A Humble Community in Caloocan Aspiring to practice Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Somewhere in Caloocan City, a group of peoples organizations are aspiring and gradually building podiums in their plan to formally introduce Universal Health Care for their clients, the underprivileged people of Caloocan City and proximate barangays. The Livelihood, Education, and Rehabilitation Center of Caloocan City is gradually making Universal Health Coverage a still reality in the poor communities in the said City.

UHC Defined

Universal Health Coverage has been accepted as common development norm for all countries to promote equity among citizens. Access to health care actually is being considered as human right that has developed over the century. This became a standpoint among nations in ensuring that all citizens must have “access to key promotion, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access” (World Health Assembly Resolution 58.33).

Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the health services they need (prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care) without the risk of financial hardship when paying for them.

This would require an efficient health system that provides the entire population with access to good quality services, health workers, medicines and technologies. It also requires a financing system to protect people from financial hardship and impoverishment from health care costs. 

Access to health services ensures healthier people; while financial risk protection prevents people from being pushed into poverty. Therefore, universal health coverage is a critical component of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and a key element to reducing social inequities.

With the said principle, health care should be delivered to ALL, regardless of their social stature and economic abilities. 

Photo from World Health Organization

Guided by the above principles, Muslim Aid Philippines (MAPhil) was inspired with the initiatives of its local partners stationed at the Livelihood, Education and Rehabilitation building (LERC) in Caloocan City which, in many ways adopted the key framework of UHC and implement such health programs to local community members.

LERC’s Humble Path to Local Health Interventions

In 2006, a group of barangay health workers, local leaders, and parents of children with disabilities under organization of the Livelihood, Education and Rehabilitation Center (LERC) conducted a medical mission for the poor residents of barangay 185 in coordination with local NGOs, UERMM, the local government unit of Caloocan and Barangay 185 council. The said activity has provided free medicine and health consultations to more than 1,500 residents of Brgy. 185 of Caloocan City and that of proximate barangays.

From then on, this initiative became an annual activity of said key players in the said barangay, catering not only residents of Barangay 185, but even reaching other barangays in North Caloocan like Camarin and Amparo, and eventually reaching residents of the City of San Jose Del Monte.

Realizing the extent of health needs in their area of operations, the occupants of LERC eventually decided to establish a separate center that they envision to be a center that will take charge in “awareness raising for healthy lifestyle, prevention of disease, acquisition of cheaper medicin e; especially for the indigent residents, provision of early intervention for children diagnosed with disability, establish a referral system with health agencies and private institutions, and capacity building of the local health workers and even the parents of children with disabilities.

Through the years, LERC was able to implement various programs on health which basically are leading towards the creation of a UHC system in the community. As such, said local health facility gradually sets in place various initiatives that provides the following services;

·    Campaign drives and other activities informing and encouraging people to stay healthy and prevent illness;

·   Early detection of health conditions, in partnership with the University of East Ramon Magsaysay Medical College, etc.

· Networking and partnering with health institutions (UERMM, local health centers, Eulogio Rodriguez Hospital etc. ) to provide capacities in treating diseases;

·   Helping patients with rehabilitation

·  Capacity building of well-trained, motivated health workers to provide the services to meet patients’ needs based on the best available evidence.

·  Actions to address social determinants of health such as education, living conditions and household income which affect people’s health and their access to services.

·    Affordability – a system for financing health services so people do not suffer financial hardship when using them.

Similarly, LERC envisions to deliver medicines and technology to diagnose and treat medical problems available to the public, in collaboration with various partners of LERC. In the long run, LERC envisions to provide health services to indigent children with disabilities and residents while at the same time reducing costs to families.

The above interventions at LERC ensures the to target the Millennium Development Goals – births attended by a trained health worker, family planning, vaccinations, and prevention and treatment of diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, considering how to address the growing problem of non-communicable diseases.

Pooling in Resources for UHC

Financial capacity for health services has been the perennial problem of parents of CWDs and other residents being catered LERC. Needless to say, the poorest populations of Caloocan City often face the highest health risks and need more health services. A single consultation with a doctor would cost around P300-P500 pesos. This would mean that a parent of an indigent patient would have to sacrifice chunk of their earnings just to mend the health needs of their child or patient. This definitely would cause financial risk on the part of the parents, who may be lured to apply for loans just to replenish their monthly budget.

This reality challenged LERC to strengthen its resources mobilization and to pool in available funding for as many as its clients are as possible. Meaning, that they have to innovate ways to acquire possible funding from within its organization and sources external to it. LERC has been consistent of its norm that health care should be delivered, especially to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay. Primarily, this strategy on reducing the reliance of impoverished LERC clients lowers the financial barriers to access and reduces the impact of health payments, allowing them to allot their meager income to some other household expenses.

Who are covered by the health interventions in LERC?

LERC works on the principle of inclusion, with a greater consideration for those who could not afford primary health care. Specifically, LERC’s main clients are the most vulnerable people in their respective communities. Aside from persons with disabilities, LERC also caters senior citizens, mothers of CWDs, and impoverished youth. In the long run, LERC’s main service would be to ensure access to health facilities, medicines and other health services to proximate barangays of Brgy. 185.

In the area of monitoring, LERC accepts the fact that it has to to track progress in providing access not just across the population of their recipients but within different groups (e.g. by income level, sex, age, place of residence, migrant status and ethnic origin). Initially, LERC was studying to employ the Android Technology for surveying and baselining and is currently looking into the technology to date. 

Measuring LERC’s health programs in relation to UHC

Sample software which LERC plans to use in thier Android survey

The primary basis of LERC’s impact is to know whether the clients (super majority of which are indigent residents of Brgy. 185 and proximate barangays) is whether they obtain primary health services that they need while being freed from too much financial obligations.

For LERC, this could be done by doing a head count on the number of inviduals who have actually acquired medical services according to their age groups. For example, LERC would like to establish a data on the number of women in fertile age groups accessing modern methods of family planning or children immunized.

Meanwhile, LERC would also like to determine how many of its recipients or partner families were placed into economic strains (especially in the case of those who applied for loans after attending a sick family member).

The main challenge for LERC is how to maintain its roster of volunteers who have the capacity to measure coverage of all of the many health interventions that LERC is providing or trying to provide. Understandably, these volunteers also have to attend to their specific jobs outside of LERC in order to provide their family needs. LERC admits that it do not have the capacity to provide remunerations to its volunteers, whilst it desperately needs the volunteers’ services.

Looking Forward

Despite the foreseen lack of resources, LERC is still committed to continue and eventually expand its services.

With its meager resources at hand, LERC sees various opportunities of funding through local solicitations, fund-raising activities, and partnerships with health service providers. It is in this strategy that LERC wishes to employ in the coming months of 2018 and beyond. Aside from furthering the capacities of its volunteers, LERC is keen on improving its health equipment and devices to serve more indigent people in their areas of operations. And while they are doing this, LERC will likewise pool in volunteer project development staff for the development of funding proposals from national and international donors who can greatly augment their very limited resources.

In the meantime, all the LERC staff and volunteers are still high in spirits as they are preparing to sustain their meager resources in preparation for the health needs of their constituents this year 2018.     

LERC occupants preparing for UHC implementation in their project areas

LERC’s Humble beginnings Towards Implementation and actual practice of Universal Health Coverage

by: Marlon B. Fulo

Universal Health Coverage has been accepted as common development norm for all countries to promote equity among citizens. Access to health care actually is being considered as human right that has developed over the century. This became a standpoint among nations in ensuring that all citizens must have “access to key promotion, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access” (World Health Assembly Resolution 58.33). With the said principle, health care should be delivered to ALL, regardless of their social stature and economic abilities.  

Guided by the above principles, Muslim Aid Philippines (MAPhil) was inspired with the initiatives of its local partners stationed at the Livelihood, Education and Rehabilitation building (LERC) in Caloocan City which, in many ways adopted the key framework of UHC and implement such health programs to local community members.

LERC’s Humble Path to Local Health Interventions

In 2006, a group of barangay health workers, local leaders, and parents of children with disabilities under organization of the Livelihood, Education and Rehabilitation Center (LERC) conducted a medical mission for the poor residents of barangay 185 in coordination with local NGOs, UERMM, the local government unit of Caloocan and Barangay 185 council. The said activity has provided free medicine and health consultations to more than 1,500 residents of Brgy. 185 of Caloocan City and that of proximate barangays. 

