Quarterly Report

MARAWI RESPONSE PROJECT (MRP)

Quarterly Report

FY 2020 3rd Quarter – April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020

Submission Date: July 31, 2020

Cooperative Agreement Number: 72049218CA000007 Activity Start Date and End Date: August 29, 2018 – August 28, 2021

Submitted by: Plan International USA, Inc.

This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development Philippine Mission (USAID/Philippines).

PROJECT PROFILE

USAID/PHILIPPINES Program: MARAWI RESPONSE PROJECT (MRP) Activity Start Date and August 29, 2018 – August 28, 2021 End Date: Name of Prime Plan USA International Inc. Implementing Partner: Cooperative Agreement 72049218CA00007 Number: Names of Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB) Subcontractors/Sub Maranao People Development Center, Inc. (MARADECA) awardees: IMPL Project (IMPL) Major Counterpart Organizations Geographic Coverage Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Lanao del Norte & Iligan City (cities and or countries) Reporting Period: April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020

CONTENTS

PROJECT PROFILE ...... 2 CONTENTS ...... 3 ACRONYMS ...... 4 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 6 2. PROJECT OVERVIEW ...... 7 3. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS ...... 8 3.1 Administration ...... 12 3.2 Technical ...... 15 Intermediate Result 1: Improved economic conditions of IDPs and host communities ...... 15 Intermediate Result 2: Social Cohesion of IDPs and host communities strengthened ...... 21 3.3 Coordination ...... 24 4. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES ...... 25 4.1 Gender ...... 25 4.2 Youth Development ...... 25 4.3 Environmental Compliance ...... 27 5. IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES ...... 28 6. LESSONS LEARNED ...... 28 7. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER ...... 29 ANNEX A: INDICATOR RESULTS SUMMARY TABLE ...... 31 ANNEX B: SUCCESS STORIES ...... 33

ACRONYMS

AOR Agreement Officer Representative APMC Amai Pakpak Medical Center BARMM Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BRGs Business Recovery Grants Brgy Barangay CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CMGs Community Micro-Grants CO Country Office COP Chief of Party COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease CSG Community Solidarity Group DOH Department of Health ECOP Employers Confederation of the Philippines ECOWEB Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits ESR Environmental Screening Report FY Fiscal Year HCM Host Community Member IATF Inter-Agency Task Force IDDS Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance IDP Internally Displaced Person IEC Information Education and Communication IKA In-kind Agreement IPC Infection Prevention and Control IR Intermediate Result LGU Local Government Unit LTA Long-Term Agreement MARADECA Maranao People Development Center, Inc. M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MERL Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning MHO Municipal Health Office MHT Mindanao Humanitarian Team MRP Marawi Response Project MRP-PMO Marawi Response Project-Project Management Office MSME Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MTaPS Medicines, Technology, and Pharmaceutical Services NGO Non-Governmental Organization OFDA Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance OJT On-the-job Training OSY Out-of-School Youth PCCI Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry PDRF Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation PPE Personal protective equipment PYD Positive Youth Development RHU Rural Health Unit SARI Severe Acute Respiratory Infection SURGE USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resiliency for Growth with Equity USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government

WHO World Health Organization YEE Youth Economic Empowerment

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), the Marawi Response Project (MRP) maintained its programmatic momentum unabated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic present in all MRP project areas. In this situation of the ongoing medical emergency MRP was able to review a total of 196 grant requests, approve 254, issue purchase requests 305, and deliver 144 in the reporting quarter. Delivered grants included agricultural crops production, such as coffee and other high value crops, goat raising, farm machinery rental services, rice milling, horticulture, tilapia production, and food processing, including palapa and mushrooms, among others. Not being a health project, MRP demonstrated its nimbleness and ability to capture and immediately respond to the pandemic as a way to protect and maintain economic gains and positive impact achieved within the project targeted communities. Specifically, MRP was able to solicit and package community requests, procuring and delivering COVID- 19 response commodities within a short turnaround time through its quick response mechanism. Approximately 190,580 beneficiaries are directly benefiting from the grants delivered this quarter. COVID-19 and the resulting restrictions on project operations and safety of staff was MRP’s major implementation challenge this quarter, requiring continued suspension of training activities, partners meetings, and other community activities. MRP Senior Management put in place an alternate working schedule to reduce the number of staff in the office at one time and ensured frequent and thorough cleaning of the office to ensure staff safety. Deliveries were put on hold in the first weeks until new safety procedures were put in place and community quarantine restrictions were lifted. In response to the threat of the pandemic in critically affected MRP sites in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, MRP packaged 16 Quick Response Grants to provide commodities needed by local government front-liners, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), thermal scanners, and disinfectants. In total, MRP provided at least 32,000 sets of PPE that included face shields, surgical gowns, masks, and gloves; more than 49,000 units of disinfectants (soap and alcohol); and 421 sets of public use items such as tents, thermal scanners, handwashing tanks, electric fans, and waste bins. These common use items were variably deployed in at least 32 public places that included rural health centers, public markets, barangay and municipal centers, and city health offices. Using content from World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, Plan International, and the Philippines Department of Health (DOH), MRP produced large format billboards containing messages about the pandemic and how to prevent it. A total of 260 billboards were produced in Bisaya and Maranao and installed in 16 Local Government Units (LGUs) and 10 transitory shelter sites. MRP also facilitated a partnership with Smart Communications and the Lanao del Sur Provincial Information Office, which resulted in the launch of the Smart Infocast System in May 2020. MRP organized webinars on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) procedures, Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) Treatment Facility Management, and Specimen Collection and Handling for 74 front-liners (60 female, 14 male) from the Integrated Provincial Health Office and various Municipal Health Offices (MHOs) and rural health units. While most trainings were put on hold due to the risk of large gatherings, MRP’s Technical Leads did their best to adapt to the situation by organizing webinars to continue workforce readiness and grantee support activities. This included timely topics such as business continuity during COVID-19 and digital marketing for IDP business owners, as well as an orientation on tilapia production for 16 Community Solidarity Group (CSG) members.

In spite of the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team monitored a total of 60 business owners (34 females, 26 male) and 15 livelihood (all female) micro- grants this quarter via phone using the post-grant monitoring tools. The team also participated in weekly MERL webinar sessions conducted by USAID/Philippines on the updated USAID Performance Management Plan and Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2019-2024, Indo-Pacific Strategy, COVID- 19 Response, and Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW

Under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cooperative Agreement No. 72049218CA00007, Plan International USA (Plan) implements the Marawi Response Project (MRP) together with its key local partners Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB) and the Maranao People Development Center, Inc. (MARADECA) in support of USAID/Philippines. MRP was awarded on August 29, 2018, with a three-year period of performance ending on August 28, 2021. The overall goal of MRP is to increase the self-reliance of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community members (HCMs) affected by the Marawi siege1. To achieve this purpose, the Project will accomplish two Intermediate Results (IR): a. Improved economic conditions of IDPs and host communities, and; b. Strengthened community cohesion in communities hosting large numbers of IDPs.

IR 1 provides direct assistance to business persons and communities in the form of in-kind grants that will enable them to re-start economic activities, and training in skills that will make both young and adult IDPs and HCMs ready for employment. IR 1 also includes activities that will increase access to local and regional markets. MRP utilizes an integrated, community-based, private sector-driven, and market-oriented approach to improve the economic conditions of IDPs and host communities. IR 2 involves the delivery of grants and civic engagement training to strengthen cohesion between IDP families and their host communities who include the LGU. MRP engages with IDPs and HCMs with the means to address their own needs, aspirations and grievances, and brings both groups together in a participatory and collaborative process that builds trust, self-efficacy and agency. Both IRs are inter-related and utilize a community-based, participatory approach within an adaptive management framework to enable MRP to enhance or change activities based on feedback and other data from IDPs and host communities. Further, the project applies the following cross-cutting principles: a ‘Do No Harm’ approach; youth participation and positive youth development; women and girls leadership programming; focus on business recovery and private sector development; and civil society strengthening. MRP has integrated gender and social inclusion initiatives into all programming and project management. Given baseline findings that women have lower perceived self-reliance than men, the project addresses barriers to participation and decision-making power throughout its interventions. This includes actively improving the level of awareness and understanding of gender and social inclusion issues amongst all MRP staff.

1 This is the revised goal statement agreed upon at the Pause and Reflect in February 2019.

Plan International USA (Plan), together with ECOWEB and MARADECA, implements MRP in the following sites in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur: Table 1. Current MRP Sites Province City/Municipality

Lanao del Norte Iligan City, Baloi, Pantao Ragat, Pantar

Marawi City, Balindong, Buadiposo Buntong, Bubong, Butig, Ditsaan Ramain, Kapai, Lumba Bayabao, Lumbaca Lanao del Sur Unayan, Lumbayanague, Madalum, Marantao, Masiu, Mulondo, Poona Bayabao, Piagapo, Saguiaran, Tamparan, Tubaran, Tugaya

3. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS This section details MRP’s accomplishments during the FY20 third quarter (April 1 – June 30, 2020).

