0,5 hectares to 5 hectares in the visited

areas (taking into account that it is not easy to get the exact number of hectares as some owners are

afraid to pay more taxes). According to the Department of Agriculture of Leyte province, in average

each farmer has around 1-1.5 ha of arable land in the farming communities. 0.5 Ha would cover the

household cereal self-sufficiency of 5 member household (when the whole production is kept by the

producer). Rice farmers usually take credit to usurers with an average of 10% of interest rate to buy

their inputs (rice seeds, fertilizer) and pay the daily workers (as described in the tables below). When

farmers are part of a cooperative, they can have better interest rates (around 3%). For tenants, they

must share from 25% to 50% of the production with the landowner depending if the latter is

responsible of paying the daily workers.


The following tables show the costs and expenses for one rice harvest, meaning that for one year

(two harvests), the benefit of seeds harvested on one hectare corresponds to 163,600 PHP, of which

part is self-consumed, part is kept for next planting season, part is given back to money lenders and

owners and part is sold.

Irrigated RICE daily labour for 1 ha / 3 months production

Activity Period Nb of workers / nb of days

Cleaning fields T 0 5 / 1

Ploughing 1st

to 2nd

week 5 / 1

Tractor ploughing (+ rent

tractor)

2 / 1

Sowing 2nd

to 8th

week 15 / 1

Pathway 5 / 1

Cleaning 2 / 1

Seedlings Contractual: 25 PHP /box 1m2 (80 box/1ha)

Transportation of seedlings 8th

to 12th

week 2 / 1

Plantation 15 / 1

Fertilizer (mainly Urea) 1 / 1

Cleaning grasses 20 / 1

Insecticides 1 / 1

Harvesting 12th

week 20 / 1

Threshing 13th

to 14th

week Contractual (90% of produced seeds for

farmer, 10% for machine owner)

Total Average of 14,500 PHP*

* 1 man-day = 120 for non-qualified and 150 PHP for operators +

meal but they can be paid with in-kind (rice seeds).

Rice inputs Rice outputs

- 40 kg seeds / ha = 1000PHP

- 150 kg of fertilizer / ha = 2700 PHP

- Labor costs = average of 14,500 PHP

(Cf. previous table)

Total inputs = 18,200 PHP

Harvest of 4000 kg / ha = 100,000 PHP

Different uses:

� 30 % for family consumption + next season

seeds

� 70 % to pay back the credit (or 10% interest

rate) + other expenses

If daily workers are paid with seeds, the

proportions are 50% / 50%.

Source: calculations are based on data gathered through different focus group discussions in la Paz and

Pastrana.

Typhoon Yolanda damaged almost all the rice production due for harvest start last November. Rice

seeds already harvested were stocked at home or in local warehouses but have been mostly

damaged by the heavy rains and infrastructures destruction. For the rice still standing in fields, heavy

rains and strong winds totally wasted the seeds. As inputs are paid by credit, it was almost impossible

for small farmers to buy new seeds and fertilizers. Blanket distributions of seeds have been realized


for the majority of farmers in the area by FAO and DA. If weather conditions are stabilizing, the next

harvest (April-May) will be sufficient for farmers that were able to plant a sufficient surface to pay

back their debts and restock seeds and food.

Multi-crops farmers

Mostly in lowland areas of the 3 municipalities visited, where both rice and coconut farming are

possible, some households are relying on both crops for their living. This livelihood group includes:

- Daily laborers

- Tenant or owner of one crop and laborer for the other one

- Owners of one crop and tenant for the other one

- Owners of both rice and coconut lands

In some upland barangays of La Paz municipality, Abaca3 production (for fiber production) is

widespread making the municipality famous for its Abaca. In those barangays, most of the population

is relying on both abaca and coconut production. They have seen most of their abaca trees destroyed

by Yolanda. It takes 3 years to get a sufficient fiber production of abaca trees and thus, families will

need alternative sources of income while new trees grow. They can be divided as previously said for

coconut/rice producers.

Abaca trees in La Paz municipality Fibers produced from abaca

This livelihood group comprises characteristics of both previous livelihood groups. Depending on the

proportion of their income based on coconut production, they were more or less affected by

Yolanda. For daily laborers, as they are not attached to a specific land, they have more mobility to

look for job opportunities.

3 Also known as Manila’s hemp, this plant produces fibers that are used for paper production and has potential

to replace fiber glass in the car industry. Philippines is the first producer worldwide.


Small vendors

There is a main market based at the poblacion level (municipality center), working once a week (as

before Yolanda) and having some sari sari stores open daily. Small and local traders (mostly women,

both at municipality and barangay levels) who relied on local agricultural or fishing have suffered a

significant economic blow and their recovery will not be rapid.

Then, at the barangay level, there are few sari sari stores (an average of 5-6 for 100 families) with

very basic items (milk, coffee, sugar, salt, biscuits, drinks and hygiene items). Most were severely

damaged: destruction of their stalls and loss of stocks. Those who had capital and/or were able to

save some stock have reopened while the others are looking for capital to restart their activity. The

supply chain was strongly affected but is coming back to normal quite rapidly. Vendors are able to

renew their stocks through suppliers in Tacloban or Baybay but prices are still higher than before

Yolanda, most of all for fresh food (vegetables, meat, fish). Some suppliers who used to come to the

municipality are just recently coming back. The global number of customers is still lower than before

the typhoon as people have lost their main sources of income and they have received food and non

food items through relief.

Small store of fresh food in Pastrana central market

Others non-agricultural workers (carpenters, drivers, restaurants, etc.)

Activities like carpentry or masonry can represent the main source of income for a family living at the

poblacion level (municipality center) where the demand is high but represents just a temporary

source of income for those living in rural barangays. This is the case also for service providers such as

small restaurants serving basic cooked meals or tricycle and pedicab drivers.

Some of them have either lost their vehicle/material or need repairs. Beyond those needs, they lack

employment as their potential customers have seen their purchasing power go down in comparison

to pre-Yolanda.


Trycicle cab

� Market analysis

Public markets have been damaged but are demonstrating a high level of resilience, vendors have

been able to respond to demand in less than 3 weeks after the disaster. The supply chain has been

affected (destruction of stocks and storage, trucking) and as a consequence, prices have increased

and many traders have lacked of capital for replenishment of their stock. Indeed, they could not

access to credit like previously as the money lenders do not rely on traders ‘reimbursement capacity

after typhoon.

As described in the WFP Rapid Trade Capacity Assessment conducted mid-November 2013, before

Yolanda, Tacloban City was the trade hub for Leyte, supplying secondary markets in these provinces.

These secondary markets were still acting as primary suppliers to small retailers in rural areas who

would also send goods to Tacloban in December. Port and shipping lines congestions were observed

as relief aid was prioritized. Canned products and fresh food usually coming from Cebu were of

second priority. In mid-December, public market vendors reported prices 20-50% higher than pre-

Yolanda levels for some commodities.

In the municipalities assessed, there is a main public market based at poblacion level, working once a

week (as before Yolanda) with some sari sari stores open daily. At the time of the assessment, a large

variety of food and non-food items were available including fresh products such as fish, chicken, eggs

and vegetables. Thus, public markets are the key point for households to access fresh food. Then, at

barangay level, there are few sari sari stores (an average of 5-6 for 100 families) with very basic

items (milk, coffee, sugar, salt, biscuits and hygiene items). Some mobile vendors used to come to

barangays with dry fish or meat. Problems encountered by all those traders are the lack of customers

as most of the affected population is receiving food relief and has few purchase power. On the other

side, some commodities (mainly fresh food) remain at a higher price (around 25% to more) than

before Yolanda while some commodities are remaining at the same price as before. Indeed, small

vendors from municipalities buy their items to suppliers mostly based in Tacloban, Baybay and Cebu

and prices increase because of congestions and delays all along the supply chain.


Some examples from Pastrana public market vendors (prices at supplier level):

Commodities Price pre-disaster

(PHP)

Price post-disaster

(PHP)

Milk powder

10 coffee sticks

50 kg of sugar

1 jug of vegetable oil (15L)

1 kg of frozen chicken

1 kg of fresh fish

1 kg of cabbage

43

51

1900

1000

110

120

20-25

49

55

1900

1000

145

140

50 – 60

As relief distribution will be decreasing in the coming months, cash transfer programmes aiming to

cover basic needs will be increasing. It will have multiplier effects on local markets recovery. Thus,

cash implementing agencies need to include market monitoring in key areas to ensure that inflation

is not eroding transfer values or spilling over into other goods sectors (WFP, December 2013).

� Stakeholders’ analysis

Since the typhoon, a multiplicity of actors has been intervening in different sectors, mainly food

security and livelihood, water, hygiene and sanitation and shelter. Concerned government ministries

and local authorities are strongly involved in humanitarian coordination and since the beginning of

the emergency, have been imposing strategic orientation to the different actors. However, the

different means and ways of functioning of those actors lead to differences in aid (in quantity, quality

and length) provided to affected communities. Here comes a rapid description of actors related to

the food security and livelihood sector.

Government: the Government of the Philippines is coordinating the humanitarian response for

Typhoon Yolanda and was the first actor to respond on the ground. At municipality and barangay

levels, representatives from different departments and local leaders have been conducting

assessments in the affected communities after the disaster and have designed reconstruction and

development plans. In December, a national reconstruction plan post Yolanda was shared with all

stakeholders (Cf. Annex 5). At regional and municipal levels, humanitarian agencies have to

coordinate with different government departments for livelihood-related responses: DSWD

(Department of Social Welfare and Development), DA (Department of Agriculture), PCA (Philippines

Coconut Authority) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

- DSWD: they are providing relief (food and cash for work) and have ongoing social programs

(like the 4 P’s or Pantawid Pamilyang Pangkabuhayan Program) where they target the most

vulnerable households on specific criteria elaborated by the national household targeting

office. � http://www.dswd.gov.ph

- DA: as the responsible body for agricultural production, they are supporting all farmers

affected by Yolanda, especially, rice farmers and coconut farmers. They already distributed


rice seeds and fertilizers (with FAO) to affected rice farmers. They plan to provide coconut

farmers with alternative food and cash crops (vegetables seeds, root crops and fruit trees

seedlings, etc.) and to implement communal gardens. � http://www.da.gov.ph/

- PCA: they are responsible for monitoring and supporting the production aspects of coconuts

and development of the coconut industry. In response to Yolanda, they aim to support

clearing of debris in coconut plantations, processing of trees into lumbers and charcoal and

to provide coconut farmers with coconut seedlings to replant. They have only one technician

for 3-4 municipalities. � http://www.pca.da.gov.ph/index.php

- DENR: it has responsibility for managing the country’s environment and natural resources.

Within DENR, the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) is responsible for providing support to

the effective protection, development, management and conservation of forestlands, forest

resources and watersheds. � http://www.denr.gov.ph/

Clusters: Clusters are functioning at Manila level and in the three most affected regions, i.e. in Roxas

(Region VI), Cebu (Region VII) and Tacloban (Region VIII). At the beginning of the response, there

were 3 clusters in charge of the FSL sector: Food Security and Agriculture cluster (FSAC lead by

FAO/WFP), Early Recovery cluster (lead by UNDP) and Livelihood cluster (lead by ILO/DSWD). Since

the end of December 2013, the 2 last clusters have been merged into the Early Recovery and

Livelihood cluster (ERLC) as there was an overlap of activities. FSAC and ERLC designed strategic

response plans in December 2013 for relief and reconstruction phases (Cf. Annex 6 for FSAC plan). A

cash working group has been created to give technical orientations and share government guidelines

on cash activities in the different sectors. The following figure shows the differences in terms of cash

activities in FSAC and other clusters.


