CPRS aims to improve the livelihood of farmers
Caritas Austria Support Small Vendors
The NEWSLETTER
farm tools and 40 heads of goats to 20 families of Panaghiusa sa mga mangunguma sa Brogen (PMB) in Escalante City last No-vember 2016. Farming assistance distributed also include various seeds such as pa-lay, corn, peanut, cowpea and vegetables diversified within the respective community managed farm of POBB, PMB and Brgy. Banquerohan Farmers.
The Caritas Austria supported rehabilitation project on typhoon affected communities implement-ed by Center for People’s Re-sources and Services (CPRS) aims to improve the livelihood of farm-ers towards sustainability and resilience to disaster through the access to skills, knowledge, re-sources, tools and other assets provided including one barangay in Cadiz and two barangays in Es-calante City. The CPRS with the presence of national partner Citizens’ Disaster Response Center and Caritas Aus-tria turned over set of farm tools and water irrigation facility to Panaghiusa sa mga Obrero sa Brgy. Balintawak (POBB) in Escalante City last March 2016. POBB also received Farm cultiva-tion equipments such as sprayer, hand tractor and thresher which recently were used during rice production in community-managed farm of local affiliates Bagong-Buhay, Hda. Felomina and Adelina.
Caritas Austria staff Manfred Aichinger and Jorcy Nuñez togeth-er with CPRS and CDRC staff dis-tributed farming assistance such as farm tools, equipments such cara-bao with plow and 20 heads of goat to Brgy. Banquerohan farmers in Cadiz City last August 2016. Caritas Austria staff Jorcy Nuñez and CPRS staff distributed set of
The project ‘Rehabilitation of liveli-hoods of Haiyan Survivors’ here in Negros Occidental supported by Caritas Austria aims to the reestab-lishment of small businesses such as food and fish vending imple-mented by Center for People’s Resources and Services (CPRS) to areas including two barangays in
Bacolod and one in Cadiz City. The CPRS with the cooperation of its national partner which is the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) held fish vending kick-off for Brgy. Banago and Villa Esperan-za beneficiaries last April 5, 2016 then started the operation Continue Reading to Page 2 >>
Special points of interest:
Organic Farming Striding Onward
Seed sown by Yolanda: Enhancing
People’s Capacity to cope with disas-
ters
Caritas Austria supports small vendors
CPRS: Farming Assistance towards
sustainability and resilience
Training on Disaster Risk Reduction
Establishment of Portable Water
System
Community Cross Visit at PSK
Farming Assistance
Action Medeor Principle of Helping
People
“FARMING ASSISTANCE TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE”
May 2017
Volume 1, Issue III “Typhoon Yolanda Edition”
Provision of Farm Tools and Livestocks in Cadiz City last Au-
gust 11, 2016
Carolina while cooking her spe-
cialty Bibingka
Haiyan survivors from Northern Ne-
gros including cities of Cadiz and
Escalante were among the recipi-
ents of Center for People’s Re-
sources and Services’ (CPRS) project
on rehabilitation of livelihoods sup-
ported by Caritas Austria. Our inter-
vention aims to contribute to the
rehabilitation of typhoon affected
families with access to skills,
knowledge, resources, tools and
other assets towards sustainability
and resiliency.
BOSA, DIFTS, Organic Farming Training, Organic Fertilizer Making
One of the project’s objectives is to im-
prove livelihood of farming communities
through promoting sustainable agriculture.
Basic orientation on sustainable agriculture
was conducted to introduce the need to
bring back to the natural state of soil
through diversification. The next step was
taken during the Diversified Integrated
Farming System Training simultaneously
conducted by Negros Rurban Advance-
ment Programme for Socio-Economic De-
velopment (NRAPSED). Farmers were also
taught how to make organic fertilizer after
series of theories in organic farming. Or-
ganic inputs produced contain Fish Amino
Acid (FAA), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ),
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), Indigenous
Microorganism (IMO), Lactic Acid Serum
(LAS), and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN)
and were applied for the benefit of ani-
mals, plants and soil.
Caristas Austria Supports Small Vendors
Organic Farming Striding Onward
“To Eat is a Necessity, But to Eat
Intelligently is an Art”
-unknown
Page 2 The NEWSLETTER
the following day. Implementations on livelihood support includes the provision of 3 units tricycle and fish vending materials distributed for daily operations of steady and ambulant fish vendors both of Bacolod and Cadiz. The establishment of Food Processing Center (FPC) with set of kitchen and food vending mate-rials provided to Brgy. Banquerohan vendors. Brgy. Banago and Villa Esperanza associations also owned community store managed by their respective Project Management Team (PMT) who undergone series of trainings such as pro-ject and financial management regarding moni-toring of financial records and bookkeeping.
