FAO Philippines Newsletter · FAO, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to strengthen...

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Featured StoriesFAO, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to strengthen partnership on building more disaster-resilient Filipino communities

Australia provides emergency assistance to farmers affected by Typhoon Mangkhut

Farming households displaced by Marawi conflict receive assistance from FAO, CERF

Visit to the Philippines of Permanent and Alternate Representatives of Member States of FAO

Transforming Bangsamoro communities intro agro-economic areas

Philippines launches campaign on responsible use of antimicrobials

Early action to protect livelihood of rice farmers in Mindanao against El Niño

Supporting Aquaculture Resources Mapping and Development Planning Through ICT-based Solutions

2018 - Issue #4FAO Philippines Newsletter

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FAO, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to strengthen partnership on disaster risk reduction





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WELCOME

World Food Day 2018

Cover photo: A farmer in Pampanga.

2 I FAO Philippines Newsletter 2018

José Luis FernándezFAO Representative in the Philippines

12 Events

Greetings from the FAO Representation in the Philippines! I present to you the fourth quarter

issue of our country newsletter.

2018 was a momentous one for FAO Philippines. The range of our activities this year is only testament to the broadening scope of FAO’s work in the Philippines – a feat we cannot accomplish without our partners’ support.

FAO continues to provide humanitarian support to those affected by natural and human-induced disasters. In Marawi, more than 11,000 farming families have been supported to re-establish their livelihoods and food security. Likewise, farmers that were affected by typhoons Mangkhut and Yutu have also been assisted in reclaiming their lost livelihoods. Our work continues, with the generous support of our partners, in restoring the food supply and agribusiness value chains in the communities most affected by these disasters.

Global FAO forecast and national climate outlook have shown that the Philippines will be experiencing El Niño, or prolonged period of drought, through 2019 and which will adversely affect the agriculture sector and its stakeholders. FAO is piloting an Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) initiative to protect livelihood of rice farmers in selected areas of Mindanao from the potentially adverse impacts of drought brought about by El Niño.

In 2018, FAO continued to expand its partnerships and we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation that will enable collaborations on emergency response, preparedness, mitigation and building livelihood resilience. The partnership will promote and strengthen joint actions to restore livelihoods and improve the levels of food security and nutrition in areas vulnerable to natural and human-induced hazards, in particular by supporting vulnerable communities and providing assistance to increase resilience.

Also in relation to supporting preparedness measures, FAO is working with the government on initiatives to address threats to animal and plant health that may impact negatively on food security. Our work in this area aims to continuously increase awareness and promote good farming and biosecurity practices aimed at preventing infection in livestock, aquaculture, and crop production.

FAO has been supporting the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in promoting sustainable practices and developing policies that institutionalize good aquaculture practices and enhancing systematic data on the country’s aquaculture resources. These interventions would be helpful for decision-makers in developing plans and programmes promoting the aquaculture sector’s growth. FAO supported a project that developed geographic information system (GIS)-based tools and methodologies to help BFAR address its data needs.

We also highlight FAO’s work with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on a project that aimed to develop and pilot a socio-economic model in transforming conflict-affected communities into agro-economic zones. The project focused on increasing productivity and integrating beneficiaries in the value chain, expanding their access to and linkage with markets and improving their technical and financial management capacities.

Towards the end of 2018, a delegation composed of Permanent and Alternate Representatives of Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Rome, Italy visited the country to learn more about and better understand FAO’s work. The Representatives met with key stakeholders of FAO in the country, as well as beneficiary communities of FAO Philippines during the implementation of its Typhoon Haiyan Recovery Programme from 2013-2015.

As we welcome 2019 we also look forward to your continuing support to and partnership with FAO.

Mabuhay!

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/Jay Directo

Supporting Aquaculture Through ICT-based Solutions

7Visit to the Philippines of Permanent and Alternate Representatives of Member States of FAO


PARTNERSHIPS

(L-R): FAO Humanitarian and Conflict Resolution Specialist Bonifacio Javier III, FAO Assistant Representative for Programme Tamara Palis-Duran, FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernandez, PDRF President Rene Meily, PDRF Chief Resilience Officer Guillermo Luz, PDRF Executive Director Veronica Gabaldon, and PDRF Operations Center Director Ninoy Castro.

FAO, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to strengthen partnership on disaster risk reduction

Issue 4 I 3

The ever-increasing threats from climate change, evidenced by the increasing severity and frequency

of disasters, require concerted efforts to build and strengthen resilience of communities in countries most vulnerable and at-risk from disasters, like the Philippines.

In response to this challenge, and to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction on 13 October, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable collaborations on emergency response, preparedness, mitigation and building livelihood resilience.

The partnership will promote and strengthen joint actions to restore livelihoods and improve the levels of food security and nutrition in areas vulnerable to natural and human-induced hazards, in particular by supporting vulnerable communities and providing assistance to increase resilience.

PDRF, founded in 2009 by some of the country’s largest private corporations and leading non-government organisations (NGOs), is an implementing NGO in the disaster risk management sector promoting disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery. PDRF works with field experts and reputable humanitarian institutions to organize and coordinate private sector solutions to disaster management. It has also established the world’s first private sector-led national emergency operations center in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.FAO’s disaster risk reduction and

management and climate change adaptation work in the country, on the other hand, focuses on building the resilience of vulnerable farming and fishing communities to both natural and human-induced disasters, and enhancing the Government’s capacity to address threats and respond to crises.

“FAO has led the way globally toward food self-sufficiency, nutrition and resilience and PDRF is proud to partner with it in making the Philippines a healthier and safer country,” said Rene Meily, PDRF President.

The partnership will allow joint activities on: a) surveillance of geographical areas vulnerable to disasters, b) information sharing on damage and needs assessments for joint response and recovery efforts, c) capacity building for disaster recovery, d) collaborative emergency

response efforts to disaster-affected communities, and e) supporting resilient livelihoods and environmental sustainability in disaster recovery and rehabilitation.

José Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines, says “Disasters and climate change impacts, including shifts in weather patterns and extreme weather-related events disrupt economic activities and livelihoods, and ultimately threaten food security. Increasing the resilience of agricultural communities to these threats and crises is at the heart of FAO’s work in the Philippines. FAO therefore welcomes the opportunity to expand our partnership in this area with the private sector through the PDRF.”

FAO staff visit the Phiilippine Disaster Resilience Foundation Emergency Operations Center in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

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Australian Embassy Inge Stokkel (4th from right) led the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers affected by Typhoon Mangkhut in Cagayan. She was joined by FAO Emergency Coordinator Abet Aduna (2nd from right), Department of Agriculture Region II officials, and local government officials.


TYPHOON MANGKHUT RESPONSE

4 I FAO Philippines Newsletter - 2018

The Australian Government has provided PHP23 million (AUD600,000) to assist 2,000 farming families

rebuild their livelihoods in Cagayan Province, in the most affected areas by Typhoon Ompong (“Mangkhut”).

Australia’s emergency assistance was implemented through a partnership with FAO)and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

FAO distributed fertilizers to farming families to complement the Department of Agriculture’s provision of rice seeds, and vegetable seeds as alternative short-term income source while waiting for the next harvest season early next year.

FAO also provided technical support through production-related training. These interventions will help the vulnerable farming families who missed the harvest season in October due to the typhoon. Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines, acknowledges that the Australian Government’s contribution is critical and timely in helping the affected farming families to get back on their feet again.Through this assistance, the farmers were able to cope better with financial challenges as they try to recoup and recover from their losses.

WFP implemented an emergency cash-based program to address food security and nutrition needs of the farming families. The program provided one-off cash support representing 10 days of the minimum wage for agricultural workers in the area.

