Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Plan International

Contractor:
Plan International Bicol

Project Code: 172-680-007	Start Date: 01-Apr-94	End Date: 31-Mar-99
Commitment: £180,884	Status: Current	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
There are two distinct groups of people who will benefit from this project. The first group is composed of the poorest families living in the uban or semi-urban areas of Bicol. These people are mostly unemployed or underemployed, unable to generate sufficent income to meet their families' basic needs. Due to poverty, lack of skills, and no access to material inputs such as capital, equipment or machinery, they are unable to raise sufficient income to start their own businesses. Approximately 52% of these people make their living from agriculture-related work. They are highly motivated to increase their income-earning ability and to learn new skills in order to achieve a better standard of living for themselves and their families.

The second distinct group of people is composed of families in the villages surrounding two of Bicol's National Parks. In these areas, poverty is severe, and people lack adequate skills or resources to sustain themselves or their families. For the most part, they are dependent on forest resources to generate sufficient income to maintain an adequate livelihood. They generally own no land, and are squatters or migrant workers. In both of these areas, there are fledgling community associations, attempting to work in a co-operative fashion. Again, however, they lack the skills and direction to operate adequately. These associations will be strengthened considerably as a result of PLAN's Human Resource Development programme.

Project Objectives:
To help families and communities increase their income above the estimated national food threshold and to reduce the degradation of the regions natural environment.

To increase the current income of 5,300 project participants in the rural areas by 145% over five years.

To provide education and training in sustainable agriculture to 5,300 participants.

To increase the current income level of 1,500 project participants in the urban and semi-urban areas by 118% within three years.

Intended Outputs:
5,300 rural participants will receive training in business management, marketing and accounting; those with viable plans will be helped to start new or improved businesses.

Volunteer extensionists will be trained to educate farmers in remote rural villages; PLAN will work with local consortium and government agencies in re-settlement of families from protected areas.

1,500 urban families will be assisted to develop business plans; they will be trained in management, accounting and marketing, they will receive capital grants for their businesses.