BatStateU creates Tactical Operative
Amphibious Drive /p.5
The Official Newsletter of the Regional Development Council IV-A First Quarter
March 2016
LMC becomes the first HIV/AIDS
Treatment Hub in Calabarzon /p.8
Story on pp. 10-11
there is knowledge in news 2
Published quarterly by the Regional Developmen t Coun ci l IV -A (Calabarzon). The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose the articles to be published due to the limited space.
1st Quarter 2016
Page 2 RDC, Team Energy signs
MOA for ER 1-94 approved projects
Page 3 Batangas Province hosts
4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting
Page 4 RDC endorses LRT
Line 6 Project
Mahangin Ba? Alternergy
launches wind farm in
Pililla, Rizal
Page 5 BatStateU creates Tactical
Operative Amphibious
Drive (TOAD)
Calabarzon Region all set
for K to 12
Implementation
Page 6 SUMMID Calabarzon
Project Scaled-up
Migration and
Development in
Calabarzon
Page 7 NEDA Region IV-A pushes
entrepreneurship for OFs
and families
At last! Every Juan can be
a HENYO!
Page 8-9 Provincial News
Page 10-11 FEATURE: Empowering
MSMEs as agents of
development
Page 12 Calabarzon Welcomes new
Heads of Agencies
DTI SSF Project stimulates
inclusive growth; turns
credit cooperative into a
garments venture
Page 13-16 Quarterly Regional
Economic Situationer
Page 17-20
RPMC Bulletin
On this Issue
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor-in-Chief
OIC-RD Luis G. Banua
Managing Editors
ARD Gina T. Gacusan
Arlita E. Lopez
Editors
Agnes A. Daantos
Donald James D. Gawe
Valter L. Morada
Marcelo Cesar R. Palacio
Michael R. Lavadia
Layout and Design
Alvin Caezar V. Olanday
Feedbacks and article contributions
are welcome. Please contact:
NEDA Regional Office IV-A
4th Floor Marcelita Building
National Highway, Barangay Real,
Calamba City, Laguna 4027
Tel: (049) 545-7756 / 0091
Email: [email protected]
The cover depicts the products of some of the successful micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Calabarzon. The Region aims to develop and strengthen the MSME sub-sector through product development and marketing assistance, convergence of line agencies’ programs and projects in improving productivity of the MSMEs, among others.
About the Cover
RDC, Team Energy signs MOA for ER 1-94 approved projects by Revy Z. Jolongbayan , NEDA Region IV-A
RDC Vice Chairperson and NEDA
Region IV-A Director Luis G.
Banua signed seven Memoranda of
Agreements (MOA) for seven local
government unit (LGU) projects to
be funded under the Calabarzon
Energy Regulation 1-94 share last
22 February at the Diamond Resort
and Hotel, Lucena City. The MOA
was entered into by and among the
DOE, Team Energy Corporation,
RDC IV-A and the Mayors of
Agdangan, General Luna, Padre
Burgos, Guinayangan, Gumaca,
Pitogo and Candelaria in Quezon.
The projects include: Installation of
Solar Powered Streetlights,
Construction of Environmental
(Green House) and Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Center,
Improvement of Water Supply
System, Extension and Development
of Materials Recovery Facility and
Purchase of One Unit New
Ambulance.
The LGU projects were the results
of the three project development
trainings for Calabarzon LGUs
conducted by the NEDA Region IV-
A last year. There were 20 LGU
projects endorsed by the RDC to the
power plant companies in 2015, of
which, the remaining 13 are still
under review by the power plant
companies and DOE.
MOA Signing of seven LGU Projects funded under the Calabarzon ER 1-94 Regional Share.(Seated, L-R) SCID Co Chairperson Ladislao Andal, RDC Vice Chairperson Luis G. Banua, Mr. Gregory Romualdez, Head of Team Energy External Affairs and Ms. Ethel Osio, Manager of Team Energy External Affairs. (Standing, L-R): Mayor Erwin Caralian of Gumaca, Mayor Cesar Isaac of Guinayangan, Mayor Jose Stevenson Sangalang of General Luna, Vice Mayor Anatalia Atienza of Candelaria, Mayor Vicenta Aguilar of Agdangan, Mayor Paulino Sayat of Pitogo and Mayor Roger Panganiban of Padre Burgos. (Photo: Team Energy)
First Quarter 2016 3
Batangas Province hosts 4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting by Armina O. Espiritu, NEDA Region IV-A
The Provincial Government of Batangas hosted the
4th Quarter 2015 Calabarzon Regional Development
Council (RDC) Full Council meeting last December
10 at the Bulwagang Batangan, Provincial Capitol,
Batangas City.
In her welcome message, Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto
said that the Community-Based Monitoring System
(CBMS) helped the provincial government in
identifying projects needed by the people of
Batangas. She asked the members of the Council to
continue the programs and projects instituted by the
RDC such as the CBMS even with the change in
leadership after the national elections in May 2016.
During the meeting, 49 resolutions were passed by
the Council which included the endorsement of the
following projects: a) Light Rail Transit Line 6;
b) Laguna-Cavite East West Commuter Railway
Concept; and c) five Local Government Units (LGUs)
projects to be funded under the Energy Regulation
1-94 fund.
The RDC also approved the following resolutions
related to RDC operations: a) Calabarzon RDC Logo;
b) 2016 RDC Calabarzon Calendar of Activities:
c) CY 2016 RDC Calabarzon Priority Thrusts and
Activities; d) RDC Guidelines on Recognition,
Citation and Awards System; e) Revised Calabarzon
RDC Ground Rules and Regulations; f) Calabarzon
Hymn; and g) Guidelines for the 2017 RDC
Budget Review.
Other resolutions passed were: a) Calabarzon
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
Adaptation Enhanced Regional Physical Framework
Plan 2017-2046; b) Three-Year Rolling Investment
Programs of Calabarzon; c) Inclusion of PNP Region
IV-A and NICA Region IV as members of the
Calabarzon Regional El Niño Task Force under the
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Committee; d) Calabarzon Project Monitoring
System; and e) Inclusion of Geotagging of Projects
in the Regional Project Monitoring Committee
Work Program.
In relation to social development, the RDC passed the
following: a) Adoption of the Social Protection
Handbook; b) Creation of Local Verification
Committees by LGUs of Region IV-A in Support to
the Listahanan Household Assessment; and
c) Implementation by the LGUs of Region IV-A of
the DILG-NYC Joint Memorandum Circular No.
2015-01.
(L-R) Governor Vilma Santos-Recto encourages everyone to pursue learning to be able to serve better; Turnover of coins by RDC Secretary and NEDA Region IV-A ARD Gina T. Gacusan to BSP Dir. Tomas Cariño; Ms. Nelia Cresino receives award for Cavite State University as the Most Outstanding GAD Implementer for SUC Category. (Photos: Farhad E. Ali Asgari, NEDA Region IV-A)
The RDC headed by its Vice-Chairperson Luis G. Banua awards a resolution of gratitude to the Batangas Provincial Government through Governor Vilma Santos-Recto for hosting the 4th Quarter 2015 RDC Full Council Meeting. (Photo: Farhad E. Ali Asgari, NEDA Region IV-A)
there is knowledge in news 4
The Calabarzon Regional
Development Council (RDC)
endorsed the Light Railway Transit
(LRT) Line 6 during its 4th Quarter
RDC Full Council Meeting on
December 10, 2015 held at the
Batangas Provincial Capitol.
The Department of Transportation
and Communication proposed the 19
kilometer LRT Line 6 project that
will connect Bacoor City and
Dasmariñas City in Cavite. It will
provide higher quality, faster and
cheaper public transportation to
approximately 200,000 commuters.
During its operation, it is projected
that an average computer is expected
to save 30 days in travel time and
P5,216 in travel cost in one year.
The LRT Line 6 will be implemented
under a 30-year concession contract,
inclusive of a five-year construction
period that will commence in 2016.
The said project was endorsed by the
Cavite Provincial Development
Council and elevated to the RDC
through the Sectoral Committee on
Infrastructure Development.
The project costs P64.7 billion and
will be funded through the Build-
Transfer + Operation and
Maintenance Scheme as part of the
JICA Dream Plan.
RDC endorses LRT Line 6 Project by Alvin Caezar V. Olanday, NEDA Region IV-A
Mahangin Ba? Alternergy launches wind farm in Pililla, Rizal by Marlo E. Chavez, NEDA Region IV-A
Alternergy Wind One Corporation President Vicente S.
Perez, Jr. started his welcome remarks by a symbolic
question of “Mahangin ba?” during the launching of
the 54MW Pililla Rizal Wind Farm held January 20,
2016 at Pililla, Rizal. The Philippines is the first
country in ASEAN to develop on-grid wind power
since 2005.
The 54-megawatt wind farm in Pililla, Rizal is
developed and operated by Alternergy, a company
engaged in developing renewable energy. The project is
the first wind farm in Luzon outside Ilocos. The wind
farm is located within a 60-hectare area in Barangay,
Halayhayin, Municipality of Pililla, Rizal Province.
Completed in June 2015, the farm has 27 units of wind
mills or turbines measuring 125 meters tall, which is
equivalent to a 33-storey building. Each wind tower
generates two megawatts of electricity for a total of
54 MW, enough to power 66,000 households.
Electricity generated by the wind turbines feeds into the
distribution network of Manila Electric Company
(MERALCO) through a 10-kilometer transmission line.
The project is fully supported by the Provincial
Government of Rizal headed by Governor Rebecca
“Nini” Yñares. Governor Ynares served as the guest
speaker during the launching and ribbon cutting
ceremony. Also in attendance were Vice-Gov. Frisco
San Juan Jr., Mayor Leandro Masikip, Sr. of Pililla,
GM of Laguna Lake Development Authority Nereus
Acosta, and Major General Romeo Gan of AFP.
The wind farm is now emerging as one of the
popular destinations for tourists in
Rizal province.
(Left Photo) Rizal Gov. Rebecca “Nini” Yñares and Alternergy Pres. Vicente Perez, Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
First Quarter 2016 5
BatStateU creates Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive by Batangas State University Responding to the challenge of designing and
developing a low-cost amphibious vehicle for disaster
response, the Batangas State University spearheaded
the development of the Tactical Operative Amphibious
Drive (TOAD). It was officially launched at the
Taal Lake Yacht Club in Talisay, Batangas on February
4, 2016.
The TOAD is designed and developed by a four-man
team headed by the University President, Dr. Tirso A.
Ronquillo, Engr. Albertson Amante (Electronics), Prof.
Armando Sinohin (Automotive), and Mr. Eugene Ereño
(University Research Associate).
The TOAD was created to traverse effectively, even on
deep waters. The TOAD had two 4-stroke engines for
land navigation and water navigation. The TOAD has
been tested on rough terrains and on the waters of
Calumpang River in Batangas City.
BatStateU intends to commercialize the TOAD, bearing
a value proposition that it is rugged, efficient and
cheap. The project is jointly funded by Batangas State
University and Department of Science and Technology.
The development of TOAD is BatStateU’s way of
showing its researchers’ ingenuity in developing high
impact research which are relevant and responsive to
the needs of the community, true to its motto of
Leading Innovation, Transforming Lives. The TOAD is being test driven on water navigation at the Calumpang River, Batangas City.
(L-R) Mr. Eugene Ereño, Prof. Armando Sinohin, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, and Engr. Albertson Amante
Calabarzon Region All Set for K to 12 Implementation by Angela R. Llamas, NEDA Region IV-A
All preparations are expected to be
finished before the school opening
for Academic Year 2016-2017,
according to Dir. Diosdado San
Antonio of DepEd Region IV-A
and the Adhoc Committee on K to
12 Chairperson during the
Committee meeting on February 4,
2016 at NEAP, Malvar, Batangas.
In addition, three school division
superintendents from Batangas,
Cavite, and Calamba City and other
officials of selected private higher
education institutions (HEIs), state
universities and colleges, and
private secondary schools assured
that the region is ready for the
K to 12 Program implementation
in June.
Dir. San Antonio expressed
gratitude to NEDA Region IV-A
for providing venue for discussions
on the issues relative to the
implementation of the K to 12
program. He also acknowledged the
commitment of the members
especially TESDA Region IV-A in
this endeavor. Dir. Luis Banua of
NEDA Region IV-A and AdHoc
Committee on K to 12 Vice
Chairperson suggested that a
special meeting may be held after
the second quarter meeting to check
whether the remaining issues were
addressed. Ms. Olive Parilla,
representative of the Basic Sector,
thanked the DepEd, private
institutions and the SUCs for their
initiatives but also raised concerns
on the protection of students who
will be undertaking immersion at an
early age.
Meanwhile, the superintendents
reported that contingency plans
were prepared while procurement
of laboratory equipment, textbooks
and other learning devices by the
DepEd Region IV-A are ongoing.
Construction of classrooms under
the DPWH are also underway.
Dir. Diosdado San Antonio of DepEd Region IV-A assures the readiness of Calabarzon Region for K to 12 implementation.
there is knowledge in news 6
The Strengthening, Upscaling, Mainstreaming
International Migration and Development in
Calabarzon (SUMMID) project under the Joint
Migration and Development Initiatives Phase II was
awarded by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) to Regional Development Council
(RDC) IV-A on 16 April 2014. The project was
implemented by the RDC through NEDA Region
IV-A, in partnership with Atikha Overseas
Communities and Initiatives Inc., Union of Local
Authorities of the Philippines, Commission on
Filipinos Overseas, and the Local Government
Academy. It aims to mainstream migration and
development (M&D) into local development plans,
establish overseas Filipino (OF) database, organize and
strengthen provincial migration centers, develop
knowledge products and tools and mobilize OF and
their families towards various savings, investment and
entrepreneurship activities.
On February 15 , 2016, the project ended with the
following accomplishments: a) improved database on
OFs through 13 rider questions included in the
Community Based Monitoring System, a school-based
questionnaire developed by state universities and
colleges, and survey on Filipino migrants developed by
Philippine Statistics Authority; b) five functional
provincial migration and development committees and
one-stop migration resource centers (OSMRCs);
c) 18 training of trainers with 629 migration
stakeholders trained to provide migration-related
programs and services; d) development of migration
governance framework and migration and development
mainstreaming guide; e) development of teaching and
learning materials on case management, reintegration,
planning and counseling, pre-migration orientation
seminars; and e) PhP24 million investments generated
as against the PhP10 million target. Through these
accomplishments, the project’s ultimate goal to assist
OFs to successfully reintegrate and be linked towards
meaningful contribution to the local economy's
development was achieved.
With these undertakings, the M&D in the region was
strengthened and scaled-up such that coordination and
data generation will be facilitated with institutionalized
programs and services at the local level through the
OSMRCs and the use of local level database.
SUMMID Calabarzon project can be replicated in other
regions provided that an institutional mechanism such
as a proactive Provincial Committee on Migration and
Development is in place. The support of the local chief
executive and the use of knowledge projects developed
by the project can facilitate M&D mainstreaming at the
local level.
The M&D experience of Region IV- A is becoming a
benchmark not only in the Philippines but also
globally. In view of this, the region will push through
with the creation of the M&D Academy which aims to
facilitate assistance on the institutionalization of M&D,
training of trainers and provision of M&D related
programs and services.
SUMMID Calabarzon Project Scaled-up
Migration and Development in Calabarzon by Lovely S. Mores, NEDA Region IV-A
Quezon OSMRC Focal Persons and Members of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee during the RPMC monitoring visit.
Mr. Mikael Ahlin of the The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia visits NEDA Region IV-A on January 15, 2016.
Pinoy Wise event held in Italy on June 11 to 22, 2015.
First Quarter 2016 7
At last! Every Juan can be a HENYO! by Juan Carlos Manas, DOST Region IV-A
Energetic, enthusiastic, eager and hopeful - four words
that perfectly describes 2016’s opening for the
Department of Science and Technology Calabarzon.
With strong willpower and great optimism, the agency
has set to launch HENYO, its very first version of a
Smart Kiosk that will function as a one stop common
platform of Science and Technology- based services
specifically for businesses. Dr. Alexander Madrigal,
DOST Region IV-A’s Regional Director led the
conceptualization of the project to be concretized
by the Management Information Systems Unit of
the agency.
In a multiparty meeting with workshop on January 25,
2016, the National Economic Development Authority
Region IV-A, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources Region IV-A, Local Government Unit of
Los Baños, Department of the Interior and Local
Government Region IV-A, Department of Agrarian
Reform Region IV-A, Tanauan Packaging Services
Center, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, San Pablo and Metalworking Industries
Association of the Philippines, Inc. suggested various
key features that will be included in the programming
of this innovation.
HENYO will be advantageous for entrepreneurs,
aspiring start- up business owners, farmers and DOST
scholars. It will carry out features that will include
equipment and raw materials suppliers, trade partners
for farmers, and updates on DOST Scholarship
programs which are all geared towards enhancing
DOST Region IV-A’s service delivery. Engr. Francisco
Barquilla, Officer-in-Charge for the Office of the
Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations
said, “Malaki rin ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga
OFWs, pwede silang pumunta dito at tumingin ng mga
potensyal na negosyo para hindi kung saan-saan na
pupunta yung mga inipon nila.”
The HENYO project will have three phases. The first
phase is expected to be introduced in June 2016 with
basic features, the second version will be released in
December 2016 while the advanced and final version
containing agency linkages is projected to be launched
mid-2017.
NEDA Region IV-A, through the Strengthening,
Upscaling and Mainstreaming International Migration
and Development (SUMMID) Project in Calabarzon,
conducted an Entrepreneurship and Management
Training of Trainors on January 19 to 21 at One
Tagaytay Place Hotel, Tagaytay, Cavite. The training
aimed to capacitate the project partners, particularly the
managers of the One Stop Migration Resource Centers
(OSMRCs), in assisting overseas Filipinos (OFs) and
their families on business establishment, investment
and entrepreneurship ventures.
The three-day training covered entrepreneurial mindset,
marketing, operations, people management and
finance. Experts from Bayan Academy, a social
development organization offering entrepreneurship,
management and education training programs, served
as the resource speakers.
The basic concepts of entrepreneurship were
introduced by Mr. George Quitoriano. “The
entrepreneurial mind frame, heart flame and gut game
are the fundamentals of an entrepreneur seeker,” said
Mr. Quitoriano. He cited the many sources of
opportunities in the macro-scale and micro-scale
environments and he facilitated personal reflections
and group activity for the participants in building initial
concepts for a business.
Mr. Angelito J. Domingo discussed on entrepreneurial
operations. For people management, he highlighted the
five M’s of managing people: mobilizing; motivating;
mentoring, coaching and advising; measuring; and
mixing and matching. He reminded the participants that
managing people takes patience and perseverance.
“Leadership is not an end result. Leadership is a
process,” he noted.
In the last day of the training, Ms. Estelita Chavez-
Catacutan tackled entrepreneurial finance. She pointed
out that finance function is specified as financing,
investing, negotiating, administering, numbers
generation, cash management and evaluating. Ms.
Catacutan informed the participants of the different
investment ventures the OFs and their families might
consider like franchising and investing in stocks,
bonds, mutual funds and real estate. She shared tips on
managing personal finances and preparing smart
money goals. She reminded that aiming for financial
freedom should never compromise generosity.
NEDA Region IV-A pushes entrepreneurship for
overseas Filipinos and families by Angela R. Llamas, NEDA Region IV-A
there is knowledge in news 8
Cavite MSME Business Conference highlights green innovation by Del Llacer, Provincial Government of Cavite
A total of 295 micro, small and medium-scale
entrepreneurs (MSMEs), cooperative members and
other business stakeholders participated in the 2nd
Cavite MSMEs Business Conference with the theme,
“Go Green! Empowering Cavite MSMEs Towards
Green Innovation” on November 26, 2015 at the Salrial
Ballroom, CTHM Building, De La Salle University-
Dasmariñas in Dasmariñas City. The conference aims to
empower MSMEs in the province while promoting an
eco-friendly trade.
Cavite Small and Medium Enterprise Development
Council, Inc. President Teresita Leabres gave their
commitment to help strengthen MSMEs and provide
them ease of access to services they need such as
training, financing, marketing and other areas.
Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Entrepreneural
Development Office Head Alvin S. Mojica mentioned
the provision of Php 10,000.00 financial assistance to
all qualified cooperatives in the province.
Mr. Arnold Grant Belver, Planning Officer of the
Malacañang Climate Change Commission urged
businesses for a joint effort to lessen the wastes
emissions and resort to clean alternatives as prime
investment for a greener country.
Mr. Klaus Peter Berkemeyer, Adviser of the German
International Cooperation (GIZ), shared about Green
Alternative. Developed countries use waste products by
industrial sites into renewed energy source while
providing cheap energy to the producer of goods. Ms.
Revelyn Cortez of DTI-Cavite expressed her
appreciation to the entrepreneurs and encouraged
everyone to continue participating and cooperating to
future conferences.
Laguna Medical Center becomes the first HIV/AIDS Treatment
Hub in Calabarzon by Provincial Government of Laguna
Laguna Medical Center was recommended to be the
first LGU hospital to become a DOH-designated HIV
Treatment Hub in Calabarzon after the evaluation of
DOH Region IV-A and National AIDS and STI
Prevention and Control Program.
The Laguna Medical Center HIV and AIDS Core Team
(LMC-HACT) - Treatment Hub was created to provide
healthcare services including prevention, treatment,
care and support services for people living with HIV
including but not limited to HIV counseling and
testing, clinical management and patient monitoring.
The said institution will also use its resources in
minimizing the impact and spread of HIV infection.
The Laguna Medical Center is one of the 39 treatment
hubs in the Philippines. This provides better access for
the care and treatment. Because of the initiatives of
Laguna Medical Center was awarded as the “Best Performing Hospital HIV and AIDS Core Team” during the 3rd Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Awarding for CALABARZON. Left to Right: Mr. Rex Howell Ortiz, Dr. Joselito Salonga, Ms. Malou Hurtado, Councilor Ruth Hernandez, Governor Ramil Hernandez, Dr. Edgar Palacol, Dra. Donna Catherine Ortiz, Dr. Nestor Santiago, Dra. Corazon Flores, Atty. Dulce Rebanal, Dra. Imelda Palacol and Mrs. Fe Bernardino.
CaSMEDC President Teresita Leabres welcomes the exhibitors.
First Quarter 2016 9
The Rizal provincial government through the
stewardship of Gov. Nini Ynares strongly supports the
advocacies of the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI-Rizal), and one way of doing this is by
empowering the Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME).
DTI-Rizal led by Provincial Director Mercy Parreño
together with Gov. Ynares recently opened the 15th
Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association Inc.
trade fair at Event Center, SM Taytay. The event
showcased the best quality products from business
entrepreneurs of the province.
Also in time for the Yuletide Season, mall shoppers
will get to choose from a wide variety of products,
which are pocket friendly and are all made in the
province. In her speech, Gov. Ynares assured the
province’s support to MSMEs of and laud their efforts
in promoting the province’s best products and making
sure that the customers get their money’s worth. DTI-
Rizal also promises that more trade fairs, will be
conducted in the province to drum up awareness about
the MSMEs of the province.
Rizal gov’t empowers MSME by Rizal Provincial Information Office
Governor Rebecca Ynares (in blue) tours around the booths of the exhibitors during the Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association Inc. Trade Fair in SM Taytay.
Quezon Province strengthens local cooperatives by Quezon Provincial Information Office
In line with the Serbisyong Suarez thrust of securing
Quezon’s future, the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist spearheaded a seminar focusing on value
chain analysis of herbal production and processing.
This was specifically formulated with the intention of
capacitating small businesses and helping them develop
the quality of their merchandise.
The three-day activity held in Queen Margarette Hotel,
Lucena was attended by members of associations and
cooperatives already in related processing industries.
The training included packaging techniques, retailing
approaches, and highly in-demand products which
include herbal teas, herbal soaps, coco suka, herbal
wines, herbal candies and ready-to-drink herbal juices.
As a sign of its commitment to keep assisting small and
rising entrepreneurs, the provincial government gave its
green light for the construction of the Pinagdanlayan
Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s
Instant Salabat Processing Center extension as well.
The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted this
January 18, 2016 in Brgy. Pinagdanlayan, Dolores. The
construction of the said extension is expected to help
the processing center meet the rising demand for
herbal teas.
According to Gov. Suarez, the success story of
Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose
Cooperative should serve as an inspiration to
Quezonians. He said that people should not be afraid to
organize and work together to achieve inclusive
prosperity, and the local government is ready to help
them in attaining a better and brighter future.
Governor David Suarez heads the ground-breaking ceremony of the Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s Instant Salabat Processing Center .
LMC-HACT, Laguna Medical Center was awarded as
the “Best Performing Hospital HIV and AIDS Core
Team” on February 2015 during the 3rd Kalusugang
Pangkalahatan Awarding for Calabarzon.
As of December 2015, Calabarzon ranked second in the
most number of reported HIV and AIDS cases in the
Philippines, next to National Capital Region. Among
the provinces in Region IV-A, Laguna ranked 3rd.
there is knowledge in news 10
From the Backyards to the World:
ChocoVron’s Sweet Success
Talagang nag level-up, at yung market namin, natanaw
namin! – Joel Yala, President, ChocoVron Global
Corporation
ChocoVron started as a simple family owned backyard
venture that has perfected its formulation for the most
craved polvoron in 2003, producing only 10 packs
daily. The business is being managed by Mr. Joel Yala
and his wife Marissa.
Selling mainly to their neighbors, friends and
officemates in the beginning, today ChocoVron
products are now available all-over the country with
dealers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Olongapo, Tarlac,
Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite, Legaspi
City, Iriga, Bacolod, Silay, Cebu
City, Davao City, Cotobato,
Surigao, Butuan, Ozamiz,
Cagayan de Oro, and
Zamboanga.
ChocoVron has
grown to a global
corporation with a
daily production
capacity of 2,500
packs per day.
ChocoVron’s visions is to be excellent provider of
chocolate coated polvoron, that is distinctly Filipino,
yet competitive in taste, health value, and aesthetic
quality.
In 2006, it was awarded the National Shoppers Choice
Award as the No. 1 Chocolate Coated Polvoron. In the
same year, it was chosen as the giveaway item during
the JICA and DOST-ITDI launching in November.
It is a featured product in various national and
international trade fairs. The company was also
highlighted in the May 2007 issue of the
entrepreneur Magazine./ DOST Region IV-A
One strategy is to enhance competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),
to help them access local and global markets. Here are some success stories of MSMEs.
First Quarter 2016 11
“Lagi kang magkaroon ng passion sa lahat ng iyong ginagawa. Pwedeng mag-
umpisa ito sa maliit, pero kung nandon kasi yung passion, siguradong ito ay
isa sa mga key factors para maging successful ka sa kahit anong pasukin mo.”
