WBA partners with VSU to develop root crop value chain in Basilan

Prof Marlon Tambis, PhilRootcrops Deputy Director, explains the benefits
of root crops at the start of the WBA Training on Rootcrop Production.

August 3, 2022 (Isabela City) – Selected farmers from the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) assembled in Isabela City for capacity training on root crop production. The training was conducted by a team from the Philippine Center for Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) stationed at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte.

Mayor Hanie Bud, the interim WBA chairperson, said PhilRootcrops has been tapped as an institutional consultant. Aside from the training on root crop production, other components of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by the parties include pilot production of two (2) varieties of cassava and another two (2) varieties of sweet potatoes suited for food consumption, setting up a root crop processing center in Western Basilan to be hosted by one of the WBA-member LGUs, two (2) batches of the training of trainers on root crop product processing and marketing workshop.

Mayor Bud added that this is one of the many development initiatives they have in line to spur and sustain the growth of the alliance. Earlier initiatives include the WBA DXPW 99.1FM radio station and the WBA CRM Center.

 
Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip reiterated Basilan Governor Jim Hataman’s interest in focusing on strengthening farmers’ food security and livelihood, which was greatly affected by the cocolisap infestation that devastated the local coconut industry, and the aspiration of opening alternative livelihood and enterprise complementary to the two dominant local industries – rubber and coconut. Aside from this, the Provincial Government and the WBA are also working on coastal resources management through capacitating local personnel on participatory coastal resources assessment and working with the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) to develop the CRM priorities for the next three years.

 
PhilRootcrops Senior Agriculturist Dioscoro Bolatete expressed optimism that the trainees will be able to apply their learning and commence land preparation in the pilot farms.

 
PhilRootcrops will continue to provide expert advice as the farmers progress with their initial production journey using the PhilRootcrops technology learned in the training.

The new technologies spanning production to processing to marketing provided by PhillRootcrops come at a time of improved security conditions in the province.

 
PhilRootcrops Deputy Director Marlon Tambis said the prevailing peacefulness presents an opportunity for Basileños to improve their economic situation and for PhilRootcrops to be engaged in the province as part of the realization of its mandate as a national agency tasked with research, development and extension.

 
WBA Technical Working Group (TWG) lead facilitator January Zanoria noted how member LGUs are keen to develop the root crop value chain, beginning with the identification of pilot sites and the core group of farmers who will manage the production and mobilization of local staff and partners who will be trainers and advocates of root crop products by popularizing their many uses and income-generating prospects.

 
The LGUs have already directed their respective local agriculture staff who will be actively involved across the value chain.

 
The first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan, WBA is supported by the Spanish aid agency AECID through the IAG-implemented Modeling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) project in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA conduct actual visits to Zamboanga City markets for their fresh and dried seafood produce

WBA participants interact with mall personnel of the KCC Mall de Zamboanga and
understand its procurement of fresh, dried, and processed seafood products.

Zamboanga City (March 29, 2022) - Municipal agriculturists, the office of the provincial agriculturist, provincial and municipal planning and development coordinators, provincial and municipal administrators, alliance management office staff, and officials from the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) visit today selected markets in the city for their fresh and dried seafood products.

The first stop was at KCC Mall de Zamboanga City, where WBA, Basilan Provincial Government, and MAFAR personnel observe the products sold and the transaction at the fresh seafood market inside the mall. They also observe the dried fish stall and review processed seafood and local products on display from various food processors within the region. They interact with mall personnel in charge of procurement and replenishment, clarify mall product standards and business processes, and gather contact details.

The second stop is at Talon-Talon Loop, the dried fish center of the city, where participants interact with a big-time dried fish buyer to understand the supply and demand for dried fish around Mindanao as well as sourcing, product standards, pricing (buying and selling) scheme, and transport and logistics. They appreciate the huge cold storage facility constructed by the owner to maintain shelf life and to serve as a buffer for high season when demand for dried fish is high and supply is low. The participant also interact with a big-time fish drier where they saw actual salting and drying processes and the standards being followed at every step of the way.

The third and final stop is interaction with a fish broker facilitating buying and selling of fresh seafood at the city’s main market. The fish broker also explains how products are being sourced from the BARMM island provinces, transported to the city, and in transit to local markets and markets throughout Mindanao.

According to Prof Francis Arroyo, the marketing consultant, today’s activity combines access to and first-hand interaction with mall market, fish drier and distributor, and brokers in Zamboanga City. This will give participants grounded experiences as they explore marketing as a WBA strategy to assist their local fisherfolks and traders by connecting the latter to markets in Zamboanga City and beyond.