Special Initiative – Quick Response for COVID-19 Action The MRP COVID-19 Response Action Plan aimed to contribute to the multi-sectoral, whole-of-society effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the cities of Marawi and Iligan and the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Consistent with the program objectives and with concurrence from USAID, MRP intensified its rapid response to support front-liners in the last three months. As an overarching approach, activities on COVID-19 in the last quarter were implemented in a manner consistent with USAID and Plan International standards and directives, and cognizant of WHO and Philippine DOH guidelines. In implementing this plan, MRP sought guidance from USAID’s COVID-19 response team led by the Office of Health, and worked closely with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Health and other USAID implementing partners responding to the crisis, including Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance Project (IDDS), Medicines, Technology, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS), and WHO. Joint Action Planning and Coordination with LGUs – MRP maintained frequent consultations and close coordination with partner LGUs particularly the local chief executives, health officers, and disaster risk management officers. Initial planning was done in consultation with the various cities and municipalities. The sustained coordination helped define the assistance most needed by the LGUs and MHOs. For instance, in terms of commodities the front-liners indicated an urgent need for PPEs and disinfectants. At the provincial level, Lanao del Sur Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 recommended that support be provided to all LGUs even with just the essential commodities as more coverage was considered more effective compared to focused but selective provision of assistance.

Risk Prevention Communication – Using content from WHO, USAID, Plan International, and Philippine DOH, MRP produced large format billboards containing messages about the pandemic and how to prevent it. A total of 260 billboards were produced in Bisaya and Maranao which were delivered and deployed in 16 LGUs and 10 transitory shelter sites. These billboards were installed in public markets, roadsides, checkpoints, rural health centers, health offices, and municipal halls. Further harnessing the use of technology to increase reach, the program facilitated a partnership with Smart Communications and the Lanao del One of the Risk Prevention Communication billboards situated at the Sur Provincial Information Office, which boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces where resulted in the launch of the Smart Infocast commuters go through COVID-19 screening protocols. System in May 2020. The system is a web-based solution that allows the Lanao del Sur LGU to send SMS blasts to an unlimited number of constituents from a central number and receive their replies in a consolidated database. The Lanao del Sur government has sent over fifty (50) Infocast SMS blasts since May and the database reaches out to 1,480 of the LGU’s municipal, barangay chairmen and councilors, essential municipal & barangay health workers and volunteers, municipal and barangay information officers, and military & police personnel who then relay vital information to their constituents. By providing general information, advisories, announcements and maximizing its capacities to receive feedback, comments and suggestions from constituents, the Infocast system has proven to be a vital form of communication during the pandemic. Complementing public billboards and broadcast approaches, the program trained 30 communication (23 female, 7 male) practitioners from the Provincial Information Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office on principles, techniques, and approaches to communications in the context of pandemics and other emergencies. These information officers can now amplify the COVID-19 campaign in various municipalities across the entire province of Lanao del Sur. All told, efforts under this component reached an estimated 144,853 people. Enabling Front-liners – One of the most critical aspects of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is enabling front-liners, i.e. health officers, doctors, nurses, barangay health emergency response team members, barangay health workers, and disaster risk reduction officers, with essential material and tools. During this reporting period, the campaign on pandemic control intensified as various cities and provinces enforced enhanced community quarantine. The supply of much needed commodities also became highly restricted and limited. Despite these challenges, the program intensified its support for front-liners, promptly reaching out to LGUs and MHOs, finding alternative ways to procure commodities, and ensuring compliance to regulations, as well as approvals from USAID.

In this quarter, MRP mobilized and provided through its Quick Response Mechanism, at least 32,000 sets of PPE that included face shields, surgical gowns, masks, and gloves; more than 49,000 units of disinfectants (soap and alcohol); and 421 sets of public use items such as tents, thermal scanners, handwashing tanks, electric fans, and waste bins. These common use items were variably deployed in at least 32 public places that included rural health centers, public markets, barangay and municipal centers, and city health offices. A total of 11,364 front-liners benefited from these vital commodities enabling them to serve and extend Kapai Lanao del Sur medical front-liners performing specimen collection in their services and commodities to at least isolation facility triage area. 172,000 people. Support was provided to 16 LGUs with a combined population of almost 1 million people. Strategic Advisory Support for Crisis Response – MRP also engaged technical experts on COVID- 19 to provide advice, virtually and when possible physically, to local government chief executives, policy makers, and front-liners. In close coordination with USAID’s Office of Health, experts from other USAID programs and partners such as MTaPS, WHO, and Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project provided technical inputs, including guidance and information on IPC procedures, SARI Treatment Facility Management, and Specimen Collection and Handling during webinars in April and May for COVID19 front-liners. At total of 74 front-liners from the Integrated Provincial Health Office and various MHOs and rural health units were trained. MRP coordinated closely with other projects / offices such as BARMM Health, Reach Health, and the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) on matters of COVID-19 response activities, schedules, logistics, and updates. With the assistance of these USAID partners, technical advice was also provided to Lanao del Sur’s Integrated Provincial Health Office regarding the plan of the province to establish its own testing laboratory in partnership with the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), DOH-10 and the BARMM Ministry of Health. The partners shared experiences from other LGUs that have established testing centers and provided inputs on DOH regulatory requirements for establishing a testing center. In June, APMC has already secured a building for the testing center, acquired a Genexpert machine, and had personnel trained on DOH biosafety protocols. Complementary Economic Development support – Where applicable, MRP support to business recovery beneficiaries was directed towards enabling communities to have the necessary resources to undertake precautionary measures against COVID19. This was done by modifying the commodity lists of Business Recovery Grants (BRGs) and Community Micro-grant (CMG) Livelihood grants for grocery business currently in the pipeline to add and/or increase quantities for items, such as masks, soap, alcohol, gloves, and other items urgently needed by the community. As a means to promote food security and sustainability among local communities, MRP pushed for the delivery of 18 community livelihood micro grants this quarter on farming and food processing, including corn production, mushroom farming, sakurab (white scallion) farming, rice milling, tilapia production, goat-raising, and food processing (i.e. bakeries and

10 palapa processing). “The training I got from MRP is just as essential as the assistance I received to revive my bakery business and even expand to a small restaurant and grocery,” declared the owner of a bakery. “Especially with the ongoing community quarantine, topics like Digital Marketing have become most relevant even to entrepreneurs in Marawi.” MRP also conducted a series of webinars to assist IDP entrepreneurs in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur to recover from and adjust to the current business environment brought about by ongoing quarantine measures and other impacts of COVID-19. A total of 80 business owners participated in the webinars. MRP participated in the “Online Round Table Discussion on Business Continuity for Agricultural Cooperatives Amidst COVID-19,” which was organized by USAID and Agriterra Philippines on May 7, 2020. Important take-aways from the discussion have been integrated into MRP’s forward planning on value chain development through assistance to agricultural cooperatives. On June 8, 2020, MRP partnered with USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resiliency for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project in hosting a webinar on Government Financing Programs for Recovery of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Thirty IDP business owners participated in the activity. On June 16, another webinar was conducted, entitled, “Digital Marketing: Successfully Growing your Business in the New Normal,” which was also attended by 30 business owners (21 female, 9 male). In both webinars, MRP invited IDP business owners to join and provided the online streaming service to facilitate their participation. All told, during this quarter, MRP assisted 16 LGUs in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur as a response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quick Response Grants were rapidly packaged, processed and provided to Lanao Sur Province, Iligan City, Marawi City, and the Municipalities of Baloi, Pantao Ragat, Pantar and Tagoloan in Lanao del Norte and Marantao, Madalum, Piagapo, Ditsan Ramain, Saguiaran, Kapai, Sultan Dumalondong, Butig and Tubaran in Lanao del Sur. The grants covered the provision of commodities needed by local government front-liners, such as personal protective equipment, thermal scanners, and disinfectants. The beneficiaries of the COVID-19 Quick Response are presented in the following table: Table 2. COVID-19 response preliminary indicator results

Male Female Total Number of health workers trained 14 60 74 Number of people who received COVID19 response commodities 919 2,060 2,9792 (Primary front-liners, e.g. Doctors, Nurses, Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams) Number of people who received COVID19 response commodities (Secondary front-liners, e.g. Disaster Response Offices, 4,265 4,120 8,3853 Local Executive’s Offices) Number of people directly served by front-liners and utilizing individual use (e.g. disinfectants) and common-use facilities (e.g. 75,809 96,895 172,7044 tents)

2 Based on disposition list from 14 LGUs. This excludes Marawi City and Piagapo, Lanao del Sur as their deliveries will be completed in July 2020. Disposition list from LGU Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur has yet to be submitted to MRP. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid.

3.1 Administration Personnel and Organization During the reporting period, MRP hired one full-time IT Specialist, replacing a vacant post on the project.

Table 3. MRP-PMO staffing update Key Date Personnel Position Personnel Hired/Status 1 IT Specialist N May 4, 2020

The new IT Specialist received Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) training during their onboarding orientation, introducing them to the project’s Gender Policy and deepening their understanding of how gender and social inclusion are relevant to their role. In addition, a half-day GSI orientation was held this quarter and will continue to be held on a quarterly basis. This regularly recurring training allows new staff to be brought up to speed on the project’s approach to gender and social inclusion, and serves as a refresher for existing staff. The training strengthens understanding of key concepts and terminology, how GSI is applied in programming and key GSI issues in MRP.

Monitoring and Evaluation USAID/Philippines M&E reporting webinar The MERL Unit participated in the weekly M&E reporting webinar sessions conducted by USAID/Philippines from May 14 to July 2, 2020. The webinar aimed to familiarize M&E Specialists across all projects on USAID/Philippines’ updated framework and strategies, including the USAID Performance Management Plan and CDCS 2019-2024, Indo-Pacific Strategy, COVID-19 Response, and Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative. Part of the sessions conducted were to map out and identify relevant CDCS, Indo-Pacific Strategy, and COVID-19 Response indicators that could be integrated into the MPR MERL framework. MRP has identified and submitted indicators focused on COVID-19 response and the new CDCS to USAID/Philippines and is awaiting response from the USAID Agreement Officer Representative (AOR). Post-Training Monitoring

The MERL Unit conducted post-training monitoring surveys March 10-12 and May 27-June 35, 2020. The post-training monitoring survey looks into the outcome of the technical skills trainings provided to IDPs and HCMs in the first year of MRP implementation and feedback into the results for Indicator 3 (Percent of trained displaced/HCMs gainfully employed). The monitoring covered a sample of 268 training participants in MRP-covered areas, with a little over two-thirds (69%) of the respondents female. The group of training participants selected for FY2019 was composed of 70% female/30% male, which is why the proportion of female respondents in the survey is higher than that of males. Further, more than half (52%) of the respondents were IDPs. The survey found that about three fourths (72%) of respondents felt

5 MRP began conducting the training monitoring in person in March; however due to COVID-19 had to suspend in-person data collection. In May MRP began contacting the remaining respondents via phone and finished conducting the survey over the phone.

12 that the skills training that MRP conducted provided them with new skills and 39% of the respondents felt that the training improved existing skills. Most notably, the survey found that 15% of respondents felt the skills they acquired through the MRP training helped them either secure a paid job (6%) or start a business (9%). Further, the proportion of female-respondents (12%) who started a business and whose acquired skills helped in securing a paid job/employment is higher as compared to male-respondents (3%). In addition, there were similar results in the proportions of HCMs (8%) and IDPs (7%) who started a business and whose acquired skills helped in securing a paid job/employment. Based on the survey, the skills training that resulted in the highest proportion of respondents either starting a business or obtaining a paid job is food processing (51%), followed by dressmaking (24%), and carpentry (12%). Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) Post distribution monitoring for BRGs and CMGs were conducted via phone calls this quarter due to COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 60 business owners were monitored using the post-grant monitoring tool for BRG via phone calls from April to June 2020. More than half (55%) of the grantees monitored were female and a great proportion (82%) of them are IDPs. Based on the monitoring conducted, all (100%) of the BRG recipients monitored are still operational, where most (86%) of the business owners have the same business as before the siege. From the PDM, nearly half (48%) of the business owners operate a grocery, more than a quarter (28%) sell ready-to-wear garments, 15% sell textiles, 7% manage a bakery, and 1% focus on dressmaking. On average, 95% of the business owners were satisfied with the delivery process and the quantity and quality of the items received through their business recovery grant. As cited by the business owners during the monitoring, the BRG has helped to increase available merchandise/commodities (65%), increase number of customers (39%), increase sales (39%), and expand the business to another location (4%). MARADECA and ECOWEB also conducted post-grant monitoring for the 15 livelihood micro-grants (all female) in the municipalities of Baloi, Butig, and Marantao in Lanao del Sur and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte in June 2020. The CMGs monitored include grocery, dressmaking, snack inn, and bakery grants implemented by Achiever, Bandera Group, Fighters Group, Ompiyako Iranon Group, Purok 9/Nueve, Reposition Group, Pakaranon Women's Group and Kanggiginawae ko Masa CSGs. Fifteen (88%) of the CMGs were still operational, including groceries, dress-making and snack-inn. Two bakery CMGs have temporarily ceased operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to the needs in its community, the CSG Fighters Group in Tomas Cabili, Iligan City began producing face masks in addition to dressmaking as these commodities were in such high demand. Members of this CSG are earning an average of P3,000 per month for producing face masks, which contributes to their monthly household income. The grocery livelihood grant of the Reposition Group CSG, on the other hand, experienced a 70-80% decrease in sales during the three-month lockdown period. The CSGs managing grocery stores and snack-inn livelihood grants all experienced a decrease in sales due to restrictions in movement of people and food supplies in their areas. Out-of-School Youth research As part of the Year 2 research agenda, MRP selected a Research Consultant who will conduct a study on Out-of-School Youth (OSY) in Mindanao. The study will gather demographic data on OSYs in MRP sites to inform the project’s training activities and workforce readiness initiatives, as well as youth perceptions on workforce opportunities and civil society organizations who are providing services and resources to OSYs in Mindanao. The research will also attempt look into differences in opportunities and resources

13 for male and female youth. This quarter, MRP published a call for applications for the said post and evaluated applicants. The selected consultant will be onboarded in July 2020. MRP will work with the consultant to identify ways to conduct the research remotely in the event that the lockdown is extended.

Communications To ensure high visibility of MRP’s work and results, the Communications and Outreach Unit continues to support the programs IRs by documenting deliveries, events and trainings for USAID and partner LGUs. In response to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team increased its social media activities and web-based communications networking with USAID, BARMM, WHO, Government of the Philippines line agencies, other USAID funded programs, and national and local media partners. As security and health clearances permitted, assistance to regular program activities resumed, such as field visits to photo/video document program component deliveries and outputs were submitted to USAID as photo captions and blurbs. The team also provided constant communications assistance to other units (Admin, Human Resources, Procurement, and Finance) during this period as the team adjusted to the new normal of web-based communications. During the quarter, the Communications and Outreach Unit also reviewed the Communication Policy through a GSI lens. The team identified ways to improve communications so as to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. In particular, the team developed GSI-focused success stories, blogs and fact sheets; developed tools for reviewing communications materials through a GSI lens; and developed a simplified version of the photo/video consent form that is better adapted to the cultural context and digestible for those with lower literacy levels. Grants As part of its grants compliance function, Plan International USA conducted random spot checks of grants to ensure the accuracy of the information in FLUXX. This quarter, a total of 33 proposals were selected for spot checking and among the spot-checked grants, 15 of them were COVID-19 Quick Response grants. This included verifying that all required documents were attached and that the information on the FLUXX request card matched the attached documents. All findings were provided to the grants team for review and action.

Procurement From April to June 2020, the Procurement Unit delivered a total of 144 grants, an increase from 105 grants delivered in the previous quarter. The rate of deliveries slowed down from March to April 2020 from 1-2 deliveries per day as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to stall movement of people and goods. However, this rate picked up to an average of 3-5 grant deliveries per day in May and June 2020. The Procurement Team was able to achieve this by increasing the number of delivery teams within the Unit, ensuring advanced coordination with ECOWEB and MARADECA to facilitate A member of Cadayonan Mandarin CSG ferries the tilapia fingerlings, delivery of grants to CSGs, and allowing packed in oxygenated polyethylene bags, by boat to the fish cages in the lake offshores of Barangay Cadayonan, Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur. LGU recipients of COVID-19 response

14 grants to pick up commodities at the MRP office. These arrangements resulted in 89 deliveries for BRG and CMG livelihood and 55 social cohesion and quick response grants. The Unit also supported commodity delivery to the 16 LGUs through these quick response grants. The Procurement Unit likewise settled and cleared a significant number of payables and outstanding dues to third party suppliers resulting in a minimal amount of open purchase orders by the end of June 30, 2020. In this quarter, the Unit issued 26 Long Term Agreements (LTAs) to grants suppliers and workforce training providers, which will increase the efficiency of procurement and delivery of grants and training services. Moving forward for the last quarter of Year 2, the Procurement Unit will continue to focus on delivery of the remaining grants. The delivery team will be expanded into three teams to accommodate an average delivery volume of 5-6 grants per day.