Recovering from the typhoon

Estanislao Ursua’s family has been farming for generations; however, he and his eight siblings grew up poor. Now 62 years old and living in Barangay Casili in the Municipality of Camalaniugan, Estanislao still tends to their family farm. He was able to send his five children to school – three have graduated from college – through farming and by doing carpentry work during off-planting season. He says Typhoon Ompong was one of the strongest that he has experienced.

“With Typhoon Lawin back in 2016, we were still able to save some of our harvest. Typhoon Ompong wiped out almost all of our harvest,” Estanislao said. “On the average, we earn Php40,000 – Php50,000 (USD800 – 1 000)from a regular harvest season. It was one more month to go before harvest when Typhoon Ompong hit. We were left with nothing.”

Estanislao said his family considered borrowing money from short-term lenders to buy rice seeds and fertilizer and pay for farm labor. The five percent interest is a burden but they have limited options.

“This is why my family and I are thankful for the assistance of the DA and the Australian Government. The vegetable seeds and fertilizer from FAO are a great help for we won’t have to buy them anymore. We also used the cash assistance from WFP to hire farm labor in the December planting season.”

Elizabeth Artates, a 48-year old widow from the same municipality, said losing her family’s harvest to Typhoon Ompong was heartbreaking. “I borrowed money from the previous planting season and was looking forward to the harvest in October. We lost everything, even the vegetables that we planted for our daily food.”

“Farming is very important to me and my family – it is our only source of income. It helps provide food and funds for my children’s education,” says Elizabeth. “The Australian Government’s assistance is a big help – I won’t have to borrow as much money to buy fertilizer and pay for farm labor.”

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Farming households that were displaced following the Marawi siege have received livelihood assistance from the Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations – Central Emergency Response Fund (UN-CERF).

The assistance helped restore the agricultural livelihoods and improve food security and nutrition of 3,800 internally displaced and host farming and fisherfolk families in Lanao del Sur affected by the Marawi siege through the provision of adequate supply of agricultural inputs, and promotion of resilient and sustainable agricultural livelihoods.

The project covered 1,183 from households from Saguiaran, 919 from Marantao, 875 from Ditsaan-Ramain, and 823 from Piagapo municipalities. The agricultural input packages included rice, corn and vegetable seeds, fertilizers, poultry and livestock, fishery inputs, and small farming machinery, helping restore agri-based livelihoods, increasing their food security and agricultural capacity.

Convergence also became a key feature of the project with FAO working with the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on emergency response initiatives particularly in the municipalities of Saguiaran and Ditsaan Ramain. Under this convergence approach, WFP supplemented FAO interventions through the provision of food-for-work to farmer beneficiaries in the land clearing, plowing/land cultivation and establishment or repair of paddy dikes and irrigation canals. Other farmer beneficiaries not covered by WFP, on the other hand, received cash-for-work assistance from UNDP to ensure no one is left behind.

Restoring livelihoods

Nihanga Sarip, 72 years old, was originally from Barangay Naga in Marawi City but has been living in an evacuation center in Barangay Bubong, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur since the siege erupted. Nihanga received mallard ducks as part of the project’s poultry and small ruminants production package of assistance. “The ducks are a big help, I will take care of them in the house of my relatives. The duck eggs will add to our food supply as well as provide us additional income.”

Rachma Cabugatan, 48 years old and a mother of six from Marawi City lives in a bunkhouse in Saguiaran City, Lanao del Sur. She says, “I came from ‘ground zero’ and I’m thankful for the assistance in giving us the ducks to help with our livelihood.”

“We are thankful for the goat and vegetable seeds. We’ll take care of the goat because it is a big help to our livelihood,” says Amirel

Sabair, a 37-year-old father of four from Marawi City who also currently lives in Saguiaran City.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), total damages in the agriculture sector amounted to more than PhP 219 million or US$ 4.3 million as the impact of the conflict caused destruction of agricultural facilities and infrastructure, missed harvesting and cultivation periods for rice, corn, and vegetables and other short-term crops, death and drifting of livestock, poultry, and other ruminants.

