Scaling-up of CHARM2 project starts

A TWO-year scaling up phase of the CHARM2 Project officially started this year following the completion of the CHARM2 Project last December.

The scaling up of CHARMP2 is a twoyear (2018-2019) additional financing of development projects to be conducted in the 18 new barangays within the six provinces of the Cordillera. It is a project under the Department of Agriculture amounting to around P600 million.

As a continuing effort of the completed CHARM2 Project, it is geared towards building on recent progress and transforming initial results into sustained, long-term benefits for targeted highland communities; and expanding investments in the poorest areas of CAR that did not receive support from CHARMP2.

Project Loan agreement between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the Philippines (GOP) was signed in October and November last year, respectively. Preparatory works, however, were already done as early as January last year with the assumption that the Scaling Up phase will immediately begin.

Activities, however, were rolling ahead to jumpstart implementation of sub-projects in the 18 Scaling-up barangays. Orientations of project beneficiaries and local government units were already done, strengthening of peoples’ organizations and preparations of sub-project documents are on-going.

Coverage barangays are new and are fairly distributed in the six provinces of the Cordillera.

The coverage barangays include Nalbuan in LicuanBaay, NagbuquelTuquipa in Luba, and Bayabas in Malibcong for the province of Abra; Ferdinand in Calanasan, Calafug in Conner, and Lucab in Kabugao for Apayao; Bagu in Bakun, Pongayan in Kapangan, and Pappa in Sablan for Benguet; Anao in Hingyon, Abatan in Hungduan, and Gumhang in Tinoc for Ifugao; Lower Taloctoc in Tanudan, Bugnay in Tinglayan, and Balinciagao Sur in Pasil for Kalinga; and Bagnen Oriente in Bauko, Balugan in Sagada, and Dacudac in Tadian for Mountain Province.

Scaling-up barangays were selected with the following criteria: upland area, high incidence of poverty, has limited or no development assistance under other projects, has limited access to social services, and lack of access infrastructure.

Projects will focus on agroforestry, livelihood, and rural infrastructure development projects.