3.2 Technical Intermediate Result 1: Improved economic conditions of IDPs and host communities Output 1.1: Business recovery opportunities expanded ● Indicator 4: Number of displaced business owners who benefited from business recovery micro-grants

This quarter, MRP delivered 89 BRGs to aid in restarting businesses impacted by the Marawi siege. Sixty- one percent (61%) of the business owners benefiting from these grants are women. BRGs delivered this quarter consisted primarily of in-kind assistance for grocery businesses (due, in part, to the COVID-19 response measures, wherein grant assistance packages were modified to include items essential for prevention of its spread), as well as bakery, ready-to-wear, textile and hardware. A total of 89 business owners are directly benefiting from these grants this quarter. Table 4. Year 2 BRGs delivered

AIP2 Targets: Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

3196 59 67 89 215

Total number of individuals 236 268 356 8608 benefitting from BRG7

Conversion of Value Chain Priorities into Grants Following extension activities to encourage beneficiaries to identify business and livelihood opportunities under identified value chain priorities, MRP commenced deliveries of CMG livelihood grants on horticulture production, aquaculture, and handwoven goods. These include livelihood grants on tilapia production, sakurab (white scallion) farming, mushroom farming, and weaving/dressmaking. MRP also approved 23 business recovery micro grants to cooperatives that submitted requests related to the value chain priorities on tilapia production, horticultural production, food processing and handwoven goods. These value chain projects will also endeavor to improve traditional farming and production practices by encouraging local producers to shift to more commercially important products and crop varieties. MRP will facilitate long-term supply agreements between assisted IDP producers and institutional buyers to

6 The AIP2 targets were modified in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 7 Based on estimate that each business owner will employ 3 employees, totaling to 4 direct beneficiaries per grant. 8 516 are estimated to be women.

15 develop sustainable market opportunities for its beneficiaries. All in all, around 100 business recovery and livelihood micro grants were generated under value chain prioritization. The traditional role of women in the value chain of conventional livelihoods, such as farming and other smallholder agricultural production, has been largely in support activities, like purchasing and bookkeeping, secondary production (post-harvest processing), and marketing. As such, women’s income shares are very much dependent upon the output of the primary production segment, which is traditionally dominated by men. Therefore, in economic activities that require group or collective production, MRP endeavors to mainstream the participation of women in the primary production segment, where the income share is usually higher and where market distribution is determined. This has been an overarching goal of MRP and will continue over the next year. Digital Marketing Webinar Among the ways that MRP supported IDP businesses this quarter was to introduce Digital Marketing as an innovative approach to expanding their market base, which has become increasingly viable in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with USAID SURGE, MRP co-hosted two webinars: “Digital Marketing: Successfully Growing your Business in the New Normal” on June 16 and “Enhancing Digital Skills and Building Resilient Supply Chains” on June 23. The webinars focused on strategies that IDP entrepreneurs in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur could use to help recover from and adjust to the current business environment brought about by ongoing quarantine measures and other impacts of COVID-19. A total of 80 IDP business owners (47 female, 33 male) participated in the webinar series. Pilot Demonstration Farms Last quarter, prior to the implementation of community quarantine to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, MRP conducted technical surveys and selected potential sites for the establishment of pilot demonstration farms. These demo farms are part of MRP’s value chain initiatives, with the objective of providing proof- of-concept to promote replication, as well as to provide for the livelihood opportunities to selected CSGs, who will manage said farms and gain sustainable income from their operation. In coordination with local partners, as well as the local governments of Lanao del Sur Province and Iligan City, the following demo farms were identified and are currently in various stages of development (either still being reviewed for approval or under the procurement process): 1. Brgy. Lidasan, Kapai, Lanao del Sur – vegetable/coffee production 2. Brgy. Sta. Elena, Iligan City – vegetable/coffee production 3. Provincial Mariculture Park Project, Brgy. Mantapoli, Marantao, Lanao del Sur – aquaculture production 4. Bayug Mariculture Park Project, Brgy. Upper Hinaplanon, Iligan City – aquaculture production Each demo farm will benefit 100 direct beneficiaries and 400 indirect beneficiaries, as well as other community members, who will have access to the farming technology and farming model being demonstrated through on-site training and actual operation. The first listed farm site for coffee/vegetable production (in Kapai, Lanao del Sur) is being allocated primarily for women CSGs. Particularly, the Pagbabago Women, Pananalamat, and Women Survivors groups will oversee this demo farm. The farm will help to promote self-reliance among women IDP/HCMs and increase their income potential under economic activities supported by MRP.

Promoting Microfinance Opportunities to IDP Businesses MRP co-hosted another webinar on Government Financing Programs for Recovery of MSMEs in partnership with USAID’s SURGE Project on June 8, 2020, by providing the online streaming platform and inviting IDP business owners to the activity. The webinar was organized as part of a series of online fora to help local businesses adjust to ongoing quarantine restrictions and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 80 IDP business owners participated in the webinar. YOUth Innovate! Summit Grants Following the success of the YOUth Innovate! Summit in March 2020, MRP continued working with the summit participants mentoring groups to further develop the initial business ideas into full concepts onto full business micro grants. Twenty-two (22) business concepts were developed and submitted to MRP as potential business recovery or livelihood grants. As of June 30, 2020, out of the twenty-two (22) concepts 7 were approved, 8 are under full proposal development, and 2 were endorsed for approval. The submissions ranged from agricultural production, like free-range chicken farming and coffee production, harnessing local resources sustainably to generate income for marginalized sectors, to those involving digital solutions to existing challenges, like establishing a cloud-based information system for local universities whose records were lost during the Marawi Siege. Deliveries of approved youth summit grants are expected to begin in August 2020. Skills training related to their business concepts will also be provided to the groups. Among the first batch of YOUth Innovate! Summit entry grants, a primary consideration for approval was their proposed business models and how they involved women, particularly unemployed mothers and out-of-school youth, in the value chain as a means to promote self-reliance among women. Project Sindao, one of the youth summit grant submissions that was approved this quarter, particularly addresses the self- reliance of women and children. This project aims to establish safe spaces for women and children in evacuation sites, recognizing the need for safe spaces for vulnerable populations to act, engage, and lead without being “crowded out” or having their participation sidelined by men and boys.

● Indicator 5: Number of displaced business owners trained in enterprise management

MRP trained a total of 80 IDP business owners and BRG applicants on Business Planning and Financial Management from April to June 2020 via webinar. These participants are currently located in various areas within Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, including the cities of Iligan and Marawi. More than 55% of the trainees were women.

Table 5. Age and sex disaggregation of business recovery training participants, Year 2 Quarter 3

Number of Individuals Percentage Youth Young Women 0 0 (29 years old and Young Men 0 0 younger) Total 0 0 Adults Women 47 59% (30 years old and Men 33 41% older) Total 80 100% Women 47 59% Total Men 33 41% Total 80 100%

Output 1.2 Employment Opportunities Expanded ● Indicator 6: Percentage of individuals who complete USG-assisted workforce development programs9

MRP continued to provide soft/life skills and entrepreneurial skills training activities to increase workforce readiness of IDPs and HCMs this quarter. MRP conducted an orientation on tilapia production to 16 CSG members on June 18, 2020. Out of the 16 trainees, 13 individuals were MARADECA Livelihood Specialist delivers the opening remarks during the orientation on first-time participants in tilapia production for members of Cadayonan Mandarin Solidarity Group in Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur on June 18, 2020 MRP training, while the other 3 participants already attended previous technical/soft skills training from MRP so we excluded them in Table 7 (below) to avoid double counting. The training was intended to provide CSG members from Cadayonan, Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur with basic skills needed in caring and feeding for the fingerlings delivered to them under their MRP livelihood micro-grant. A more comprehensive technical skills training will be provided to them as soon as community quarantine is lifted and large gatherings are safe and permitted by government authorities. Among those who completed the training, three (19%) are women and seven (44%) are young people aged 29 and below. Thus far, the project has trained a total of 1,036 people on various workforce development programs in Year 2. Table 6. Year 2 IDP and HCM trained

AIP2 Target Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

1,300 518 505 13 1,036

Table 7. Age and Sex disaggregation of soft/life skills training participants, Year 2 Quarter 3

Number of Individuals Percentage Youth Young Women 1 14% (29 years old and Young Men 6 86% younger) Total 7 100% Adults Women 1 17% (30 years old and Men 5 83% older) Total 6 100% Women 2 15% Total Men 11 85% Total 13 100%

9 Indicator revised per USAID guidance in December 2019.

Soft Skills Orientation for Youth CSGs MRP facilitated the participation of eight youth CSG leaders in the orientation webinar series “Resilience and Recovery PH: An eForum Series” organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) from April 22-May 20, 2020. Topics discussed include: a) Market Adjustments and Sustainability: Where do We Sell from Here?; b)Technology and Innovation: Crisis-Proofing Businesses; c) Preserving Jobs: Reshaping the Future of Work and the Talent Pool; d) Institutionalizing Business Continuity Plans: Whole of Society Approach; and e) Plugging the Bleeding: Quick Wins and Long-term Plans. The youth participants are members of the CSGs who participated in the YOUth Innovate! Summit on March 3-4, 2020. These youth CSG groups are set to receive livelihood microgrants from MRP. Continuing Support for Grants and Livelihood Beneficiaries This quarter, a total of 21 CSG members (all IDPs) who were trained on Business Enterprise Development Course (BEDC) and Food Processing received livelihood in-kind grants funded by MRP. This brings the total number of trainees who are now implementing livelihood projects funded by MRP to 400 individuals (208 IDPs and 192 HCMs). Table 8. Summary of Grants Delivered with Training Support, Year 2 Quarter 3

Name of Date of Grant No. of CSG Location Type of Training Date Trained CSG Delivery Members

Mahayahay and Sta. Business Enterprise February 14, Kambalingan May 26, 2020 2 Elena, Iligan City Development Course 2020

Ceanuri Tomas Cabili, Iligan July 18 - 25, Food Processing May 28, 2020 8 Group City 2019

Tomas Cabili, Iligan July 18 - 25, Kamapiyaan Food Processing May 28, 2020 11 City 2019

Total 21

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. - PLAN International partnership updates The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the schedules of MRP scholars at the Hyundai Dream Center. The scholars were placed under home quarantine on March 14, the day they were supposed to start employment or On-the-Job Training (OJT). After more than 3 months of suspended operations of the Hyundai Dream Center, including its Dealerships and Assembly Center, the companies have streamlined and suspended hiring of new staff. As a result, two of the four scholars, who were supposed to start as new hires at the Hyundai Assembly Center in Sta. Rosa Laguna, were advised to go home. The two decided to stay and look for potential employers. They were eventually hired by Univation Motor Philippines, Inc. Nissan Technopark, Pulong Sta Cruz, Sta Rosa, Laguna. On the other hand, the third scholar was accepted for OJT at a Hyundai Dealership in Las Pinas City, while the fourth scholar who was supposed to undergo OJT at the Dream Center to become part of the Center’s training team was transferred to a Hyundai Dealership in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Labor Market Study

MRP commissioned a labor market study focused on identifying potential discriminatory practices against hiring and employing Muslims in Mindanao in Q2 as part of the Year 2 learning agenda. The study generated important information and findings worth discussing with policy-makers, employers, labor organizations peace and development advocates, academe and other stakeholders. Based on the study, low educational attainment and limited skills acquisition are noted entry barriers to employment, particularly among the IDPs community. Additionally, many respondents reported a lack of soft/employability skills such as communication, customer service and work ethic. The study also found anecdotal evidence that Maranao/Muslim women who wore a hijab faced barriers to employability in customer-facing positions, as employers were concerned about their customers feeling uncomfortable when interacting with someone displaying this identity marker. Findings of this study will be used as guide in crafting workforce development interventions and will be included in MRP’s agenda for continuing dialogues with employers and other stakeholders in promoting inter-cultural diversity in work places.

Output 1.3: Livelihood Opportunities Expanded ● Indicator 7: Number of displaced persons/host community members (IDP/HCM) who benefited from livelihood micro-grants.

MRP approved a total of 63 CMGs for livelihood and delivered 16 grants benefiting a total of 354 IDPs and HCMs, composed of 103 (29%) women and 251 (71%) men this quarter. For this year, a total of 102 grants have been approved, with 106 pending delivery.

MRP diversified its livelihood grants portfolio this quarter by prioritizing the processing and delivery of grants that diverged from the usual grant requests, like grocery retail, dressmaking, and snack-ins. These new livelihood grants were either related to food and agriculture, such as goat-raising and corn farming, or to MRP’s value chain priorities, like tilapia production, sakurab farming and vegetable production.

Table 9. Year 2 IDP and HCM Livelihood Micro-grants delivered

AIP2 Target Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

12610 15 11 16 42

MRP pushes Agricultural Grant Deliveries This quarter, MRP delivered 4 CMG Livelihood micro grants on agriculture, including those under value chain priorities, particularly, horticulture production and aquaculture. These grants, such as goat-raising, fish production, and farming, are much-needed enterprises in the rural municipalities of Lanao del Sur and essential for food security in the province. These micro grants were provided after the pertinent CSGs, whose members are mostly displaced farmers or fisherfolk, submitted requests to the MRP for assistance.

10 The AIP2 targets were modified in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gender and Social Inclusion in Employability Efforts Workforce readiness interventions integrated gender and social inclusion and aimed to build women’s self-reliance by adopting a system that ensures females’ equal access to all workforce readiness interventions. Deliberate efforts were made to invite all qualified women to community consultations and training needs assessments. GSI is also captured in complying with the Safeguarding Policy of Plan International. A Safeguarding Children and Young People Risk Assessment (SCYPRA) was initiated this quarter in consultation with youth, including young women, parents (in most cases, mothers are more active in attending safeguarding orientations), and barangay officials. The safeguarding sessions include inputs on the rights of women, young people and children. The SCYPRA report details the potential risks for women and young people participating in all MRP events. These risks include among other things, circumstances or cases that may hinder full or meaningful participation of women in the event (e.g. bullying, discrimination, others). It also outlines the risk mitigation measures to be jointly monitored and implemented by the participants, parents, barangay officials, ECOWEB, MARADECA and Plan International. This process has empowered women and educated men at the same time. MRP workforce readiness initiatives consistently hit more than 50% women participation in all its activities. For instance, 62% of the youth leaders that we organized and trained to facilitate design thinking workshops, project development and pitching in preparation for the YOUth Innovate! Summit were women (66 out of 107). Interestingly, four of the 22 youth organizations that were featured in the Summit have all female leaders while only one organization has all male leaders. The rest of the organizations have balanced representation of male and female leaders. Intermediate Result 2: Social Cohesion of IDPs and host communities strengthened Outcome Indicators 8 and 9 MRP continued to conduct social cohesion activities and initiatives this quarter to pursue the reduction of polarization and the increase in public representation of IDPs and HCMs in local governance and development. The following sections present these activities.

Output 2.1: Social Cohesion Grants to IDP/HCM Families In the third quarter of FY20, MRP sustained efforts to develop and deliver community engagement and community improvement grants at the community level to foster harmony and understanding between IDPs and host communities. Social cohesion activities focused on increasing deliveries of community improvement (or small infrastructure), community engagement and COVID-19 quick response grants. This quarter under IR2, MRP delivered a total of 39 grants, composed of 24 social cohesion and 15 COVID-19 quick response grants benefitting a total of 190,137 people in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The 39 projects delivered during the period include a multi-purpose pavement, functional literary, community learning facility, clean-up drive, health center rehabilitation and public lighting as well as COVID-19 quick response grants. The increase in the number of beneficiaries, which greatly exceeded the Year 2 target, was due to the increased scope of the COVID-19 quick response grants that benefited not only the front-liners but also the barangays where the health facilities are located.

Table 10. Year 2 Social Cohesion Grants delivered

AIP2 Targets Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

11811 3 24 39 66

Table 11. Year 2 Number of Social Cohesion Grant beneficiaries

AIP2 Targets Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

29,457 1,086 7,115 190,13712 198,338

Social Cohesion 1,086 7,115 6,069 14,270

COVID-19 184,068 184,068 IR2 grants and activities have been consistently guided with the objective of promoting gender and social inclusion in all MRP areas. To this end, projects have been shaped to serve more women and marginalized children, including boys; with a deliberate effort to engage men in delivering such projects. The social grants this quarter illustrate how gender and social inclusion has been pursued. Projects like Community Learning Facility Improvement and Functional Literacy focus on the improvement of learning spaces and opportunities for women and children. Clean-up Drives and Health Center Rehabilitation contribute to the improvement of health and hygiene of all members of the community, with focus on women and children who are considered more vulnerable to diseases. Clean up drives in particular are led by youth CSG members and such projects enable them to become active participants of the community. Multi- purpose pavements provide a facility for men and women to dry grains and other crops while providing a venue for meetings. It also serves as a place where children can play and congregate. Public lighting improves the general well-being of the community, contributing to safety, security, and mobility. In all these projects, men are engaged in hauling materials and commodities, monitoring construction, and inspecting product specifications. Generally, more than 61% of project beneficiaries are women. Social Cohesion Grant Highlights The delivery and implementation of various social cohesion grants was set to intensify in March when the COVID-19 pandemic started. In the ensuing quarantines, all plans for implementation were postponed indefinitely; nevertheless, best effort was exerted to push some projects that either started already or that offered a considerable amount of feasibility in terms of implementation despite the prevailing limitations. As such, even with restricted movement, a number of much needed social cohesion grants were delivered including multi-purpose pavements, solar streetlights, functional literacy, solid waste

11 The AIP2 targets were modified in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 12 The numbers include those from regular community improvement and community engagement grants, as well as COVID-19 quick response grants. The number of beneficiaries for the community grants is calculated as 20% of the barangay population where the grant is implemented, counting each barangay only once. The number of beneficiaries for the quick response grants is taken from the distribution lists submitted by the city/municipal LGUs to MRP. MRP has not verified the LGU distribution lists.

22 management, and community learning facilities. The preceding table provides the details of the projects implemented. These grants were immediately put to use by the recipient communities. The various social cohesion grants delivered during the period served their intended purposes; but more than this, they also contributed to stronger cooperation among CSGs, HCMs, and LGUs. For instance, in the implementation of one of the multi- purpose pavements in Sandab, Butig, a problem relating to the site of the pavement surfaced. The owner of the originally proposed site reportedly did not agree to proceed with the project, for reasons yet to be validated. The CSG proponent, Kalilintad, had to find an alternative site. After much discussions and mitigation of potential Workers during construction of the now finished multi-purpose pavement in conflict, and in cooperation with the Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur. Barangay LGU and another land owner, a new site was identified, and agreement formalized, and the project was completed within the timeline. In a similar manner, the completion of all three multi-purpose pavements in Butig were done due to the support of municipality’s Mayor. After discussions with the MRP Deputy Chief of Party, the Mayor authorized the movement of the contractor and in effect facilitated the completion of the project. Subsequently, MRP also supported Butig in its COVID-19 response. The other projects likewise became platforms for cooperation and dialogue. The installation of streetlights necessitated consensus building on where to put the lights considering different needs, with due consideration to the security of women and children. Community learning facilities and functional literacy grants pulled in LGU counterparts for provision of learning space, as well as supporting volunteer teachers. Solid waste management and clean up drives brought together youth, their parents, and LGU officials. MRP was unable to conduct any trainings on operation and maintenance of these projects due to the quarantine restrictions; however, this is planned once the restrictions are lifted.

Output 2.2: Social Cohesion Training Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all center-based and community-based trainings were indefinitely suspended; nevertheless, webinars for a total of 74 COVID-19 front-liners were organized on April 21-22 and May 28, 2020. As mentioned in the preceding discussions on the COVID-19 Quick Response, the webinars were implemented in cooperation with MTaPS, WHO, and FHI360-IDDS and covered IPC, SARI Treatment Facility Management, and Specimen Collection and Handling. The participants included doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other Rural Health Units/MHO staff. The following table summarizes the progress made on social cohesion trainings in Quarter 3:

Table 12. Year 2 Number of displaced persons/host community members (IDP/HCM) trained in civic engagement, peace narratives or peace building, community score card, gender trainings, and other trainings.

AIP 2 Target Q1 Q2 Q3 Year 2 Total

3,850 785 2,226 74 3,085

3.3 Coordination Coordination Activities with Government Agencies MRP sustained its coordination with other Local Government Units for COVID-19 response, resulting in an additional 9 LGUs in Lanao del Sur requesting support for risk prevention communication, personal protective equipment, thermal scanners, and disinfectants. The said LGUs are the following:

● Municipality of Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Madamba, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Lumba-Bayabao, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Binidayan, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Mulondo, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Pualas, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Buadiposo Buntong, Lanao del Sur ● Municipality of Bubong, Lanao del Sur

These nine LGUs will be supported in the next quarter with the second tranche of COVID-19 support funds.

Inter-Agency, Multi-Stakeholder and Convergence Initiatives In the interest of defining and guiding COVID-19 quick response, MRP sustained coordination with various LGUs, and participated in two Inter- Agency Task Force on COVID-19 meetings at the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capital. For a similar purpose, MRP facilitated two coordination meetings with Task Force Bangon Marawi. Coordination meetings were also held with USAID’s Office of Health and its partners namely WHO, MTaPS, FHI360-IDDS, BARMM Health, Reach Health, and OFDA to discuss matters on COVID-19 response, Deputy Chief of Party presenting MRP’s COVID-19 Response during the June 2020 Lanao del Sur Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting. including trainings, supporting front-

24 liners, and requests for support on the establishment of a testing center at Amai Pakpak Medical Center. MRP also participated in the meeting of USAID with the BARMM Ministry of Health where health programs in general and COVID-19 response in particular was discussed. MRP sustained its representation in the Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT) which covered concerns on current community displacement and protection issues across Mindanao. There were four MHT meetings during the quarter, typically attended by UNHCR, ICRC, Action Against Hunger, and many other partners, both international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). MRP continued working with partners in advancing workforce readiness of CSG members and local partners’ staff, particularly in developing resilience to COVID-19 and in adapting to the new normal. In partnership with the PDRF and Department of Trade and Industry in Lanao del Norte, some CSG members were able to attend a series of webinars. Topics discussed in the webinars include: 1.) Halal Awareness Seminar; 2.) The New Normal for Business; 3.) Moving Business Online; 4.) Cashless Economy and MSME; 4.) Resilient Business: Pivoting During the Pandemic; 5.) Online Branding: A Business Necessity; 6.) Online Selling Amid the COVID19 Pandemic: Taxation Implications of RMC 60-2020; and, 7.) From Design to Deployment: Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities in Setting Up Community Quarantine Facilities.

4. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES

4.1 Gender

In the third quarter of FY2020, all planned activities on Gender Integration were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All efforts shifted to supporting LGUs on the pandemic response during the said period. Nevertheless, grants were delivered despite the pandemic in order to provide much needed support to women business entrepreneurs. Community services such as water and light were also delivered to improve the living conditions of community members, especially women and children. The COVID-19 response was also geared towards supporting front-liners who were mainly composed of women.

In addition, the project focused efforts this quarter on integrating gender and social inclusion into all aspects of programming and project management. This included a half-day integrated programming session in which senior MRP and USNO technical staff discussed cross-integrated programming across MRP technical divisions and brainstormed how to deeply apply GSI into programming and ongoing activities.

In the coming year, gender, social inclusion, diversity, and equity will be further integrated into all programming. The self-reliance of women and young people is a top concern for MRP, and will continue to be a focus when determining actions and activities.

4.2 Youth Development This quarter, MRP contributed to Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Youth Economic Empowerment (YEE) initiatives by drafting full project proposals on the 22 business ideas generated from the Youth Innovation Challenge during the YOUth Innovate! Summit on March 3-4, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City. The status of these 22 ideas is detailed above in Section 3.2 and in Table 15 below. MRP will continue reviewing and finalizing grant proposals for the remaining youth business ideas next quarter.

Table 13. List and status of Youth Innovation Challenge projects

Name of CSG Topic/Proposal/Project Title Grants Status Pilumbay Marantao Youth Matarintis Meranaw Trademark Organization Grant approved; pending in- (Maranao Arts and Design) - Brgy. Cacayawan Proper, kind agreement (IKA) Supporting OSYs Marantao, Lanao del Sur Alog Youth Organization Ground Coffee Production Procurement on-going Alog, Tubaran, Lanao del Sur Organic Free-Range Chicken Masacaw Youth Production (Targeting Approved; for environmental Basingan, Bubong, Lanao del unemployed households and assessment Sur OSYs) Marvelous Team Matampay, Baloi, Lanao del Free range chicken Endorsed to Grants Norte Dayawan Bloom Organic Free-Range Chicken Unda Dayawan, Masiu, Lanao Production (Targeting IDP, host Endorsed to Grants del Sur families and OSYs) Kalombayan Ko Masa Youth Withdrawn in favor of earlier Organization CSG Bricks Production using garbage submission under CMG Linuk Madalum, Lanao del Sur Livelihood Dago-ok Sindaw Kalombayan EcoBamboo Power Industry - Tech Lead's pre-endorsement Dago-ok, Lumbatan, Lanao del Furniture and bamboo crafts review Sur production Maribonian Youth Maribonians Clothing - Maribo, Lumba Bayabao, Lanao Grant approved; pending IKA Supporting unemployed women del Sur Posudaragat Youth Association Detergent Production (shifted Posudaragat, Lumba Bayabao, Grant approved; pending IKA from charcoal from rice straw) Lanao del Sur Early First Buko Pie - Production Sandor Solidarity Group of buko of different flavours - Endorsed to Grants Sandor, Baloi, Lanao del Norte Supporting coconut farmers Butig Youth Movement for Marawi Souvenir / Tourism Peace Endorsed to Grants Promotion Butig, Lanao del Sur Promotion and Development of Aqilah Maranao Coffee for Psychosocial Procurement on-going Cup of Hope Services and Mental Health Guinaopan Youth Action Processed Mushroom Food Approved; for environmental Organization Products Development assessment Environmental / Waste Smbag Ko Ranaw Management "Trash to Cash" Grant approved; pending IKA Brgy. Matampay, Marawi City Eco-bag

Name of CSG Topic/Proposal/Project Title Grants Status ITS Marawi (Marawi IT Data and Information Processing Tech Lead's pre-endorsement Solutions aka ITSMarawi) for School Support review Promotion and Distribution of Tech Lead's pre- Young Professionals Ms. Mamis Local Delicacies endorsement review MSU LEND App for Micro-Lending for Proposal development stage MSU, Marawi City Student Loans in Marawi Traditional Maranao Dayawan Handicraft Handwoven Goods Endorsed to Grants Brgy. Dayawan, Marawi City Development for IDP Women Safe Spaces for Children in IDP Sindao Grant approved; pending IKA Shelters Super Lumba Palapa Processing to Support Dianalan Street, Raya Saduc, Grant approved; pending IKA IDP Women Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Embrace Your Culture N’ditarun Tano (Motivational Shirts with a Grant approved; pending IKA Cause) Coalition of Moro Youth “Banggala” Crackers Grant approved; pending IKA Movement, Inc. / Singanen

4.3 Environmental Compliance This quarter, an additional 144 grants were screened for environmental compliance. Of the 144 grants, 103 grant activities were determined to have No Environmental Impacts (Categorical Exclusion) and do not require an Environmental Assessment or ESR since these activities do not have effects on the natural or physical environment. A total of 48 grants have potential impacts to the environment and are recommended for a Negative Determination with Conditions for which an ESR is required and will be prepared for each project type. Following is a breakdown of the screened grant activities: Table 14. Grants by Type and Requirements, Year 2 Quarter 3

Categorical Exclusion (No Negative Determination Type of Grants Environmental Impact-ESR with Conditions not required) (ESR required) Community Micro-Grants (CMG) 33 8 Business Recovery Grants (BRG) 70 40 Total 103 48

Of the 48 grants that need ESRs, fifteen (15) computer/printing services and office supplies for BRG were approved within this quarter. The remaining 33 grants in final review stage and few in early preparation include tilapia production, abaca production, horticultural crop production, and free-range chicken, among others.

5. IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

During the third quarter of FY20, MRP encountered the following challenges in project implementation:

COVID-19 Outbreak The COVID-19 pandemic continued to suspend grants development, deliveries, trainings, partners’ meetings, and other community activities scheduled this quarter. In addition, the strict quarantine measures and requirements affected grant deliveries and related activities, such as IKA signing and pre- delivery orientations. CSGs that had to undergo concept note revision could not meet with partners or participate in planned workshops. For demo farm implementation, a crucial step was in securing the agreement of nominated CSGs to participate in the projects, which could not easily be done during the enhanced community quarantine period, stalling the processing of the required proposals. The pandemic has also forced the suspension of many workforce development activities including the youth mentorship activities by private partners. This resulted in limited job hiring opportunities in the government sector which is the preferred employer for many Maranao professionals and MRP soft/life skills training participants. For COVID-19 response activities, the key challenge was the differing approach on commodity distribution between the LGU local chief executive (i.e., mayor and staff) and the MHO front-liners. Some MHO/Rural Health Unit (RHU) representatives reported that some LGU executives provided minimal PPEs and other needed commodities to medical front-liners, preferring to distribute commodities to LGU staff and community members. In order to balance the distribution of the essential commodities. MRP required the presence of both LGU and MHO representatives during IKA discussion and during hand-over of commodities. Sustained coordination was done before, during, and after commodity hand-over in order to maintain the cooperation of LGUs and MHOs.

Gaining Interest in Demo Farms Gaining CSG interest to participate in demo farms has been difficult, with the majority of CSGs still preferring assistance in conventional livelihood types and claiming either lack of interest or skills in livelihood activities related to agriculture. Unfortunately, sites offered by the partner LGUs for use as demo farms are not located in areas where there are more agriculture-oriented CSGs.

6. LESSONS LEARNED

Adaptive Measures to Continue Assistance to Businesses With quarantine measures still in place and the protracted pace in lifting of restrictions to the mobility of people, MRP will have to extend and even consider institutionalizing some adaptive measures that were implemented to adjust to the difficulties presented by quarantine measures. These include the following: a. Exploring alternative means of validation of BRG applicants or revisiting the necessity of this redundant step in validation measures; b. Instituting alternative means of confirming approval of developed proposals rather than the conventional affixing of documents; c. Online submission and receipt of transaction documents, such as invoices and billing statements; and, d. Online delivery of training programs over traditional classroom-type sessions.

In order to optimize the potential benefits of community participation in demo farms, MRP may consider including non-CSG participation, such as organized cooperatives and other farmers/fisherfolk organizations duly nominated by partner LGUs, provided the members thereof meet vetting requirements.

For workforce readiness, MRP will link technical skills training with waged-employment demand for employers offering job deployment. There is also a need to strengthen technical and enterprise development training which is seen as an effective tool in mobilizing the youth towards positive youth development.

Harnessing Project Implementation Challenges to Strengthen CSG and LGU Cooperation

For social cohesion activities, the past quarter further reinforced the critical need to constantly ensure the joint decision making of CSGs and LGUs on matters of project implementation and management. As presented above, cases of changing arrangements during grant delivery or small infrastructure construction have to be mitigated with the participation of said community stakeholder. This is essential as such cases can quickly lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Converting a Threat into an Opportunity For COVID-19 response, the past quarter showed the importance of being able to constructively respond to a serious threat. As discussed in the earlier sections of this report, the MRP team took stock of the pandemic and decided to respond rather than simply suspend all operations. During the response operations, MRP also learned that coordination and commodity provision have to done directly with the primary front-liners i.e. the MHO and/or RHU personnel.

7. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER

IR 1

Planned Activity Impact of COVID-19 1. Launching and operationalization of pilot Originally planned for April but will move to July demonstration farms under select value 2020. chain priorities. 2. Conduct of Lanao Economic Fora Series to In lieu of planned 1st Lanao Business Summit, help local businesses adjust to the “New which was originally planned for May, as well as Normal” to include discussions on: planned workshop and trade fairs for women understanding the present business entrepreneurs environment, alternative marketing options using online platforms, microfinance opportunities, government services, and approaches to support and promote women entrepreneurs 3. Resumption of BRG Training, particularly, Explore alternative mechanisms such as on Skills Training Courses for BRG webinars in lieu of physical attendance. employees. 4. Business incubation activities such as Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all training mentoring, enterprise training, and and activities involving gatherings of people will development of business plans for YOUth be suspended until the quarantine is lifted and Innovate! Summit participants.

5. Conduct of 11 batches of technical skills declared safe by government authorities to training to support CSGs receiving resume gathering of people for such events. livelihood micro-grants. MRP will explore online platforms for training 6. Conduct of 4 batches technical skills and continuing learning. MRP will also explore training for waged employment. ways to remotely conduct youth trainings via 7. Conduct of 6 entrepreneurial, life/soft skills webinar if the lockdown continues. training in support of CSG members who are implementing livelihood projects and business enterprises funded through MRP micro-grant facility. 8. Recruit a consultant and conduct the Out- The consultant will be onboarded in July. MRP of-School Youth research activity. will work with the consultant to identify ways to conduct the research remotely in the event that the lockdown is extended.

IR 2

Planned Activity Impact of COVID-19 1. Delivery or completion of at least 75 Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all training and community micro-grants for community activities involving gatherings of people will be engagement and community improvement. suspended until the quarantine is lifted and 2. Delivery of COVID-19 Quick Response declared safe by government authorities to grants to 34 more LGUs. resume gathering of people for such events. 3. Conduct of COVID-19 capacity building activities or trainings supportive of the MRP will explore alternative mechanisms such efforts of the Lanao del Sur LGU on as online trainings and webinars in lieu of Specimen Collection, Packaging, and physical attendance and develop a mechanism Transportation. to ensure minimal contact with the CSGs in the delivery of grants. 4. Start of peace narratives videography and Planned for August to September 2020 but may completion of at least 1 video with due spillover to the next quarter pending lifting of clearance from USAID. the quarantine.

