72 INREMP livelihood support projects up in Kalinga

November 18, 2019 Provincial

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Nov. 15 (PIA) – Seventy two livelihood enhancement support (LES) sub-projects under the foreign funded Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management Project (INREMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are up for implementation in the province.

Noel Barrientos, OIC Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said P42 million was allocated as grant to fund said projects. The amount of P5.5 million was already released to 17 proponent People’s Organizations (PO) under DENR-led LES. He said a total of PhP22.8 million was allocated to 63 POs under DENR-led LES and PhP19.5 million to nine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-led LES.

PO beneficiaries are those organized in forestland, accredited and implementers of INREMP projects. LES projects include production and post-harvest equipment and infrastructures to increase income of households and enhance biodiversity protection.

“Before release of funding, partners have to forge a partnership agreement to define each party responsibilities and accountability. Fund release is in two tranches – 50% release upon signing of agreement, supply quotation secured, endorsed proposal, and certification of no duplication. The other 50% will be released upon completion and full delivery of LES infra and equipment,” Barrientos explained.

There are seven proponent POs in the Calowan water management unit (WMU), 18 in the Saltan WMU, 17 in Pita WMU, 11 in Surong WMU, and 10 POs in BarTan water management unit. Wayleen Datic, DTI INREMP LES technical assistant, said proponents under the DTI-led LES are BELMAFA of Belong-Manubal, Tinglayan on coffee processing; MMFSLAI of Maling, Balbalan on coffee processing; BTFA of Taggay, Pinukpuk on organic fertilizer making; CARDES of Cabaritan, Tabuk City o white corn processing; GATUD of Gaang, Tanudan on heirloom rice processing; MFO of Abilong, Lubuagan on coffee processing; NACO of Nambucayan, Tabuk City on coffee processing; Tinanang of Anggacan, Tanudan on heirloom rice processing; and TUFA of Taggay, Pinukpuk on banana chips making.

She clarified that the Asian Development Bank has not approved yet the proposals submitted to their office and that the funds have not been transferred to DTI.

The INREMP targets that by 2020, household income in project areas would have increased by 30% from 2009 levels and poverty incidence drops to 20%.

JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga