Something is still brewing for Salcedo National High School

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Guiuan Mayor Speaks at the 2017 ADB Annual Meeting in Japan

Please click this link to go to the original (source article) at the ADB website:
Building Prosperity in a Changing Asia and the Pacific—Future Role of the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction | Asian Development Bank:




Seminar Summary

For 17 years, the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) has uniquely contributed to poverty reduction and socioeconomic development through project grants and technical assistance. The Government of Japan has contributed $788 million for almost 400 projects in 32 ADB developing member countries (DMCs). The seminar shared how JFPR helped the most vulnerable groups living in poverty, and discussed the fund’s future direction.

In his opening, Masashi Tanabe highlighted 3 key features of JFPR: targeting underserved and the most vulnerable people; support for a wide range of sectors and themes; and great emphasis on innovative and catalytic approaches. A presentation of results from the ongoing JFPR evaluation highlighted two additional features: community-centered approaches, and complementarity with ADB loans.

A panel—comprising representatives from academia, local government, civil society, and a project implementing agency—emphasized JFPR’s direct, lasting support to people as its unique strength and comparative advantage. Examples discussed included the restoration of livelihoods to Filipino people affected by the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. In Mongolia, JFPR was instrumental in creating an innovative Medicard program that ensured free health services and medicines for the poorest and most vulnerable during the financial crisis, in addition to securing nutrition through a food stamp program. In Bhutan JFPR helped establish effective partnerships between government, NGOs, and private sector to empower vulnerable women and girls.

The panel concluded that JFPR remains as relevant as ever for tackling current and emerging development challenges, recommending a focus on resilience, climate change, and aging society, in the context of transition to middle income country status. Scalability of innovative approaches should be further entrenched by securing government ownership, integration with national programs, partnering with donors, and systematic attention to dovetailing JFPR with other ADB operations. There is a wealth of knowledge that can be systematically harvested from JFPR operations and shared across DMCs.

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Investing in skills FOR youth

By Karen Joy Alcober, Communication Officer, Plan Int'l

“When I graduated high school in 2015, I knew I wouldn’t enter college because my mother could not afford to put me in school. I applied for a scholarship but I did not pass the exam,”
shares Victor, 19, from Samar.

Victor’s family could not afford to support his education. They lost their livelihood after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Unable to enter college, he tried to look for a job to support his brothers' and sisters’ education. But with no work experience and a high school diploma, he knew it would be difficult for him to find a decent work.

Victor’s story is the story of thousands of youth in the disaster-affected region and thousands more across the country.

untapped ASSET
According to the 2016 Labor Force Survey, the national unemployment rate is estimated at 6.1%. Of the total unemployed, half are from the age group 15 to 24 years old. Government data also shows that majority of the unemployed youth have not reached college.

It’s a challenge for disadvantaged youth to find decent work as many employers seek college graduates.

There is also a growing mismatch in the supply of graduates and the demand for skills. Many training courses are not linked to in-demand apprenticeship opportunities, resulting to trainees having lesser chances of employment. According to government data, only 10 out of 1,000 applicants are hired because they do not have the skills needed in the market.

A recent market study in Eastern Visayas commissioned by Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction shows also that high unemployment remains among youth coming from poor households.

Youth employment through skills based training
To address youth unemployment, Plan International works closely with the government through its Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote economic empowerment of the youth and communities in difficult situations and ensure their financial stability and security when crisis strikes.

In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and various funding partners, Plan International facilitated the training of more than 3,000 youth on welding, housekeeping, food and beverage servicing, food processing, computer hardware servicing, carpentry, electrical installation and maintenance, automotive and small engines servicing, and other in-demand skills. On top of that, all youth beneficiaries also received life skills trainings on financial literacy, digital literacy, family planning, safe migration, and disability inclusion awareness to enhance their employability.

Through this initiative, Victor has found employment as a mechanic.

“When I graduated high school in 2015, I never imagined I’d find myself a job a year after,” says Victor, who received training on Automotive Servicing and passed the national certification.

His training was funded by the government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

Victor’s story of finding decent work through TVET is considered a success, but many are not as fortunate as him.

Second class citizens?
“In the Philippines, TVET graduates are considered as second class citizens. Our society gives higher value to degree holders,” says Cleta Omega, regional director of TESDA in Eastern Visayas.

“We must change this. There must be a paradigm shift,” she adds.

According to Ms. Omega, there is still limited awareness and appreciation of the real value of technical skills education. Many youth still think that TVET is not a legitimate track to take, while some employers are hesitant to employ TVET graduates. Even youth with national certification for their skills still have difficulty finding decent work.

In a conference with the business sector last September, Plan International and TESDA officials talked to attendees about the stigma on TVET and called for a change of mind.

“There should be more investments in corporate citizenship, including partnership with civil society and close collaboration with government agencies working on the supply side to address employment issues moving forward,” says Peter Bellen, Plan International Asia’s Youth Employment Solutions Advisor.

“Companies and business groups should also look into unemployed youth as potential customers and clients. The youth will comprise the majority of consumers in the next 10-20 years, and if these unemployed youth get into decent wage or self-employment, they will have the resources to purchase goods and services,” he continues.

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Young woman dreams to be a police officer, for family, community

"If I weren't able to enroll in college last year, maybe I would have committed suicide," recounts 20-year old Ivy from Balangiga, Eastern Samar. Looking back to 2015, Ivy recalled the challenges her family went through on her last year in college--the uncertainty for her to finish college. Not meeting the minimum required grades, she transferred from a state-funded to a private college in the city. From Php 7,000 per semester, her tuition fee spiked to more than its double. Her father, a motorcycle driver, and her mother, who maintains their sari-sari store, barely made ends meet for their family of five. They could not afford a private-school education for Ivy. Her parents suggested for Ivy to stop. She understood her family's situation, but she could not give up her dream to finish her education. There were only two semesters left. In Ivy's family, no one has ever graduated college. Her older brother reached college but did not finish a semester. In her barangay with a population of 426 according to 2015 Census of Population, only a handful have finished college. "I had to enrol. I want to set an example to my sisters, my cousins and my community. I want to show them that I finished college despite the difficulties. And if I can do it, so can they." Her parents understood why Ivy was persistent. Even if it meant being in debt, they found a way to support her first semester. Even if she adjusted living in the city and away from family, she endured with the goal of receiving a diploma in mind. Every time she went home, she felt even more motivated because of overwhelming support of her community. Some neighbours would help her with her home works. Second semester came. But supporting her education remained to be a challenge. When their family was identified to be part of the cash-for-work programme under Asian Development Bank's-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Grant 9175 Subcomponent A2 grant, her parents knew it was exactly the kind of support they need. Through the programme, her father rendered service for Php260/day, an amount hard to get by as a motorcycle driver. For 30 days, he assisted with the rehabilitation of their barangay's water system and earned a total of Php 7,800. They used it to pay for Ivy's tuition for her last semester. And as graduation came closer, she found a deeper appreciation of her degree. "Before I just wanted a diploma. But transferring to a new school and knowing the sacrifices of my family made dream more. I realized that I didn't just want to graduate. I want to pass the board exam and become a police woman." With new goals in mind, she studied hard on her last semester. Then the fateful day of her graduation came. Ivy received flowers from the school, she gave it to her mother and said, "This is for you." Holding back her tears, her mother accepted feeling fulfilled. "Through the cash-for-work programme, Ivy graduated," says her mother Rose. In college, she learned the value of protecting others. Now, as a Criminology graduate, people look up to her. "I know people will approach me in case of emergencies." To develop her skills, she participated to the first batch of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) training facilitated by the Eastern Samar Emergency Response Search Rescue team of Eastern Samar Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. She learned emergency management, first aid, basic life support and water search and rescue. Eager to keep on learning, she volunteered to be a co-trainer for the 2nd batch of the ERT training. "Being part of the training as a participant and a co-trainer helped me improve my skills as a responder," she shares. The ERT training aims to increase the capacity of communities against disasters and calamities through skills development. It is under the Disaster Risk Reduction component of the grant. She is now preparing for the Criminology board exam scheduled on September. She is equally nervous and excited. "When I become a police woman, I want to be assigned in the field. I want to help my family, my relatives, and my village and to be of service of others," she says. With that in mind, she is more committed to reach her dream not only because her family is supporting her. The whole village is cheering her on.   Looking back to 2015, she knows the challenges in her life made her the stronger woman she is today. Looking back, she smiles. After all, there are so many things in life worth smiling for--worth living for.

Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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Fishing net secures children's education

Fishing net secures children's education Every day, parents toil to secure their children's education and future. In a coastal community in Tanauan, a father leaves his family before dusk to go to the sea to fish; while, his wife repairs their remaining fishing net and attends to their children's needs. A little after sunrise the next day, he returns to shore to sell his catch of the day. He then returns home to his eager family, bringing with him his hard earned money for the day only to leave again a few hours later to fish again. This is what every day looks like for Michael Abalos, father of five. On a good day, he would return from sea with up to 15 kilos of fish, earning barely enough. But, when the waves are strong and the weather is not fine, he refrains from going to sea making it hard for Michael to earn for a living. Fishing is what he knows best, but he admits he was afraid to return to sea after Typhoon Haiyan washed away their home, fishing nets and fishing gears, leaving his family homeless and him without a livelihood. “But I had to be brave. I had to go back to the sea after the storm. Fishing is the only livelihood I know,” Michael, 34, shares. Months after Haiyan, he went back to fishing, trying to recover what he lost. Because he lost his own fishing net during the typhoon, he went fishing with a relative who still had nets to use. Their income from each catch sold at Php120 per kilo, but they had to subtract the expenses then divide the remaining amount among themselves, leaving him with barely enough for his family. With his two kids already in elementary school, those were very hard times for his family. So when Michael received his own fishing net through the grant given by the government of Japan through Asian Development Bank’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction to the Philippine government in January 2016, he knew that these were exactly what he needed. “The fishing nets are very helpful. Without them, I would still go fishing with others as a hired hand on their trips,” he shares. And a few months since then, Michael has begun to recover what he lost. His income increased. “Now that I have my own fishing nets, I don't have to share my earnings with anyone. I earn more for my family,” he continues. Fisherfolks come and sell their catch along the shoreline of Bislig, Tanauan. Aware that a fishing net only lasts for a couple of months, his wife Winifreda, 32, has begun weaving a new one. "Using the savings from having our own fishing net, we bought materials for a new one. Little by little, I am weaving one so by the time our current fishing net needs to be replaced, we have one ready," she continues. Fishing nets are invaluable for fisher folks like Michael and Winifreda. “Without fishing gears and nets, our livelihoods will be disrupted again.” Through the grant, Michael and the other fisher folks from his community also received basic Coastal Resources Management training facilitated by the Municipal Agriculturist Office of Tanauan in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The training aimed to teach fisher folks how to better protect coastal resources while securing sustainable livelihood. Only able to reach high school, Michael wishes for his children to finish theirs. “Because of the support we received, my wife and I are able to provide for our family’s needs and are able to send our children to school. I want them to finish their education,” he shares. Through the fishing nets, he did not only recover what was lost--his livelihood--but more importantly, he gained so much more. He secured his children's education.

Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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Keeping The Hope Alive

Barangay Captain Pader donates his rice paddies for children's education.  Captain Arnaldo Pader, 62, shares his hopes for the children of his barangay “‘The youth is the hope of our nation,’ as the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal said. But that shall not happen if the youth are not guided and educated. Unfortunately, because of limited finances, families cannot support their children’s education," Arnaldo Pader, barangay captain in Samar, says. Reaching grade three, Barangay Captain Pader knows from experience how limited opportunities are if you lack the education. "Since I was not able to graduate in elementary, I want the children to finish theirs." With that in mind, he strived for their barangay to have their own school. He approached different government offices and individuals for support. After years of persistent requests, in 2002 their school was finally completed. “I was very happy that our school was completed. I hope my dream and the parent's  dream for our children will be realised," Pader says.  Unyielding Spirit But in 2013, Pader’s dream seemed to fated to be crushed. Being only a few meters away from the shoreline, the school was left irreparable by typhoon Haiyan. The roofs were blown away and the walls were torn down. Unyielding, with the support of the whole barangay and the school, he found ways to re-establish the education system. They used the chapel as a classroom and sought funds to build temporary learning spaces. When the DSWD and DepEd, together with Plan International Philippines, identified their village to receive funding support under the grant received from the government of Japan through ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, he could not contain his joy and gratitude. Through the grant, children shall have five new disaster-resilient classrooms. Moved by the opportunity for them and aware that the school still needed to be relocated, he decided to donate his rice paddies to be the new relocation site of the school. “I am doing this for the children and the future of our village," Pader says.  Government partners, ADB representative and Plan International celebrate with teachers and students during the inauguration of the new school site  (L to R: Ma. Jocelyn Salazar of DepEdSamar Division: Rochel School Head; Dr. Gorgonio Diaz, DepEd Samar Division Superintendent; Jill Uyvico, Regional Coordinator of NEDA; Dindo Mengote Representative of ADB; Charisma President of the Student Pupil Government; Arnaldo Pader, Barangay Captain; Mayor Junji Ponferrada of Local Government Unit and Engr. Jereme Baliquia of Plan International Philippines) Better Access to Education and Brighter Future With the newly relocated and disaster-resilient school, children have better access to education and to a brighter future. “Now, we that we have transferred to our new school site, we promise to love our school and study better,” Charisma, 11, Student Pupil Government President shares in behalf of her fellow students. With Pader’s dream of better access to education realised, he continues to dream, “I don’t want the children to settle with how things are. I hope they will become professionals. Maybe one of them will become a mayor, a lawyer or a principal." Pader, together with the community including the children, keeps the hope for a brighter future alive. Follow Plan International Philippines at:

Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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Plan Int'l / ADB-JFPR A2 Bi-monthly Newsletter

first of a series of emails sharing stories and good news under the ADB-JFPR A2 with Department of Social Welfare and Development as lead implementing agency and Plan International as implementing partner.

Asian Development Bank- Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction A2: Access to Emergency Employment and Livelihood Support Dear development partners, After the onslaught of Yolanda in 2013, the government of Japan extendedgrant assistance Grant 9175-PH to the Philippine government through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Fund (JFPR) managed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Entitled “Emergency Assistance and Early Recovery for Poor Municipalities Affected by Typhoon Yolanda,” the grant has six sub-components. Sub-component A2, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as lead implementing agency and Plan International as implementing partner, is committed to the following: Since the start of the sub-component A2, we've been inspired by stories of hope and resilience from our communities. Through series of emails, we commit to also share with you these stories--stories which will not only bring a smile to our hearts but will remind us that together we are Building Back Better.

'I Have a Dream' “I wish that my fellow students will study harder to achieve their dreams,” shares Christian (13).

“I wish that my fellow students will study harder to achieve their dreams for themselves and their families,” shares Christian (13), grade six student and president of a Supreme Pupil Government Organization (SPG). Christian's dream, when elected SPG president was simple. He wanted his fellow students to be excited to study harder. Because when the typhoon Haiyan hit their school, it left most of their classrooms roofless and their books, tables and chairs destroyed. “Two days after typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), I went to school and was saddened to see the roofs blown away and our books soaking wet and destroyed.” When classes resumed in January 2015, teaching and learning conditions were still difficult for both the students and the teachers. Damage caused by the typhoon limited the number of available classrooms. Grade sections had to be combined, leading to crowded classrooms and additional teaching and learning challenges. Three newly constructed classrooms students are using since December 2015. Committed to promote quality education for all through rehabilitation and refurnishing of disaster resilient schools for the re-establishment of the education system, JFPR through ADB, DSWD and Department of Education, with Plan International as the implementing partner, identified the construction of three new classrooms of his school. The new classrooms were designed with ramps for Persons with Disabilities and separate toilets for boys and girls. When Christian and his classmates discovered this, they were excited. Christian was even more excited when he was given the special task to colour the weather chart, which serves as a reference to see the weather conditions through-out the construction. Each day, he would check if it was raining or sunny and use crayons to colour the weather chart. On December 8, 2015, three new classrooms, pre-assigned to grade 1, 5 and 6 sections, were turned-over to their school. “Some students were too excited to enter their new classrooms, some students would innocently push each other into the room,” he candidly shares. Today, a little over two months since the turn-over, students are still eager to go to school every day. “Because of the new classrooms, we are more excited to go to school and feel more comfortable in class. I think our teachers are also more excited to teach us. Now, each classroom has two toilets—one for boys and another for girls.” At the start of the academic year, Christian's wishes were simple—that his fellow students would study harder to achieve their dreams. Now, with their new classrooms, his dreams are coming true little by little--not only by the current student population but for the next generations to come. Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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