DTI-CARP Bukidnon Personnel Visits San Fernando, Bukidnon

San Fernando, Bukidnon-CARP personnel of DTI-Bukidnon visited the municipality of San Fernando last June 7, 2006 to follow-up DTI-CARP's projects in the municipality as well as its One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program.

For the agrarian reform community (ARC) updates taken from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-San Fernando's Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Mrs. Dolores Apostol: the ARC area as of now is critical due to the recent series of killings in the vicinity of the barangays covered by the ARC. According to MARO Apostol, Mayor Laurencia Edma warned government employees to lay low from the critical barangays unless the business is an emergency situation or critically important. This warning by the mayor is based on the recent NPA activities in the area and the "Magahat" activities of the Manobos. According to the mayor's office, the killing started after a Manobo was killed during the barangay Namnam fiesta last March. Another update from the MARO office says that the ARC could be a possible recipient of the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project-III (ARISP III) project, a foreign-assisted/funded project. MARO Apostol said that if ever it will be given to the ARC, they need the assistance of DTI-CARP.

Common Service Facilities (CSFs)--DTI-CARP recommended the disposal of the rattan sizing machine and the rattan sanding machine presently held by the Tigwa Rattan Operators and Workers Association (TROWA). The machine is in a very poor condition and it was concluded that the machine could not be used again because it was already damaged due to exposure to the elements of weather. Mr. Santoninio of SAIDA said that he could help us in looking for a bidder in the disposal of the machine. As for the CSF held by the San Fernando Agro-Industrial Association (SAIDA), Mr. Justiniano Santoninio. SAIDA president said that they are willing to waive their ownership of the said machines which is composed of the following: rattan sizing machine, rattan sanding machine, rattan splitting machine and the motor. The reason for their intention to waive the said CSFs is that the possibility of SAIDA to acquire a permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is very low. DENR is very strict in giving out permits for cutting rattan poles.

CSF entrusted to the Tigwa Rattan Operators & Workers Association (TROWA) showing the very poor condition of the machines.

CSFs under the San Fernando Agro-Industrial Association.

One Town, One Product Program (OTOP)--Engr. Judith Luis of the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) and CTEC-TESDA said that they have conducted the Dried Flower Decor Making last May 23, 2006. It was participated by 40 women who are members of the Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) in the municipality. This training could be a possible component of the handicraft program. They also said that another training is coming up this thirs quarter of 2006, probably in August 2006. The training is bamboo handicraft production and the trainor of the said training is from Central Mindanao University (CMU). The next activity of the OTOP Program for the municipality is the presentation of the OTOP-San Fernando Action Plan to Mayor Edma and the OTOP stakeholders this June.KMRS