ECOWEBPH

EcoWEB conducted the first Annual Investment Planning (AIP) and local assessment training at Brgy. Mindalano, Municipality of Salvador in Lanao del Norte. Through its partnership with AWO International, the structural timeline of its activities has to include barangay planning and training considering actions to be taken in terms of leadership orientations, budget and project backgrounds, organization’s approaches, importance of community governance and laws and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) finalization.

The 4-day activity discussed different areas that gave more understanding to the participants which also served as an eye-opener in which the consultations are encountered in a comprehensive manner. This also showcased awareness in terms of the community’s understanding on Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, leadership orientation (i.e. Islamic, tradition, facilitative and democratic leadership), gender and development issues, identification of needs on different assets and formulation of project and budget ideas. As one of the requirements for a barangay, the annual investment plan values barangay Mindalano’s strategies and proposals as to which they can underpin long-term projects and undertakings that will benefit the whole community.

“Challenging yung training and planning kasi first time, pero at least na resolve nila ang mga issues and naintindihan nila ang mga misunderstandings at nabigyan ng solusyon. Para na rin kaming nagpa-PALC at nagka-conduct ng sclr at meroon na silang budget planning sa crops project and support sa kung papaano nila hahatiin at i-didistribute ito. Nag-enjoy at masaya silang lahat. Ngayon, alam na nila ang rights nila bilang parte ng komunidad. Mas aware na sila sa responsibility ng barangay council at responsibilidad nila bilang isang community.” said Rasmia Mutia, assistant training officer of EcoWEB.

[The training and planning was challenging because it is their first time. But at least they have resolved the issues, gave solutions and understood all the misunderstandings. We are like conducting PALC (Participatory Action Learning to Crisis) and sclr (Survivor and Community-Led Response). Now, they already have a budget planning for their crops project and support and on how they will divide and distribute it. They were really happy. Now, they already know their rights of being part of the community. They are more aware in terms of the barangay council’s responsibility and their responsibility as a community.]

Moreover, the finalization of convening the members of every SHGs in the barangay has accommodated their needs and wants in terms of their livelihood project whether improving a resilient livelihood or strengthening their capacities to establish a new project. Also, they have identified the assistance necessary for their group’s capacity and depending on how many members they have every group. With the data gathered by the team, there are 10 SHGs that were finally formed catering 240 beneficiaries.

The next stride will also be the conduct of AIP and training to Brgy. Calimudan, Salvador, Lanao del Norte. The same process will be administered but will differ on the community’s concerns to different issues, management on making an annual plan and projects they desire to establish.