MANGROVE REHABILITATION - IT'S EVERYBODY'S CONCERN

Every year CLAD will always encourage its partner associations and cooperatives to conduct activities which would enhance rebuilding of our environment. This year, this activity was focused on replanting mangrove trees along the coast of Brgy F. E. Marcos, the Brgy where the Katilingbanon Multi-purpose Cooperative was located. This cooperative served as the host of this annual tree planting activities which was conducted last September 8, 2012. I myself was overwhelm with the enthusiasm and excitement shown by the members of the different groups who had shown their full support to this activity. The following pictorials would serve as the living proof of the strong support given by the following organizations;

(Members of the St. Vincent Credit Cooperative of Brgy Abanilla headed by its Chairperson Mrs Lilia Pacheco)

(Members of the Petrolio Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative of Brgy Petrolio, Calubian, Leyte)

(The Brgy Kawayanan farmers through its Calubian Vegetable Growers Association had shared their efforts of planting mangrove trees)

(The Calubian Central Farmers Association had joined the efforts of rehabilitating the mangrove area)

(The host cooperative had been actively coordinating the activity through its chairperson Mrs Ruena Llosa)

(Even the Kabicolan Credit Cooperative had joined the activity so seriously)

(The neighboring brgy of Brgy Ul-og had also joined the fun)

(Members of the Malobago Farmers Association of Brgy Malobago)

(Members of the Garrido Farmers Association of Brgy Garrido)

(Members of the Tuburan Farmers Association of Brgy Tuburan)

(Among the northern barangays who joined the activities were Brgy Inalad -[ picture above], and Brgy Caruyucan [picture below]

CLAD, INC. AT FIVE . . .

Last July 15, the only NGO operating in Calubian has celebrated its fifth year as a registered Non-Government Organization. The Calubian Livelihood Assistance for Development, Inc. was organized with main objective of helping the marginal farmers and fisherfolk in the municipality by capacitating its leaders and members as well as providing them seed money to start their microfinance operation. July 15, a bright sunny Sunday morning was filled with joyous and colorful celebration as the members of the different cooperatives and associations assisted by CLAD, Inc has made their annual appearance as they paraded around the municipality to show their support to the organization's momentous celebration. The celebration started with the Holy Mass which was presided by Fr Bedel Mocorro followed by the parade around town. The police patrol car headed the parade followed by the motorcade of the members of the CLAD Chorale followed by the MSH Drum and Lyre Corp. The following were the arrangements or the order of parade; Following the MSH Drum and Lyre was Petrolio Farmers Multi-purpose Coop, Calubian Agri-Products Producers Cooperative of Tagharigue, Caneja Fishermen Association, Caruyucan Aqua-Marine Ventures Association, Garrido Farmers Association, Inalad Farmers and Fishermen Association, Kabicolan Credit Cooperative, Katilingbanon Multi-purpose Cooperative, BEC Microfinance Group, Nipa Credit Cooperative, Villanueva Elem School Drum and Lyre Corp, Villanueva Credit Cooperative, Sr San Roque Credit Coop of Brgy Ul-og, St. Vincent Credit Cooperative of Brgy Abanilla, Calubian Central Farmers Association of Brgy Villalon, Malobago Farmers Association and Tuburan Farmers Association. The route of the parade started from Church Ground passing Brgy Poblacion, Espinosa, Calbitaza Residence, Garganera, Port Area and to the Gymnasium.

The program proper started with the singing of the Pambansang Awit led by the CLAD Chorale. Introduction of Participants was delivered by Mrs Fe Mapula, CLAD secretary while words of welcome was delivered by Mr. Antonio G. Nierras, operation coordinator of CLAD. The significance of the event and historical background of CLAD was given by Mr Agustin L. Dignos, another operation coordinator of CLAD while the Chief Executive Officer in the person of Mr. John BAring has tackled the issue on CLAD Performance as well as the performance of its assisted associations and cooperatives. Instead of the Chief Executive of the Municipality, Hon Feluchie E. Dang-aoen has delivered her inspirational message to the audience.

After the different speeches, dinner followed and different presentations and raffle of the different prizes were also undertaken. The following were the winners of the major awards of the raffle; 1st prize, Motorcycle- Francis Nel Basister of Bgry Garrido, 2nd prize, Refregirator- Ricardo Gulbe of Brgy Pagatpat and 3rd prize, Megapro DVD Player- Carlos Agumbay of Brgy Veloso. Awarding of the best performing cooperatives and associations were also conducted. The following organizations received the different awards; the Promising New Association was awarded to Calubian Central Farmers Association, Best Performing Association was awarded to Garrido Farmers Association, Most Sustainable Cooperative went to Kabicolan credit Cooperative and the Best Performing Cooperative was awarded to Villanueva Credit Cooperative.

ORIGINAL PLACEMENT CEREMONY OR THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIVESTOCK CONDUCTED

Last June 25 and 26 was the fulfilment of farmers dream when the different livestock were officially distributed during the "Original Placement Ceremony" which was conducted in two different venues, June 25 at Brgy Villanueva and June 26 at Brgy Tagharigue.

At Brgy Villanueva, there were two kinds of animals distributed, the carabaos and goats. There were 100 hundred heads of goats which were distributed to 50 partner families and 28 heads of carabao. In the other venue which was Brgy Tagharigue, 80 heads of goats were distributed to 40 recipients and 15 heads of cow.

The following were parts of the OPC Program; Holy Mass and followed by Blessing of the Gifts by Fr Jessie Sentina and Fr Bedel Mocorro, Introduction of the Guests, Welcome Address by the Brgy Captain, Rationale of OPC by Miss Nieva P Sambas, Project Updates by Mr Agustin L Dignos, Operation Coordinator of CLAD, Presentation of 12 Cornerstones Principles by selected Partner Families. The reading of the Contract was done by Mr John Baring, President and CEO. Messages were given by Mrs Altea Aberia, finance officer of Heifer, Rolando Lunzaga- MAFC Chairman, Hon Lucita Palconit-SB Member and Hon. Doroteo Palconit, Municipal Mayor.

HEIFER SPONSORED PROJECT IMPLEMENTED IN CALUBIAN

Heifer International Philippines, a US-based NGO which is the newest funder of CLAD, Inc in collaboration with DISOP Philippines has recently launched its project in Calubian, Leyte, Philippines. Under the project entitled "Sustainable livelihood enterprises for the marginal farmers in Calubian, Leyte" CLAD, Inc being its implementor in the municipality of Calubian, had been very busy of conducting series of seminars just to prepare identified partner families to receive the different gifts in the form of various livestock. Just for the first quarter of this year, CLAD personnel had been organizing different self-help groups in the following eight major communities such as Brgys Petrolio, Tagharigue, Ul-og, F.E. Marcos, Abanilla, Villanueva, Garrido and Sitio Kabicolan. Simultaneous with organizing these different SHGs, Cornerstones workshops were also conducted to the members of the different SHGs in order for the members to have moral and spiritual preparation.

While the training group was so busy for the social preparation, livestock division had also intensified its procurement activities with the following procurement targets; 50 heads of Carabao, 50 heads of cow, 150 heads of swine and 300 heads of goat. Some of these livestock, probably 50 percent will be distributed during the Original Placement Ceremony (OPC) which is scheduled in June 25 and 26.

Last June 11, HEIFER Executives both coming from the US central office and from the Philippines as well as DISOP Executives had visited Calubian to conduct a pre-evaluation of their joint project. Welcoming them were the members of CLAD implementing team and Department Heads of the LGU. There were powerpoint presentations both by the LGU and CLAD to give visitors updates about the progress of the project.