In order to further expand knowledge in the use of projects tools for efficient monitoring and evaluation of subprojects, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office V (RPCO Bicol), in collaboration with the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), conducted a training session on the use of Geo-Enabling Initiatives for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) on July 26-27, 2021.

GEMS is a simple ICT tool for Remote Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation, Beneficiary Engagement, and Safeguards and Portfolio Mapping. Given the travel restrictions and limited movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of GEMS is an effective tool for project monitoring in distant project sites.

During the training, Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU) Alternate Unit Head Joseph Pacon introduced the GEMS to the RPCO V team, where the use of the Kobotoolbox was introduced to input questions and simplify the generation of results. Additionally, a hands-on activity was conducted for participants to further understand the app.

RPCO V Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Rhodelia Remot expressed her gratitude with the innovations offered by the DA-PRDP NPCO GGU team, as it makes data generation for monitoring and evaluation easy and transparent.

“Malaki ang naging tulong ng GEMS sa atin, especially sa Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, dahil very transparent ang result nito at madali ang generation ng report. Dati, ang naibibigay lang namin ay findings, pero hindi namin naibibigay kaagad ang functionality ng project. Mas madali at makikita agad ng LCEs ang result, para ma-iaddress kaagad ang mga findings na nakita,” Remot said. 

To date, the RPCO V team is studying how the GEMS application can be used in conducting activities given the current heightened restrictions due to the pandemic. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

The RPCO Bicol engaged in the discussion on the GEMS application presented by the DA-PRDP NPCO GGU Alternate Unit Head Joseph Pacon. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

RPCO Bicol Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Rhodelia Remot and Business Development Officer Alexander Lim used the Kobotoolbox and KoBoCollect to input the questions and answers during the hands-on activity. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

DA-PRDP NPCO GGU Alternate Unit Head Joseph Pacon introduced the Geo-Enabling initiatives for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) to the RPCO Bicol team as a project tool that can be used for project monitoring. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)