According to CPRS, Community stores were established to cope with the low fish catch dur-ing the month of July until September and to assist the senior citizens and person with disabil-ities within the community. Beneficiaries already availed their savings de-rived from their daily operation practice both in vending and community store which helped other household expenses such as food, electric-ity and education. Caritas Austria and CDRC staff also witnessed the operation of each barangay involved in vending and community store including management and recording through community visits.
Organic Farming Training last
October 2016
Held at Brgy. Banquerohan Cadiz City
During the community visit of Caritas
Austria last August 2016
Along with the objective of the Cen-
ter for People’s Resources and Ser-
vices (CPRS) to develop the capability
of vulnerable communities to face
the challenge of calamities and re-
spond to disaster situations, a Ger-
man Medical Aid Organization Action
Medeor and its back donor Aktion
Deutschland Hilft (ADH) untiringly
supported the rehabilitation project
for severely affected communities
and its 2nd phase which is on improv-
ing health care and disaster response
capacities on community level.
Activities of CHWS
Improving Health Care and Disaster Response Capacities on Community Level
along with the barangay implementations of
health and sanitation programs.
One way to enhance people’s capacity was
through establishment of Community Health
Workers (CHW) advocating the significance of
proper health care and hygiene. Five communi-
ties of Brgy. Sta. Rosa Farmers and Farm Work-
ers Association (BSRFFWA) in Murcia selected six
CHW from each haciendas namely ARB, Cuison,
Ilimnan, Perez and Ylanan were able to partici-
pate on Basic Health Orientation and seminars
on Nutrion and Proper Hygiene and Maternal
Care through the help of Negros Island Health
Integrated Program for Community Develop-
ment (NIHIPCD). Also, the training on Herbal
Making, they learned the uses and benefits of
alternative medicines made into form such as
liniment, ointment, syrup and tablet. With the
assistance of Action Medeor, each communities
were provided sets of Herbal making utensils
and Medical instruments and supplies to be
taken care of by the respective CHW. Upon com-
pletion, BSRFFWA health workers was recog-
nized by the LGU as community service provider
“Developing countries including Philippines with regular tropical storms will be greatly affected by detrimental effects. Its already more than three years since the typhoon Yolanda ravaged islands of the Philippines but the effects continuously troubled the survivors. Even before, the Filipinos already suffered hunger and illnesses which worsen as one of the strongest and disastrous tropical cyclone hit the country. Affected areas in Negros Occidental including the Municipality of Murcia was one of those declared under public storm warning signal #3 by the time of devastation. Lack of awareness on the worsening threat of climate change within vulnerable communities was one of those cited causes why they failed to respond during disaster situations.”
“We make a Living by what we
Get, but we make Life by what
we Give— Winston Churchill”
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue III “Typhoon Yolanda Edition”
Nutrition and Proper Hygiene
As part of disaster response capacities within the
community especially during El Niño phenome-
non, the potable water system in five communi-
ties of BSRFFWA was established. Water sources
present in their communities are springs, hand
pump wells and open wells which they used for
cleaning, cooking and drinking usually does not
give assurance to any free water-borne diseases.
The welfare of dwellers on the access uncontam-
inated water was greatly assured by the project
implementation which coped the need for safe,
easy to access and reliable water supply. Though
water is essential in saving lives but sometimes
is a harmful agent of illnesses and many times a
forceful element during typhoons in the form of
heavy rains, yet, water supply in these areas is
not given a solution on its safety.
Training on Disaster Risk Reduction
In the recently havoc brought by the strongest
typhoon recorded, there were 840, 557 affected
families in Region VI including Negros Occi-
dental. We also worked towards strengthening
Disaster Preparedness Committee (DPC) to point
out raising people’s awareness and capacity to
adapt worsening threat of climate change and
mitigate their vulnerability to calamities. With
the main concern on disaster response capaci-
ties on community level, several orientation and
training on disaster risk reduction were conduct-
ed. BSRFFWA participated during disaster man-
agement orientation which enable them to iden-
tify the hazards and their vulnerabilities within
their respective communities. They plotted their
community maps such spot, hazard and resource
maps used as reference for the formulation of
their disaster action plan. DPC and community
members were guided accordingly through sys-
tematization of activities before, during and
after disaster situations. They also planned their
Evacuation Continue Reading to Page 5>>
Community Cross Visit at PSK
Establishment of Portable Water System “To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the
story here.”
