To bring about positive change and growth in rural communities, interventions to address pressing issues and maximize potentials should be initiated and implemented. Proponents of such developments must make sure to minimize damages and that no one gets left behind.

In the implementation of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), consideration for the rights and well-being of people and the environment is considered a must. Hence, the prerequisite for all subproject proponents to comply and practice social and environmental safeguards or SES in the subprojects even beyond their completion.

In the Calabarzon region, the Santa Maria, Laguna local government stood out in one of its SES practices, the implementation of the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy Framework. As the LGU set out to propose the DA-PRDP-funded Kayhacat-Bagumbayan Farm-to-Market Road, potential beneficiaries within the road influence area were consulted from the start. From this consultation, the LGU discovered that one family in Brgy. Bagumbayan would be displaced as the road will literally pass through their house, the Dimaano family.

Alexis is the head of the Dimaano family. At the time, he and his wife Nancy have three children, all going to school. To sustain the family’s needs, Alexis and Nancy both work as farmers, planting in the rice fields or picking fruits in the mountains. Despite these, they admitted that they were not earning enough. And with an upcoming road project that might lead them to lose their house, they did not know how to start anew.

In response to this, the Santa Maria LGU consulted the family on what aspects of their life would be heavily affected by the subproject. Through the LGU’s efforts to maintain constant and open communication with the Dimaano family, Alexis and Nancy became amenable to the subproject’s implementation. This then led to the development of a Resettlement Action Plan. In this document, signed by the Santa Maria Mayor and the Dimaano family, are agreements on how they can work together to help the family start anew and prosper.

The Santa Maria LGU offered the family to relocate in Brgy. Calangay, ten to twenty minutes away from their house in Brgy. Bagumbayan. At the same time, the LGU offered them to construct a new house of the same value in the new location. Applications for water and electricity connections were also facilitated by the LGU for the family to ensure that they can live comfortably as they did in their former home.

“Napakaswerte po namin dahil kahit lilipat na kami ng lokasyon, titira na lang kami doon dahil lahat ay inayos na nila para sa amin. Lahat ng materyales ng bahay namin ay bago, at sabi sa amin, ‘yung mga materyales sa dati naming bahay ay sa amin pa rin,” shared Alexis.

To save the family from transportation expenses for their children, the Santa Maria LGU and the Dimaano family agreed to transfer the children to a high school and elementary school in Brgy. Calangay. Not long after, the children thrived in their new environment and even discovered their talents, especially Grade 11 Neil who now draws and paints human portraits. According to Nancy, Neil aspires to be an architect.

The next agreement in Santa Maria LGU’s action plan is the provision of a financial allowance to the Dimaano family worth Php 9,000.00. This will help them adjust and find new means of income in their new location. Alexis and Nancy used this as capital for a new business in fish vending. And after a few years, this has become a stable source of income for them. They also continued to farm and sell fruits and vegetables, earning them Php 40,000-50,000.00 a month.

“Nakakaluwag na po kami sa mga gastusin kumpara noon at nabayaran na rin po namin ang aming mga utang. Nakabili din po kami ng appliances at mga gamit ng aming mga anak sa school. Kung dati po ang iniisip lang namin ay paano kami makakain sa buong araw, ngayon po nakakapag-plano na po kami para sa kinabukasan ng aming mga anak,” shared Nancy.

Seeing the impact of their efforts to the Dimaano family, and the cooperation of their constituents in the implementation and maintenance of the Kayhacat-Bagumbayan Farm-to-Market Road, the Santa Maria LGU saw the value of considering social and environmental safeguards in every project. According to Santa Maria Mayor Cindy Carolino, they are gradually adopting SES in every local project no matter how big or small.

“Given naman po talaga, na everytime there is a development, merong maapektuhan, kaya bigyan natin sila ng pagkalinga. Remember, ‘yung mga taong maaapektuhan, they form part of our community, kaya sana po ite-take natin sila into consideration by helping them or provide them at least a replacement of what they will possibly be losing,” she shared.

As the DA-PRDP transitioned to DA-PRDP Scale-Up, implementation of social and environmental safeguards for its subprojects was further refined and strengthened. From the planning phase, SES concerns are already being checked locally through the Early SES Screening Tool. To further ensure its effective implementation and promote the practice of SES for local projects, the DA-PRDP actively capacitates and recognizes LGUs for their efforts and good practices. #

To ensure that its constituents are well-informed of the subproject implementation and its possible effects on their daily lives, the Santa Maria, Laguna LGU conducted various stakeholder consultations. (Photo by Santa Maria, Laguna LGU)

As a result of the consultations, the Santa Maria, Laguna LGU developed a Resettlement Action Plan for the Dimaano family whose house in Brgy. Bagumbayan will be directly affected by the construction of the farm-to-market road.

Despite being in a new environment after their relocation, the Dimaano children have started to develop their talents and ambitions. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Years after the fulfillment of the agreements in the Resettlement Action Plan, the Dimaano family shared that quality of their lives has significantly improved and they now have the time and resources to prepare for their childrens’ futures. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Upon receiving their livelihood allowance, the Dimaano family immediately used it as capital for their new business in fish vending. (Photo by Santa Maria, Laguna LGU)

Although the Dimaano family’s new house is of the same value as their old house, they think that it is a better home because it was built with newer and better materials. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

As a result of their hardwork over the years from selling fish and continuing their farming, the Dimaano family purchased a tricycle for their family’s use and businesses. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

The 7.17 km Kayhacat-Bagumbayan Farm-to-Market Road traverses six barangays and targets to benefit 10,898 beneficiaries. (Photo by Elijah Ocial)