To further capacitate the proponent groups of the ten microenterprise subprojects in the province of Sorsogon, the Enterprise Development Component (I-REAP) under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) conducted a Capacity Development Training on August 2-5, 2022.

The training was facilitated by the Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon Enterprise Development and Marketing Specialist Gay Bañez, Organizational Development Specialist Fermin Rempillo, and the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Bicol Organizational Development Officer Angelica Peñano. 

The training aims to strengthen the existing capacity of the proponent groups and help them develop an action plan so they can easily manage their enterprises even during critical situations of the project implementation.

The participants of the said training were the recipients of the microenterprise subprojects whose livelihoods were severely affected by typhoons Lando and Nona in 2015. 

Among the participants were the Rural Improvement Club of Bagacay, Samahang Mangingisda ng Tomalaytay, Cogon Fisherfolk Organization, Association of Mushroom Grower in San Bernardo, Rural Improvement Club of Cagang, Rural Improvement Club of Olandia, Carayat Seaweed Farmers Association, Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Gimaloto, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Organikong Panggugulayan, Gubat Saint Anthony Cooperative, Salvacion Farmers Development Cooperative, and St. Anne Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative. 

The proponent groups expressed their gratitude for the new knowledge they acquired from the training and said that it will help them manage their enterprises more efficiently, especially since they are adjusting again due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I-REAP aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery-based enterprises through efficient value chains of key agricultural and fishery products in targeted program areas to help increase the productivity and marketability of agriculture and fishery products. It also aims to increase access to information and support services and increase farm and fishery household incomes through engagement in value-adding activities. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon Organizational Development Specialist Fermin Rempillo discusses the result of the SWOT analysis prepared by the participants. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

RPCO Bicol Organizational Development Officer Angelica Peñano assists in identifying the constraints and opportunities faced by the proponent groups in the project implementation.
(Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

PSO South Luzon Enterprise Development and Marketing Specialist Gay Bañez backs the proponent groups in creating and finalizing their output for the capability-building training.
(Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit