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Author: Mary Therese Norbe

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Country Director Statement on the Ongoing Devastation of Tropical Storm Trami

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

[October 23, 2024 – Manila] – Tropical storm Trami continues to devastate six regions across the Philippines, with Southern Luzon particularly hard-hit. Homes and infrastructure have been submerged. Landslides and widespread flooding devastated farming and fishing areas. Over 400,000 individuals – many still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Yagi last month – are now grappling with another disaster.

“CARE Philippines, in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations, is on the ground, conducting needs assessment and ready to deliver immediate assistance to those most affected by Tropical Storm Trami. Our primary concern is for the most vulnerable, especially women and girls, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence and neglect as access to essential services like food, water, shelter, and healthcare has been severely disrupted.

Our top priority is to address the urgent needs of those hardest hit. We are deploying rapid assessment teams and working closely with our local partners through the Humanitarian Partnership Platform and authorities to provide life-saving support and ensure that the protection of women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by disasters, remains central to our response.

To effectively respond to this crisis and support recovery efforts, we need the collaboration of all sectors—government, civil society, and the private sector. The scale of need is vast, and only through coordinated efforts can we help affected communities and prevent further loss of life.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mary Therese L. Norbe, CARE Philippines Communications Specialist
Email: marytherese.norbe@care.org

Note to Editors:

CARE Philippines has been providing humanitarian and development support since 1949, consistently working to uplift vulnerable communities. The Philippines continues to be among the most disaster-prone countries globally, and CARE remains at the forefront, delivering life-saving assistance to those most in need. According to the World Risk Index 2023, the Philippines remains the most at-risk country with the least capacity to respond to natural disasters.

Philippines: Rapid Gender Analysis for the El Niño Crisis

This document represents a working draft that encapsulates the initial findings from the Rapid Gender Analyses (RGA) conducted in Kalinga and Negros Oriental provinces. RGA is an interactive process that incorporates more information as it becomes available. The analyses and recommendations are based on the data and observations collected during the initial phase of the study.

Currently, we are awaiting the completion of the RGA for North Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte. The findings from these additional provinces will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the gender dynamics and disparities across the studied areas. Consequently, the final report may include significant updates and modifications to the information contained in the initial report.

This working document’s purpose is to share the preliminary results with stakeholders, enabling them to provide feedback and contribute to the ongoing analysis. We encourage all recipients to review the findings critically and offer insights that may enhance the accuracy and relevance of the final report.

Please be advised that the data presented here should not be used as a basis for decision-making until the full analysis is complete. Any use of the information in this draft should be made with the understanding that it is part of an evolving study.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work towards delivering a thorough and accurate gender analysis that will inform future initiatives and interventions in these provinces. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration in this important endeavor. For any inquiries or further information regarding this document or the ongoing analysis, please do not hesitate to contact the project team.

Briefer: aGAP Social Enterprise

The aGAP (Asenso sa Good Agricultural Package) is a social enterprise model that offers a range of solutions for smallholder farmers. The model seeks to connect businesses and combine services for the supply of agricultural resources such as seed, fertilizer, farm tools and equipment, while providing education, financial connection, and market facilitation at the local level.

The Wave of Women-Led Enterprises after Typhoon Rai: Madel’s Story

It’s a busy day as tourists swarm the line of stalls at the popular Maasin River in Barangay Maasin, Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Madel Elimanco, 39, stands at the front of her shop and invites tourists to check the various goods she sells. She has souvenir items such as shirts, bags, shell ornaments, accessories made of coconuts, and delicacies that are sought after by people who flock to the island.

She still gets overwhelmed whenever she earns more than she expects on a day of selling. She remembered how difficult it was for her and her husband to get back on their feet when Typhoon Rai (Odette) struck in 2021. Their stall where they used to sell hot cakes, processed foods, and coconut shell souvenirs was swept away by the strong winds. After the onslaught, her husband who was a tour guide and surfing instructor struggled to find income when all tourists had gone, and the island was left in ruins.

As much as Madel wanted to recover their assets and start selling again, they had no capital to use. She wanted to find a job so that they could survive the daily challenge of putting food on the table and taking care of their children’s needs.

“It was hard for me to find another job because I’m used to running a small business. I wasn’t confident to do something that I don’t have the right skills for”, she said. 