ANNEX A: INDICATOR RESULTS SUMMARY TABLE

Table AI: Indicator Results Summary (through June 30, 2020)

Results Type of Indicator Baseline Year 2 Indicator Year 2 Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 To-Date Target Total Manageable Impact: Self-reliance of IDPs and host community members who were affected by the Marawi siege. Level of self-perceived self- High 1 reliance of assisted displaced Custom N/A N/A13 N/A N/A N/A N/A (2.63) and host communities. Intermediate Result 1: Improved economic conditions of IDPs and host communities. Number of displaced business 2 owners with new or restarted Custom 0 26 0 N/A N/A14 N/A TBD businesses Percent of trained 3 displaced/HCMs gainfully Custom 0 15%15 TBD N/A N/A N/A TBD employed Number of displaced business 4 owners who benefitted from Custom 0 17 319 59 67 89 215 business recovery micro-grants Number of displaced business 5 owners trained in enterprise Custom 0 226 300 20 91 80 191 management Percent of individuals who complete USG-assisted Standard 6 0 99% 80% 99.8% 96.3% 100% 98.7% workforce development (EG.6-14) programs Number of displaced/HCMs 7 who benefited from livelihood Custom 0 28 1,260 1,105 91 354 1,550 micro-grants Intermediate Result 2: Strengthened community cohesion in communities hosting large numbers of IDPs. Level of polarization towards High 8 Custom N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A the other identity group (3.01) Level of self-perception of High 9 Custom N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A public representation (2.85) Number of displaced/HCMs 10 who benefited from social Custom 0 0 29,457 1,086 7,115 190,137 198,338 cohesion grants Social Cohesion16 1,086 7,115 6,069 14,270 COVID-19 184,068 184,068 Number of displaced/HCMs 11 Custom 0 790 3,850 785 2,226 74 3,085 trained on civic engagement

13 Indicators 1, 8, and 9 have life of project targets, not annual targets, as data will only be collected on these indicators twice over the life of the project (baseline and endline). The life of project target for indicators 1, 8, and 9 is “Very High” which corresponds to the numeric value 3.25- 4.00. 14 Monitoring data for this indicator was interrupted due to COVID-19. Progress on this indicator will be reported in the annual report. 15 Result of the Post-Training Monitoring conducted to training completers in FY1. The numerator is the number of IDPs and host community members sampled who are employed or self-employed after completing an MRP training program. The denominator is the total number of IDPs and host community members sampled for the survey. 16 The numbers include both those from regular community improvement and community engagement grants, as well as COVID-19 quick response grants. The number of beneficiaries for the community grants is calculated as 20% of the barangay population where the grant is implemented. The number of beneficiaries for the quick response grants is taken from the distribution lists submitted by the city/municipal LGUs to MRP. MRP has not been able to verify the LGU distribution lists.

Table A2: Supplemental Information on MRP Grants Program (Cumulative to date from beginning of project through June 30, 2020)

Grant Reviewed/ Purchase Cumulative to Date Approved Delivered Requests Endorsed Request Issued Business Recovery Grant 424 388 382 379 232 (BRG) Community Micro Grant (CMG) Livelihood 247 146 135 130 42 Social Cohesion 193 135 115 115 51 Quick Response 33 31 31 25 15 CMG Total 473 312 281 270 108 Returned 12 0 0 0 0 Grand Total 885 700 663 649 340

Table A3: Supplemental Information on MRP Grants Program Quarterly Breakdown (Year 2, Quarter 3)

Purchase Grant Reviewed/ Cumulative to Date Approved Request Delivered Requests Endorsed Issued Business Recovery Grant 140 111 126 147 89 (BRG) Community Micro Grant

(CMG) Livelihood 104 44 63 78 16 Social Cohesion 37 22 46 67 24 Quick Response 21 19 19 13 15 CMG Total 162 85 128 158 55 Returned 0 0 0 0 0 Grand Total 302 196 254 305 144

ANNEX B: SUCCESS STORIES

See attached success stories.

PHILIPPINES

USAID supports frontliners in the fight against COVID-19

LANAO PROVINCES— “Service to others is our priority.” This quote posted on the wall at the Municipal Isolation Unit in Kapai, Lanao del Sur embodies the enthusiasm of the health workers who tirelessly service their constituents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. After properly donning their personal protective gear, the nurses and doctors start their day by receiving locally stranded individuals (LSIs) as they perform specimen collections one after another.

With the Philippine government’s Balik and Hatid Probinsiya, Bagong Pag- asa Program, the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte have been facilitating the return of LSIs since May 2020. Following strict Kapai Lanao del Sur frontliners performing quarantine protocols, the local government units (LGUs) of both specimen collection in their isolation facility triage area provinces including its component municipalities have been tirelessly transporting, housing, screening, testing, and when needed, isolating LSIs. Lanao del Sur alone has assisted the return of more than 3,000 people. As of June 2020, the United States government through its Marawi Response Project (MRP) has provided necessary commodities, equipment, support services, and trainings to sixteen (16) LGUs in both provinces, directly supporting at least 3,340 front-liners who serve more than 100,000 internally displaced families and host community members. “We could not acquire commodities for our medical frontliners; there was none available anywhere. The USAID assistance came at the time we needed it most,” said the Municipal Health Office of Pantar, Lanao del Norte. • Through a strong partnership with the local government and its Inter- Agency Task Force (IATF), USAID and MRP have strengthened provincial and municipal information front liner capacities in addressing the growing Pantar Lanao del Sur municipal health workers need for redefining messaging and emphasizing the need to comply with share their disinfectant commodities with their military counterparts at a boundary checkpoint public health measures, specifically in the context of the Balik Probinsya and the influx of LSIs into the province. About thirty communications practitioners have been engaged in MRP capacity building trainings, while “The commodities for our health frontliners roughly 1,400 Information Education and Communication (IEC) arrived at the time we needed it the most. The US billboards and banners have been developed and are set to be turned Government assistance was timely and swift.” over to the Lanao del Sur government.

A doctor from Municipal Health Office of Pantar, Lanao del Norte Throughout these efforts, MRP’s support for the economic recovery of Marawi City from the 2017 siege has continued unabated, with sustained deliveries of business recovery and livelihood grants. During this time, MRP has placed priority on food and agriculture grants in an effort to avoid food shortages due to the crisis.

PHILIPPINES

Developing a maricultural centerpiece in Poona Bayabao LANAO DEL SUR— Though the fish cages were anchored several Community Solidarity meters from the lakeside pantalan (port) in Brgy. Cadayonan, Poona Group developing Bayabao, Lanao del Sur, the boisterous voices of the members of the ecotourism in the barangay Cadayonan Mandarin Community Solidarity Group, who were busy fastening the nets to their bamboo frames, could easily be heard by the locals watching from the shore. Their exhilaration was palpable and infectious, as though brought by the same cool breeze that carried the raucous laughter of the people who were perched atop the cages floating distantly in the waters of majestic Lake Lanao.

“Our members are eagerly looking forward to the stocking of tilapia fingerlings now that the fish cages have been constructed, hence, their excitement,” shared a community solidarity group (CSG) member who is also a local barangay leader.

Members of the Cadayonan Mandarin community MRP provided livelihood assistance for tilapia production to IDP/HCMs in solidarity group (CSG) in Barangay Cadayonan, Poona Bayabao, prepare the fish cages for Brgy. Cadayonan, Poona Bayabao. Two CSGs in the barangay received two stocking fish cage modules each, with corresponding input requirements such as fingerlings and feed.

Aquaculture is among the priority value chains that were identified by MRP as having the most potential to contribute to overall economic growth in Lanao del Sur. The livelihood assistance was provided to the members of the Cadayonan Mandarin CSGs after the members, who are mostly fisherfolk, submitted grant requests to MRP for assistance in tilapia production.

In a value chain study conducted by MRP in 2019, it was estimated that the annual domestic requirement of the predominantly Muslim population in Lanao del Sur for table fish is 2,800 MT. The province, however, relies on Fingerlings are being released into the fish cages imported fish from as far away as General Santos City. Current domestic tilapia production in and around Lake Lanao is primarily through traditional fish capture and insufficient to meet local demand. MRP’s value chain development program targets to boost domestic production through the more profitable and sustainable practice of fish farming. “We are all looking forward to making our barangay a tilapia producing community and to help supply fish to other neighboring The livelihood grants in Brgy. Cadayonan are worth USD20,000 collectively, barangays as well.” with a potential annual income of USD46,000, at 3 cropping cycles per year. Buoyed by the budding prospects provided by this project, however, the

CSG member and a local barangay leader. barangay leadership has been inspired to plan other opportunities to boost the local economy. The Brgy. Chairperson shared their plans, such as matching MRP’s fish cages with additional units for other community members, building a local market (padian) for the women to market produce, and developing ecotourism in the barangay with their incipient mariculture industry as the centerpiece.