-Roland Petisme President Philippine Moringa and More Corporation
Fresh Marvels of Philippine Moringa
and More Corporation
Philippine Moringa and More Corporation (PMMC)
used to be known as MLGS Herbal Food Products. It is
one of the youngest but most viable companies assisted
by DOST’s- Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading
Program (DOST- SETUP) through its Provincial S&T
Center (PSTC) in Rizal.
Peter M. Petisme, the late patriarch of the company,
established PMMC with the vision of producing high-
quality health and wellness food products. Aggressive
and fearless, he entitled industry which was then
dominated by multinational companies.
Keenly observant, he capitalized on the fast growing
awareness and demand of consumers for nutritious
snack food and healthy beverages. He introduced a
product line of tea, snacks and noodles all made
with Malunggay.
He made eating his product a smart choice. At present,
his products are being sold in major supermarket
chains such as Robinson’s, SM, Metro Gaisano, Ever
Gotesco, and 10 others in the Metro Manila area and
Rizal Province. PMMC has also penetrated markets in
Australia, the USA, Japan, Canada and South Korea.
In 2011, Philippine Moringa and More was proclaimed
provincial winner of DTI’s SME Rising Star Award,
Micro Enterprise Category. To date, it holds the Gold
Brand of the Philippines Award for its brand image
appeal, and trust and market acceptance./ DOST Region IV-A
Will of Steel: Riclet Engineering
The dream started when Mr. Enrique Mirador, who
hails from Cavite, decided to walk towards his fate.
In 1995, Enrique Mirador registered “E.M. Mirador
Machine Shop” in the trade industry. Primarily
located at Daang Amaya, Tanza, Cavite, E.M. Mirador
Machine Shop catered to only walk-in customers.
Mr. Mirador decided to one day, market his services
and products by going to industrial factories and
distributing promotional pamphlets. Hard work paid
off and orders start to flock in. Mr. Mirador sought the
assistance of DOST. In 2007, the company was able
to acquire modern equipment such as milling machine,
granite surface grinder, and a precision gauge block
through the DOST- Small Enterprise Technology
Upgrading Program. With the new equipment,
the enterprise has expanded its workforce to
166 employees.
Today, Riclet Machine Shop services more than 20
factories with fabrication and
machine works. Among
their clients are
Transnational Paper
Corp., Metrolab
Industries Inc.,
Philsteel group of
Companies, and
Maxim Phil.
Operating Corp.
Mr. Mirador is still
vying for a larger
market share./DOST
Region IV-A
there is knowledge in news 12
Dir. Rio L. Magpantay has a comprehensive
and authoritative knowledge in the fields of
Public Health, Applied Epidemiology and
Health Systems Research.
He had successfully completed Harvard
School of Public Health’s Program on
Managing Health in Developing Countries,
in 1997, Dir. Magpantay is a recipient of the
“BatsebaPhiri Award for Most Outstanding
Country Workplan Presentation,” in October
2002, at Atlanta Georgia, USA. He is the
concurrent Director of DOH Region IV-A
and the Office for Health Operations.
He dedicated his life to championing health
& is an advocate of life, love & happiness.
Calabarzon welcomes new heads of agencies!
Dir. Rio L. Magpantay, MD, CESO III,
DOH Region IV-A
Dir. George T. Roma
BLGF Region IV-A
Ms. Charito C. Armonia is the new OIC-
Regional Director of the newly created
Philippine Statistics Authority in Region IV-
A. She started her government service in
1984 as statistical trainee of the former
National Statistics Office (NSO). She held
several statistical positions at the NSO
Central Office Region IV before she
assumed a position as Provincial Statistics
Officer of NSO-Batangas in 1999.
She is a BS Statistics graduate from the
University of the Philippines, Diliman in
1984. She studied Master of Science in
Survey Methodolody at the University of
Maryland College Park, Maryland, USA as
USAID scholar in 1999.
Dir. Charito C. Armonia
PSA Region IV-A
Dir. George T. Roma took his
Bachelor of Laws at the University of
Santo Tomas in 1987. He started his
career at the Bureau of Local
Government Finance (BLGF) as Legal
Officer I in 1989. He rose from the ranks
and he eventually became the OIC-Assistant
Regional Director of BLGF Region
IV-A from 2005 to 2006. He also served as
OIC-Director at BLGF Region VIII from
2007-2013.
Dir. Roma has also served other
government offices like the Bureau of
Customs, Masbate City, Pasay City and
BLGF Central Office. Dir. Roma is married
and resides in Parañaque City.
In the city and elsewhere, you may have noticed that the
tailoring or dress shop you have patronized for years has
closed. These small shops have been closing one after the
other. The big stores, malls, and even markets that sell
affordable clothes including the ukay-ukay stall that sells
clothes at rock bottom or giveaway prices proved to be too
much for the neighborhood tailoring. But sewing is a skill
that could be diverted to equally profitable ventures.
In the booming Cabuyao City in Laguna, 15 seamstresses
bonded together to start a small rag-making business to
augment their income. Making rags using discarded
remnants from garment factories they sold these to many
business establishments, households, and drivers of public
transport. As time progressed, the group of 15 swelled to 50
and turned in to the Sipag Pinoy Credit and Savings
Cooperative. The prolific rag sewers had expanded their
vision and skills to making garments and other items. The
shift proved providential for after three years the DTI
assisted the cooperative through the Shared Service Facility
(SSF). The SSF provided the group with high speed sewing
and edging machines which helped push the cooperative’s
garment production. The improved and faster production
increased the income of cooperative members.
The cooperative opened its doors to new opportunities.
Employment rose to 81 direct and 200 indirect members.
From the simple rags, doormats, and potholders, the
garments center also churned out polos and blouses, ecobags,
and overall marine wear.
There is no doubt that the demand for Sipag Pinoy’s outputs
will also increase in the booming Cabuyao City where the
cooperative is based. With the help of the SSF program, the
cooperative is confident it will meet the demands of current
and prospective clients that include institutional buyers and
large companies in the Laguna Industrial Park.
DTI SSF Project stimulates inclusive growth; turns credit
cooperative into a garments venture
by DTI Laguna
First Quarter 2016 13
Regional Economic Situationer by Policy Formulation and Planning Division, NEDA Region IV-A
October– December 2015
CALABARZON’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
Higher consumer price index at 140
Increase in average inflation rate at 0.7 percent
Lower purchasing power of peso at PhP 0.71
Increase in rice, corn, pineapple, cattle, carabao, goat, hog and
aquaculture production
Decrease in coconut, chicken and commercial and municipal
fisheries production
US $ 21.10 billion or 52 percent of the national PEZA export sales is
from Calabarzon
Decrease in overnight tourists by 2,717 visitors
Increase in same day tourists by 1.46 million visitors
The average inflation rate of the
Calabarzon region accelerated from -0.2
to 0.7 percent. The increase in the
inflation rate in the region was reflected in all the
provinces except for Batangas which had a decrease in
inflation rate from 0.7 to 0.4 percent, and Cavite which
remained at 0.7 percent. Cavite has the highest inflation
rate among the provinces in the region. The increase in
the region’s average inflation rate is attributed to the
increase in the demand of consumer goods and services
due to the then approaching holiday season. However,
the general prices did not pose a significant increase as
compared to the 2014 fourth quarter inflation of 3.3
percent. This is due to the several oil price rollbacks
which caused the decrease in the cost of production and,
therefore, affected the prices of the goods and services.
On the purchasing power parity (PPP) of the peso, the
decrease in the purchasing power by 0.01 from the
previous quarter was consistent with the minimal
increase in the average inflation rate for the same
quarter. While the general PPP decreased, the PPP in
Batangas, Cavite and Laguna remained at 0.72 and 0.71,
respectively. The PPP in Rizal and Quezon, on the other
hand, went down by 0.01 from the previous quarter. The
lowest PPP in the region was pegged in Quezon
province at 0.66.
The average consumer price index (CPI) in the region
and the price indices of major commodity groups
generally increased except for the housing, water,
electricity, gas and other fuels. While this major
commodity group posted a decrease in the CPI, only the
price index of electricity, gas and other fuels marked a
significant decrease of 4.4 percent. This mark down can
also be attributed to the price rollbacks in oil and
petroleum products during the quarter. The highest CPI,
however, was the alcoholic beverages and tobacco. The
alcoholic beverages had a minimal increase of 0.2
percent while the tobacco CPI posted a 7.4 percent
increase, as compared to the previous quarter. The
increase in the CPI of tobacco was consistent with the
implementation of the Sin Tax bill, which imposed an
increase in the tax of tobacco products and hence,
causing an increase in its price index. The CPI of the
provinces in the region, on the average, increased.
Prices and Inflation
Source: PSA Region IV-A
4th Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr
there is knowledge in news 14
Calabarzon's agriculture performance
for the quarter generally recorded an
upward trend as most commodities
posted considerable increases in production except
chicken and commercial and municipal fisheries.
However, on a year-on-year basis, rice, corn, hog,
poultry and fisheries production decreased while other
crops, livestock, and aquaculture fisheries production
showed improvement.
Rice production increased by 283 percent or 105,024
metric tons (MT) from third quarter to fourth quarter of
2015. The increase in production is due to increase in
both irrigated and rainfed area harvested in the
provinces of Quezon, Cavite and Batangas. This
quarter’s rice production is four times higher than the
previous quarter with Quezon as the highest producer in
the region.
Production of rice during the fourth quarter of 2015
contracted by 17.75 percent or a decrease of 30,689 MT
compared to the same period in 2014 due to
unfavourable weather condition and damages brought
about by typhoon Nona, Northeast monsoon, dry spell
and drought. The year on year decline can also be
attributed to decline in area harvested for both irrigated
and rainfed rice in which the highest decline are from
the provinces of Quezon and Batangas with 2,557 and
841 hectares, respectively.
Production of corn for the fourth quarter of 2015 went
up from 12, 436 metric tons (MT) to 26,600 MT, of
which 70 percent were from yellow corn production.
This quarter’s corn production is twice as much as the
previous quarter’s production with Quezon as the
highest producer in the region. Compared to the same
period last year, a decline of 22 percent or 7,524 MT
was noted. Higher production output for both rice and
corn could also be attributed to the use of high yielding
varieties and subsidy on production inputs.
Coconut production went down by 27.79 percent or
142,991 MT during the fourth quarter of 2015. The
decrease in production was attributed to dry spell in the
provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas and drought
in the Province of Quezon. Other commodities such as
coffee, sugarcane and pineapple have positive
production performance compared to the previous year.
The livestock sub-sectors also posted increasing growth
performance. Volume of production was generally
increasing from first quarter to second quarter of the
year for both 2014 and 2015 except for a 445,900 heads
decrease in volume of chicken from third and fourth
quarters of 2015. Year-on-year comparison showed that
2015 volume of production was lower than the previous
year’s production performance by 1.46 million heads.
The decline in chicken production can be attributed to
the damages brought about by typhoon Nona and the
effect of dry spell in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite
and Rizal.
A 173.23 percent increase in volume of goat was noted
from third quarter to fourth quarter of 2015. Also noted
was the increases in production of cattle (0.69 percent or
123 heads), carabao (11.27 percent or 530 heads), and
hog (10.79 percent or 56,846 heads). The production
increment could be attributed to high demand and
commanding price for livestock brought about by the
Agriculture and Fishery
The number of establishments in the
region which reported a retrenchment
decreased as compared to the previous
quarter. The majority of these establishments (53.6%)
were in Cavite while the least reported (0.56%) were in
Rizal. The decrease in the reported retrenchment,
however, did not post a decrease in the number of
employees affected which incurred, on the contrary, an
increase relative to the previous quarter. Majority of the
employees affected were in Laguna (57.6%) and Cavite
(38.4%). Also, the affected female employees increased,
on the average. The decrease in the retrenchments in the
region relative to the previous quarter can be inferred to
the improving performance of the industry sector as only
35.7 percent of these establishments reported
retrenchment due economic reasons such as redundancy
of workers, lack of market demand and reorganizing,
and 61.2% due to non-economic reasons.
The number of shutdown cases for the quarter decreased
by six establishments. The reported shutdown cases
were mainly in Laguna (67.57%). It was also reported
that in the region, both affected female and male
employees decreased by 514 and 166, respectively.
Labor and Employment
4th Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr
First Quarter 2016 15
Calabarzon’s performance in terms of
tourism improved both on a year-on-
year and quarter-on-quarter basis. Total
tourist arrival increased by 38 percent compared to the
previous quarter and 17 percent as against the same
period last year. Most tourists who visited Calabarzon
were domestic (97 percent) and only stayed for the day
(87 percent). Notably, more foreign tourists preferred to
stay overnight than within the same day compared last
year as data on the former increased by 63 percent while
the latter declined by 26 percent.
Laguna attracted the most number of tourists (1.071
million) while Quezon was the least-visited (29,000). It
should be noted, however, that Batangas (164,014) had a
slightly higher overnight tourist arrival than Laguna
(163,789). On the other hand, 45 percent of the region’s
same day tourist arrivals were recorded in Laguna.
Cavite had the lowest number of same day tourists
among the four provinces. Data on same-day tourist
arrivals for Quezon is up to 2nd Quarter 2015 only.
Likewise, no data available for Tagaytay City. Irregular
and untimely submission of data from Provincial
Tourism Offices remains to be a challenge.
Tourism
holiday season. Still, the bulk of production of livestock
and poultry supply in the region comes from Batangas,
Cavite and Rizal.