CARE Philippines through Project WAVES (Women Adding Value to the Economy in Siargao) identified Madel as one of the women entrepreneurs to be engaged as a project participant who will lead their livelihood recovery. She participated in a series of livelihood and financial literacy training and was supported to recover her assets and improve and diversify her products through financial assistance.

“Before, I only sell a few items. Now, I have more products displayed and sold in my souvenir shop”, she shared.

CARE Philippines works with 1,175 women and men entrepreneurs in Santa Monica, Burgos, San Isidro, Pilar, Del Carmen and Dapa municipalities in Siargao Island in recovering and sustaining their livelihood and increasing their resiliency through the WAVES project supported by the Tijori Foundation.

CAREPh, DOST-PCAARRD forged partnership to support smallholder farmers 

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

CARE Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) signed an MOU to provide a holistic package of farming solutions to smallholder vegetable farmers in Mabitac, Famy, Sta. Maria, and Pangil, Laguna province on February 12.  

This will be made possible through the Asenso sa Good Agriculture Package (aGAP) Social Enterprise project being implemented in the said municipalities where vegetables are the prime commodity. Small-scale farmers in these areas have costly and or unreliable access to farming inputs, technology, and markets for their produce. Moreover, they suffer from losses caused by natural hazards such as drought, flooding, and typhoons.  

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director emphasized the importance of collaborating with the DOST-PCAARRD in increasing farmers’ resilience by accessing necessary resources through the latter’s Agri-Aqua Business Hub.  

“It’s an alliance that promises to harness the best of science, technology, and community spirit to break down barriers, open doors to opportunities, and pave the way for a new generation of entrepreneurs in agriculture and aquaculture,” she said.  

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

The Agri-Aqua Business Hub is DOST-PCAARRD’s new platform for technology promotion, transfer, and commercialization that offers a diverse range of services. In this project, these are innovative, client-focused, and sustainable agricultural support services that would improve the livelihood of more than 2,000 smallholder farmers in Laguna.  

“Working together, we can offer personalized advice, training, and support that is more closely aligned with farmers’ individual circumstances and goals,” shared Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director.  

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

aGAP SE is a social enterprise project that offers a range of solutions such as seed, fertilizer, farm tools, and equipment while providing education, financial connection, and market facilitation to smallholder farmers through collaboration and partnership with local government units, government line agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders.  

It is supported by the Tijori Foundation, a long-time partner of CARE Philippines in humanitarian and development initiatives.  

Reviving Typhoon-Damaged Coconut Farms: A Farmer and Public Servant’s Story

“I have replanted all the damaged coconut trees on my farm while I help other farmers recover their livelihood”, shared Juvy Laguansa, 50, a farmer and public servant in Barangay Genemoan, Loon, Bohol.

He has been tilling more than half a hectare of a farm for the past 14 years and has experienced several ups and downs through these years. However, it was typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai that left him and his family uncertain of how they could bounce back when it ravaged the province on December 16, 2021. Its harsh winds felled several decades-old coconut trees on his farm. The mahogany trees were also severely damaged. He and his family primarily rely on coconut farming and were expecting a huge return when they would eventually harvest the mahogany trees. Hence, it was difficult for them to suffer such a huge loss.

He further shared that even before the typhoon, most of the coconut farmers in the province were already suffering from losses because of the fluctuating price of copra and the exploitation by middlemen who buy their produce at low prices and provide loans for agricultural inputs at excessive interest rates.

“Without inputs, we couldn’t start anew. There was also a lack of seednuts or seedlings because every coconut farmer in Bohol was heavily affected at that time”, he added.

The Philippine Coconut Authority recorded that over 3 million coconut trees were toppled by the typhoon in Bohol. The provincial nurseries were also heavily damaged. With coconuts taking three to five years before bearing fruit, coconut farmers would have to find ways to thrive.

When the RISE Coco project was introduced to their community, Juvy, felt relieved that, finally help was coming for the sixty-four (64) typhoon-affected coconut farmers in Barangay Genemoan, including himself. As a key barangay official, he felt the need for the barangay local government unit (BLGU) to take part in ensuring that the project would achieve its goal of reviving the small-scale coconut farms and recovering affected households’ source of livelihood. The BLGU facilitates the scheduling and organizing of climate change-resilient farming training and provides venues, logistics, and security for project activities.

Photo: Juvy Laguansa talks to PCA National Director Bernie F. Cruz and Cargill Philippines’ Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development for Philippines and Vietnam, Jennifer Sabianan during their visit to the locally managed nursery.

As a beneficiary, he helps in managing the community-based nursery and ensures that seed nuts and seedlings are taken care of. He also encourages fellow farmers to continue learning and applying good agriculture practices that they learned from the training, not only in propagating coconuts but also in other crops.

“From the training, I noted how important financial literacy is in farming because I can track the costs of inputs, expenses, and income. It also helped me in finding ways that I could manage the household finances”, he said.

The RISE Coco project is implemented by CARE in partnership with the CebuBohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center and supported by Cargill.

The Wave of Women-Led Enterprises after Typhoon Rai: Rosana’s Story

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Stories of Change

“I was able to expand my business and increased my income through the project’s assistance. I can now provide for the needs of my family, and I won’t have to work elsewhere and away from my children”, shared Rosana, 36, a woman entrepreneur in Del Carmen municipality in Siargao.  

She and her husband, Olibert, manage an eatery that sells cooked food, grilled meat, coconut drinks, and various sundry items. Locals and tourists who crave cheap comfort food have been coming and going. The business brings considerable income to support their family of six.  

This was far-fetched from their situation more than a year ago when super typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette, ravaged everything they had in just a few hours of destruction. They lost their cooking equipment and ingredients. Their food stall was also destroyed.  

They used up their business capital and savings to survive the first few months after the typhoon. To ensure that their children’s needs were taken care of, her husband sold young coconut juice to tourists who were slowly coming back to the island. However, it barely brought money to the household because of the unstable supply of young coconuts affected by the typhoon.  

So, Rosana made the difficult choice of leaving her family. She worked as a house helper in another municipality and stayed there for six months. She endured the worry of being away so she could earn money.

“If I didn’t work, I was afraid I couldn’t give my children the support they needed at that time”, she said.

She longed to go back home and restart their business. However, their income couldn’t afford them to put up the needed business capital. When CARE introduced project WAVES (WoMen Adding Value to the Economy in Siargao) to their community, she was selected as one of its participants. The project aims to assist typhoon-affected small entrepreneurs, like her, to recover their livelihood and reintegrate them into the local tourism industry of the island.  

She underwent training organized by the project to improve the financial and entrepreneurial capacities and competencies of project participants. She then received financial assistance which she used to buy cooking equipment and set up their shop.  

“I learned to record and monitor our income and expenditure and started saving again”, she said. With their business thriving, she added that they had more time spent with their children and didn’t have to worry about not being able to provide for their needs.  

Project WAVES is a partnership between CARE and the Tijori Foundation to build resilient livelihoods for typhoon-affected small entrepreneurs in the community-based tourism value chain. 

Managing a Community-Based Coconut Nursery: The Padillos of Calape, Bohol

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Other Topic, Stories of Change

“I’ve learned how to manage a nursery which farmers can establish in their own farms. The training also encouraged us to be smart on how we plant coconuts as well as other crops to avoid losses due to changes in weather conditions”, said Lorna Padillos, 47, a farmer from Barangay Lucob, Calape, Bohol.

She is the manager of the community coconut nursery which is located in a patch of land near their family’s farmhouse. She and her husband, Silvestre, take turns ensuring that the nursery is well taken care of and secured from being damaged by farm animals.

One hundred coconut farmers who are partners in the implementation of the RISE Coco (Recovery Intervention for SEverely Affected Coconut Farming Communities of Bohol by ST Odette) project in Barangay Lucob presently use the nursery to propagate seed nuts and prepare seedlings for planting in their respective farms. Lorna shared that the nursery became a learning venue for them to apply good coconut farming practices such as choosing the best variety of seed nuts to propagate, using organic compost or vermicast as fertilizer, and deciding the appropriate time of the year to plant based on climate conditions that they learned from the series of training conducted through the project. They were also trained on how to manage their finances and how to save for emergencies such as typhoon Odette which took almost everything they own.

“We used to live comfortably before the typhoon. We had a house, a coconut, and a rice farm. We also raised poultry and livestock and tended a vegetable garden for food”, she said.

The typhoon left only one room of their house for them to live in for a while. They lost the coconuts, rice, farm animals, and vegetables to the harsh winds and heavy rains. The experience left the couple devastated and didn’t know how to provide for their family’s daily needs.

They received financial and material assistance from the government which only lasted for a couple of months. They had to rely on one of their children who was already working to provide them with money for repairing their house and to have something to eat daily. To start farming, they borrowed money from lenders to buy farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers. However, they found it difficult to source coconut seedlings because all of Bohol was heavily affected by the typhoon.

