Synergizing Capacities and Mobilizing Resources for Coconut Fiber Production I. Project Background and Context Coco fiber is an inexpensive, light, bulky, by-product taken from the coconut husk, often thrown away as waste material. It is a good medium in environmental protection and its by-products equally useful. Thus, coco fiber is one of the promising commodities identified by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It was also voted as the most environmentally friendly product of BBC World in 2006. The Philippines has a competitive edge in the global market for this particular commodity in view of its climate, soil and other factors which offers potential for plentiful supply. The coconut being grown as a major crop in many parts of the country made the Philippines third in rank next to Indonesia and India of the total world produce (Reader’s Digest, June 2005). The Municipality of Tubungan is a 5th class municipality, 42 kilometers south of Iloilo City. It has a total land area of 8,518 hectares of undulating/rolling hills and mountains, and 100 ft. above sea level. It is highly agricultural with rice as the major crop, followed by corn, coconut and variety of vegetables (Profile of the Municipality of Tubungan 2004). - 1 - The Coco Fiber Production Project in the Municipality of Tubungan was implemented and managed by the Federation of Small Coconut Growers Association (Tubungan, Iloilo) (FSCGA), Inc. which later evolved into the Tubungan Small Coconut Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TSCG-MPC) under the supervision of the Local Government Unit of Tubungan and the continuing support and technical assistance of West Visayas State University (WVSU), the Philippine Association of Tertiary Level Educational Institutions in Environmental Protection and Management (PATLEPAM), UNDP and other government and non- government organizations. The project is in consonance with two of the Millennium Development Goals which are poverty alleviation and environmental protection and conservation. Specifically, it aims to improve the socio economic condition of the small coconut farmers of Tubungan and ensure environmental sustainability for a healthy and progressive community. To attain the objectives, the project aims to 1) establish an efficient production system of quality coco fiber; 2) develop value added products to coconut; 3) hone the entrepreneurial skills of the coconut farmers; 4) maximize the utilization of organic farm inputs; and 5) generate employment and contribute to the increase of income of the coco farmers and their families in the locality. - 2 - Preliminary activities started in August 2004. A series of consultative meetings with stakeholders were conducted until April of 2005. This includes a consultation meeting, initially, with the Local Government (LGU) Officials of the Municipality, then with the members of the Federation of Small Coconut Growers Association (Tubungan, Iloilo) (FSCGA), Inc. as well as with other members of the community. Altogether, consultation meeting/workshops were conducted with the critical stakeholders, the people’s organization, LGU and the academe after which a proposal to put up a Coco Fiber Production Project was endorsed. These consultation meetings were facilitated by WVSU, UNDP- PATLEPAM and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Board of Investment (BOI). Likewise, UNDP-PATLEPAM, DENR-EMB together with WVSU held project briefings for other relevant government agencies and non government organizations, possible funding agencies, the LGU of Tubungan and people’s organizations as regards to the potential of the commodity and the coco coir industry in general. The stakeholders were consulted and highly involved in decision- making specifically, in choosing the factory site. Moreover, they were afforded the privilege to have observation trips to existing Coco Fiber Factories and Coconut Plantation. These are the Joboken Enterprises in - 3 - Bicol, the Ibajay Small Coconut Farmers’ Development Corporation in Ibajay, Aklan, the Coconut Seed Nursery of Capiz State University and the Capiz Small Coconut Farmers Cooperative, Inc. in Ivisan, Capiz. The trip to Bicol was shouldered by UNDP-PATLEPAM while local trips were sponsored by West Visayas State University. Furthermore, representatives from the LGU, the FSCGA, Inc. and WVSU and members of the Local Management Unit (LMU) attended capability building trainings, symposia, seminars and planning workshops sponsored by UNDP-PATLEPAM. WVSU as a partner academe conducted community organizing, sector profiling/benchmarking activities and environmental impact assessment. Beginning June 2005 until August 2007, a total of six (6) trainings were conducted for the members