The GOP-UNDP-EC Assistance Programme for the IDP Families and Communities in the ARMM Island Provinces

PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

As of April 30, 2005

I.   IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

II.   ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

1.  FORMATION OF POs IN THE COMMUNITY

Target to Date: The project has a target of coming up with a solid community-based organization in each of the twenty targeted IDP communities, where each formation is composed of the various sectors of the community.  These local multi-sectoral formations are generally aimed at facilitating various initiatives and undertakings in the entire rehabilitation efforts in the community with the end view of bringing peaceful lives for all IDP Families in the four (4) target municipalities and transforming their war-torn areas into peaceful and progressive communities. 

Actual Accomplishment: Through the initiatives of MIRD community-based volunteers, a total of 20 consolidated community-based organizations or People’s Organizations (POs) have been formed.  These organized POs are properly capacitated on how to run and manage the projects to be implemented in 20-targeted communities. 

Variance: There is a need for ample time in the process of organizing some sectors in some communities.  As it seems, some community activities are to be given attention, for one the preparation for a festival activity (Mauludin-Nabi). The planning activities, however, shall be continued this month of May. 

2.  GATHERING AND DRAFTING OF BARANGAY PROFILES 

Target to Date:  The Project also aims to come up with a complete profile for each of the identified IDP communities.  Basically, the process involves gathering of available Barangay Profile or Sitio or, in the absence of available profile, gathering of data and other available information to be used in the drafting of a community profile.  

Actual Accomplishment:   All the profiles of the twenty (20) barangays for Sulu have been finally completed.   Printed copies shall soon be made available to the concerned LGUs, Government Line Agencies and POs in the respective communities.   At the moment, web-documentation is underway which is hoped to be completed soon. 

Variance: No changes have been done in the target for profiling of the IDP communities.  Over-all, total output is a 100 percent accomplishment of the profiling targets. 

3.  VALIDATION OF CORE SHELTERS 

Target to date:   A total of 62 Core Shelters are to be constructed in four (4) municipalities of Sulu and in Basilan.   Construction sites are to be secured with deed of donation as primary requirement in the implementation of the project. The core shelter units shall be awarded solely to the certified IDP Families upon completion of the project. 

Actual Accomplishment:  A donor of a lot for the construction site has already been identified and, as of writing, all the necessary legal documents have recently been perfected, particularly the deed of donation.  Also, prospective recipients of core shelter units who are considered the most depressed and deserving based on the guidelines and criteria set have also been identified.  Identified areas for Sulu are Barangay Timbangan, Indanan and Barangay Pantao, Talipao.  For Basilan, finally identified area is Barangay Langaray of the municipality of Tipo-Tipo. 

Variance: Some of those who are qualified to avail the project have some suggestions that should be deeply considered – a suggestion of the displaced families to construct the shelter units right in their very own place of origin, the place they consider as their own community that they simply find nothing more than convenient, a place they truly regard as their very own home. 

4.  VALIDATION OF WATER SYSTEM 

Target To Date:  Coordination with the concerned BLGUs and the Core Groups in the community regarding the construction requirements to facilitate installation of the water system projects. 

Actual Accomplishment:   Proper coordination works have already been done by the concerned communities on the water system projects.  BAWASA have been organized to oversee, run and manage the proposed project.  Considering the technical aspect of the project - identification of project site for assured water potability, the needed materials for the installation, the project has been referred to the office of the provincial engineer which is expected to furnish the bill of materials needed for the construction of the First Level water system project.   

Variance: The province has recently employed the help of foreign consultants to determine water table and appropriate sites for water system projects in the province.  As a result, initially targeted sites might be transferred to other recommended areas where sustainability of water supply is really assured.  Since most targeted areas for water system were already identified with corresponding formation of BAWASA, a change in installation sites also calls for efforts to organize new community organization to manage the water system project. 

5.  LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT 

Target to Date:  Organize group of farmers to cater agricultural activities and women for ice making and abaca handicraft.  It also includes seaweeds planters and those who depend livelihood in the production of coastal area products.  

Actual Accomplishment:  Organized group of farmers and women ready for livelihood skills training.  With this approach, the people organized can exercise properly and patronize inputs learned from the trainings. 

Variance: All of the organized groups are willing and eager to start with the project implementation. 

6.  RELIEF OPERATION 

Target to date: Provision of relief assistance of both food and non-food relief packages in two municipalities of Sulu with a total number of 961 IDP families. 

Accomplishment to date:  Relief assistance has been served in 10 communities in two (2) municipalities in Sulu. The total number of served IDP families is 1,703.  Remaining rehabilitation sites both for Sulu and Basilan provinces had already been ready in terms of card distribution and volunteers identification to assist during the actual conduct of relief operation. 

Variance: Out of the 20 communities in four (4) municipalities in Sulu province, ten (10) have been served while ten barangays are soon to be served with relief packages, which is hoped to be delivered this month of May.  Also in this same month, relief operation shall  soon be conducted in Basilan. 

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Collaboration with some line agencies, such as the DSWD, AFP, LGUs and especially the The Provincial Government, through the office of the Sulu Provincial Administrator, has been gradually strengthened.  Also, MIRD is now exploring how to facilitate tapping support from locally based partners in the implementation of the Project through the “TABANG SULU Convergence”.  

PROBLEMS/ISSUES ENCOUNTERED 

The project only targeted 961 to be served in the three cluster areas of Sulu for food and non-food items.  Considering the recent mass displacement as a consequence of the current conflict which broke out in Panamao Sulu, the number of IDPs bloated further to an unexpected figure, reaching over 50 thousand by end of March 2005.  To serve only the targeted 961 IDP families would certainly sow discord and possibly ignite conflicts among community members which would surely result to possible loss of trust and confidence on MIRD's services in the Province.  Relief coupons have been distributed not only to the identified IDP families but also to those who have been recently displaced who seek refuge and safety in the rehab sites.  

For core shelter project, identified number of IDPs far exceeds beyond the target!  Many IDP families want to avail the Core Shelter Project.  Given the limited 62 units of Core Shelter that could only be constructed, delivery to those who are to be finally awarded would surely trigger others to demand given the same sufferings of those who have been displaced.  As majority  are urging for assistance as they wish they could go back and return to their place of origin together with the construction of shelter in their home place, one major concern is the need to augment the current budget to sustain rehabilitation efforts for the IDPs. 

ACTION TAKEN AND RECOMMENDATION 

MIRD has successfully delivered the food and non-food items to the rehab sites considering the huge number of IDP families to be served.  As a strategy, the released items from the ARMM-IDP desk were divided into 3 equal packages to serve three IDP families, where relief items still fall within DSWD standard.  This strategy was made transparent to the BLGUs and to other partners prior to the actual relief operation.  

MIRD community-based volunteers take this issue seriously as they explain the limits of the rehabilitation program to people in the communities especially those who have been severely affected by displacement.  Also, being equipped with all coordination skills, MIRD ground-based volunteers take efforts in strengthening good relations with the military in the area, educating the people in the community on the rights of the civilians and their safety as paramount consideration in accordance with the constitutional guarantee of supremacy of civilian authority at all times, engaging seriously in the advocacy for continuous peace-building and development work in partnership with other locally-based service providers.  And they are committed to take this line as ardent peace and development advocate in the community.

 

SUBMITTED BY:

ROMEO C. BACHARO, JR.

PROJECT MANAGER

MINDANAO INTEGRATED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, INC.