The remaining two days provide the participants an opportunity to reflect on the marketing viability and find creative and efficient ways to operate it WBA-wide and sustainably.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA undertakes marketing tour

Mayor Hans Bud of Maluso and interim chair of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) welcoming the participants from Basilan Provincial Government, municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso and Sumisip, and MAFAR Regional and Provincial Office. (Photo credit: Municipality of Maluso Facebook)

March 28, 2022 (Zamboanga City) – The Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) commences its marketing tour in this city and is complemented by a workshop to develop its marketing operations guide from today, March 28 up to April 1, 2022. The participants in this joint activity include the municipal agriculturists, the office of the provincial agriculturist, provincial and municipal planning and development coordinators, provincial and municipal administrators, alliance management office staff, and officials from the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).

According to Sheila Marie Acquiatan, MILAB Project Coordinator, this activity was based on the earlier value chain analysis and creates a platform for new and shared livelihood opportunities among WBA local governments. Hadji Muhtamad was the proponent of fresh sea produce marketing, while Maluso proposed for marketing of dried sea products. Sumisip was interested in cassava contracting and Lantawan on root crops expansion and processing.

Prof Francis Arroyo, the marketing consultant, said, this marketing tour combines access to and first-hand interaction with the mall market, fish drier and distributor, and brokers in Zamboanga City. The workshop begins to think about organizing their operations and marketing their fresh and dried sea produce. This is about capacitating and building sustainability early on in the project cycle.

Mayor Hans Bud of Maluso and interim chair of WBA in his welcome address extols the participants to continue supporting the WBA and be active in its activities, such as the one today. He recalls the alliance-building journey from five (5) years ago, when their motivation to work together met with support from the late Fr Eliseo “Jun” Mercado Jr, OMI, lead policy advisor of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) who visited the province and his team on a listening tour to see how meaningful and committed the local government executives in pursuing the path of alliance building. Eventually, generating the interest and support of the AECID the Spanish aid agency. 

Mayor Bud mentions how the WBA is now in its institutionalization phase, standardizing its processes, creating shared livelihood platforms such as the marketing tour this week. He also states how Maluso municipality in its latest strategic planning is aligning its effort with WBA through their peace, environment, and tourism priority.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA enhances skills from cultural to technical diving

(L to R) Mr Noor Saada, MILAB project manager talking with Sama divers
in between the latter's SCUBA dive exercises. 

Zamboanga City (November 26, 2021) – Among the participants of the ongoing WBA dive training this week are participants from the Sama ethnic group and including Nomer Manisan (Aquaculturist II) and Komonie Janalhatib (Community Affairs Assistant) of Sumisip and Ramil Pakkari (Statistician) of Hadji Muhtamad. The Sama people are a maritime ethnic group that is spread across the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines. In Basilan, they are found in the island municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad and Tabuan Lasa and along the coasts of the mainland municipalities. 

Their swimming and diving skills are passed down from one to another generation, from the elder to the younger, from the fathers to the sons. Sons start with frog swimming, homemade goggles, and in the nude. As they become adolescents, they are still shirtless, but with underwear or shorts by this time. They can swim further and dive deeper mainly to catch fish and other sea products they can sell for livelihood. As they dive deeper, they use stones as sinkers and rope for signal. They also use compressors to be able to dive deep. They resort to deep diving in order to catch highly-prized species, such as kamun (sea mantis), kaulang (lobster), lapu-lapu kubing (leopard grouper), and bat (sea cucumber).

The Sama participants lament the beginning loss of indigenous knowledge especially on safety, prevention, and mitigation from the kaomboan (elders) as fewer among the new generation Sama youth venture into traditional fishing in favor of other non-sea livelihoods and for greener pastures. Partly because of this loss, repeated dives had made many of them oblivious to the dangers of abrupt ascent and absence of safety stops, changing underwater current, decompression sickness, and nitrogen narcosis, which through time and frequency had been accepted in the community as part of the hazards of seeking livelihood from the sea; without realizing that these can be prevented with safety and proper training.

For the past five days, Sama trainees Nomer Manisan, Komonie Janalhatib, and Ramil Pakkari were exposed to the proper techniques of swimming, diving, and finning; as well as the rudiments of SCUBA diving. Nomer says, he now realized the value of suits. He has come to appreciate the importance of safety beginning with proper breathing, being alert about the environment. He saw that diving can be safe and fun simultaneously if proper prevention, pre-planning, and rules are observed.

Ramil expresses his observation about the importance of weights and sinkers which greatly stabilizes the diver's position underwater. He likes now the ability to swim and dive comfortably and with balanced. Komonie notes the crucial points of having a dive buddy and sign communication underwater. With this new ability, he shares that diving can be comfortable knowing that they have prepared safely and had ways to continue communicating underwater. 

They are in agreement that their exposure to the ongoing training enhanced their pre-existing swimming, diving, and finning skills, and importantly, showed taught them safety measures, and mitigative measures, to avoid dangers and stay on the safe lane. 

The WBA 7-day dive training they are part of is delivered by the ZSCMST Dive Center and CMAS Philippines. WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

Diving for the Star: The CMAS One-Star Dive Certification

Prof Dr Oliver Tito introduces the academic part of the CMAS one-star dive certification.

Zamboanga City (November 24, 2021) – The ongoing WBA dive training in this city will run-up to November 29 and is conducted by the Dive Center of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST). The assessment and certification are through CMAS Philippines.

CMAS stands for Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. In English, it is known as the World Underwater Federation and uses the French acronym CMAS in its logo. It was organized in the 50s, with renowned explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau as its founding president. CMAS offers several training programs, such as recreational diving, snorkeling, specialty diving, technical diving, and leadership diving with specialty grades. CMAS is recognized by international organizations, such as the Olympic, The World Games, Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), UNESCO, and International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The WBA dive training is geared towards CMAS One Star Diver certification (also known as CMAS* diver or CMAS*). CMAS defines a one-star diver as one “who is competent in the safe and correct use of all appropriate open-water scuba diving equipment in a sheltered water training area and is ready to gain open-water diving experience in the company of an experienced diver”.

The academics part of one-star diver training program covers the selection, purpose, and function of diving equipment; the purpose and use of diving signals; diving physics; medical problems related to diving; use of dive tables and dive computers; the function and use of scuba equipment; the mechanisms of respiration and circulation; the use of buoyancy devices; comparison and selection of diving suits and ancillary equipment; methods for care and maintenance of equipment; accident prevention, self-rescue and buddy rescue – including the theory of emergency ascent, towing, expired air ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; diving procedures, the role of the dive leader, the importance of planning and preparation; and the selection of dive sites, the effect of weather and tides, hazards, the importance of conservation. 

The practicum side of one-star diver training program covers assembly and fitting of scuba equipment; entry and exit; surface swimming with full scuba equipment; proper weighting, buoyancy; clearing and replacing mask and mouthpiece; out-of-air emergency procedures, using a secondary air supply; controlled buoyant lift; diver assistance techniques, towing and landing a casualty; employing expired air ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; underwater removal and replacement of scuba and ballast systems; and simple under-water navigation. Practicum includes confined and open water dives.

For the 22 WBA trainees, lectures will be at the La Azotea, Garden Orchids Hotel; confined water practicum at the hotel's swimming pool; and the open water practicum will be at the Simariki Ancestral Domain. Written and practical assessment will be on the last day of training and passers will be issued the CMAS one-star dive certificate and identification card.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

ZSCMST President inspires WBA dive trainees

ZSCMST President Prof Dr Jaime G. Jalon reflects on his past experiences about Basilan before the pandemic. He considers Basilan his second home. He urges participants to seize this rare opportunity.(Photo credit: ZSCMST Media Team)

Zamboanga City (November 23, 2021) – Participants from the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso, and Sumisip, and the Basilan Provincial Government, convene today for their 7-day dive training and 3-day training on participatory coastal resources assessment (PCRA), from November 23 to December 3, 2021, here in the city. Each WBA municipality and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is allotted four (4) trainee-slots, plus two (2) trainee-slots for the WBA Dive Shop.

WBA AMO manager Mr Zia Ulhaq Basa welcomes the participants and expresses his gratitude to the MILAB Project and to ZSCMST for supporting their alliance through this training program. As mentioned by Mr Basa, this training program is delivered in partnership with the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) through a memorandum of understanding signed with the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG). Leading the ZSCMST management team in the opening program today is no less than its President, Prof Dr Jaime G. Jalon, together with Prof Arthur Panganiban, Director for Research and Development and Prof Marlon Omatang, Director for Training and Extension Services.

