JBIC conducts post evaluation on Maasin watershed
Representatives from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) led by Mr. Masashi Takano went to Maasin recently to conduct a post evaluation of the Maasin Watershed.
This is in line with the requirements for projects funded by the JBIC listed in the top ten outstanding projects under the Forestry Sector Projects (FSP) in the whole Philippines. Under the funding scheme of JBIC, successful projects are being post evaluated to see the impact of the project on the beneficiaries and how the implementing agency sustains the momentum of the project. The post evaluation is needed for these successful projects to learn lessons on what factors contributed to the success of the projects and the best strategy applied by the implementing agency.
Maasin Watershed Development Project had gained accolade at the national level because of its proper project implementation and the success of the People's Organization activities. It is based on the documents submitted and the actual monitoring and evaluation done by the DENR Central Office.
The JBIC representatives interviewed the DENR Regional personnel, the DENR Sub Project Office personnel, members and officers of the People's Organization and the local government representatives. They also inspected the infra structures like the road network and the plantation established that were accessible.
DENR Regional Executive Director Celso V. Loriega, Jr. explained that one of the factors that made the project successful is the commitment of the DENR, the local government, the different Non-government organizations, the academe, and the media who worked hard to organized the people around the vicinity of the watershed. Loriega also emphasized that the local communities shared the vision of the government and had felt a sense of ownership of the area because they had understood their roles in the protection, management and development of the only source of water in the City of Iloilo and its adjacent municipalities.
Regional Technical Director for Forestry, Rainer M Ecang related to the JBIC evaluators the sad story of Maasin and the experience of the people living in that area in the hands of government and some other elements that prompted them to embrace a new hope when the JBIC funded watershed development project was introduced.
Forester Wilfredo Canto, the Sub Project Management Officer also said that the project was sustained by the actual presence or immersion of the DENR employees at the project site that made a potent force to bring about the cooperation of the people in the area. The frequent monitoring and Information dissemination up to the farthest barangay by the DENR personnel and officers of the People's Organization was a big factor. He also said that because of this, the People's Organization are well guided and corrections are immediately done on management lapses. The DENR can easily detect the weaknesses and strengthening measures are immediately done.
The Maasin Watershed is now fully planted with trees but it will take years to make it a real forest because trees do not grow overnight. There had been reports made by a survey of the Kahublagan Sa Panimalay, an NGO contracted by the DENR to handle the Community Organization of the 16 barangays in the watershed that Maasin watershed is now deteriorating, however, contrary to their findings, the DENR, the People's Organization and the local government are now trying to strengthen their partnership to really protect the growing trees that will soon give a new perspective for the mountains of Maasin. Maasin cannot provide immediate results needed by the MIWD because, for barely three years of massive tree plantations establishment, practical observations and common sense will show us that small tree seedlings are not miracle worker to feed the expectations of experts on statistics.
During the interview, it was emphasized by both the People's Organization members and the DENR that there had been failures in some aspects of tree planting but it did not hinder the people to pursue their targets of replenishing those that were either burned or died due to transport of seedlings to far flung areas. This is one reason why many mini nurseries were established on the upper areas because of seedling transport difficulties.
(rac/denr)