Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Caraga Region—The GreenFiber Project, implemented by ECOWEB Inc. with partner cooperatives and local government support, concluded a two-day workshop focused on learning, reflection, exit and sustainability planning. The activity, held July 7–8, brought together production guilds, cooperatives, partner agencies, and local government representatives to consolidate accomplishments and chart the project’s exit strategy.
Led by the invited external facilitator, Mrs. Diosita Tutanes-Andot, the first day was officially opened with arrival and registration facilitated by ECOWEB staff, followed by preliminaries including an opening prayer, acknowledgements, and a welcome message. Mrs. Nikki Rose Dapanas-Lajo presented the objectives and rationale, while external facilitator Mrs. Diosita Jojo-Andton introduced the process and workflow of sessions.
Specifically, the first session reviewed the project’s four major components and breakthroughs from 2022–2026. Accomplishments included the organization of 15 production guilds, formation of six cluster cooperatives, completion of two renewable energy facilities, farmer training, market linkages, and strengthened partnerships. Challenges identified were sustaining fiber production, cooperative management, facility maintenance, leadership succession, and climate risks.
Additionally, the second session followed, featuring structured reporting and assessment, highlighting functional guilds, operational facilities, improved fiber quality, and strong LGU support. Persistent challenges included inconsistent fiber supply, underutilized facilities, limited enterprise capital, and market fluctuations. A “World Café” activity allowed participants to surface lessons learned and remaining gaps.
The day closed with the 3L Reflection Activity, where participants noted creative presentations and milestone sharing as highlights, valued the facilitator’s guidance, and appreciated ECOWEB’s logistical support. Gaps identified included stronger consolidation of outputs and advocacy for extending the project into a second cycle.
On the second day of the activity, the final session was focused on drafting the sustainability exit plan across four components. Key highlights included: Farm Development: Expansion of abaca farms, climate-smart practices, and collective harvesting schedules, Social Enterprise Development: Cooperative collaboration, market linkages, and institutionalization through federations, Renewable Energy Fiber Processing Facility: Establishment of facilities with trained personnel, with emphasis on legal turnover and MOA strengthening, and Partnership, Advocacy, and Promotions: Climate-smart farming adoption, DRRM integration, donor support, and institutionalized governance systems.
Meanwhile, Sibagat Municipal Vice Mayor, Hon. Maria Liza Lamanilao-Evangelista, delivered words of support, reaffirming LGU commitment and stressing beneficiary participation as communities prepare to establish six cooperatives for the upcoming ECOSEAD Project.
Breakout sessions consolidated sustainability exit plans, with outputs presented per component and enriched by comments and suggestions. Mrs. Andot synthesized the two-day activity, highlighting interconnected sessions as vital inputs for the final sustainability plan matrix.
The workshop concluded with privilege speeches from Meriam Kopp, AWO International Representative from Germany, who reflected on the project’s three-year evolution, and Rock Antequisa, ECOWEB Consultant, who emphasized the vision of “GreenFiber” as a new standard of abaca fiber quality. Closing remarks from Mrs. Regina Antequisa, ECOWEB Executive Director, underscored community participation as the foundation of sustainability.
Participants’ feedback included appreciation from production guild representatives and commendation from PhilFIDA OIC Regional Director Samuel M. Nacino Jr., who aligned the project’s gains with national abaca development priorities. The event ended with a collective photo opportunity, symbolizing unity and shared commitment to sustaining the GreenFiber Project’s legacy.
Formally concluding the activity, everyone gathered for the official photo opportunity, highlighting the winners of the respective conversation activities prepared by the organizing committee.
News and Photos by Levi Brian C. Cejuela
