EDNA BALBUENA-ZABATE 729 Morrow St. City of 09755465202/09983302654 [email protected]

Summary

A graduate of the University of the at Los Baños with the degree of Bachelor and Master of Science in Agriculture, both major in Soil Science. Significant experiences in Sustainable Upland Development with the following components: Sustainable Agriculture Development, Marketing and Enterprise Development, Community and Institutional Development and Extension, Rural Finance Services, Resource Management and Agricultural Infrastructure Support.

Excellent in interpersonal, organizational, presentation and writing skills.

Work History

AEDS Specialist October 2017-to date DAR-IARCDSP

Program Head July 2016-March 2018 Agriculture Department Kings College of Marbel Koronadal City

Technical Service Provider (Consultant April 2016-Nov. 2016 /Senior Agribusiness Specialist) Foundation for Rural Enterprise and Ecology Development, Inc. (FREEDOM) Davao City

Results • Prepared the inception report for DA-Region 12 on the Study of the Regional Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and Investment Roadmap of seven (7) market-driven agricultural crops of . • Collected data through desk review of related documents for secondary data and Key Informant Interview (KII), Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and survey for primary data. • Consolidated data gathered. • Analysed data and crafted draft final report.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) Feb. 2015-Dec. 2015 Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) City

Results • Monitored monthly and evaluate quarterly the SMI-assisted community development programs and projects like livelihood programs implemented by the municipalities surrounding the Final Mine Area (, South , Columbio, , Malungon Province and Kiblawan, ).The monthly monitoring is focused on physical and financial accomplishments of the program/project; financial utilization of the program/project fund; problems encountered during program/project implementation; and actions taken by the program/project proponent towards resolving the problems. The quarterly evaluation includes the assessment of outcomes, impacts of the program/project; sustainability of the benefits of the present and previous years’ programs and projects; and lessons learned from the implementation of programs and projects (proponent and SMI levels). • Developed and updated quarterly a fact sheet that highlights the programs and projects implemented in each municipality within the Project Area that can be provided to the client and to the municipalities and barangays; • Facilitated annual investment planning with the tribal foundations within the area. • Reviewed and enhanced new project proposals on livelihood from Community-Based Organizations and LGUs for SMI funding and monitor implementation of the same.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) Oct. 2014-Jan. 2015 Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) General Santos City

Results Community Development Program Assessment and Fund Utilization • Determined the progress of the Program by component vis-à-vis the objectives, the project output/outcomes and impact to the socio-economic conditions of household beneficiaries. • Reviewed the financial utilization of the project fund based on approved budget. • Determined the problems encountered during implementation, the assumptions used in the project design, and the delivery system for its various component interventions. • Extracted lessons and insights from the Program implementation that would be useful in enhancing the positive gains and in curtailing the negative results.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) May 2014 -October 2014 City LGU City of Koronadal

Results Formulated survey instruments and conducted socio-economic profiling in affected barangays and data analysis relative to the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Along the B’lok Creek Study in the City of Koronadal.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) May 2014 - August 2014 Save the Children City of Koronadal

Results Conducted research on Food Security and Livelihood Program in other covered areas of the institution focused on gathering basic information on hunger prevalence, current livelihood and natural resource use practices. Information generated were comprehensively analyzed by the Consultant to become basis of recommendations for the formulation of the Food Security and Livelihood Program to be introduced to the targeted communities.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) March 2014-May 2014 Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) Provincial Government of City of Koronadal

Results Conducted Agro-Ecological Zoning (AEZ) in the top ridges of 10 barangays covered by the proposed South Cotabato Biodiversity Corridor. Information and data gathered during the Focus Group Discussions and actual Transect Survey were comprehensively analyzed by the consultant as basis of recommendations for the sustainable establishment of the Biodiversity Corridor with inclusion of the improvement of the living conditions of the occupants in the area.

Technical Service Provider (Consultant) Oct. 2013-Dec. 2013 Save the Children City of Koronadal

Results Conducted research on Food Security and Livelihood Program in pilot upland areas focused on gathering basic information on hunger prevalence, current livelihood and natural resource use practices. Information generated were comprehensively analyzed by the Consultant to become basis in the formulation of the Food Security and Livelihood Program to be introduced to the targeted communities.

Resettlement Officer Sept. 2010- Sept.2013 Sagittarius Mines, Inc (SMI) General Santos City

Results Direct participation in the: • Formulation of the Livelihood Restoration and Improvement Framework of the would-be mine affected IP and no-IP communities based on baseline data gathered through Key Informant Interview, Focus Group Discussion and Participant Observation backed-up by secondary data • Conducted Resettlement Site Selection Study where impacted communities can restore and improve their livelihood particularly on farming. • Conduct, review and finalization of the Cultural Study leading to the development of the Cultural Heritage Impact Management Plan with Local and International Consultants

Head, Upland Development Section 2007-2010 City Environment and Natural Resources Department (City ENRO) City of Koronadal

Results Took the lead role in: • Preparing the 5-year Logical Framework of the Department • Preparing the City Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) with the integration of Diversified Farming System (DFS) • Replicating environment-friendly upland technologies relative to on-farm livelihood strategies gearing towards production of marketable surpluses. • Implementing the Forest Protection and Management Plan (BFPMS)

Head, Technical Operations Unit 2000-2007 Upland Development Programme (UDP) Department of Agriculture

Results: Took the lead role in: • Introducing diversified farming practices to secure food production and improving the watershed resource base and increase income of upland beneficiaries while safeguarding the environment. • Developing marketing strategies and plans (including development of business and operational plans) which enabled the upland communities to address their subsistence needs and produce new marketable surpluses. • Strengthening of upland communities and community-based organizations’ capability to implement sustainable resource management systems, and intensify the capacity of and other support agencies to promote and support watershed development and management • Developing a model for sustainable management of natural resources adopted and supported by Local Government Units (LGUs) and actively participated in by communities • Setting-up savings-based credit delivery system in partnership with rural financial institutions to address the problem of poor access to financial services by upland communities • Responding to infrastructure needs for resource management and market-led production in beneficiary communities by providing appropriate, sustainable and replicable structures

Chief, Technical Services Section 1990-1997 Southern Mindanao Agricultural Programme (SMAP) Department of Agriculture

Results • Prepared, review and finalized on-farm project proposals for approval and funding • Supervised implementation of approved on-farm projects by Community-Based Organizations. • Conducted trainings on appropriate and environment-friendly technologies • Conducted agricultural research • Prepared progress and annual reports • Coordinated with LGUs and other line agencies to define partnership activities