CRA project beneficiaries share stories of triumphs and challenges

Loreto Moises, one of the beneficiaries of the cacao project under is joined by his wife during the interview for the monitoring of the CRA project awarded to them.

GENERAL NAKAR, Quezon – As part of the monitoring activity of the pilot Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) project, beneficiaries and implementers narrated their journey for a compendium of CRA success stories at Barangay Magsikap last October 24-25, 2019.

The ATI Region IV-A, through the Information Services Section, were divided into two groups --- one is for the photo documentation, and the other is for the documentary video. Aside from the beneficiaries of the coconut, cacao, goat, and fish processing components, implementers from the local government unit were also interviewed.
“Karaniwan ang mga bunot ay basura lamang. Dati natatapon sa ilog o kaya ay sinusunog, so nagko-contibute sa green house gases. Ngayon, napagkakakitaan pa nila," said Municipal Agriculture Officer, John Leo Tena.

He added that the coco coir facility together with the other components of the CRA project were based on the ground truthing conducted at the start of the project. “Mismong mga tao ang nagsabi sa ground truthing kung ano ang kanilang pangangailangan."

Hector M. Ronquillo, a beneficiary of the cacao project emphasized the importance of integrated farming to their family and the environment. Aside from the additional income, he said that it helps in the reduction of the effects of climate change in their community. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries of the fish processing component said that they were not able to continue using the equipment due to the high cost of fish in the area. The goat component beneficiaries claim that goat raising relieves their stress from everyday work.

The following beneficiaries and implementers were interviewed during the visit:

• Rizalito T. Astrera - President/Goat Beneficiary
• Loreto B. Moises - Cacao Beneficiary
• Hector M. Ronquillo - Cacao Beneficiary
• Delia M. Prestado - Cacao Beneficiary
• Normelita A. Ortellano - Fish Beneficiary
• Emerenciana E. Astrera - Fish Beneficiary
• Nelson R. Ritual - Goat Beneficiary
• John Leo O. Tena - MAO
• Leandro S. Tena - Lead Technician
• Vic Jose C. Corpuz - Community Organizer
• Gerry R. Ritual - Barangay Chairman

Edited by: MGJaurigue