Southern Leyte Sustainable Development Plan

“Massive Coffee & Cacao Seedling Production”

a project concept suggestion proposal by RGM-ERS Alliance

Two major agricultural products of Southern Leyte faces devastation

In 2003, a certain virus threatens the abaca industry in the province.

E. Visayas abaca output fallsBusinessWorld Online Edition-Aug 8, 2013

Beetles devouring 75 percent of coco-farms - Southern Leyte News…

Goodbye Coconut Industrywww.southernleytetimes.com/Goodbye_Coconut_Industry.html

FIDA regional director Jeffrey Espeña said in a statement that the abaca disease eradication campaign, on a budget of ₱7.6 million

Abaca fibers coming from Leyte and Southern Leyte are known to be the most durable. The abaca industry plays a vital role for the Philippine economy

The coconut industry in Eastern Visayas lost over P400 million when ... Southern Leyte

Immediate Effects Encountered by the Locality• Hunger• Poverty• Displaced families• Unemployment• Migration to the cities and urban centers.

Government Response “MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala raised the Bureau of Agriculture Research’s (BAR) annual budget from P350 million to P740 million. A large part of this amount will be used for research on Coconut Scale

Insects (CSI) like the Hispine Beetle infestation that has infested 50 percent of the coconut plantations in Southern Leyte and the Visayas region. Other research projects will include studies on the Bunchy Top infestation which has reduced abaca production in Southern Leyte (which used to be the country’s top abaca producer) by 75 percent. “ Southern Leyte Times “Biological, Chemical and the desperate Cut and Burn are among the counter measures implemented by the government. These pestilence is a clear and present danger to Southern Leyte and we cannot just sit back and watch it destroy our industry.” Southern Leyte Times Another promising counter measures is the introduction of alternative crop. “ The City Government of Maasin has signed an agreement with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for the establishment of a coffee complex in 12 upland barangays of the city. “Around 7,000 quality robusta seedlings in seven varieties will be planted in 12 mountain villages.” Leyte Samar Daily Express.

Practical Actions for Sustainable Development

In 2012 the City government of Maasin and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) ventured into this innovative partnership. They have started with 12 communities and planted 7,000 coffee seedlings.

Farmers, especially those affected by the infestations and suffered the decline of income, dreamed of government intervention that is physical and tangible. They expect to receive immediate assistance thru seeds, seedlings and technology for alternative livelihood. “If a farmer has a hectare of coconut trees, let’s say if he can insert about 900 cacao trees, that’s an additional income already. That’s at least P150,000 of extra income. A cacao tree can yield around 1.5 to two kilos of dried beans or around a ton of dried cacao beans per hectare. At P100 to 125 per kilo, while wet beans cost P28 to P32 per kilo in the local market.” MindaNews. The same projections to coffee productivity. How can we address the immediate needs of our farmers and accelerate seedling dissemination in a short period of time? And, to a much wider coverage riplicating the initiative of the City government and the GIZ partnership throughout the province? The National Greening Program has all the answers. The school system alone, as the focal point of learning, is a major, potent and powerful vehicle for change. Below is a concept program proposal suggestion from rgm-ers alliance:

Institutionalizing Executive Order No. 26 Section 3 that requires all government institutions to produce Quality

Seedlings for the NGP (Considering only the Schools of Southern Leyte)

1. Department of Education (DepEd) – Maasin City Division:

Government Level No. of Schools Enrollment

PopulationTarget Seedlings

Per Pupil/Student

Total Seedling Production Variance (50%)

Elementary 63 9,027 100 902,700 451,350

Secondary 16 4,925 100 492,500 426,259

T o t a l 79 13,952 100 1,395,200 697,600

Private Level No. of Schools Enrollment

PopulationTarget Seedlings

Per Pupil/Student

Total Seedling Production Variance (50%)

Elementary 4 1,063 100 106,300 53,150

Secondary 3 1,739 100 173,900 86,950

T o t a l 7 2,802 100 280,000 140,000

Institutionalizing Executive Order No. 26 Section 3 that requires all government institutions to produce Quality

Seedlings for the NGP (Considering only the Schools of Southern Leyte)

Government Level

No. of District/NHS

Enrollment Population

Target Seedlings Per

Pupil/StudentTotal Seedling

Production Variance (50%)

Elementary 20 51,863 100 5,186,300 2,593,150

Secondary 41 18,506 100 1,850,600 925,300

T o t a l 61 70,369 100 7,036,900 3,518,450

Private Level No. of Schools Enrollment

PopulationTarget Seedlings

Per Pupil/Student

Total Seedling Production Variance (50%)

Elementary 26 834 100 83,400 41,700

Secondary 14 320 100 32,000 16,000

T o t a l 40 1,154 100 115,400 57,700

2. Department of Education (DepEd) – Southern Leyte Division:

Introduction

I. The National Greening ProgramThere are at least 17 national government agencies mandated in the implementation of the National Greening Program. Although it is

among the priority programs of the government, it is more of an “invitation” a social mobilization. We need a collective and religious commitment if we where to improve everyone’s quality of life including that of the future generation. The pestilence that attack our major industry is slowly destroying all social and economic progress of our province. The agricultural sector, the backbone of our economy felt the rapid decline in production and the farmers are the ones badly affected. We must, therefore, protect our abaca and coconut industry at all cost, which has been supporting many generations and at the same time create alternative crops in order to pass on a sustainable heritage for future generations. How can we address the immediate needs of our farmers for alternative crop?II. The Emerging Industry

Coffee and Cacao is a lucrative industry. The demand of the product is steadily increasing. Both crops are suitable to our climate and topography. It can be planted along with other high-value crops or integrated in farms already planted with abaca and coconut. It is also best suited for inter-cropping in reforestation sites and existing forest areas enhancing productivity. Through hard work and perseverance, we might as well become a coffee and chocolate corridor of the Philippines as what abaca and copra has brought us fame. What urgent measures can we take to bring us back to the road to agricultural development?

The challenge for the present generation today as people of Southern Leyte requires strong determination and will power. Turning these challenges into opportunities are already in place. Policies, Memoranda, Executive Orders are already engraved by the national government. Our job is to formulate innovative local actions and enhance developmental framework among local leaders and local heads of agencies to accelerate recovery as well as introduce alternative crops encouraging more windows for development. A concrete step is to adopt a local version of the convergence initiative and focus on massive production of seedling materials. What segment of the convergence initiative has the potential to accelerate implementation? III. The School System a Powerful Engine for Change

This is reorienting educational programmes. Revising the role of students from the primary level to the secondary levels, and that, they can become instrumental in improving social, economic and environmental change. The educational institution’s diverse geographical location is crucial in achieving these goals. School children’s participation allows them to learn and their contribution is essential in rebuilding an industry that will support them in the future.

Objectives:

1. To enhance local participation of the entire Southern Leyte Schools Division to become actively involved in environmental issues and implementations;

2. To encourage massive production of Quality coffee and cacao seedlings in our schools in support for alternative plantation crop for Southern Leyte;

3. To develop skills thru actual learning by doing among the students, faculties and school administrators in initiating tangible and active responses on environmental concerns.

RGM-ERS AllianceSouthern Leyte Search for Eco-

Friendly and Sustainable Schools

• Rationale:Partnering for innovative local action for the Province of

Southern Leyte industry strengthening developmental framework of the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools integrating multi-sectoral Public, Private, Pastoral Partnership Convergence Network.

Turning Challenges of the National Greening Program into workable Opportunities.

The Competition seeks to support the following:• Executive Order No. 26 – The National Greening Program (NGP) as

government priority.• Republic Act 9512 – Environmental Awareness and Education Act.• Restore Green Movement Plant for the Planet.• The One Man One Tree - Massive Reforestation Campaign.• Coffee for Southern Leyte Alternative Crop Production and• Edmund Rice Services Poverty Reduction thru Agricultural

Development.

Objectives:• To encourage massive production of coffee and cacao seedlings as alternative plantation

crop for Southern Leyte; • To supply Free coffee and cacao seedlings to our farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs

at no cost and encourage intercropping of coffee and cacao plantations in abaca and coconut farm lands;

• To turn coffee and cacao as emerging industry for Southern Leyte;• To encourage local participation of the entire Southern Leyte Schools Division to become

actively involved in environmental issues and implementations;• To develop skills thru actual learning by doing among the students, faculties and school

administrators in initiating tangible and active responses on environmental concerns;• To pursue passionate sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security,

biodiversity restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation;• To enhance massive reforestation programs and integrated agricultural development in

the countryside.

Search Mechanics:1. Eligibility – The search shall be open to Elementary and High School levels only, to both

private and public schools in the entire Province of Southern Leyte. Where a school has more than one level of education, both levels (elementary & high school) shall be eligible to participate and submit separate entry forms.

2. Criteria for Judging – All entries, either primary or secondary levels shall be treated as one category and shall be rated based on:

2.1 Actual Production of Quality Seedlings (50 points)- Number of pupils/students + teachers and faculties or total school

population multiplied by 300 seedlings of various species of native or indigenous trees, lumber trees, fruit bearing trees including ornamental plants and with special priority to coffee and cacao seedling production. (25 points)

- Adoption of new methods and technology for quality seedling production, e.g. vacuum chamber, elevated plot technology for aerial pruning, presence of basic equipment like sifter table and mesh screens, etc. and other standards implemented for Quality Seedling production. (25 Points)

- Nursery location must be within the school grounds and premises. Should the school lacks space for nursery, adjacent land close to the school compound is acceptable provided it is visually open and accessible for students and the community.

2.2 Presence of Active Participations of Organizations in campus. (20 Points) - Continued presence of Community Involvement or committee among

community officials, youths & women’s organizations, parents and teachers association. Adopt a nursery program. (10 points)

- Allocation of financial and logistical support by the school to the community organizations, clubs or parents-teachers association. (10 points)

2.3 Environment-Friendly Schools Operations and Presence of Environmental Programs. (15 points)

- Waste Management and Practices - e.g. waste segregation, recycling, composting, presence of material recovery facility, production/sales of crafts, compost

and other items from waste recycling, etc. (5 points)- Water Management Conservation Programs - e.g. Rainwater Harvesting,

Repair and absence of leaking faucets and water system, etc. (5 points)- Pollution Prevention Programs - e.g. air and water pollution prevention

programs, ban on burning of trash and garbage, stagnant water eradication, etc. (5 points)

2.4 Environment-related Features of the School Curriculum: (15 points)- Integration of Environmental policies into the curriculum; (5 points) - Presence of periodic

Environmental training for faculty members; (5 points)- Presence of Environmental support instructional materials for use by students, teachers and the

community. (5points)3. Requirements. All schools must submit official contest entry forms in three (3) sets:

3.1 Supporting Documents – Consist of all the supporting materials that show evidence of the schools environmental efforts and programs; (ex. Memoranda, circulars, photos and video documentations of periodic accomplishments, publications, awards and certificates)

3.2 Digital Entry – Save digital copies of the official contest entry forms and the supporting documents on a CD-ROM. Labelled properly.

Compile your school entry (official entry forms and supporting documents) in a folder and labelled “Southern Leyte Sustainable Development Initiative of (Name of School)”

4. Submission of Entries- All entries should be submitted directly to the office of the

Provincial Governor, Attn: Hon. Roger G. Mercado, Governor, Province of Southern Leyte.

Deadline of Submission: June 1, 20145. Screening of Entries

- Entries will be screened by a core group consisting of representative from the Monitoring Team of Edmund Rice Services, Inc., Restore Green Movement Alliance for Green Schools & Communities and the DPWH National Greening Program Technical Working Group and other partners.

6. Board of Judges- The decision of the Board of Judges, to be composed of noted

individuals in the areas of environmental education, coming from the government, the religious sector, civil society and designated members of Edmund Rice Services international humanitarian foundation missionaries, shall be final and irrevocable.

7. Awards and Prizes - There will be three (3) winners for the entire Southern Leyte participating schools:

- First Prize = Audio visual Equipment= One (1) unit Computer system complete with

printer, computer tables and chair.= Gardening tools & equipment= Nursery improvement= Monetary incentive of Php15,000.00- Second Prize = Audio visual Equipment= Gardening tools & equipment= Nursery improvement= Monetary incentive of Php10,000.00- Third Prize = Gardening tools & equipment= Nursery improvement= Monetary incentive of Php5,000.00

8. Winners shall be notified thru DepEd by June 10, 2014 thru phone, mail or email and will be published in local newspaper circulation.

9. Exhibition of Winning Entries – Winners should submit exhibit-ready materials of their entry by June 20, 2014 following the format below:

- Material = Tarpaulin, dimension 6 feet wide by 3 feet high tarpaulin with eyelets at the corners;

- Content : Tarp design should feature the environment efforts and programs of the school. Design should include the title “Southern Leyte Sustainable Development and Eco-Friendly Initiatives of (Name of School).”

10. Awarding Ceremonies – All three (3) winners, together with other selected entries will be recognized during the Southern Leyte Provincial Founding Anniversary celebration in July, 2014. For inquiries, please contact the secretariat Edmund Rice Service, Inc., Social Action Center Bldg., Bishop’s Palace compound, Pacu, Maasin City, Southern Leyte. Tel. Nos.________ or email rgm-ersalliance@yahoo.com or visit us at www.facebook.com/rgm-ersalliance.