Commercial fisheries produced a total of 11,907 MT in
the fourth quarter of 2015 posting a 14.98 percent
decline in production from last quarter’s 14,005 MT. It
also recorded a 10.25 percent decline from the last year's
record of 13, 267 MT. Among the contributing factors to
the negative quarter on quarter and year on year
performance of commercial fisheries include
unfavourable weather condition due to occurrence of
typhoon Nona coupled with the north east monsoon and
dry spell.
On quarter-on-quarter basis, municipal fishing went
down by 23.10 percent or more than 10,172.17 MT.
Likewise, year-on-year production also decreased by
4.48 percent. The decrease in fish catch was due limited
fishing operations brought about by rough sea condition.
The region’s overall aquaculture production increased
by 6.90 percent on quarter on quarter basis and 5.63
percent compared to the same period last year. The
improvement in aquaculture production was attributed to
the increased production from the provinces of
Batangas, Laguna and Rizal due to provision of
production inputs from BFAR and provincial/local
municipal agriculture offices.
Source: Provincial Tourism Offices
As a highly industrialized region,
Calabarzon continues to host many
industrial estates with 14 percent of the
country’s economic zones currently located in the
region. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority
(PEZA) reported a total of 48 registered economic zones
in the region in 2015. These include 32 manufacturing
economic zones, seven information technology centers,
four information technology parks, one medical tourism
park, two tourism economic zones and two agro-
Exports/Industries
4th Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr
4th Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr
Rice/Palay
Rainfed
Carabao
there is knowledge in news 16
The region is expected to have a
positive performance in the next quarter
due to the following:
Various government agencies are providing
agricultural services, and local government units are
ensuring implementation of the rehabilitation and
recovery measures towards better and resilient
agriculture sector. Among the long term plans for the
agriculture sector include continued support for
production inputs such as seeds and fertilizers from
Department of Agriculture and fingerlings from
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, crop
insurance and continued capability development
programs for both trainers and farmers in the region.
Interventions will be in place especially in the
province of Rizal where the El Niño forecast showed
that the dry spell from January to February is expected
to level up to drought by the end of March 2016. In
addition, the region will ensure the implementation of
interventions to mitigate the impact of El Niño on
food security, health, energy and safety. Periodic
assessment will be conducted to determine the impact
of these interventions.
Foreign and direct investments are expected to
maintain solid growth in 2016 with extensive efforts
towards ASEAN economic integration. Regional
initiatives on enhancing government’s efficiency and
competitiveness to make doing business with the
government easier may further encourage investments
in Calabarzon.
The flow of tourists in the region is expected to
intensify in the first and second quarters of 2016 with
many schools conducting field trips in the region as
well as the faithful going to popular religious
destinations in line with the Lenten Season. The cold
weather of Tagaytay City and its environs as well as
the resorts, beaches and theme parks of the region
would likewise contribute to tourism arrival in the
region. The DOT Region IV-A to continue
implementation of the Basic Tourism Statistics
Training and Mentoring.
Increased election-related spending that would help
boost the region’s economy in the next quarter.
Temporary jobs are expected to be generated during
this period.
Development Prospects
industrial economic zones. Most of these are in Laguna
(19), Batangas (14) and Cavite (11) while three are in
Rizal and one is in Quezon.
The 48 economic zones produced total export sales of
USD 21.10 billion from January to November 2015.
With this, Calabarzon accounted for 52 percent of the
country’s total export sales (USD 40.38 billion) during
the said period. Laguna posted the highest export sales
at USD 11.19 billion, followed by Cavite with USD
5.90 billion, Quezon with USD 0.75 billion, and Rizal
with USD 0.39 billion.
In terms of employment, the economic zones generated
465,701 jobs in Calabarzon in the same period. This is
equivalent to 37 percent of the employment created by
economic zones nationwide (1,252,321 jobs).
Accordingly, Laguna’s economic zones generated the
most employment (208,322 jobs), followed by Cavite
with 151,896 jobs and Batangas with 100,390 jobs.
With only four economic zones in Rizal and
Quezon, 4,643 and 2,067 jobs were created in these
provinces, respectively.
The Crime situation in the region has
slightly improved or almost stabilized
during the 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2015
as minimal changes in Crime Rate, Index Crime Rate
and Non-Index Crime Rate from the two quarters was
recorded. Among the notable crime incidents in the
region during the 4th Quarter 2015 is the assault of
DILG Region IV-A Director Renato Brion.
The improvement in the crime situation of the region
could be attributed to the continuous effort of PNP
Region IV-A to address the crime situation in the region
through the implementation of Lambat-Sibat wherein
they also derived other anti-criminality strategies,
policies and practices such as Oplan Hugot, Balik
Armas, Kamustahan, Project Pabili Nga po, and One
Time Big Time, among others. On the other hand, the
crime situation rate has improved by 2.06 percentage
points from 46.44 percent to 48.5 percent.
Peace and Security
First Quarter 2016 17
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)
has reviewed and consolidated progress monitoring
reports of projects implemented in the region by the
national government agencies. Among the projects
monitored include projects under the DOT-DPWH
Convergence Program, Strengthening, Upscaling and
Mainstreaming International Migration and
Development (SUMMID) in Calabarzon Project,
Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure
(PSIP) Project, Calabarzon Regional Government
Center (RGC), among others.
The RPMC conducted its first quarter meeting on 23
February 2016. The major agenda items that were
discussed include updates on the implementation status
of the following projects and activities: a) First Quarter
Field Monitoring Report; b) Calabarzon Project
Monitoring System Updates; c) DOT-DPWH
Convergence Project Map; d) PSIP Phase 1 Project
Completion Report; e) Roadmap to Address the Impact
of El Nino; f) Updates on Local Project Monitoring
Committee Creation/Activation; g) Migration and
Development Initiatives; and h) RGC Updates.
The Committee approved the following: a) Post-
Evaluation Report on “Enhancing Production and
Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic Vegetables in
Calabarzon Project”; b) 2016 RPMC Priority
Activities; and c) Monitoring and Evaluation Planning
Workshop. The committee likewise adopted the 2016
RPMC Accomplishment Report.
4th
Quarter CY 2015 RPMES Accomplishment Report by Richard P. Engasa, NEDA Region IV-A
Name/Funding/Agency/ Location/
Cost Description Description Status
ONGOING
LRT 1 Cavite Extension Project
PPP/DOTC/NCR, Cavite/P64.90 B
Involves 11.7 km. extension of existing LRT from
Baclaran Station to Niyog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.
Of this length, 10.5 kilometers will be elevated and
1.2 kilometers will be at-grade. The whole stretch
of the integrated LRT 1 will have a total length of
approximately 32.4 kilometers and will be operated
and maintained by the private sector
As of 11 February 2016,
ongoing soft renovation and up-
grades of LRT Line 1 existing system
and other pre-construction activities
Tanauan City Public Market Redevel-
opment Project
PPP/Tanauan LGU/Batangas/
P400.12 M
Construction of a public market with modern
structures and state of the art commercial facility
with wet and dry sections, parking spaces,
transport terminal, material recovery facility (MRF)
and other amenities in a 2.6 hectares lot.