From then on, this initiative became an annual activity of said key players in the said barangay, catering not only residents of barangay 185, but even reaching other barangays in North Caloocan like Camarin and Amparo, and eventually reaching residents of the City of San Jose Del Monte.

Realizing the extent of health needs in their area of operations, the occupants of LERC eventually decided to establish a separate center that they envision to be a center that will take charge in “awareness raising for healthy lifestyle, prevention of disease, acquisition of cheaper medicine; especially for the indigent residents, provision of early intervention for children diagnosed with disability, establish a referral system with health agencies and private institutions, and capacity building of the local health workers and even the parents of children with disabilities. 

Project Android 1: Utilizing Android technology for real-time information gathering

Author’s Note: This paper on Android for education in emergencies is written for Muslim Aid Philippines (MAPh), as a concept note to be submitted to Dubai Cares, International. Original concept, as presented herein is a “Malayang Juan Blogs” original piece. Final version of this post will be Dubai Cares or MAPh’ property. 

"Utilizing Android technology in gathering information on Education in Emergencies Initiatives in the Philippines”

Muslim Aid Philippines(MAPh) recognizes the need to establish a precise and time-bound data sources for education in emergency initiatives in the Philippines. As such, program implementors would need a data platform collection platform that will resonate the above need.

Topography, sources of internet and time constraints have been common variables for researchers and development workers whenever they are extracting data from field. Considering these challenges, program implementers must innovate, efficient, time-bound and cost effective modes of data collection which would facilitate the over-all implementation of a particular development project.

MAPh, would like to utilize of an android-based data collection and analysis tool to satisfy the above objective, as a support mechanism method for the traditional key-informant interview method for education in emergencies program implementors.

Project Android 1 (PA1) is a data collection project and data analysis of first hand and second hand information on the initiatives of various stakeholders in the Philippines. Data collection shall be done using mid-range to high-range Android phones which will be pre-installed with free versions of data-gathering apps from the Playstore.

For this purpose, MAPh will use the application KoBoCollect. This app is based on the OpenDataKit and is used for primary data collection in humanitarian emergencies and other challenging field environments. With this app enumerators enter data from interviews or other primary data — online or offline. There are no limits on the number of forms, questions, or submissions (including photos and other media) that can be saved on an android device. What is significant with this method is that program data managers can generate data and analysis in a matter of minute, once the data sent by field enumerators are “cleaned” and checked. (cleaning and checking of data is done instantaneously by the app upon submission).

Proposed Variables to be collected

MAPh believes that the information which will be gathered will be substantial in the conduct of evaluations, assessments and gap analyses of the education in emergencies programs in the Philippines, which eventually will inform the policies and practices of international and national decision makers, implementing agencies and other local stakeholders (teachers, parents, local government, civil society, etc.) involved in education in emergencies. Proposed information and variables which will be gathered through Project Android 1.

Objectives:

Muslim Aid Philippines (MAPh) intends to conduct a study on the practices of local and national initiatives on education in emergencies in selected geographical sites in Administrative Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Central Visayas and Region 4A. Particularly focused areas are the variables enumerated above.

This is a purposive survey to key stakeholders in the country who are already practising Education in Emergencies in various disaster and conflict-laden communities in the above geographical sites.

Muslim Aid Philippines will be employing multi-method approach for data gathering and analysis. Large amount of consideration is bent on the situation on the ground of the selected calamity-stricken or conflict stricken areas. MAPh will innovate methods and procedures on data gathering and surveys to gather all the information required for the study in the most immediate time frame and with the least resources used for the project.

Data Collection Approaches

The study will use qualitative and/or quantitative data collection approaches that are generally accepted in the social sciences; ensuring further that such approaches are justifiable in light of both the research question and purpose and the existing literature.

Specifically, MAPh will be compiling existing statistics and other forms of secondary data for analysis using quantitative techniques and collection of original data through structured interviews or surveys (i.e., Android-based surbey, mail, web, phone), experiments, and quasi-experiments for quantitative research; and,

Compiling of primary/secondary data for the purposes of comparative/historical research or content analysis and collection of data through questionnaires (i.e., self or group administered face-to-face, mail, web, phone), intensive unstructured or semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and/or observation (i.e., complete observation, mixed participation/observation, complete participation) for qualitative techniques.