Also part of the management and leading the 11-person training team is Prof Dr Oliver Tito, Dean of the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and concurrent Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Services. Other members of the training team present in the opening program are Victoria Lim, Chairperson of the Chemistry Department; Angelo Macario, Masters in Fisheries Management Program Adviser; Annie Gonzales, Marine Biology Program Adviser; Kathleen Dalope, Fisheries Program Adviser; Rolando Pelingon, Faculty, College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences; and Kent Anthony Enocita, Dive Associate, SCUBA Center. Assisting Dean Tito and Head of the SCUBA Center is Raymond Antonio Lim.

In his inspirational message, President Jalon expresses his consideration for Basilan as a second home and how he yearns to be back again. He is also optimistic about this partnership and urges the trainees to “make the most of it”, to seize this rare opportunity afforded to the participants by the AECID-funded MILAB Project. He urges participants to feel free to interact with the ZSCMST training team, and he reminds the former how he had freed them from their school obligation for the duration of this training in order to respond positively to his second home's needs to build competencies on diving and coastal resources assessment so that these local government units can be proactive in developing and implementing their coastal resources management (CRM) plan. He reminds everyone that we are still in a pandemic and the need to observe health protocols is ever urgent and compulsory as he believes health is a treasure that everyone should value all the time and that the Covid-19 virus is ever-present in our midst.

Prof Omatang delivers the first part of the training overview and how the ZSCMST team is happy to support this WBA initiative. Dean Tito delivers the second part of the training overview. He reminds participants that while the training team will have flexibility, there are also rules and standards to be observed. The training will be a combination of lectures and confined and open water practicum. The 7-day dive training will end with a CMAS assessment and certification, while the 3-day coastal resources assessment will end with practicum and data analysis. After the opening program, the participants proceeded to the pool area for the preliminary water skills assessment. Participants demonstrated to the training team their initial capacity to swim and float.

Ms Sheila Tan Acquiatan, MILAB Project Coordinator, orients the participants on house rules including the need to observe health protocols for the duration of the training program. The project booked a larger venue with a pool nearby, with several French doors which can be open from time to time to allow for fresh air to circulate. The project also distributed health kits consisting of face masks and alcohol. All the participants applied through the S-PaSS entry requirements to get into Zamboanga City and this training program, following these stated protocols, is also authorized by the Zamboanga City DRRMO.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in the Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA prepares for Dive and PCRA training with ZSCMST

 

Photo: IAG, MILAB and ZSCMST officials posing for a group photo after a meeting on their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) through capacity building and technical assistance interventions. (L to R) ZSCMST Dive Center Manager Prof Raymond Lim, IAG Director for Planning Sheila Algabre, MILAB Project Coordinator Sheila Acquiatan, IAG Executive Director Atty Benedicto Bacani, ZSCMST President Dr Jaime Jalon, ZSCMST Vice President Dr Servando Halili Jr, MILAB Project Manager Noor Saada and ZSCMST Dean of the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Dr Oliver Tito. 

Isabela City, Basilan (November 17, 2021) – The Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) composed of the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso, and Sumisip, and supported by the Basilan Provincial Government, is scheduled to undertake a 7-day dive training and 3-day training on participatory coastal resources assessment (PCRA), from November 23 to December 3, 2021, in Zamboanga City.

These two trainings will be delivered by a composite team of marine science experts from the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST). This was made possible through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by ZSCMST and the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG). IAG is the managing contractor for the AECID-funded Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) that is capacitating and supporting the WBA.

Atty Benedicto Bacani, Executive Director of IAG and the managing contractor of the AECID-funded MILAB Project, is happy to see this partnership slowly moving forward. IAG has built a reputation around local governance and alliance building, and with ZSCMST expertise in coastal resources management (CRM), he expects exponential benefits for the WBA. He is optimistic that the institutional commitment and resources of IAG and ZSCMST reflected in the memorandum of understanding will help WBA realize its vision of a peaceful and prosperous Western Basilan founded on good governance and a sustainable economy.

MILAB manager Mr Noor Saada explains that diving is a foundational skill for participatory coastal resources assessment and PCRA is a preparatory mechanism to develop CRM plan required of every LGU in the country. He added that the 11-person ZSCMST team will be a composite of professors and professional divers and the two trainings will be a combination of lectures, confined water, and open water skills development, and fieldwork on socio-economic, mangroves, seagrass, coral and reef fishes, and water quality and plankton assessment drills. Participants will also undergo assessment and certification by CMAS Philippines as basic divers. The fieldwork is slated to be undertaken inside an ancestral domain area of Sama Bangingi' who have been preserving and promoting their area as an eco- and culture-based tourist spot.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA enhances its draft Operations Manual

 

'Recall Circle' on day 2 of the workshop with participants recalling and

 sharing what each of them remembers from yesterday's session.

