Francisca Bawayan reports on how the Episcopal Church in the Philippines is contributing towards the Millennium Development Goals

The Community Based Development Program (CBDP) of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) aims to reflect the Vision and Mission of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP). It is a programmed intervention that started in October 1987 with the objectives of enhancing the quality of life of beneficiaries-communities, promoting people's determination and participation in their own development, contributing to the development process in the country and deepening the church's participation in social development Various development projects are engaged by the National Office of the ECP, in coordination with the diocesan offices, the church/parish, the target communities, local government units and other agencies in the area, such as micro-hydro project; potable water system; agro-forest management; cooperative development and livelihood; and, post-harvest facilities.

Here are two stories from the CBDP files which cover projects that entail MDG initiatives and outcomes on poverty alleviation, gender equality and the empowerment of women and environmental sustainability :

MDG 1

Post-Harvest Facilities in Hanhan, Conner, Apayao (Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon)

• increase income of farmers from the sales of their crops by at least 10%
• minimize crop spoilage and ensure crop quality for human consumption by the provision of post-harvest facilities
• organize and promote cooperation among beneficiaries to work together for their community's well being and development
• equip beneficiaries with managerial/leadership skills empowering them to undertake endeavors for their own welfare/benefit

The post-harvest facilities involved here are the solar drying pavement and the warehouse. The project was able to mobilize volunteers for the construction. Community labor is easily a key input along with the support from the local government unit (LGU).

The beneficiary farmers reported that there has been less crop spoilage due to the project. In effect, crop quality is ensured. It is estimated that about 72 families in Hanhan, Conner, benefited from the post-harvest facilities. They also cited the reduction in the number of days needed for drying the palay. When before, they had to do it for three days for 100 cavans, now they only do it for a day.

While there was a noted increase in their incomes from the sale of their crops, the overall percentage in the increase of income at the level of the individual or of the community organization is difficult to determine due to the lack of baseline data.

It can be safely concluded that the project was able to achieve its objectives of less crop spoilage, quality crops and to a certain extent, increased incomes. From a low of P4 to P5 per kilogram the farmers' products can now be sold at P8 to P9 per kilogram. They also have the option to store the grains and sell them at a later date when these can fetch a still higher price.

The participants noted the increase in their income. In fact, 15 out of the 17 of them mentioned this. They also recalled that in the past, about 50 out of 100 sacks of palay would have been destroyed because of the lack of a drying facility. Hence the project was also able to ensure that the crop quality is not destroyed, and maintained at high levels.

Facilitating factors were the cooperation showed by the community members leading to the prompt construction of the post-harvest facilities, the support of the local government unit, and the regular guidance and follow-up of the Development Officer and Community Development Worker (CDW). Hindering factors, but only in so far as more accurate monitoring and evaluation is concerned, included the lack of baseline data on incomes and the documentation of experience of the Samaritan Association which is also considered as the community organization. The latter is the one managing the post-harvest facilities after project completion.

Organizational processes in the Samaritan Association, which is the recognized community organization, are the outputs in terms of achieving the objectives for awareness raising and skills enhancement. These processes are the meetings, the planning, the one-on-one discussion conducted by the Community Development Worker with a member of the organization, and the monitoring visits of the Development Officer.

At the onset, the community members were part of the project conceptualization and planning. In fact, the seed for the idea of the project started in the discussions among those who attended the Sunday Mass. After the Mass, they would proceed to brainstorm on various issues, one of which is the post-harvest facilities. Also, the participants were unanimous in saying that the project reflects the ECP mission. It is an example of the good works of the church and its involvement in the lives of its constituents. It makes for a church that is closer to the people as it initiates and implements projects together with its members. Even non-ECP members can benefit from church projects. Given that initial perceptions point to increased income and solving a major problem among farmers, an improved quality of life is consequently perceived by many community members including both ECP and non-ECP members as being a project offshoot.

These positive impressions have led to many ECP members to be more active in church undertakings. They used to shun church affairs and some would even miss going to mass. But when they saw the involvement of the other ECP members in the post-harvest facility project, their interest and later, their belief in the church, was revived. A focus group discussion conducted pointed to this development – the revival of the seemingly waning interest and belief of the inactive members as an impact of the project on the community. Given this, the church must seize the opportunity to further unite with and consolidate these newly active members.

At Hanhan, Conner, Apayao, the community members also relayed that the project served as the rallying point for the community members to get involved in social and community affairs, and away from their own family and sometimes, parochial concerns. Also, they were able to engage in effective networking with government organizations. Considering the dearth of other Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the area, networking is mostly done with other churches such as the Pentecostal, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), and the Roman Catholic. As the project benefits are not limited to ECP members, improved ecumenical relations have been noted, especially during fellowship activities. Other residents of nearby communities use the post-harvest facilities. These include those living in Bontoc and Mt. Province. Even non-ECP members likewise do the same. Hence, the project effects extended up to the neighboring communities.

MDGs 1 and 7

Tulgao-Dananao Micro Hydro Power Projects in Tulgao-Dananao, Mountain Province (Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines)

The communities of Tulgao and Dananao, located in the Mountain Province, have nil chance of receiving power supply from the government. Bringing electricity to Tulgao and Dananao is constrained by the financial requirements considering that these communities are located 84 kilometers away from the nearest power substation.

A micro-hydro power project using the potential of Bonog River that lies between Tulgao and Dananao, as an alternative source of energy was identified by the residents of the two communities as their development project. Twenty groups based on 'purok'* or neighborhoods were organized to facilitate the participation of community members. Community members rendered their services/ labor as their counterpart to the project. This simplified and sped up the completion of the project. The community members took charge of hauling of materials. Some also participated in the installation of posts and wiring system.

Despite the concern for any possible labor repair and the lack of strategic intervention for increased livelihood, this project was successful. Setting up mechanism and system for the sustainability of the projects including collection problems remain a learning experience up to now.

Effects of project on the quality of life of people in the community :

• Feedback from the participants disclosed that they were unanimous in declaring that the project indeed helped improve their lives. The following were the support statements:
  • No need to use kerosene to light houses at night
  • Household chores are now easier
  • Can work at night
  • Rice mill is a big help
  • Children can study at night
  • No need to cut wood for cooking
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• It has been acknowledged that the power projects largely contributed to the resolution of tribal war between Tulgao and Dananao. The role of the community organizer/local priest is the main contributing factor to this peace gained for the communities.
• The project brought light to the community. It expanded the productive hours of the community members, especially the women who previously did the manual milling of rice for household consumption and whose lives have been greatly improved. The developed electric rice mill gave the women of Tulgao and Danano a big help. They now can now do household chores in the evening, thus giving them the daytime to help their husbands in the farm or engage in other productive activities.
• Indirectly, the power project gave families extra income because of savings generated from using the new source of power supply. Their expense for power has been reduced to P25.00 compared to a larger amount they used to spend for kerosene. The children were also able to study at night.

For the maintenance, management and sustainability of the project, The Tulgao-Dananao Micro Hydro Electric Cooperative was organized. Its officers were elected and policies were drafted. General Assembly meetings were held where policies in use and maintenance of the power supply project, fees and collection were explained. Practical tips for conserving energy and preserving watersheds were also integrated in organization meetings. Training seminars were conducted to equip the leaders in managing their micro-hydro project.

The result of all the trainings and community building work came to the fore during the first major breakdown of the power project where the diocese (EDNP) resisted helping financially. It instead gave contacts and professional advice. The community learned to access funds from the barangay* and other groups. They also learned to put a premium on accountability, particularly on those who are directly involved with the operations of the project. This experience made the community members learn to appreciate and love the project more.

* The barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward. Barangays are further subdivided into smaller areas called Puroks.