Key Informant Interview (KII)

The research will employ key informant interviews (KII) with local and national level entities working on local education in emergencies on them prescribed geographical sites. Stakeholders for the project’s purpose will be limited to national and local government agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International NGOs (INGOs), local peoples’ organizations and other socio-civic organizations.

Android-Based Enumeration

In the course of interviews, strong consideration will be given to the type and manner of interventions made to children with disabilities in the context of education and emergencies. The subject of the study consists of all children with disabilities who are residents of the focus research sites in the 3 identified regions (ARMM, Visayas Region, and Region 4A). Because of the large number of intended children with disability that are affected by disaster and conflict, a simple random sample of 50% will be chosen for the inclusion study. This resulted in a sample size of ______ children with disabilities in each of the given regional sites.

Instruments and Measures

MAPh shall ensure that qualitative and/or quantitative data collection activities (e.g., open-ended question formats, observational approaches), instruments, and/or measures that will be used from the standpoint of the existing literature.

Prior to the actual conduct of the study, MAPh will assure the reliability, validity, credibility, transferability of the data collection activities (e.g., open-ended question formats, observational approaches), instruments, and/or measures to be use prior to initiating data collection.

The end in mind for collecting the data is to present the data collection instruments and/or measures in a manner sufficient to allow full or partial replication of the study including a clear statement of any independent and dependent variables, concepts, or themes that will be/were explored/tested/discovered in the study, ie education interventions for cwds during disaster or conflict.

Data Analysis

From MAPh’ stand point, the use qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis techniques are well- accepted methods, however, use of the technique(s) must be grounded in a rationale and justifiable means, based on the study design of this proposed topic.

Data analysis techniques in the context of this proposal would include social network analysis, thematic mapping and spatial analysis using geographic information system (especially for mapping locations of CWDs in disaster or conflict areas), and statistical analysis.

Hypothesis

The Philippine government, with its instrumentalities; particularly agencies on education, disaster response and social welfare already implements education in emergencies or manifestations of it. However, rehabilitation and calamity reports sponsored by government angecies seldomly includes initiatives on education in emergencies. Particularly, what dominates news on disaster and rehabilitation are the number of victims and physical rehabilitation efforts.

This study hypothesizes that despite the lack of information from media outfits, there are existing mechanisms employed for the education of children with disabilities during emergencies. The lack of reports and media projections may be attributed to the lack of first-hand information on education in emergency. The study also hypothesis that there is no clear medium where these information should be channelled and how this same information will be disseminated to the general public

Objectives

MAPh recognizes the need to establish a precise and time-bound data sources for education in emergency initiatives in the Philippines. Furthermore, data gathered for education in emergency should likewise be disseminated to various media channels for the benefit of the population.

Specifically, this study would like to gather realtime data on emergency in education using key-informant interview (KII) and Android-based data gathering system. Both data collection platform should resonate the above objective of popularizing and sending the said information to the general public.

Study Methods

As has been briefly discussed, the proposed study will have two approaches for data collection. The first approach is key-informant interviews and the second one is the use of Android systems and applications for data gathering of salient information regarding the research study.

The first approach is the traditional key informant interviews (KII) with individuals who have first-hand knowledge on education in emergencies. This would include teachers who are engaged in conducting classes in refugee camps or _________

For the Android-based Data collection method, MAPh will be using mid-range to high-range Android phones. These gadgets will be pre-installed with free versions of data gathering apps from Google Playstore. For this purpose, MAPh will be using “KoBoCollect”. This app is based on the OpenDataKit framework and is used for primary data collection in humanitarian emergencies and other challenging field environments.

With the KoboCollect app, enumerators enter data from interviews or other primary data — online or offline. There are no limits on the number of forms, questions, or submissions (including photos and other media) that can be saved on an android device. What is significant with this method is that data managers can generate data and analysis in a matter of minute, once the data are sent by field enumerators and are “cleaned” and checked. (Cleaning and checking of data is done instantaneously by the app upon submission).

Study setting

The proposed study will be conducted in pre-selected communities in ARMM, Visasays Region and Region 4A who experience or are currently experiencing disaster or conflict and have children with disability clients. Specifically, the following communities will be under the study;

Study design

The study will use qualitative and/or quantitative data collection approaches that are generally accepted in the social sciences; ensuring further that such approaches are justifiable in light of both the research question and purpose and the existing literature.