NGO’s: Many national and international NGO’s have been involved in emergency response (food and

NFI distributions, shelter kits distribution, ..). Most of the main INGO’s working in the FSL sector

(Care, Oxfam, ACF, ACTED, CRS, World Vision, etc.) were conducting assessments at the time of the

present one and wish to implement programmes supporting livelihood activities and market

economy for the reconstruction of affected areas. In Leyte province, they are mainly supporting

debris cleaning, shelter reconstruction and assets recovery for coconut and rice farmers, fishermen

and other categories of workers (like carpenters, sari sari stores).

Local organizations: Many local organisations (such as LUPA, Leyte Union of Producers of Agri-

products, or Farmers irrigation associations) are currently demanding support to implement early

recovery interventions aiming to restart their livelihoods.

Affected Communities: Although people are living in tough conditions; they are extremely active and

cooperative. Good community mobilization and participation have been noticed so far. Local

associations and cooperatives are also very active in building and advocating for the most adapted

response to population needs. Resilience of people and expression of their dignity are strongly

visible. It is necessary to design interventions so they do not destroy any local initiatives but reinforce

and support the various existing ones. Thus, it is recommended to use a participatory / community-

driven approach starting from the initial assessment up to the design and implementation phases of

activities.

4. Livelihood recovery strategy

Food and shelter are the two priority needs for the coming months in terms of basic needs. As of late

December, over 29% of the typhoon affected population remains food insecure and dependent on

food assistance (ACAPS, January 2014). Dietary diversity amongst the affected population is limited

due to low or zero purchasing power and depends on food relief quantity and quality (which varies a

lot from one area to another, Pastrana and La Paz are amongst the reported municipalities with

limited food assistance). Poorer families, who have no alternative source of income, and especially

women headed households, are engaging in negative coping strategies and limiting food intake. If

these strategies continue for a long time, it may have a negative effect on the health and physical

well-being of the affected population, especially children, pregnant women, older people, people

with chronic illnesses and those with disabilities. Food distributions are expected to be reduced after

February to the most vulnerable people (mostly 4 P’s beneficiaries) and WFP plans to leave in April.

On the on hand, food distributions have to stop in the short term not to have a damaging effect in

the recovery of local markets. But on the other hand, affected populations will still need cash to

cover their basic food and non food needs (especially for house reconstruction) as most of them have

no or few access to income.

Shelter self-recovery is taking place at an impressive rate but most repaired houses are of worse

construction quality. Shelter Cluster recommends to support households to access appropriate house

material and tools as well as provide them with technical assistance on how to build back safer.


Regarding livelihood, many rice farmers were able to plant for the ongoing season thanks to rice and

fertilizers distributions. On the contrary, coconut farmers are trapped as their main source of income

will not recover before several years. Supporting restarting of existing or alternative livelihood

activities is vital for rural inland areas. This will indirectly support re-establishment of supply chain

and market recovery.

Short-term (3 – 6 months)

Objective: to address the immediate basic needs (food and shelter) of affected

communities and contribute to economic recovery

Cash-based interventions to cover basic needs and economic recovery:

For coconut farmers:

• Cash for asset recovery to clean lands from debris (to pay daily workers)

• Provide tools and equipment gear for workers

• Distribution of chain saws 4 to selected and trained individuals or cooperatives/associations

in collaboration with DENR and PCA authorities

For rice farmers:

• Cash/voucher for asset recovery to pay daily workers during rice cultivation (plantation of

seedlings, cleaning, harvest) repair equipment, pay back credit, buy seeds for ongoing or next

planting season.