Isabela City, Basilan (November 16, 2021) – Local planning, agriculture, and finance personnel from the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) convenes today for a week-long workshop to enhance their draft operations manual. The workshop will run for up to Friday, November 19, at the Kasinnahan Hotel and Resort, this city.

In his opening statement, Mr. Zia Ulhaq Basa, the WBA Alliance Management Office (AMO) manager welcomes the participants to this activity and hopes that they will exert their best efforts to share their ideas and experiences in enhancing the first draft which they started developing in May 2021.

Mayor Hanie A Bud of Maluso, the interim chair of the WBA, claims that this alliance is arguably the most functional in the BARMM region. He reminds everyone that the current coastal resources management (CRM) is just one of the many development focuses of the alliance. He enlightens the participants about the other development focus, such as good governance, peace and security, critical social services, and eco- and culture-based tourism.

The training team comes from the Ateneo Center for Leadership and Governance (ACLG) of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) and composed of team leader May Bulanon, lead trainer Ari Ismael and documenter-writer Cha Ibanez. Aside from facilitating this week's workshop, the training team will also come up with version 2 of the operations manual, incorporating salient points of the WBA Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), critical ingredients in the alliance-building manual, organizational development theory, and from the unique Basilan context.

The ACLG team engages the participants through a generative lecture-workshop methodology. Each session starts with a short overview of critical ingredients in the alliance-building manual. Small group workshop follows building on the participants' experiences and aspirations. Thereafter, every group presents their output and listens to comments from other groups, and is given another round to refine their output.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first inter-LGU cooperation in the province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

Gov Jim Hataman inspires WBA workshop participants

(In photo) Basilan Gov Jim Hataman inspiring participants to the WBA Operations Manual Workshop. (Photo credit: Zhor Barry Hasim/Provl Government)

Isabela City, Basilan (April 6, 2021) – Participants from Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso and Sumisip, all member-LGUs of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) and partner agencies, such as the provincial offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) and the Basilan Provincial Government convene today for a week-long workshop on operations manual. The development of the operations manual is a ke provision in the WBA's Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

Governor Jim Hataman in his inspirational message walks through the participants about ongoing challenges, current gains and forward ideas on peace and security, cocolisap devastation, local rubber industry, local fishery sector and food security. He points to the need for research-driven policies and programs, such as attracting capital investment, enhancing economic productivity, “branding” challenge in marketing Basilan and its products, and addressing loose firearms through a cultural and not just legal lens.

He recalls the motivation behind the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) and hopes local governments would level up in the ideation of development. He trusts that local leaders and personnel would eventually be sophisticated in empowering themselves in terms of functionalities of services and long-term effects of program delivery and, not just simply be contented with documentary compliance and immediate concerns.

Finally, he emphasizes the value of working together as a foundation of development. He feels the WBA provides practical experience for member LGUs and personnel in addressing shared concerns and addressing them collaboratively. He is equally optimistic that the current initiatives will concretize and yield gains for the people in the long term.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments in the province.

WBA completes VCA training today

A screenshot of the online validation today using Zoom application.

Zamboanga City (November 5, 2020) – The Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) completes today it 3-part training program on value chain analysis (VCA) online via Zoom application. The online introductory session was done in August 26, 2020. The on-site group workshop and online coaching stretched from August 27 up to the September 2020. Today's session is the culmination activity. 

Present for today's validation sessions are provincial and municipal administrators, planning and agriculture personnel. Also present in today's sessions are the provincial administrator Manny Muarip and mayor Nursiya Ismael of Lantawan, mayor Nerwelyn Mansul of Hadji Muhtamad, mayor Hans Bud of Maluso; while Sumisip mayor Jul-Adnan Hataman is ably-represented by his municipal administrator Nusra Hataman. 

MILAB Phase 2 project manager Noor Saada explains that VCA is a skill set expected to be part of the competence of the technical working group of the WBA. Content expert and training facilitator Karen Oloroso-Miels added that VCA tool is used to analyze a community's primary and support activities that add value to their products and then analyze these activities to reduce costs or increase differentiation. 

Participants from the provincial office presented their VCA on rubber, a key product coming out of the province. With falling global price and stiff competition, they see the need for continuing improvement in planting, harvesting and packing practices. They observed that over time, the hand-me-down informal way of learning the craft had diluted science- and technology-based practices. 