Specifically, MAPh will be compiling existing statistics and other forms of secondary data for analysis using quantitative techniques and collection of original data through structured interviews or surveys (i.e., Android-based survey, mail, web, phone), experiments, and quasi-experiments for quantitative research; and,

Compiling of primary/secondary data for the purposes of comparative/historical research or content analysis and collection of data through questionnaires (i.e., self or group administered face-to-face, mail, web, phone), intensive unstructured or semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and/or observation (i.e., complete observation, mixed participation/observation, complete participation) for qualitative techniques.

Data collection

Android Based Data Collection and Analysis

MAPh would utilize android applications readily available in playstore. For this purpose, MAPh will be utilizing the application KoBoCollect. This app is based on the OpenDataKit and is used for primary data collection in humanitarian emergencies and other challenging field environments. With this app enumerators enter data from interviews or other primary data — online or offline. There are no limits on the number of forms, questions, or submissions (including photos and other media) that can be saved on an android device. What is significant with this method is that program data managers can generate data and analysis in a matter of minute, once the data sent by field enumerators are “cleaned” and checked. (cleaning and checking of data is done instantaneously by the app upon submission).

How does this app work?

Certainly, enumerators must have medium-range to high-range models of android phones (Samsung, Cherry Mobile, Oppo, Vivo etc. or any phone operating from gingerbread version. The higher the version, the better.)

MAPh’ personnel will develop a survey questionnaire (in excel or word format). Said questionnaire should be responsive and should satisfy the data requisitions of the project. MAPh will designate point person for the development and study of the said questionnaire prior to uploading.

Once the questionnaire is finalized, said document will be converted into a type of file which will be recognized by the Kobo app framework. This will then be uploaded to the Kobo app dashboard.

The next step to do is to activate the Kobo app (installed in each of the enuemrators phone) and make such app be recognized by the dedicated dashboard manager. With this, the dashboard manager will assign an exclusive password and username for each of the enuemrators in the field. With this strategy, no one could access the data being sent by enumerators, except for the enumerator himself/herself.

Once passwords and usernames are assigned to the enumerators, the same is ready for field survey.

Realtime data collection and Analysis

Once installation is done, and necessary briefings are conducted, enumerators are now ready to be deployed in specific research areas. All data submitted thorugh the app will then be sent to the specified dashboard as stated above. Upon reaching a pre-defined threshold, say 20% of the total population for the day, the application and the dashboard, upon command keys, will automatically generate real-time analysis of the data. Such entries may be edited for corrections, which may be requested by the interviewee or the interviewer, though text messaging, phone call or through messenger app. Graphs, tables and data presentations are generated in a matter of minute.

Time Frame

Application installation – 5 minutes

Demo and initial Coaching (pre-deployment) – 5 hours

Enumeration proper – approximately 20-30 respondents a day 

Data Analysis 1 (“uncleaned” data) – 15 seconds after data submission of atleast 5 enumerators

Data Analysis 2 (cleaned) – approx. 20 minutes after manual cleaning of data manager

Report Writing – 3 days

Data management

The project will hire a dedicated staff for data management. Such data which will be acquired from both the android survey and the KII will be stored in an online and offline data base system. The data base manager will ensure the veracity of the data, its completeness in form and substance prior to access of authorized personnel to be used in various reports. These data is however available to Dubai Cares should the latter decide to take ownership of the said raw data and processed data.

Proposed Communications Strategies

This communications and advocacy strategies will deliver the major objective of popularizing education in emergencies initiatives in the 3 proposed project sites, as per the reslts of the key informant interviews and the results of the android-based survey.

Development a “Marketing strategy on information dissemination for the said program

Measuring the awareness and impact of the project in the view of recipients and stakeholders using Android survey technology which can store data with or without the internet

This can be done through the realizations of the tasks enumerated below;

Develop a messaging platform

A messaging platform will be created and will include key messages to reach partner organizations, farmers, cooperatives etc. in the said program areas. The messages will be simple, benefit driven and resonate on an emotional level.

