Project Proponent: Chance for the Poor Foundation Incorporated

Project Title :  Community Empowerment thru Health and Economic Advancement

Site Location: Barangay, Agsabo, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur

Type/Sector: Development Program for Indigenous People

Background

Barangay Agsabo, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur is an isolated barangay. It can only be reached by hiking crossing two rivers. Its inhabitants are mostly Higaonons, one of the Indigenous Peoples in Agusan del Sur. Its main economic activity is corn farming and small scale logging. Because of its isolation, residents of Barangay Agsabo have very limited access to basic social services and economic opportunities. For example, health workers very seldom visit the place. Very few own farming tools with some using sharpened wooden poles for digging the ground when planting corn. Corn harvests are brought by hiking to another barangay for milling.

It was only in July 2005 when the community has become a beneficiary of the health project of the Chance for the Poor Foundation. The Foundation is a medical apostolate established in 1999 founded by the former Bishop of Surigao. Its main activity is providing health services to IPs in Caraga region including free hospitalization, nutrition program, maternal care, and health education among others.

After one year of assistance to the IP community in the target barangay, the Foundation came to the conclusion that its program of providing free medical assistance & hospitalization is unsustainable unless they do something to help the community increase their production. Thus, community organizing was started and needs of the community were identified. As a result, the foundation, together with the community conceptualized this project for PACAP assistance

Problems to be addressed

• Poor Health Situation
• Limited economic and livelihood support
• Lack of Environmental and Natural Resource Management Plan
• Lack of community organization