Sweet Peace: The Journey of MCC Coco Sugar Project

How the MCC coco sugar project started?

What? We can make sugar out of coconut toddy? This was my initial reaction when Mr. Louie Pacana said that we can provide economic opportunities to the PDCs if we will make it as a flagship project of GoP-UN ACT for Peace programme (A4P). I researched a lot about it until I found myself allocating Php5,000,000.00 fund during our Annual Work and Financial Planning workshop at Eden Garden, Davao City.

I developed project proposal based from the feasibility study conducted by Mr. Pacana. It took me almost a year to convince the programme to approve the coco sugar project. A4P approved Php4,912,000.00 total coco sugar project cost to be implemented by SCMPPDALCI with 12 PDCs (Sapu Masla, Cablalan, Tuyan, Lun Padido, Baliton, Katubao, Lumatil, Daliao, Datu Dani, , Palian, Bunao, and Kalkam) as beneficiaries.

Social Marketing of the Coco Sugar to Various aAgencies

In order to promote the project, Engr. Cynthia C. Guerra, Area Manager of A4P allowed me to explore partnership with various agencies.

We first discussed the coco sugar project with Mr. Ernesto Casiple, DTI South Cotabato RuMEPP Coordinator who eventually suggested me to present it with Mrs. Flora Gabunales, DTI South Cotabato Provincial Director which I did on November 17, 2011 at Punta Isla, Lake Sebu South Cotabato. This resulted to the conduct of Inter-Agency Consultation on Coco-Sugar Project on December 16, 2010 participated in by DTI Region 12, DTI South Cotabato, DTI Sarangani, PCA South Cotabato, Food and Drug Authority, South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce, TESDA, DOLE, SCMPPDALCI (10), Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, and we from the A4P AMO SCM. The meeting also led for a Mind Mapping Workshop at MDFI, Koronadal City on January 6-7, 2010 resulting to the creation of Project Advisory Group (PAG) chaired by the DTI South Cotabato.

The Capacity Building Processes

Series of capacity building for the key staffs of proponents and beneficiaries were carried out by the DTI-South Cotabato being the chair of the PAG. Among the training done during the on-set of the project implementation are:

Date	Activity/Location
Feb. 4, 2010	Coconut Farmers meeting at Tupi, South Cotabato
Feb 5-7, 2010	Hiring of plant supervisor, raw material supervisor, and administrative officer.
Feb. 8-9, 2010	Coco sugar exposure study at PCA Aruman, Carmen, Cotabato
Feb.16-20, 2010	Conduct of Corporate Management Workshop at Koronadal City
Febr. 25-28, 2010	Exposure to Phil Food Expo, FDC, DTI Central office and actual business meeting at Manila
March 2010	Farm assessment and evaluation (March 2010)
Mar.15-19, 2010	In house coco sugar production training in NSCPC—PCA Aroman, Carmen, Cotabato
March 24, 2010	Tappers, cook, and farmers orientation on
April 6-7, 2010	Coco Agri- Training (Pest Control, Nutrition and Valuing the Coconut)
April 13-14, 2010	Corporate Good Manufacturing Practices
March-June 2010	Securities and Exchange processing of Mindanawan Coco-sugar Corporation Registration
June ’10-Today	Continuing Capacity Building

Coco Sugar Production

The coco sugar processing plant was launched on July 21, 2010, however, the operation of the processing plant started in June 2010 where the micro entrepreneurs do the whole process of coco sugar making and then sell it to the processing plant. Before the coco sugar processing plant, I suggested to make a policy that only coco syrup shall be purchased from the micro-entrepreneurs and the coco sugar final processing will be in the coco sugar processing plant to have a uniform color and to ensure Good Manufacturing Practices.

Mrs. Lilian Mationg, FDA South Cotabato Coordinator said that the FDA certification processing needs to be fast tracked by the MCC to strengthen marketability of the coco sugar.

DTI-South Cotabato under the RuMEPP implemented the Enhanced-Coco-Sugar Industry Development (e-Coco SID) Project of Php890,000.00 with additional Php450,000.00 as business development support to the coco-sugar project.

PCA 12 launched their KAANIB project on October 9, 2010 in Tupi, South Cotabato with Assistant Secretary for Field Operations  Edilberto de Luna as the representative of DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. Regional coconut central nursery was established in the coco sugar processing plant and coco sugar bulk marketing is currently assisted by Mrs. Elvie Silva, PCA 12-OIC for shipping to Manila buyers.