The language used in the messaging will be very basic, easy to understand and culturally sensitive. Materials will include images to help communicate to low literacy levels. The campaign’s call to action will focus on supporting existing and proposed Education in Emergencies program.

Develop campaign tools and resources

Make it easy for the target audience to obtain the information and tools necessary to appreciate and eventually support the project.

B.1. Campaign Social Media Sites i.e. FB and twitter

B.2. Mobile phone number hotline

B.3. Development, Reproduction and Dissemination of pamphlets, brochures, and other printed materials

B.4. Trusted third-party advocates – There are many organizations and individuals that have personal relationships with, and are trusted by, the campaign’s target audience.

Create a favorable environment and a sense of urgency

C.1. Solid Reach and Frequency: Ensure a strong reach and frequency for each advocacy medium (print, trainings, etc.) medium. Rationale: People are constantly bombarded with a lot of messages and traditionally rely on more than one medium for information. MAPh’ message should be placed in formats and outlets used by target audiences (cooperatives, farmers) in such a way to ensure we reach as many individuals as possible, as many times as possible for the least cost per person.

C.2. Third-Party Research Tools: Utilize research tools to evaluate the appropriate media formats and outlets for reaching the target audiences. Research will be conducted using an Android-Based enumeration and survey applications. This will ensure time-based, realtime processing of data which will support in planning and implementing the strategies for the campaign and advocacy.

Develop an Ethnic and Minority Media Strategy.

Develop a media outreach strategy targeting key ethnic and minority groups in the proposed sites to reach ethnic and minority farmers and cooperatives.

Develop a Press Kit. Press kit materials will include information about the campaign, such as a backgrounder, stock images, fact sheet articles, and video production. The materials will be made available on the campaign Facebook page and other social media accounts.

Hold a Press Event at Campaign Launch. Plan and implement a press event to launch the campaign to the designated areas for local print, broadcast and online media outlets.

You may reach us at juan.sanlaksa@gmail.com for more inquiries or project partnerships. Or just hit a message below.

[1] http://www.ineesite.org/en/research/ecubed

[2] http://www.savethechildren.org.ph/our-work/the-challenges/education

Integrated Urban Organic Farming

Food Sustainability Initiative in Urban Communities in National Capital Region 

This essay is a discussion on the Integrated Urban Organic Farming Project initially implemented PLAN International in selected barangays in the National Capital Region. Said communal farms are managed by the PLAN’s Community Support Groups in the said areas, and will serve as a resource hub for individual families in the said barangays, with the end in mind of providing livelihood and savings opportunities for the beneficiaries.

For the said project, PLAN, through Muslim Aid Philippines, were able to established three (3) integrated urban organic farms in the above barangays,having components like mushroom production facility, aquaponics facility and an integrated organic farming in its designated farm site. 

This report particularly showcases the trainings/workshops and technical assistance provided by Muslim Aid Philippines to CSG members and other members of the communities during and after the implementation of the above-mentioned project. The report also includes the findings made by MAPh’ Community Farm Technicians during their monitoring, especially in the area of farm lot assessment and preparation and the actual installation of farm equipment and implements.

It is worthwhile to note that prior to the execution of the Project, all of the identified barangays practice some components of the project. 

In Bagong Silangan, Quezon City for example, majority of the CSG members has their own garden intended for household consumption. In Valenzuela, the barangay local government unit of Ugong has a dedicated Materials Recovery Facility where a garden of vegetables and ornamental plants is installed. Meanwhile, in Potrero, Malabon, the local government unit has implemented a greening program where portions of idle lands are planted with vegetables and medicinal plants. These practices facilitated CSG’s appreciation on the project, eventually leading to their full support and enthusiasm. Muslim Aid Philippines sees the communities’ prior knowledge on gardening and animal-raising as an opportunity for shared learning between MAPh and the CSG members.

The Integrated Urban Organic Farming Project is a composite capacity-building project of various components for urban farming. Specifically, these components include Skills-based urban farming, which includes the production of organic fertilizers and pesticides; Mushroom culture trainings; Animal Husbandry and Aquaponics. 

During the period of project implementation, the intended participants cum beneficiaries underwent trainings on topics about the above components. Said trainings are composed of both theoretical and practicum courses, to offer optimum learning, both at actual farm sites and at their own prospect community farms.

