Empowering rural communities through values enhancement and livelihood programs [Bicol, Philippines]

• Published in: Journal of ISSAAS Vol. 16; no. 2
• Main Authors: Ocbian, M.M, Chua, V.L, Detera, T.F, Hubilla, M.J, Danzon, V.P, Lasim, M.P, Janer, S.S., Sorsogon State Coll., Sorsogon City (Philippines). Energy Development Corp
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2010
• Subjects: CAPACITACION; COIR; COMMUNAUTE RURALE; COMUNIDADES RURALES; DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; EXTENSION; EXTENSION ACTIVITIES; FIBRA DEL COCO; FIBRE DE COCO; FILIPINAS; FISHERY PRODUCTION; FOOD TECHNOLOGY; FORMATION; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_1734; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2229; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2762; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2940; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3030; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4409; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5783; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5976; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6513; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6700; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7861; INVESTIGACION; LOANS; PHILIPPINES; PLANT PRODUCTION; PRESTAMOS; PRETS; PRODUCCION PESQUERA; PRODUCCION VEGETAL; PRODUCTION HALIEUTIQUE; PRODUCTION VEGETALE; PROJET DE DEVELOPPEMENT; PROYECTOS DE DESARROLLO; RECHERCHE; RURAL COMMUNITIES; TECHNOLOGIE ALIMENTAIRE; TECNOLOGIA DE ALIMETOS; TRAINING; VULGARISATION
• ISSN: 0859-3132

This research cum extension program jointly undertaken by Sorsogon State College and Energy Development Corporation (EDC) aimed at empowering rural communities through values enhancement trainings and livelihood projects. Using survey questionnaire, interview, observation and focus group discussion in data gathering, the 577 respondents of the nine barangays [villages] of Sorsogon City and Manito, Albay claimed to possess positive attitude toward improving their skills and supporting the development projects in their communities. Justice and peace, faith, and love of God are their common values. They hope for a progressive community, aspire for unity and cooperation and believe that they can still improve their social, spiritual and economic status in life. Majority preferred to have more trainings on agriculture/fishery, baking rice products, and meat/fish processing. The extension program, Advocacy for Livelihood Intervention and Values Enhancement (ALIVE) was implemented in the nine barangays benefiting 1,353 members. The following were undertaken: (1) organized the residents into various sectors and cooperative, (2) undertook self-awareness and values enhancement trainings, (3) conducted trainings on various livelihood projects along the four sectors, and (4) established livelihood programs for the members such as aquasilviculture, lambaklad, fish corral and fish net loan assistance for fishing sector, rice production, agricultural loan assistance and food processing for lowland agriculture production of high-value vegetables and coco coir production for upland sector, and labor contracting like welding, riprapping, and other construction related work for the labor sector. Most respondents have positive perceived values. Thus, it is recommended that a continuous training on values be conducted among the residents. Nevertheless, the trainings on self-awareness have enhanced the level of awareness of their capabilities, confidence and commitment to improve themselves. The livelihood programs have increased family income and made them more self-reliant, productive and empowered to manage some livelihood enterprises in their communities.