Project Proponent: Agusan del Sur Civil Society Network for Sustainable Integrated Development (ADS Network), Incorporated

Project Title :  Enhancing Capacities of Indigenous People in Tudela, Trento, Agusan del Sur

Site Location: Barangay Tudela, Trento, Agusan del Sur

Type/Sector: Commercial

Project Duration: 1 Year

Background

Tudela is one of the barangays of Trento, situated in the eastern part of the said municipality. It has a total area of 10,335 hectares with a total population of 1,521 and 949 of the total population are considered as indigenous people (MPDO survey as of 2006). Out of the total area, 2,800 hectares are agricultural land planted with corn, rice, falcata and others. Corn is the major crop in the area with a total of 450 hectares having an average production of ranging from 4 to 5 tons per hectare. On the average, corn farmers receive an annual income of Php 30,000.00.

Tudela Dam site Tribal Development Cooperative (TUDATRIVCO), a registered and active cooperative for nine (9) years is currently engaged in Consumer store and Micro- lending projects. Most of the members of the said cooperative are indigenous people and farming is their source of income. However, the gross income they realize is only enough to meet expenses.

With the desire of the said cooperative to protect its members, Agusan del Sur Civil Society Network For Sustainable Integrated Development (ADS Network), Inc., one of the affiliates of TUDATRIDEVCO wants to enhance the capability of its PO-member organization to fight poverty, participate in its governance, promote spirit of unity and cooperate on eco-socio cultural and charitable initiatives. Now, the target beneficiary supported by the proponent wants to venture in Corn trading project. They intend to access fund from Philippines- Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) under the FOCAS Indigenous People. The fund will be used to finance capability building activities, acquisition of corn trading equipment, working capital, water system, some of the administrative cost of the proponent in implementing and monitoring the proposed project and seminars related to reinforcement of IP practices. The proponent will shoulder the other capability building activities, equipment and some of the administrative cost. Moreover, the beneficiary will handle the other project costs of the proposed start-up project.
Problems to be addressed

The project will address the following problems:

• Low level of Income

Corn production is the main source of livelihood of the indigenous people in Barangay Tudela. During production period, they do not have enough funds to support the said activity. They are forced to lend money at a higher interest rate from money lenders and at the same time middlemen just to start its operation. With that, they will also sell their produce to the said middlemen to pay their debt. As a result, the sales of the farmers is only enough to meet its production expense.

One of the possible solutions to address their problem is to further process their goods to command higher price in the market and eventually, realize higher income. But they do not have adequate facilities to venture in that undertaking. Thus, they will still continue to face the problem of meager income to support the needs of their family.

• Lack of awareness regarding IP culture

Some of the important customs concerning health, religion and political aspect of the indigenous people are already overlooked which are still essential to continuously put into practice. This will push a need for seminars/ forum related to IP taking into account the significance of its cultural practices and will be observed by the subsequent generation.

• The community has poor access to safe water

Presently, Purok – 5, Barangay Tudela is the site of the proposed project which has no adequate source of potable water. Out of 70 households in the said area, only 21 of those have access to safe water. In effect, populace in the said locality suffers diseases related to unsafe potable water.