PACAP approves new projects for Lake Mainit

Ms. Monina G. Hernandez, the Provincial Project Officer for Surigao del Norte announced that Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) has approved another FOCAS or Focal Community Assistance Scheme projects during the PACAP Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting last December 13, 2007. This project entitled “People’s Livelihood Efforts in Agroforestry and Sustainable Environment” will be implemented by Propegemus Foundation, Inc. to Barangay Camp Eduard and Budlingin, Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

The PAC also approved last September 21, 2007 the project of Kasanyangan Rural Development Foundation, Inc. entitled “Increasing Competencies of Upland Farmers for Sustainable Livelihood” which will be implemented to Barangay Paco, Binga and Bobonaon in Mainit, Surigao del Norte.

These two projects shall fully start its implementation by 2008.

Gov. Amante, the New LMDA Chairperson

The Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) proclaimed Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante, the Provincial Governor of Agusan del Norte as the newly elected Chairperson of the LMDA Board of Trustees (BOT) after unanimously chosen by the BOT members during its 11^th BOT meeting last September 12, 2007.

The BOT members are composed of the Municipal Mayors of Sison, Tubod, Mainit, Alegria in Surigao del Norte; Municipal Mayors of Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay in Agusan del Norte; Regional Directors of NEDA, DA, DENR, BFAR, DOT and PIA.

Meanwhile, the BOT elected Regional Director Carmencita S. Cochingco of NEDA Caraga as the Vice Chairperson. Mayor Aristotle E. Montante of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte was proclaimed as the Treasurer since the Municipality of Kitcharao has been the host municipality of the LMDA Project Management Office.

The newly elected officers of the board shall serve for the duration of their current term in the case of the provincial Governors and Municipal Mayors and three years in the case of the Regional Directors.

Vice-Governor Catre Launches SUREP II

The Sison Upland Resource Enhancement Project (SURE II) was successfully launched at the Municipal Gymnasium of Sison, Surigao del Norte last August 15, 2007. SURE II is a 2-year project funded by the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte implemented by the Caraga Consortium for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (CCEPSD) in partnership with the Local Government of Sison, Lake Mainit Development Alliance FOCAS Cluster and the Sison Hungos Multipurpose Cooperative (SIHUMCO).

Vice-Governor Noel P. Catre of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte led the project launching with the presence of Ms. Monina G. Hernandez, PACAP Provincial Project Officer; Hon. Leicester Fetalvero, the Municipal Mayor of Sison; Engr. Kaiser B. Recabo, Jr, LMDA Project Director, Ms. Gilda P. Villalba, BOD Chairperson of CCEPSD; Municipal Officials, Barangay Officials of the project areas and the SIHUMCO.

FMC and Partners attend Training on Project Monitoring and Evaluation for Lake Mainit FOCAS

Twenty-four participants from PACAP project implementing partners, LMDA Technical Working Group of eight municipalities and FOCAS Management Committee members and Secretariat attended the three-day Training Workshop on Project Monitoring and Evaluation for Lake Mainit FOCAS. It was held last August 16 – 17, 2007 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.

The main objective of the training is to come-up with the M&E tool to be used in the field monitoring & evaluation activities of the FMC and the partners. The training-workshop provided the participants with basic knowledge and practical skills in project monitoring and evaluation; helped formulate and enhance appropriate, effective and efficient M&E tool for LMDA FOCAS projects; understood the principles and procedures for effective project monitoring and evaluation; learned methods to evaluate project effectiveness, outcomes and impact.