PACAP to conduct Community Forum in Surigao City

The Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), on its five years of engagement in the province through the Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) will conduct a Community Forum on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Hotel Tavern.

The forum is anchored on the theme: “Celebrating Partnerships, Sustaining Development Initiatives.”

PACAP Provincial Project Officer Monina G. Hernandez said the event aims to share significant practices, lessons and insights among local communities, civil society organizations and the government. Moreover, it would also serve as venue for the ceremonial turnover to the provincial government of all project gains resulting from the dynamic partnership between PACAP and the local stakeholders. Aside from the awarding of certificates, this whole-day event will also feature a photo and product exhibit.

People’s organizations and representatives from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and government line agencies are expected to attend in the said event. It was also learned that Governor Sol F. Matugas and David Swete Kelly, PACAP Program Director will lead the turnover ceremony tomorrow.

At present, Hernandez bared that a total of 21 community-based projects were already implemented throughout the province and three Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) secretariat services; the Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) from 2005-2010 with a total grant funding of Php 81,737,563.

“This amount includes PACAP’s support for the four-year secretariat operations of the three clusters and the extension of HIPADA and LMDA. Of this amount, total grant funds for the barangay level projects amount to Php 67,787836.08,” Hernandez said.

Results of the Impact Review on FOCAS projects have shown that the most significant impacts generated from the project include the increased size of marine protected areas/Increase in size of area protected/ regenerated/ conserved, enhanced capacity of the people’s organization and increase in capital used for livelihood activities.

Also, PACAP have established partnerships with the LGUs, POs and other institutions in the 64 barangays within the 20 municipalities and one city reached by the projects. A total of 71 people’s organizations had been recipients of PACAP grants and had also provided in-kind and financial counterpart. Aside from these, PACAP has engaged a total of 14 NGOs, one community-based cooperative, one academic institution, and one fisherfolk association in implementing these projects. (Susil Ragas, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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