The first PPP LGU project approved by
NEDA ICC.
As of 01 January 2016, the project is
For ICC confirmation of reasonable
rate of return (ROR)
COMPLETED
Daang Hari-SLEX Link/Muntinlupa-
Cavite Expressway (MCX)
PPP/DPWH-PPS/NCR, Cavite/ P2.0 B
Construction of 4 km., 4-lane toll road connecting
Daang Hari in Bacoor to SLEX near Susana
Heights Interchange passing through the NBP
Reservation in Muntinlupa City.
Opened to traffic on 24 July 2015 and
started of toll collection on 24 August
2015. Initial toll rates are P17.00 (class
I), P34.00 (class II) and P51.00
(class III).
Public-Private Partnership Infrastruc-
ture Project Phase I (PSIP)
PPP/DepEd/
Regionwide/P2.819 B
Design, construction, maintenance and financing
of 9,300 classrooms in one and two-story buildings
in Regions I, III and IV-A under Build-Lease-and
Transfer scheme. A total of 4,261 classrooms are
allotted for Region IV-A.
As of 23 February 2016, 4,255 class-
rooms are already completed equiva-
lent to 100% physical accomplish-
ment.
STAR Tollway Stage II PPP/DPWH-
PPPS/Batangas/
P1.95 B
Construction of 2-lane, 19.74 kms. expressway
(northbound) from Lipa City to Batangas City. It
also includes asphalt overlay of Stage I (Sto. Tomas
-Lipa City), STAR-SLEX TR3 interconnection and
other miscellaneous works.
100% completed as of 31 May 2015.
Widening of Sabang and Tingga
Bridges was endorsed by RDC to the
DPWH through Resolution No.
IV-A-2015.
Status of PPP Projects in Calabarzon
there is knowledge in news 18
The Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT) of
Calabarzon Region conducted a four-day field
monitoring of the Strengthening, Upscaling &
Mainstreaming International Migration & Development
In Calabarzon (SUMMID) Project on 12-15 January.
The RPMT visited the One-Stop Migration and
Resource Centers (OSMRCs) in the 5 Calabarzon
provinces to verify their status and identify issues on
their operations. The team was composed of
representatives from DILG, DBM and the Private
Sector Representative of the Regional Development
Council. The NEDA technical secretariat coordinated
and assisted in the conduct of said monitoring activity.
The Team focused on the four key result areas (KRAs)
namely: a) KRA 1 – Guide on mainstreaming
migration and development into local development
plans; b) KRA 2 – Database of Overseas Filipinos in all
the provinces developed, pilot-tested and implemented;
c) Migration & Development Committees and Councils
in the five provinces established; and d) KRA 4 –
Engagement with OFs and their families in the
mobilization of migrant resources such as investment
promotion and entrepreneurship.
Notable observations of the Regional Project
Monitoring Team include: a) limited database of OFs
and their families; b) limited data exchange between
the province and partner agencies; c) OSMRCs are
lodged under different departments across provinces;
d) budget and operational constraints; and e) difficulty
in getting information on the amount of investments.
The RPMT recommended the following: a) inclusion
RPMC conducts field monitoring
of the SUMMID Project in Calabarzon by Richard P. Engasa, NEDA Region IV-A
The RPMC visits the One-Stop Migration and Resource Centers of the different provinces in Calabarzon. (Clockwise) Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, and Laguna.
First Quarter 2016 19
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)
held a briefing on February 23, 2016 for the conduct of
the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Planning Workshop. The briefing was attended by nine
implementing agencies and four Provincial Planning
and Development Offices.
The briefing aims to provide an overview of the
workshop as well as assist the implementing agencies in
accomplishing the RPMES Forms 1 to 4. A brief
overview of the Calabarzon Project Monitoring System
(cPMS), an online system, was also presented.
The workshop which will be conducted on March 17
to18 aims to:
1) orient the implementing agencies on the revised
RPMES Operational Guidelines;
2) review project implementation performance for 2015;
3) generate monitoring and evaluation plan for 2016;
4) train the participants on how to use the cPMS; and
5) conduct technical launch of the cPMS.
The conduct of the workshop was approved by the
RPMC during its first quarter meeting on February 23,
2016 through RPMC Resolution No. IV-A-04-2016.
Briefing on Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Planning Workshop by Luningning D. Llames, NEDA Region IV-A
The NEDA Region IV-A successfully conducted ex-
post evaluation of two NEDA Productivity
Enhancement Projects (PEP) in 2015. The NEDA
PEP, a Japanese government KR2 grant aims to
enhance productivity and increase rural incomes of
underprivileged farmers. The methodology in the post
evaluation include validation workshop and
interview with key stakeholders, site inspection and
review of project documents such as the project
completion report.
First, is the post evaluation of the Establishment of
Medium-Scale Dairy Processing Plant Project in
Jalajala, Rizal. The project was implemented by the
Jalajala LGU from January 2009 to May 2011. The
project beneficiaries are the members of the Llano
Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The major issues
found in the project are the insufficient supply of
carabao’s milk, and operation and maintenance of the
dairy plant. One of the lessons learned in the project
was the need to ensure commitment of the beneficiaries
through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the
operation and sustainability of the dairy plant. The
LGU and the cooperative agreed to execute a (MOA)
for the operation of the dairy plant before the May
2016 elections. The assistance of the partner agencies
will only resume upon signing of the MOA. The post
evaluation report was approved by the Regional Project
Monitoring Committee (RPMC) on November 16,
2015 through Resolution No. IV-A-04-2015
Second, is the post evaluation of Enhancing Production
and Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic
Vegetables in Calabarzon. The project was
implemented by the University of the Philippines
Agriculture System Cluster from September 2007 to
September 2010. The project beneficiaries are those
farmer groups engaged in organic vegetable farming in
Baras in Rizal, Tayabas in Quezon and Bauan in
Batangas. The project was found to perform
satisfactorily based on the post evaluation conducted.
The major recommendations include, among others,
replication of the project in other areas and for the
LGUs to allocate regular fund, designate organic zones
and continue to implement programs and projects for
organic agriculture. The results of the post evaluation
will be presented to the key stakeholders for their
comments and commitment. The post evaluation report
was approved by the Regional Project Monitoring
Committee (RPMC) on February 23 through
Resolution No. IV-A-01-2016.
NEDA Region IV-A conducts post evaluation of two projects by Josephine D. Hapil, NEDA Region IV-A
of migration and development initiatives as a distinct
part in the Provincial Development Physical
Framework Plan and Annual Investment Program/
Provincial Development Investment Program to ensure
regular budget allocation; b) communication and
advocacy on best practices and success stories;
c) establishment of city/municipal migrant desks and
cascading M&D in the barangay level;
d) strengthening participation and involvement of
SUCs, private sectors, partner agencies in M&D.
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