When the RISE Coco project staff conducted a consultation in their barangay in August 2022, their family was selected as one of the beneficiaries in their community and were oriented about the project. They accepted to be part of the project because of their interest in recovering their coconut farm. She and her husband underwent training on financial literacy and sustainable good agriculture including climate-resilient coconut farming.

With the establishment of the nursery, Lorna became its manager. This was during the long dry season and propagating seed nuts was a challenge because of the intense heat. She and her husband, along with other farmers took turns in watering the seed nuts every day to prevent them from withering. Their hard work paid off. By October 2023, they were able to propagate almost 3,9678 seed nuts and seedlings. Out of these, they have replanted 2,849 coconuts in various beneficiary farms.  

As a manager, she has the challenging task of encouraging her fellow coconut farmers to be responsible for their seed nuts and seedlings in the nursery. She sees it as a sustainable source of seedlings and income for the members. Many farms in the province are still struggling to find a good source of copra-quality seedlings. Community-based nurseries that are well-managed like theirs could earn from selling their seedlings.

“We rehabilitate our farms and we will no longer worry about where to get seedlings when we need them”, she added. 

The RISE Coco project aims to address the critical needs of typhoon Odette-affected coconut farmers for livelihood support, primarily the alternative sources of income while rehabilitating their damaged coconut trees in 2 years. It is implemented by CARE in partnership with the CebuBohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center and supported by Cargill.

Opening Open Government: Women’s Rights Organisations and the Open Government Partnership in the Philippines

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Evaluation / Research, Gender, Reports & Publications

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multilateral initiative to advance open government through collaboration between government and civil society. Governments work with civil society in multi-stakeholder forums to co-create Action Plans that contain commitments to advance transparency, participation, and accountability.

Baking Anew: A Typhoon Rai Survivor’s Story

After months of having her business stalled due to Typhoon Rai (Odette), Estelita, 43, has increased her income from baking and cooking bread locally known as “Pan de Bisaya” in San Isidro municipality in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

This type of bread is popular among the people on the island, including tourists, because of its simplicity and affordability. She bakes a batch early in the morning, usually paired by their customers with hot piping coffee. She then repeats the process in the afternoon when several people crave freshly baked bread after their siesta or during their idle time.

It takes hard work to knead the dough, heat the oven and bake the bread while ensuring it doesn’t get burned. She’s constantly exposed to the oven’s heat, which sometimes blurs her vision. But this was the only business she knows of and have mastered doing to support her family of nine.

She remembered how she and her husband were at a loss after the devastation of the typhoon left them with almost nothing. All her baking equipment and ingredients were damaged. They have seven children to feed, and with no income source, they feared they would go hungry. It was fortunate that the local government and non-government organizations provided them with various assistance to have food on the table while they look for ways how to earn a living.

Her husband resumed peddling a tricycle-for-hire. Meanwhile, Estelita refurbished their damaged traditional oven made of galvanized iron plain sheets. They restarted with a small capital, and she soon baked and sold bread at their yard. Her husband would sometimes deliver ordered bread to customers. Their income was just enough to afford their basic needs for food, water, and electricity. With the schools opening, the family needed a bigger income to fully address their children’s schooling needs.

CARE Philippines, through the Project WAVES (WoMen Adding Value to the Economy in Siargao) identified Elenita as a participant under the Women Enterprise Facility program, which gives livelihood opportunities to existing small businesses managed by women. She first attended the project’s “Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training” facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Surigao del Norte.

Photo: A trainer from the Department of Trade and Industry-Surigao del Norte shows project participants how they could manage their finances wisely.

“I realized that I need to allocate a portion of my daily income to savings so that there’s money we could use in case of emergencies. I also aim to improve my business and how I record my expenses and income with what I have learned from the training”, Elenita said.

After the training, she received a 10,000-peso cash grant through the project on October 27, 2022. She used this amount as an added capital and bought baking ingredients, materials, and equipment.

Elenita bakes traditionally using a refurbished oven made from G.I. sheets at the side of the road accessible to commuters and tourists.

“My goal is to earn and save enough to have my own small bakery”, she shared.

This empowering support to women entrepreneurs like Estelita is one of the main goals of the WAVES project, which aims to address the critical needs of women and men in affected communities heavily dependent on the tourism industry. This project is a partnership between CARE and the Tijori Foundation which has been supporting communities and people in need in the country for several years now.

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