CHED K-12 TRANSITION PROGRAM IRSE Grants

KUSOG TACLOBAN was first set-up to provide immediate relief to Haiyan affected families and communities in the immediate wake of the super typhoon. As needs on the ground changed, it has transitioned into helping rural agricultural communities to strengthen their resilience in the face of future calamities. KTI's main objective is to develop a model for integrated interventions in rural agricultural communities that will increase their capability to address their own problems, reduce their vulnerability and improve their resiliency in the face of calamities. The pilot project is in the rural barangay of Dumarag in Pastrana, Leyte. It is located in District 2 and has 120 households with an approximate population of 600. The municipality of Pastrana is classified as fifth class and has 29 barangays, 25 of which are rural. Once perfected, the integrated communities model will be replicated in the other rural barangays in the area. The essence of the program is in the operationalization of the concept of community empowerment. Capacity development will be implemented from the household level and up through the organized civil sector (i.e. Dumarag Farmers Association) and the local LGU. As ownership of the development process and outcomes is critical, the “bottom up” approach will be implemented where all phases from planning to monitoring and evaluation will be participatory. Available resources and capabilities within the community, both private and government, will be utilized, augmented by an optimal use of assistance coming from donors and National Government Agencies that have specific programs setup for this purpose.