The Coco Sugar Challenges and Recommendations

1.    Raw material supply sourcing: Frequent problem of MCC is when the raw material suppliers are trained with the technology and started selling of coco syrup to the MCC plant, eventually, other institutions offers for a higher price then they shift. I order to avoid this reality the following are my recommendations: Make a legal business arrangement: There must have to be business arrangement made between the MCC and the raw material supplier that needs to be notarized and to be witnessed by the concerned BLGU. i.e. the partners must sell his/her coco syrup to MCC for at least 2 years, etc.

2.    MCC Organizational Challenges: It is natural for any growing organization to face disagreements as it is among the signs that everybody is concern. Recommendation are: Quarter BOT Meeting: BOTs must have to propose operational policies that could promote for the strengthening of the business. Not just complains without suggestions; Operation Staff Regular Updating: With the help of the high technology today, operation staff must inform the BOTs on good and challenging new pertaining MCC operation through text or e-mail for immediate feed backing; Transparency of MCC Operation: Inventory and Books of accounts must be done on time i.e. Journal Book, Cash Disbursement Book, Cash Receipt Book, Stock Cards, etc.

3.    Coco sugar marketing this is the very problem today of the business. The following are my suggestions: Massive IEC i.e. distribution of brochures, local radio and tv programme advertisement, etc. for coco sugar to increase patronizing of local buyers. The packaging and labeling must have to be enhanced. Attend Trade Fairs Trade fairs are great opportunity to market products. Since DTI is supporting the industry, ask them for a support during such activities to improve marketing; Search coco sugar buyers from internet i.e. California-based company run by a Filipino American is planning to triple or even quadruple it imports of coco sugar product from the Philippines by 2011. Filipino American Sarahjean Camarenesi, co-founder of Coconut World, said it on Thursday during Philippine Coconut Industry Summit held by the Department of Agriculture in Quezon City on Dec. 8-9, 2010. For more details, please visit http://www.gmanews.tv/story/208048/us-based-fil-am-company-to-import-more-coco-sugar There must have to be a marketing plan The owners must not rely only from agencies that support them for marketing coco sugar. There must have to be a marketing plan that must be religiously followed by the staff manning the coco sugar processing plant.

House Bill #270: An Act providing for the mandatory study of Moro history, culture and identity in the curricula of all levels of schools in the country

The House Bill # 270 was authored by Hon. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M. Angara, representative of the Lone District, Province of Aurora during the first session of the Fifteen Congress.

 

SHOWCASING MORO CULTURE AND ARTS

Many said that Moro arts and crafts became extinct. Elder Moros said that Moro culture and arts will fade away if elder pass away.

Culture and tradition in its purest form - untainted by the latest “what’s in and what’s out” - is very vital for Moros. Showcasing it to the new generation will bring a clearer picture of their roots and of their past, and more so, equip them with a better understanding of the landscape of their present and future endeavors.

Very alarming to me is that Moro culture and traditions are portrayed by Non-Moro in many stage shows, where, many innovations on it were present…even wearing very short dresses.

This reality challenged me to bring the advocacy and action of sustaining Moro Culture and Arts through. With Php193,000.00 funding from GoP-UN ACT for Peace Programme, I partnered with Sarangani Center for Muslim Women whose Chairperson was Bai Matabai S. Diamad and conducted a four (4) day Moro Culture and Arts Skills Training and Enterprising Workshop with inclusive provision of moro musical instrument sets like gandingan, agong, kulintang, debakan, etc. at Durian Garden, Polomolok South Cotabato.

40 young women and men Moros were trained and able to know the roots and history on each Moro Culture and Arts such as:

• Almost extinct Moro Songs;
• Moro musical instruments playing i.e. agong, debak, gandingan, and kulintang;
• Different types of wearing Malong and their uses;
• Different types of wearing Tubao; 
• Various Royal dancing with proper choreography

After the training, Gov. Miguel Duminguez of Sarangani through the Sarangani Provincial Tourism Office supported the group of Sarangani Center for Muslim Women to Represent Sarangani Province in showcasing Moro Culture and Arts during WOW Philippines at Manila.