of the FSCGAI and TSCG-MPC. These are the following: Coconut Production, Cooperative Management & Values Reorientation, VCNO Production & Coco Soap Making, Coop Pre- Membership Seminar, Coco Fiber Production & Processing Technology and Twining, Loom Weaving, & Handicrafts Making. In between trainings, other activities were conducted in preparation for the actual operation of the coco fiber plant. With the assistance of the Philippine Coconut Authority in Region VI in choosing a suitable site, the FSCGAI established a coconut nursery by individually contributing - 4 - coconut seedlings. The coco farmers were also encouraged to plant more coconuts and rejuvenate the old trees to ensure ample supply of raw materials for the coco fiber plant. To formalize the working relationships among the participating organizations, Memorandum of Agreements were forged between FSCGAI and the Landowners of the factory site; WVSU and the Local Government of Tubungan and FSCGAI; and between the Philippine Association of Tertiary Level Educational Institutions for Environment Protection and Management (PATLEPAM) and WVSU. With the referral coming from DENR-EMB, WVSU, the LGU of Tubungan, and FSCGAI officers prepared a proposal for funding assistance from the Direct Aid Program of Australian Government. The assistance amounting to PhP 250,000.00 came in the form of equipment, a decorticating machine. It is the most basic equipment needed to start a coco fiber factory. The LGU made policy initiatives by having Municipal Council Resolutions adopting the coconut as their One Town, One Product (OTOP) commodity, a priority project of the Philippine government. Likewise, budgetary allocation was made in support of the project as well as the construction of the access road to the factory site. Upon the completion of the access road, the coco farmer-members initiated “bayanihan” efforts to prepare the factory site. They also built a Multi- - 5 - Purpose shed, a temporary structure in the area for their meetings. Meetings were the venues for planning, information-sharing and consensual decision-making. On the part of the Local Management Unit, a representation was made to the WVSU Administration which donated two (2) truckloads of salvaged building materials which were later used in the construction of the factory building. The LGU provided funds for the foundation and the enclosure fence of the building whereas the labor counterpart came from the coco farmer-members of the FSCGAI/TSCG-MPC. The enthusiasm of the coconut farmers was bolstered with the visit of the Resident Representative of UNDP and the United Nations Regional Coordinator, Hon. Nileema Noble, who formally turned over UNDP’s support for the start up capital of the project in the amount of PhP 300,000.00. She also led the ground-breaking ceremony in the factory site. The coconut factory is situated in Bgy. Lanag Sur, Tubungan, Iloilo in an area close to the source of raw materials and where there is ample water supply. It is just a few meters away from the banks of the Jar-ao River. Its distance from national road is approximately 800 meters. The factory site is a hilly agricultural land with some portions planted with rice. Coconut trees, mahogany, banana, bamboo and grasses are the land cover. Goats are herded at present in the area. - 6 - Not more than 10 houses (some structures are only resting sheds for farm caretakers) can be found within half a kilometer radius. Hence, there is less possibility of complaint of noise and air pollution. West of the site, along the national road, is the only gasoline station in the Municipality. Most of the business establishments are in the public market area around 2 kilometers away from the factory site. The factory area is being leased to the FSCGAI/TSCG-MPC for ten (10) years with the privilege of free use in the first three years of operation by the Gentosala family. One of the family members is a member of the Board of Directors of the FSCGAI/ TSCG-MPC and another family member was hired as the caretaker of the factory. The Coco Fiber Project created job opportunities among the coco farmers and their families, thereby, increasing their income and improving their quality of life, at the same time they help protect and conserve the environment by making use of waste products. Good Practices Achieved by the Project in the following different considerations: 1. Institutional There was a convergence of efforts among the different institutions, specifically, the three main implementers: the academe, LGU and the multi-purpose cooperative/micro enterprise. Other - 7 - relevant government agencies such as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Fiber Development Authority (FIDA), Department of Agriculture