SWC Biodiversity Center- Site for this year's CLAD Cross Visit

Last May 26-29, 2016 CLAD personnel and some selected PO leaders had conducted its annual cross to other places with projects relevant to what the partners had implemented. Since CLAD and LGU Calubian had a 50 hectares target for replanting of indigenous trees along the riverbanks of Brgy Railes and Inalad, the group has therefore decided to visit the Biodiversity Center of the Soil and Water Conservation Foundation (SWCF) based at Bilar, Bohol. The following is the approved itinerary of the group;

Below were the photo-documentation of our cross visit to Bohol;

The Biodiversity Center of the SWCF where the participants were housed during the 3-day stay in Bilar, Bohol.

Few POs assisted by SWCF were visited to gather some information on how their project operated.

Some areas were visited such as the Sikatuna Protected Landscape where there is a harmony of nature, monkeys jumping between branches of indigenous and exotic trees and how nature payback by providing the natural resources such as water when the forest is properly managed.

And after some very tiring activities, the group has alloted some time in visiting some tourist destination of Bohol.

STRATEGIC PLANNING CONDUCTED FOR FIVE NEW ASSOCIATIONS

Last September 21-22, 2016 CLAD,Inc has conducted Strategic Planning for the newly organized five associations such as the Casiongan Farmers Association of Brgy Casiongan, The DLPJ Farmers and Fishermen Association of Brgy Pal-og, the JUSFFA or Juson Farmers and Fishermen Association of Brgy Juson, the MVCCROP of Brgy Cristina and the Kawayanan Farmers Integrated Livelihood Association of Brgy Kawayanan. A five-year strategic plan was formulated by each association with a detailed annual action plan. The activity has provided the participants with knowledge necessary to run their associations effectively and a bigger chance to successfully run their business.

NEWLY HIRED CLAD COMMUNITY FACILITATOR (CF) TRAINED

Last August 27, 2014 five newly hired personnel of CLAD, Inc. to serve as the Community Facilitator of two projects, one jointly funded by DISOP Belgium and Heifer International USA while the other project is solely funded by Heifer to support the rehabilitation efforts of the municipality of Calubian from the devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda. The team headed by Mr Rolando “Bimbim” Lunzaga who is already a veteran member of CLAD, Inc. He had been joined by four newly hired personnel of CLAD, Inc. in the person of Mr. Klent Lapid, James Pepito, Bogart Napoles and Lyndon Corpin. Their Cornerstone Workshop Seminar was held at Prince Hotel in Butuan City last August 28-Sept.4, 2014. The following are some photo-documentation when they where at Butuan City.

After the seminar proper, the group was able to visit the Feed Mill which was established in Brgy Sta. Josefa in Agusar del Sur. The project was established through the assistance of Heifer Mindanao group with Hiniusa Federation as the cooperating group. The following are the photo-documentation of their side trip to Agusan del Sur;

The team also actively participated during the unwinding activities especially during their solidarity night. Details of their participation was captured in Bimbim's camera;

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.