  

The Malapatan Performing Arts showcase their talents in the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan School Foundation, Inc. owned by Mr. Robin Padilla on February 6, 2009;

On March 7-8, the group also presented during WOW Philippines show at Clamshell II, Intramuros, Manila. Prominent Guests from Department of Tourism, USAID, and other Local and International Groups applauded the presentation given by the Malapatan Performing Arts. They are amazed with the presentation since all dances have narration telling dance description, history, and origin.

Be a proud peace and development loving Moro. We must always be!

GRP-NDF Informal Talks Ready

A January 6, 2011 press release by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Manila  

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said that everything is set for the resumption of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) next week in Oslo, Norway.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo Philippines on Tuesday, Deles related that the Royal Norwegian Government, the third party facilitator for the talks since 2001, has notified them that logistical arrangements have been finalized.

“Naka-reserba na ang venue kaya wala ng pipigil dito (Venue has been reserved so nothing can stop this),” she added.

The negotiating panels of the government and the NDF, which is the political wing of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), are set to hold informal talks on February 14 to 18.

Deles also said that the clash between the NPA rebels and military forces in Matuguinao, Samar on January 4, a day after the holiday truce ended, does not affect the preparation for the negotiations.

“Wala namang kondisyon iyong ating pagpunta at pagtuloy ngprocedures (There are no preconditions to carry on the procedures),” she stated.

The peace adviser said that government security forces are always in “active but defensive mode.”

She added that the military have resumed their regular operations with the assurance that they are conscious of the peace process that has been taking place.

“Well-coordinated naman tayo sa ating mga security forces (We are well-coordinated with our security forces),” Deles said.

DIRECTING A MORATORIUM ON THE TRANSFER OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF ALL DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY TO PAGADIAN CITY

By virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 75, series of 2004, all regional offices of departments were directed to transfer from Zomboanga City to Pagadian City as soon as practicable, except the Department of Trade and Industries, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Tourism, which shall remain in Zamboanga City but shall establish a presence in Pagadian City.

Please see Memorandum Circular 11 below

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 11

DIRECTING A MORATORIUM ON THE TRANSFER OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF ALL DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY TO PAGADIAN CITY PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 429, SERIES OF 1990

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 429, series of 1990, reorganized the administrative regions in Mindanao to guarantee the effect delivery of the field services of government agencies by taking into consideration the formation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of EO 429 reorganized Region IX and designated the Cities of Pagadian And Zamboanga as the regional center and commercial and industrial center, respectively;

WHEREAS, by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 75, series of 2004, all regional offices of departments were directed to transfer from Zomboanga City to Pagadian City as soon as practicable, except the Department of Trade and Industries, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Tourism, which shall remain in Zamboanga City but shall establish a presence in Pagadian City;

WHEREAS, since 1990, the Pagadian Regional Center Management and Coordinating Office (PRCMCO) reported that, out of the 121 regional offices of agencies, only 32 have fully transferred from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, 12 agencies have partially transferred; while six (6) have only established satellite offices;

WHEREAS, the employees of regional offices have experienced, or are experiencing high economic and social costs in maintaining two residences and in fully transferring to Pagadian City;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., Executive Secretary, by the authority of the President, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, do hereby order;

SECTION 1. All departments, bureaus and other government agencies are enjoined to suspend the transfer of their offices in Region IX from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City pending the study on the matter and consultations with relevant stakeholders to be jointly conducted by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Civil Service Commission (CSC), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The Regional Offices that are already in Pagadian City shall continue to operate thereat.

SECTION 2. The above-mentioned Departments and Agencies tasked to conduct the study on the matter shall immediately submit a comprehensive report of their finding together with their recommendations to the President thirty (30) working days after the issuance of this Memorandum Circular.

SECTION 3. This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.)JOSE AMOR M. AMORADO

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary
Manila, 22 December 2010

DBM to release 100% of agency allotments for the first time

A Janaury 7, 2011 press release prepared by the Department of Budget and Management

Secretary Abad: New rules ensure timely project implementation with accountability

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has established new budget execution rules that make available 100% of 2011 agency allotments.

“Dapat lang na sa pagpapatupad ng Reform Budget ay may reporma (Having a Reform Budget necessitates budget execution reforms). We have issued unprecedented rules that support the timely implementation of programs and projects, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of funds,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

“Among the key rules we established is, for the first time, we are comprehensively releasing to agencies P717-B appropriations corresponding to items in General Appropriations Act (GAA) for programs, activities and projects which have been fully identified, with some detailed, in the GAA. Net of automatic appropriations, this constitutes 74% of the total budget. These allotments, which do not need clearance for their release, are fully made available to agencies under their Agency Budget Matrices (ABMs),” he said.