For Daily laborers:

• Cash for work for public infrastructures (if needs are not covered for infrastructures such as

schools, health centers, Barangay halls, etc.) or participating to cash for asset recovery in

coconut and rice farms.

For small vendors:

• Assess the needs for different kinds of small vendors to propose cash for asset recovery

and/or in-kind distributions for stock replenishment, infrastructure repairing, transport

capacity, credit reimbursement, etc.

• Link cash programmes’ beneficiaries to small vendors (if using vouchers, select most

vulnerable vendors)

For the most vulnerable in all livelihood groups:

• Unconditional cash grants to cover their basic needs

4 Any new portable sawmills or chainsaws have to be reported and authorized by DENR authorities.

Furthermore, the disposition of all chainsaws provided must be strictly controlled and they must be recovered

after emergency clearing and lumbering operations. Chainsaws should not be left indiscriminately in local

communities where they may later become instruments of illegal logging of natural forests.


Recommendations on cash transfer amount:

The government recommends to size cash grant activities on the average family income calculated

through the National Statistics Office (NSO)’s 2012 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (Cf. Annex

7): 7500 PHP to cover monthly basic needs of a 5 members-HH for region VIII (including 5300 PHP for

nonfood needs and 2200 PHP for food needs). The Cash Working Group has shared a cash guidelines

document too (Cf. Annex 8)

On the other hand, based on its assessments in the affected region, WFP recommends a monthly

food basket for a family of 5 members at 4300 – 4500 PHP corresponding to both rice and non rice

items and will meet the minimum kcal value of 2100 per person per day. However, it is encouraged

to base the cash transfer amount on specific assessments in the area of intervention as prices may

differ. It is also important to be able to adapt the amount of cash transfer to the size of the family

(which can sometimes exceed 10 members).

Recommendations on cash transfer duration:

Depending on which activities households will restart, they might be able to generate soon some

income. Indeed, rice farmers will be harvesting in April-May but coconut farmers will maybe get

some income from alternative crops such as vegetables but probably not enough to cover all their

needs. It is recommended to assess remaining beneficiaries’ needs after 2-3 months of cash transfer.

Shelter assistance for reconstruction:

• House-repair kits through vouchers (when available in local markets or organizing fairs) or in-

kind distributions: tools (timber saw, claw hammer, shovel, tin, snip, pliers, etc.) and

construction material (GI sheets, timber, lumber, bamboo, cladding like ply wood, fixing, etc.)

• For vulnerable households without physical capacities of reconstruction, support with capital

to pay workers

• Information campaign, awareness sessions, trainings on the “build back safer approach”

(from the selection of material to the construction specificities and maintenance) including

DRR component

• Strengthen knowledge through training and facilitate employment of already existing

carpenters and masons

• Facilitate linkages between demand and coco lumber supply

See Annex 9 for Shelter Cluster technical guidelines.


Short and mid-term (6 – 12 months)

Objective: to support alternative short-term livelihood activities in coconut areas

• Support provision of coconut seedlings in collaboration with PCA/FAO

• For coconut trees processing: distribution of lumber/logs treatment against decay or insects

and analyse the potentialities for coco charcoal and composting

• Create linkage with logs or coco lumbers buyers/transporters

• Conduct market and feasibility surveys for alternative cash crops production

• For cleaned lands: distribution of vegetables seeds and associated tools, fruit trees and root

crops seedlings for household food consumption and selling (in collaboration with DA and

based on local preferences and market analysis to select most relevant crops and varieties)

• Support linkages between vegetables producers and buyers (see with DA’s plan to be buy the

local production to sell it itself)

• Realize trainings on agricultural techniques (promoting sustainable techniques including

rationalization of chemical inputs, promotion of organic agriculture, agroforestry, etc.) and

processing and marketing for newly introduced crops/trees

Cf. Annex 10: technical guidelines for utilization of downed coconuts and trees (PCA, 2014)

Suggestions for possible alternative food and cash crops to inter-cop with coconut trees:

- Vegetables and pulses: cabbage, Chinese cabbage (pechay), string beans or yardlong bean,

squash, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, onion, okra, eggplant, peanut, etc. (for family consumption

and sale) � 2-3 months production

- Root crops: sweet potato (camote), cassava, taro. Those tubers are mostly for family

consumption, they can replace rice when not available � 3 – 6 months production

- Abaca: It is locally well-known and has market potential outlets (gross or transformed product).