Page 4 The NEWSLETTER
coop center with health clinic which was
functional for more than eight years and
services being recognized within barangay.
In line with improving health care and or-
ganizational strengthening, the cross visit
activity hosted by NIHIPCD was successfully
executed. The aim of such event was to
integrate skills and experiences of
BSRFFWA and Paghidaet sa Kalambuan
(PSK) in Toboso being amongst the people’s
organization facing similar challenges on
land struggle. CPRS and its networks, Panay
Center for Disaster Response (PCDR) and
Southern Tagalog People’s Response Cen-
ter (STPRC) have observed PSK’s health
practices such as acupressure, acupuncture
and herbal making. PSK was known to have
an established organizational structure and
with operational committees including
health. PSK community noted its history on
land struggle as a victory started through
“bayanihan” or collective cultivation of
limited extent of community-managed
farm until now that they already extended
into more than a hundred of members.
They have functional health workers which
cater scheduled consultation on taking vital
signs and diagnosing based on symptomatic
approach. They already established their
Disaster Management Orientation held at
Hda. ARB last September 30, 2016
Cross Visit Activity last August 26-27, 2016
During the Blessing of Water Tank in
Hda . Perez, Brgy. Santa Rosa, Murcia
Rurban Advancement Programme in Socio-
Economic Development (NRAPSED) conducted
the Record keeping session on seedbanking and
nursery management which was attended by
representatives from five communities of
BSRFFWA. They also acquired vermiculture
chamber for the production of organic fertilizer.
Another way to promote sustainable agriculture
is through cost-efficient and environment friend-
ly farming system.
Typhoon Yolanda as we can recall ranked No.1
among the top 10 worst typhoons in terms of
damages. Agricultural commodities such as rice,
corn, cassava and banana were among crops
reported most damaged. Brgy. Sta. Rosa farmers
and farm workers suffered from such losses
which worsen their hunger. Through the helping
hands of Action Medeor, the CPRS was able to
implement food-for-work program to help them
recover. They also extended support to liveli-
hood assistance through the provision of farm
implements such carabaos with plows and vari-
ous seeds as vegetables, peanut, corn and palay.
A substantial aid sustained the productivity of
their community managed farm. BSRFFWA pri-
marily used harvested crops for consumption
and income generation for household and edu-
cation expenses. Through collective cultivation
they were able to expand with herbal garden
and plant nursery. The CPRS’ network Negros
Farming Assistance
Each community were given a unit of mega-
phone to be used as a tool of warning before
any threat of hazard hit the area. They already
learned basic Rescue and First Aid on burns, cuts
and wounds through the help of Amity Volun-
teer Fire Brigade. Through these disaster re-
sponse skills imposed, they were expected to
practice necessary precautions and act attentive-
ly as a community during emergency situations,
both natural or manmade calamities.
Training on Disaster Risk Reduction
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the
story here.”
Page 5 Volume 1, Issue III “Typhoon Yolanda Edition”
Herbal Garden in Hda. Perez,
Brgy. Sta Rosa Murcia
Basic Health Orientation Last April 13,
2016 held at Brgy. Sta Rosa Brgy Hall
Disaster Preparedness Training on
Brgy. Sta. Rosa DPC held at Twin River
Resort, Last November 25, 2016
During the site visit of Action Medeor
(Vermi Culture)
Provision of Carabao with Plough and
Seeds last June 7, 2016
Panaghiusa sa Obreros sa Brgy. Balintawak
(POBB) also practiced organic farming
initiated at the extent of 350 square meter
of rice field. They harvested 112 kilograms
from an organic farm sustained with IMO
every 15 days. Hda. Felomina beneficiaries
collectively managed their rice field where
they produced a total of 82 sacks of palay
from more than a hectare last January 2017.
Harvested rice and other crops were divid-
potato with the participation of youth,
women and senior citizen from land prepa-
ed among 29 members through imposed
farm system. They already planted various
vegetables in their established organic
garden as preparation for incoming dry
season. They planned to sustain their
demonstration farm with organic inputs
including fermented solutions and vermi-
compost. Other local affiliates of POBB like
Hda. Adelina also diversified their farm
with corn, rice and root crops such sweet
_____________________________________________
ration to cultivation and harvest. Last De-
cember 2016 they harvested a total of 8
sacks which contain 40 kilos of sweet pota-
to they sold at PhP 30.00 per kilo. Farmers
of Brgy. Malasibog in Escalante also start-
ed the production of organic fertilizers
which they initially used on their individual
farms and also as preparation for their
community managed farm cultivation.