He said this new policy is among those being established by National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 528—the “Guidelines on the Release of Funds for FY 2011”— has been discussed in National Budget Fora within the DBM and with national government agencies and government corporations on January 6 and 7.

The National Budget Call, which starts the preparation process for the proposed 2012 national budget, has also been issued and discussed in the said fora.

The reform advocate further stressed that NBC No. 528, issued on January 3, 2010, also mandates the submission by agencies on February 15 this year of Budget Execution Documents that outline their plans and performance targets; and the quarterly submission of Budget Accountability Reports that itemize actual accomplishments of the agencies.

“We’ll be posting on the DBM website these submitted documents and reports, as well as the compliance of agencies with these requirements, for the public to scrutinize. Under the NBC, we will not release additional funds to agencies who do not comply with these reportorial requirements,” he said.

Abad notes that in the past, only 75% of budget items classified as “not needing clearance” are released under the ABM, and 25% of these have been withheld pending accountability reports and the undertaking of agency performance reviews in the third quarter. He said the practice of withholding funds only delays the implementation of programs and projects.

Under NBC No. 528, budget items under the ABM shall be segregated between those “needing clearance” and those “not needing clearance.” Those budget items which are considered as “not needing clearance” will be released 100% under the ABM, an official document that disaggregates all programmed appropriations of each agency and provides the basis for determining the timing, composition and magnitude of releases.

Regional consultations on the MTPDP kick off

January 4, 2010 press release by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process

Baguio – To effectively outline its economic and development priorities for the next six years, the government today has started to gather representatives of various regional agencies to consult them on the draft Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2011-2016.

Led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the consultations aim to ensure that regional issues and concerns are considered in the policies, programs and strategies indicated in the MTPDP.

Sessions have begun today in Baguio, La Union and Pampanga where government agencies from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 1 and Region 3 participated, respectively.

The next consultations will be conducted on January 5 in Regions 4B, 5, 9, 11 and 12; January 6 in Regions 2, 4A, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13; and January 7 in National Capital Region (NCR).

Highlights of the draft MTPDP, such as the vision and emerging priorities, will be presented to participants.

This will be followed by a workshop to generate comments and recommendations on all the chapters of the Plan.

The MTPDP serves as the government’s economic blueprint which identifies growth sectors for the next six years.

Memorandum Circular No. 3 issued by President Benigno Aquino III directs the NEDA to coordinate the preparation of the MTPDP and the Medium Term Investment Program (MTPIP) for 2011-2016.

These will be jointly formulated by the executive and legislative branches of the government through a participatory process involving stakeholders from different sectors.

Closure of Armed Conflict to Drive PHL Development: OPAPP

A January 5, 2011 press release prepared by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Legazpi City – The permanent closure of all armed conflicts in the country is seen as one of the important drivers of development, as discussed today in the regional consultations on the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2011-2016 held at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Field Office here.

The peace process is considered to be one of the important pillars of the MTPDP as this will be responsive and complementary to the country’s poverty reduction, economic growth and governance reform programs.

Strategies on winning the peace, which will be implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), will be anchored on two tracks: 1) the politically negotiated settlement of all armed conflicts; and 2) the transformation of conflict-affected areas to peaceful and empowered communities through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.

The first track involves restarting and completing the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Further, this track includes finishing the implementation of the signed peace agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA). This also intends to put closure to peace tracks with breakaway groups, such as the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa – Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P-RPA-ABB).

The second track, which will be driven by the PAMANA program, seeks to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas.

PAMANA is the government’s flagship program with the approach of bringing back government in war-torn communities by ensuring that they benefit from improved basic services delivery and are served by responsive and accountable governments.

Over 150 representatives of the national government, regional offices, local government units (LGUs), civil society, peoples organizations (POs) and private sector joined the MTPDP consultations in Region 5, which seeks to outline the economic and development priorities of the current administration.
Led by NEDA, the consultations aim to ensure that regional issues and concerns are considered in the policies, programs and strategies indicated in the MTPDP.

Similar consultations are currently being held today in Regions 4B, 9, 11 and 12; January 6 in Regions 2, 4A, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13 and January 7 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS IN JANUARY 2011?