Moreover, it is possible to inter-crop with coconut trees and it allows to control soil erosion and

restore biodiversity � 2 years production

- Fruit trees: banana, mango, papaya, pineapple � 1- 6 year production

N.B: Attention must be paid so that clear and fair contracts are signed between tenants and owners

for the cleaning the lands and the recycling of coconut trees as well as for planting new coconut

seedlings and other crops.


Long-term (12 – 24 months)

Objective: to support sustainable and disaster resilient livelihood activities

Such programs will be designed based on specific livelihood capacities assessment and risk and

vulnerability analysis. Livelihood vulnerability of the rural population is mainly caused by the

uniqueness of their source of income (mostly agriculture-based). Moreover, agricultural activities

are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and irregular rain patterns. Coconut production in

particular is not always profitable because very dependent on copra prices’ high fluctuation. Thus, it

is important to promote diversification of livelihood activities to diminish risks for and reinforce

households’ resilience to chocks. It is important to include Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) national

and local structures to make sure that DRR component is integrated into support to livelihood

activities development

Agricultural livelihood activities diversification

• In coconut lowland areas: for those willing to convert coconut areas into irrigated rice areas,

distribution of rice seeds and fertilizers, irrigation canals, trainings

• In coconut upland areas: conduct research on possibility of growing rainfed rice

• Support to rice production: distribution/repairing of hard equipment to

cooperatives/associations such as hand tractor, rice thresher, rice mills, warehouses

• Support to corn production (seeds, fertilizers, trainings)

• Promote inland fishery when topographic conditions and local capacities are available (work

with associations/cooperatives)

• Livestock : distribution of poultry as chicken, ducks, geese, turkeys (for family consumption

and sale), pigs and goats (mostly for sale), buffalos or carabao (for agricultural labour and

transportation) + technical trainings

• Development/support recovery of small and medium enterprises (piggery, egg production)

• Agri-food processing: feasibility surveys and local capacities assessment to develop small and

medium enterprises (meat processing factory, peanut butter, dried fruits (mango), rice mills,

etc.)

Non agricultural livelihood reinforcement and diversification

• For skilled workers involved in carpentry and masonry, evaluate needs in terms of trainings

and equipment

• For unskilled workers/ agricultural workers (mostly those dependant on coconut farming),

evaluate capacities and training needs for skilled jobs such as carpentry, masonry, electricity

for men and handicraft, sewing for women…

• Collaboration with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) for

trainings curriculum and diplomas


For all cash-based interventions, attention must be paid on the possible negative impacts

such as: developing a culture of begging, destructuring social relationships and community

mobilization, destabilizing market prices, etc.

To prevent those impacts:

- Conduct markets surveys and participatory livelihood vulnerabilities and capacities

assessments

- Define selection criteria well adapted to each context and livelihood group

- Coordinate with local government and other actors

- Define activities that enhance community mobilization

***

List of Annex:

Annex 1: Guidelines for Key Informant Interviews

Annex 2: Guidelines for Focus Groups Discussions

Annex 3: Guidelines for Market interviews

Annex 4: Regional Coconut Industry Development Framework

Annex 5: Government Reconstruction Plan post Yolanda

Annex 6: Food Security and Agriculture cluster strategic response plan

Annex 7: Government cash recommendations to humanitarian agencies

Annex 8: Cash Working Group guidance on CFW activities

Annex 9: Shelter cluster technical guidelines

Annex 10: PCA guidelines on use of downed coconuts and trees

Documents

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