Gauging from these objectives, the project is set to capacitate memebrs of the community support group under PLAN’s MOVE-UP project, which in the long run would provide wider opportunities for accessing agricultural development opportunities. Part of the said urban farming project is the installation and setting up of Urban Demo Farm. The said Urban Demo Farm will consist of Communal and Household integrated farming systems, which is intended to become sources of livelihood and food augmentation identified poorest households. 

Conclusion

On paper, the Integrated Urban Organic Farming project is generally a capacity-building project for identified Community Savings Group (CSG) leaders and members, under the Moving-Up Project Consortium of various INGOs, which includes PLAN International.

As a capacity-building project, beneficiary-partners on the ground where focused on actual trainings, demonstrations, fieldwork and lectures on Skills Based Urban Farming, Gardening (Vertical, Horizontal, wall, container, open space), Fertilizer Production and Application, Pesticides Production and Application, Mushroom Culture, Aquaponics and Animal Husbandry. On top of these trainings were actual coaching and field-based mentoring by Muslim Aid’s Philippines’ Community Farm Technicians. Also integrated in the said project is the provision of Agri-Infrastructure Construction (Animal Cage, Vertical Garden Stall Collapsible, Solar Panel, Floating Garden) to the designated farm lots in Quezon City, Valenzuela City and Malabon.

The Project is a viable jumping board for future endeavors, especially in the area of actual food security and hunger mitigation. While the said project focused mainly on capacity building, it may be considered as a favorable gateway for expanded urban farming in all of the urban centers in Metro Manila. A considerable preparation has been made for the benefit of the MOVE-UP sites, which basically needs mentoring and actual logistical support, come the ending of the MOVE-UP project and the Integrated Urban Organic Farming project.

Meanwhile, the MOVE-UP project, which is basically pre-existent of the Integrated Urban Organic Farming Project, already has coordination mechanisms and implementation structures starting from the Consortium, leading to the projects program manager, down to the Results Officers of each barangay or city, down to the Community Savings Groups (CSGs). On the other hand, Muslim Aid Philippines has a Country Director who oversees the project and is supported by its Community Farm Technicians.

These institution-based coordination mechanisms between PLAN and Muslim Aid Philippines could have been maximized to further strengthen the execution of the project. Certainly, the schedule, safety and local concerns of the CSGs are of primordial concern and that tasks and responsibilities for the project may be treated secondary. However, due to the limited time-frame for project execution, the CSGs and both PLAN and MAPh’s field personnel have innovated coordination mechanisms to compensate the delayed project components. 

General Recommendations

 Baselining/Endlining and Data gathering and Monitoring Systems

For the actual planting and project replication, it is strongly suggested that implementers take into consideration actual baselining of various project variables like number of expected beneficiaries and partners, actual dimension of proposed sites, a list of vegetable or farm animals to be deployed to farm sites.

Likewise, there should be an interim and post project montoring system. This will enable implemenetors some valid and precise data on the status of the inputs provided by PLAN-MAPh. Similarly, implementors may implement a system and technology that would enable them to monitor and assess the status of these project variables in realtime. MAPh proposes to adapt an android based system for the monitoring and actual generation of data in real-time.

2.      

   

Coordination mechanism

While the institution-based coordination mechanism (separate for PLAN and MAPh) did fairly for the smooth implementation of the project, it is proposed that a centralized coordination mechanism be established. This could be done by pooling in representatives from both institutions which will act as a central coordinating body for ground workers, be it from PLAN or MAPh. ALL information pertaining to project implementation will be received and delivered by the said body, to maintain the veracity of information. This can be a venue for clearing the flow of information within the project. 

Seed banking

Seed banking process is actually after the actual farming/gardening phase. For the interest of replication and propagation, it is highly encouraged that each farm site should have a seed bank where seeds of different plants are stored and processed, so that it could be given to other households who would like to practice family-based farming.

It is worthwhile to note that despite the limited spaces and oppurtunities to urban settlers, there are still initiatives being udnertaken by both locl and international players when it comes to food security and cliamte change adaptation. Policies and laws in the Philippine context should only be enforced to sustain these intiatives, and the communities of can, despite of the lurking social ills, may in their own capacities initiate food production. Sa ganitong paraan, mababawasan na ang kagutuman ng mga maralitang taga-lungsod.