“Working towards community development, Action Medeor’s principle of helping people to help
themselves conflated with the CPRS’ advocacy on enhancing people’s capacity to cope with disasters.
The goal is not only to respond to the needs of disaster risk reduction, health and livelihood assistance
but also organizational strengthening for sustainable progress throughout communities. They were
taught Financial management and trained how to be good leaders. Project interventions were not
successfully implemented if not with the help of people’s organization present in BSRFFWA community.
Every farmer and farm worker’s struggle slightly diminished by the strength they hold. As we worked
with them, they repeatedly expressed gratitude for the moral, health and livelihood support they
received along the way from their recovery until rehabilitation from the devastation. Watching sown
seeds growing in a well-cultivated land bearing abundant harvest can warm every farmer’s heart to
pursue an ample and productive living. Those farmers were the seeds, we development workers dreamt
to watch over growing and extending help to others in need inside and outside the community.”
Panaghiusa sa Obreros sa Brgy. Balintawak (POBB)
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the
story here.”
Page 6 The NEWSLETTER
Harvest of Palay last January, 2017
Action Medeor’s principle of helping people
Sharing of Harvested Palay through
work points
The increased number of diversi-
fied crops grown was expected
to serve for additional source of
food and income of farmers in-
volved in the production. Farm-
ers divided their gains based on
the imposed work-points from
the period of cultivation until har-
vest. Their knowledge and skills
on farming increased their par-
ticipation on community farm
management. They finally real-
ized the importance of organic
farming not only on human health
but also in soil rehabilitation for
environmental care.
===================================
Realization on the Importance of Organic Farming
Brgy. Banquerohan farmers also have un-
dergone series of trainings on diversifica-
tion and organic farming where they
learned on organic fertilizer making. Farm-
ing beneficiaries started their cultivation
on 1.3- hectare community managed farm
last September 2016 planted with corn and
peanut. Their first harvest last January 2017
gained 6, 455 pcs of corn with chemical
inputs and 3, 500 pcs. grown organic from
0.30 hectare of land. The next month, they
harvested peanuts where they earned al-
most 12 sacks.
Brgy. Banquerohan Farmers
“ The health of soil, plant
animal and man is one and
indivisible— Albert Howard”
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue III “Typhoon Yolanda Edition”
During the Harvest of Peanut last
February 2017 at Brgy. Banquerohan
Cadiz City
During the Harvest of Corn last
January 2017 at Brgy. Banquerohan
Cadiz City
Hda. Adelina Sweet Potato Harvest with the
participation of youth
Indigenous Micro Organism making at
Brgy. Banquerohan Cadiz City
A beneficiary child join the harvest of
Peanut in Brgy. Banquerohan, Cadiz City
C e n t e r F o r P e o p l e ’ s R e s o u r c e s a n d S e r v i c e s , I n c .
MISSION
Lay the foundation for the capability building of
communities to respond effectively in times of
calamities through adaptation and mitigation
measures that will minimize if not totally avoid
their vulnerabilities to calamities.
Editorial Staff
Ms. Angeles Altamarino
Ms. Rogina Quilop
Mr. Manuel B. Felipe
Mrs. Susie Tapi-on
Publication Lay-out and Design
Dionelyn Prajes
Jenith Barros
Kenan Quilop
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rev. Fr. Joebel Mangubat — Chairman
Dr. Nelson Dela Fuente — Vice Chairman
Ms. Angeles Altamarino — Secretary
Ms. Clarizza S. Dagatan— Treasurer
Mr. Manuel Felipe — Member
Address : No. 16, San Juan St., Prk. Tambi-Palad,
Brgy. 10 Bacolod City,
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Telephone: (034) 709- 1126
Email: [email protected]
Website/blog : www.cprsngoweb.wordpress.com
VISION
CPRS envision itself as a catalyst for change and
among the prime movers on the advancement
of the care of Mother Earth and balance ecology
now increasingly threatened by global warming
and climate change.
GOALS
Develop to capacity of CPRS to efficiently and effec-
tively assist the communities to prepare and act de-
cisively during disaster situations and in the timely
provision of relief and rehabilitation assistance to
calamity victims.
Motivate the people to act in the protection, rehabil-
itation and conversation of the environment as a de-
cisive factor in addressing the catastrophic threats
to humanity of the intensifying global warming and
climate change whose destructions are increasingly
becoming to day-to-day phenomenon world-wide.
Establish a broad front of environmentalist with a
concerted program of action being implemented in
the care of Mother Earth and in confronting the dev-
astations posed by global warming and climate
change.