The project helped ensure food security by restoring agriculture-based livelihoods and agricultural capacities., as well as helped reduce dependence on external food aid.


FAO distributes mallard ducks as part of poultry and small ruminants production package of assistance supported by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.

MARAWI RESPONSE©

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FAO has been working in Mindanao to transform conflict-affected areas, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, by contributing to the development of agriculture and agri-businesses.

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PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN MINDANAO

Mindanao is widely known as the Philippines’ food basket, with

one-third of its land area devoted to agriculture. The second biggest island in the country, Mindanao largely accounts for the production of high value commodities such as rubber, pineapple, banana and coffee, among others. However, sustained rural poverty, rapid depletion of natural assets, significant climate-induced losses, and armed conflict have severely undermined the full development of the region’s economic potential.

Most of the conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in Mindanao depend on agricultural activities for food and livelihoods. FAO has been working in Mindanao to transform conflict-affected areas, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, by contributing to the development of agriculture and agri-businesses.

From 2017-2018, FAO worked with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on a project that aimed to develop and pilot a socio-economic model in transforming conflict-affected communities into agro-economic zones.

The project focused on increasing productivity and integrating beneficiaries in the value chain, expanding their access to and linkage with markets and improving their technical and financial management capacities.

FAO worked with two community-based organizations (CBOs) in implementing the project: the Cabpangi Integrated Farmers Association (CIFA) in the Municipality of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato, and the Boliok/Amadeo Vegetable Growers Association (AVGA) in the Municipality of Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao. Sowing the seeds of change

In addition to providing agricultural inputs as a start-up support for agri-business enterprises, FAO also held consultations with other government agencies, buyers and traders to explore potential technical and market support to the CBOs. FAO also conducted trainings on values enhancement, leadership and facilitation, project management, Islamic banking and financial management, and farm business preparation. FAO also introduced new production strategies (e.g., staggered planting, off-season production, rice seeds production) to help establish other income sources within the CBOs.

These CBOs are now more active and are able to generate better income and yield levels. In Barangay Boliok in Sultan Mastura, the CBO followed a staggered planting calendar which resulted in a more stable production and supply of produce including of vegetables, even during off-season harvest of rice. The consolidation of produce (collective volume) among the members of the CBO allowed for the establishment of a relationship with a buyer (“suki”) and also improved selling prices in the public market nearest to

the barangay. The CBO also established a system where 25% of the net profit is returned to the CBO as a capital build up or revolving fund that can be used to procure inputs to continue or expand production.

Similarly, in Barangay Cabpangi in Pigcawayan, the CBO also improved their rice production techniques. The CBO also increased their capital build up since a loan program was established with the distribution of fertilizer, and loan payments are being used as revolving funds to buy inputs on loan for the next cropping season. Since the CBO is able to provide its members timely access to agricultural inputs, the relationship with the traders or “middlemen” is slowly being cut, resulting to higher gross selling price.

Scaling-up transformation of conflict-affected communities

Other members of the community are also being encouraged to become members of these CBOs. Youth were also engaged in agriculture during the weekends. CBOs are now able to conduct economic activities beyond the usual production cycle (e.g., off-season crop production).

CBOs including people’s organizations, women’s organizations, farmers’ and irrigators’ associations, cooperatives and the like can serve as strong pillars to economic development of conflict-affected area especially when fully capacitated and provided with technical and in-kind start-up support.

The Permanent and Alternative Representatives of Member States of FAO based in Rome, Italy met with Department of Agriculture Secretary

Emmanuel Piñol.i

The Representatives visited a community nursery and garden in Tanauan, Leyte supported by FAO after Typhoon Haiyan.