December 22, 2010 p-ress release by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process

Manila – The government is eyeing to hold exploratory talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in January next year.

Chief negotiator Marvic Leonen yesterday said that the government panel has been ready and awaiting confirmation from MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal to welcome their invitation sent through the third party facilitator Malaysia.

“The earliest, we hope, will be in January next year. We are open to holding the sessions anywhere, but it could be in Kuala Lumpur,” he stated during a dinner fellowship with some media representatives in Pasig City.

However, Leonen hopes that facilitation issues will be resolved soon to pave the way for the conduct of informal sessions and resumption of formal peace talks.

“It is very clear that the Philippine government wanted the best chance for a full settlement to gain acceptance from the public. So we have to settle the facilitation issues,” he said.

Leonen stressed that the government is “eager to start the talks and accomplish political negotiated settlement within the soonest possible time.”

“The President (Benigno Aquino III) wants to implement it within the six-year period. Working backwards, that means it could be possible to have an acceptance of a politically negotiated settlement by the middle of the term,” he stated.

“This means that before it happens, the settlement should be clear already to both parties,” Leonen added.

opapp.gov.ph

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 At this point, I am inviting you to please share your individual comments in my blog so that we could possibly air our concerns-Misuari Ago Abdullah, AE

PAMANA Programme-Mindanaoan It's Our Time to Participate

I got this publication from the Official Gazzete of the Office of The Philippine President and I would like to share this to everybody with an end in mind that Mindanao people needs to provide inputs and recommendations because IT'S TIME FOR US TO PARTICIPATE.

December 23, 2010 press release by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Manila – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles on Tuesday said that the government plans to complete in three years the implementation of its flagship program that seeks to empower internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other families living in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

The PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) program, which will start implementation soon, aims to promote community resilience to conflict by reducing poverty and vulnerability in conflict areas; improving governance; and strengthening capacities of communities to address issues of conflict and peace through activities that promote social cohesion.

Deles added that the program was supposed to start this quarter.

“But the President (Benigno Aquino III) wanted a full roadmap for PAMANA. He doesn’t want it to begin without a clear-cut conclusion,” she told media representatives during a dinner fellowship in Pasig City.

“PAMANA is to be completed within three years. By that time, 5,000 barangays have already been reached by its services,” she stated.

The peace adviser also said that the program intends to help IDPs return to their homes.

“Towards the end of next year, we hope to bring the families from the remaining evacuation sites back to their homes. The number of IDPs now is 3,000 – that’s agreed upon by the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) – DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). That’s the common number that we’re using,” she said.

She likewise said that PAMANA is a convergent program wherein all government agencies, including civil society groups, will be pooling their efforts.

Deles added that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will collaborate with concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bangsamoro Development Agency and the ARMM Regional Government to ensure that conflict communities benefit from improved basic services delivery and are served by responsive and accountable governments.

Peacebuilding Projects Turned-over to Local Government Units

December 20, 2010

Marking the culmination of the GoP-UN ACT for Peace Programme to the Peace and Development Communities of Cotabato City is manifested by the turn over of the PDC Map and Knowledge Products. In the photo are Bailyn Guimab (left), Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema (2nd from left), Engr. Cynthia Guerra (third from left), Engr Misuari "Jake" Abdullah (secon from right), and Sangguniang Panglungsod Representative) During the ceremonial turn-over those provided peacebuilding interventions in the 6 PDCs was also discussed such as:

PDC	BHS	BNB	CED	WASH	CBs
Tamontaka 2			· Rice Trading, · Motor bike IGP
Tamontaka 3			· Rice Trading
Tamontaka 4			· Rice Trading · Shrimps Trapping · Community Fund
Tamontaka 5			· Food processing
Poblacion 8	Medical Equipment		· Farm Machineries · Rice Trading,
Poblacion 9	a		· Nipa Vinegar production · Nipa Vinegar Processing Facility · Farm Machineries · Rice Trading

 CB Support provided to PDCs are Culture of Peace, Katarungang Pambarangay, Conflict Management, PRA-BDP, Annual Investment Planning, Health and Nutrition, Project Proposal Making, Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment, Rights-based Approach to Development, Gender and Development, etc.

Similar ceremonial project turn over was also conducted to provinces of Sarangani, Davao Del Sur, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato as way of saying goodbye by the ACT for Peace Programme-South Central Management Area Management Office to the partner LGU as the programme will end by December 31, 2010.