Visit to the Philippines of Permanent and Alternate Representatives of Member States of FAO

The Permanent and Alternative Representatives of Member States of FAO based in Rome, Italy met with Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.i

The Permanent and Alternative Representatives of Member States of FAO based in Rome, Italy met with Department of Agriculture Secretary

Emmanuel Piñol.i

VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES ©

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A delegation composed of Permanent and Alternate Representatives

of Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Rome, Italy visited the Philippines from 26 – 30 October 2018.

The Representatives met with key stakeholders of FAO in the country, as well as beneficiary communities of FAO Philippines during the implementation of its Typhoon Haiyan Recovery Programme from 2013-2015.

The delegation observed a drone demonstration as part of FAO’s support to the Philippine Government under the “Development of an Enhanced Production and Risk Management in Agriculture Integrated Decision Support System (EPRiMA)” project. In 2015, through a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and FAO, drone-based methodology for pre- and post-disaster assessments were introduced and tested in the Bicol and Davao Regions to initiate an innovative way of enhancing disaster risk reduction in the agriculture sector. The EPRiMA project is further improving the use of drones for crop monitoring and post disaster assessment and validation.

The Representatives also visited the Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City for an exposure trip to the kinds of commodities that are being sold in Philippines’ public markets.

In Leyte, the Representatives met and interacted with FAO project beneficiaries from the municipalities of Mayorga and Tanauan. The visit to Leyte provided opportunities for awareness raising, information exchange, and better understanding FAO’s work in the country.

After Typhoon Haiyan, FAO Philippines developed a strategy on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) that served as a guide in mainstreaming DRRM and CCA in its work in the country, primarily to build the resilience of vulnerable farming and fishing communities to both natural and human-induced disasters, and enhancing

the Government’s capacity to prepare, address threats and respond to crises.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Senator Cynthia Villar also met with the Representatives to discuss current issues, priorities, and programs for the further development of the agriculture sector in the Philippines.

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Meeting with Senator Cynthia Villar, Chair of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources

The Philippines, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations (FAO), has launched the “iAMResponsible” campaign calling for more responsible use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, to mark the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) on 12-18 November. The theme of this year’s WAAW is ‘handle antibiotics with care.’

The term antimicrobials is used, pharmaceutically, to describe drugs used to prevent and treat parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of bacteria to survive treatment with antimicrobials, including antibiotics. Thus, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the general term for drug resistance in microbes. It occurs naturally but misuse and abuse contribute to an acceleration in cases of AMR.

Irresponsible use of antimicrobials such as antibiotics could have catastrophic and costly consequences. Resistant bacteria maybe transferred between animal, humans and the environment. AMR makes antibiotics less effective in fighting infections, and can result to increased deaths in humans and animals. AMR has become a major health threat leading the UN General Assembly to include AMR as a priority health issue tackled alongside responses to Ebola and human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.

For FAO, the emphasis is on promoting good farming and biosecurity practices aimed at preventing infection in livestock, aquaculture, and crop production.

FAO-Philippines partnership on AMR

The Philippines is one of the first countries to answer the call for action against the threat of AMR. In 2014, the government created the Inter-Agency Committee for the Formulation and Implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in the Philippines (ICAMR), composed of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

FAO is currently working with the DA, particularly with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), in implementing the AMR project, ‘Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-east Asia in the global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach’, launched in 2017.

The project has been helping implement activities related to the AMR National Action Plan. This include: development and implementation of the AMR Surveillance Program in Animal Health Sector; strengthening capacity in central and regional government laboratories in relation to AMR surveillance; supporting the different DA regional offices and local government units in the establishment of the AMR Regional Councils, as part of a national network on AMR; and raising awareness on AMR particularly in the food and agriculture sector.

The “iAMResponsible” campaign, spearheaded by the BAI- FAO AMR Project, will help further raise awareness on and encourage the responsible use of antibiotics. Among veterinarians and practitioners, the campaign stresses to prescribe antibiotics

only when needed – right drug, right dose, right time, right route, right species, and right patient.

Farm owners, on the other hand, are called on to apply good animal husbandry practices and use antibiotics only when prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Drug manufacturers, distributors, and retail stores (e.g., agrivet supply) are also encouraged to share the responsibility of fighting AMR, primarily in ensuring that antibiotics have proper prescriptions before it is sold.

The campaign has been launched in the different regions in the country. A jingle composed by Necol Aviles and sang by Jovit Leonerio also won in the jingle-writing contest by the Philippines’ BAI-FAO AMR Project, in order to promote AMR initiatives among different stakeholders.

Under the Global Action Plan on AMR, FAO has also been working closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in promoting prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals, and with the World Health Organization (WHO) in enhancing food safety and quality.

“iAMResponsible” campaign on responsible use of antimicrobials was launched during the Philippines Antibiotic Awareness Week.


ANIMAL HEALTH


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EARLY WARNING EARLY ACTION


The Philippines is a country frequently affected by natural disasters. The 2016 World Risk

Index ranked the country third in the list of the most-disaster prone countries and between 1995 and 2015 alone, 274 disasters were officially recorded. The social and economic cost of natural disasters in the country is increasing due to population growth, change in land-use patterns, migration, unplanned urbanization, environmental degradation and global climate change. The Philippine archipelago is constantly at risk of a multitude of hazards including earthquakes (as the country sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire), volcanic eruptions, droughts, cyclones, floods and tsunamis.

When affected by El Niño, the Philippines alternate climatically between intense droughts and typhoons. As the climate changes, the Southern Oscillation is increasing in frequency and severity, and in turn increasing the intensity of natural disasters. Such changes are testing the traditional resilience methods of the country and being able to protect the population from these shocks is becoming increasingly challenging.

In response, FAO with support from the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, is piloting an Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) initiative to protect livelihood of rice farmers in selected areas of Mindanao from the potentially adverse impacts of drought brought about by El Niño.

The project aims to protect rice production by providing irrigation systems and inputs, and by offering alternative livelihoods such as livestock farming and high-value commercial crops to prevent asset depletion and increase resilience.

The initiative focuses on Mindanao, particularly the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato, which have high vulnerability rates and high exposure to drought. The project aims to target approximately 1500 households who are small scale farmers who on average cultivate 1 Hectare (HA) of land each.This project builds on the piloting of a drought EWEA system (EWS) established by FAO in February 2018. FAO Philippines will utilize the EWS designed as a monitoring tool to build evidence and confidence about the development and potential impact of El Niño.

The EWS has been set up to provide timely information in advance, ensuring enough lead time is provided to launch and implement early actions on the ground. With the aid of EWS, FAO is able to develop early actions together with the government partner agencies and stakeholders to protect the vulnerable farmers against the extreme

weather conditions brought by the El Niño.

Droughts are a major hazard for Mindanao with the region having a history of drought-related issues, and being the breadbasket for the country can cause significant issues for production and trade when affected.

During the most recent 2015-2016 episode, El Niño induced widespread drought throughout the country, where the event lasted 18 months beginning in February 2015 and officially ending by July 2016. The event impacted 16 of the country’s 18 regions, however the impact was strongest in the region of Mindanao, where 27 provinces were affected. Overall, the estimated total damages to crops between February 2015 and March 2016, has been estimated at USD 325 million.

Issue 4 I 9

Droughts are a major hazard for Mindanao.

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According to the FAO State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 report, total fish production in 2016 has

increased by 67 percent (since 1960), and 88 percent (or 151 million tonnes) of production was directed for human consumption. However, despite the increase on food production, challenges on food security and nutrition persists globally, as shown by 821 million individuals still suffering from hunger and malnutrition. With all the technological advances today, the world is able to produce enough food for everyone, and yet many still go hungry. One of the reasons is natural resources degradation, including of marine resources, which has been rapidly increasing.

The global call to address this pressing issue continues – and this includes conserving and sustainably utilizing the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, or also known as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14). The Philippines, through the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), is one of the active member countries that has stepped forward to commit to contribute to the SDG 14.

In the Philippines, aquaculture is vital to the country’s food sufficiency and it is a driver of rural economy. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, aquaculture provides 48% of the overall fisheries output in the 3rd quarter of 2018, which directly employs 202,203 individuals. With the aquaculture industry continuing to expand, environmental and social issues become more evident such as exploitation of marine habitats, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, prevalence of several typhoons and changing environment, among others. These are further exacerbated by the challenges of acquiring essential and up-to-date data due to limited technological innovations.

The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has been developing strategies to meet the growing domestic and export demands for aquaculture products while recognizing the need for more sustainable production and management practices. One of the challenges that BFAR has to address is the lack of systematic data of existing and potential aquaculture resources that would otherwise be helpful for decision-makers in developing plans and policies to promote the aquaculture sector’s growth.

FAO has been supporting BFAR in promoting sustainable practices and developing policies that institutionalize good aquaculture practices, and enhancing systematic data on the country’s aquaculture resources. These interventions would be helpful for decision-makers in developing plans and programmes promoting the aquaculture sector’s growth.

One of the initiatives that FAO supported in partnership with BFAR was the Supporting Aquaculture Resources Mapping and Development Planning Through ICT-based Solutions. This project developed geographic information system (GIS)-based tools and methodologies to help BFAR address its data needs. The Caraga State University (CSU) was commissioned to create an integrated GIS mapping and database registry and management system, called the Aquaculture Resources (AquaR), for the Philippines’ existing and potential aquaculture areas. Designed using Free and Open Source Software, the AquaR Web Portal is an online mapping and registration system that helps provide an inventory of the Philippines’ aquaculture farms and

develop business plans and regulation for selected pilot sites. It has functionalities such as web mapping, operational data monitoring and recording of fishpond lease agreement (FLA) transactions.Through these ICT solutions, information consolidated with AquaR would help in creating effective strategies to institutionalize good aquaculture practices in the Philippines.

From November 2018, BFAR has adopted and started the rollout of AquaR in all its regional offices, with its Aquaculture Division and Fisheries Regulatory and Licensing Division-Fishpond Lease Section tasked to spearhead the follow-up trainings and provide the necessary technical assistance for its successful adoption.

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Supporting Aquaculture Resources Mapping and Development Planning Through ICT-based Solutions

FISHERIES


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Issue 4 I 11

World Food Day 2018 Culminating Activity at Quezon City Memorial Circle.

World Food Day 2018, with theme “Our Actions are Our Future. A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 is

possible” put a focus on rising hunger figures and calling on countries and other stakeholders to get back on track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger.

FAO and the Department of Agriculture jointly organised the week-long World Food Day celebrations in the Philippines. The week opened with a photo and food products exhibit at the Department of Agriculture.

The festivities culminated with a ceremony on 16 October at the Quezon City Memorial Circle where officials and employees DA and all its attached agencies lit candles as they pledged to uphold the objectives of World Food Day and to find long-term solutions towards strengthening cooperation and partnerships that will address the needs of the agriculture sector. FAO and DA also awarded the winners of the annual World Food Day poster-making contest for elementary students across the country. The event was led by FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernández and DA Secretary Emmanual Piñol. World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines Representative Deputy Country Director Mats Persson also delivered inspirational remarks.

To promote World Food Day and Zero Hunger, FAO also launched actress/model and Miss World 2013 Megan Young as National Zero Hunger Champion. FAO is supporting the global effort to achieve Zero Hunger at international, regional and national levels by providing decision-makers with solid and relevant evidence, including statistics and monitoring data; advising on the formulation, supporting national agriculture and food policies, strategies and legislation; advocating for support from other sectors; and assisting in monitoring progress against SDG indicators/targets.

World Food Day 2018: Our Actions are Our Future

WORLD FOOD DAY

“Achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 is possible but we all need to get involved, across sectors and across professions. The right policies need to be in place and tackle the root causes of hunger and malnutrition to ensure healthy, balanced and nutritious diets to a growing population of Filipinos,” said Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines, at the WFD 2018 culminating event.

In the Philippines, about 17 million people are employed in the agriculture sector. Farmers and fisherfolk, unfortunately, remain to be among the poorest with their incomes especially vulnerable and at-risk in a disaster-prone country like the Philippines.

The estimated impact of undernutrition on the Philippine economy is at least Php220

billion per year. Achieving Zero Hunger will require a mix of public and private investments, and risk-informed policies and interventions to ensure that the poor and most vulnerable benefit from the growth and employment opportunities generate.

Zero Hunger is key to achieving the overall 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Many SDGs such as quality education and good health for all cannot be achieved without first eliminating hunger. Food and agriculture also lie at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda from ending poverty, hunger and malnutrition to sustaining our natural resources and responding to climate change.

World Food Day 2018 Poster Making Contest winners with FAO Representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez , Dept of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol, WFP Deputy Country Director

Mats Persson, and FAO Zero Hunger Champion Megan Young.

©FAO

/Jaclyn Grey

12 I FAO Philippines Newsletter 2018CA4909EN/1/06.19

© FAO, 2019

FAO Representation in the PhilippinesEmail: [email protected]

Website: www.fao.org/philippinesTwitter: @FAOPhilippines

EVENTS

International Conference on Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

On 27 November, FAO-Philippines held its Year-end Development Partners Forum in Makati City, as part of the Representation’s continuing efforts to promote resource mobilization, visibility, advocacy and deepening partner engagement. The event highlighted FAO’s key initiatives and accomplishments in the Philippines for 2018.

The event showcased FAO’s contribution to the development and improvement of the agriculture sector. It also underlined FAO’s work on supporting key policy interventions and programmes, in particular the Philippines National Strategic Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction in Agriculture and Fisheries and the Philippines Social Protection Roadmap. These are key policy documents that aim to reduce to the risk of disasters, and to protect and enhance the resilience of the agriculture and fisheries sectors to natural hazards and disasters.

A Technology Exhibit was also organized to showcase the technologies that are being used for disaster preparedness and response for the agriculture sector, including unmanned aerial vehicle systems (drones), satellites and imaging technologies, and geospatial data analytics.

Approximately 60 high-level representatives attended, including 36 embassies and international development organizations, 18 national government agencies and line agencies, and a number of non-government development organizations and private sector bodies. Attendees also included, among others, the recently-appointed Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles, from the Office of the President, as well as four Ambassadors

Year-end Development Partners Forum

Launch of Philippines-United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development

Recognizing the importance and benefits of nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA), the UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Food and Nutrition Security (UPLB-ISC-FaNS), in partnership with the FAO, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the Cavite State University (CvSU) held an international conference on nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems from 7-10 November 2018 at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City.

With the theme Strategic Approaches to Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems, the conference gathered advocates and stakeholders of nutrition-sensitive agriculture to assess NSA programs and activities in the ASEAN region, including the Philippines. It provided a venue to identify challenges and adopt best practices in implementing NSA. The conference aimed to broaden the level of understanding on the role of agriculture to meet the nutritional needs of a population. The conference’s Keynote Speaker was Senator Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

The Philippines and the United Nations (UN) signed the Philippines-United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development (PFSD 2019-2023) at a ceremony held at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Pasig City on 21 November 2018.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Ola Almgren signed the document on behalf of the Philippine Government and the UN, respectively. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Philippine Government and the UN Country Team, including FAO Representative in the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez. Formerly known as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, the PFSD 2019-2023 is the fifth Philippines-UN country plan since 1995, and the first that redefines the nature of the UN System’s engagement in the Philippines from one that provides “development assistance” to a collaboration in a strategic partnership. It also directs the UN Country Team’s (UNCT) attention and resources.

©FAO

/Cecile Pastores©

UN

Philippines©

FAO/Raff

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