Lantawan planning coordinator Hadji Roben Mustapha and agriculturist Dr Julita Larracochea presented their VCA with focus on nito weaving that has already started around Barangay Lower Banas. Sumisip personnel Sarha Ambil and agriculturist Indisiyan Mustapha presented VCA on cassava, one of the island's staple food and an indigenous source of carbohydrates for the local population. Right now, Ms Ambil added, local trading and consumption center around grated and steamed cassava.

Maluso agriculturist Emma Dagatan presented their VCA on dried fish, a product that has made the town famous for. Fresh and dried fishes are primary products in high demand from the town and marketed within and outside Basilan province, and as far as Cebu and Davao. Maluso sells about 600 tonnes per quarter of these fresh and dried products. They are in need of market expansion, and improvement in sanitary drying (especially during rainy season) and packaging. 

Hadji Muhtamad planning coordinator Densaudi Kong and municipal administrator Nursaida Mohammad presented their VCA on curacha, a crab species abundant in this insular municipality geographically sandwiched between mainland Basilan and Zamboanga Peninsula. They presented a sustainable way of farming and conserving this resource centered around marine protected areas they are envisioning to undertake in the near future. 

After today's presentation, these value chain analyses will be converted into proposal concepts to be forwarded to concerned government agencies for possible funding and technical support, and project partnership. 

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments in the province.

WBA begins Training on Institutional Requirements for Alliance Building

A screenshot of the Introductory Session on 
the Training on Institutional Requirements for Alliance Building 

Zamboanga City (November 4, 2020) – Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) begins today, via online Zoom application, its training on institutional requirements for alliance building. Participants from the provincial and municipal governments include Sangguniang Panlalawigan, administrative, planning and agriculture personnel.

MILAB 2 Project manager Noor Saada explains that today's training brings together the capacitation on three pillars of alliance building (hyperlink - legal training commenced on October 21 and financial training on October 28). These pillars were developed into a 3-part training program to conform with the limitations posed by the on-going pandemic and by the demands of the 'new normal'. 

Content expert and training facilitator Kareen Oloroso-Miels starts her introductory session with three (3) major phases of alliance building and together with the participants assess where the WBA is currently situated. There are a dozen key institutional ingredients that Ms Oloroso-Miels articulated to the participants. This includes conceptualizing (availability of champions, having common base and purpose) and studying models which a group from the WBA was able to undertake under MILAB Phase 1 in a visit to Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) and Central Negros Council for Coastal Resources Development (CENECCORD). Also explained are the 'how' of alliance forming, assessment, strategic planning, resource generation and mobilization, pilot-testing, systematization, scaling, mainstreaming and evolution.

MILAB project coordinator Sheila Marie Acquiatan insures that standardized learning materials are made available and downloadable so that participants can learn and review on their own pace, and ready for their online assessment using Google Forms for comprehension and as a guide to differentiated coaching based on the participants' comprehension. Schedules for team planning and online coaching are also put up.

At the end of the Ms Miels' coaching session, every LGU group is expected to submit their proposed work plan as to how they can build and comply with the institutional requirements, which will be followed through by the WBA office and the MILAB team.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.

WBA Commences Training on Financial Requirements for Alliance Building

A screenshot of the Introductory Session on 
the Training on Financial Requirements for Alliance Building. 

Zamboanga City (October 28, 2020) – Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) commences this morning its training on financial requirements for alliance building via online Zoom application. Participants from the provincial and municipal governments include administrative, planning, agriculture, accounting, budget and treasurer personnel.

MILAB 2 Project manager Noor Saada said, this morning session is part of capacitation for personnel of member-LGUs and the first of a 3-part training program that includes on-site group planning, online coaching and output validation. This morning's introductory session aims to level off understanding among personnel of WBA member-LGUs as to what constitute critical financial ingredients in building and sustaining interlocal alliances. 

Content expert and training facilitator Kareen Oloroso-Miels starts her presentation with three (3) major phases of alliance building and explained the different finanical ingredients, from sharing resources to consensus on nature of resource contribution and to the whole fund management system (collection, sharing arrangement, generation of other resources; accounting, budgeting, disbursement and auditing procedures). 

Standardized learning materials are made available and downloadable so that participants can learn and review on their own pace. There is an online assessment using Google Forms insuring participants' comprehension about the subject matter is monitored and serves as a guide to differentiated coaching based on the participants' comprehension. 

MILAB project coordinator Sheila Marie Acquiatan added that they will put schedules for team planning and online coaching and at the end of the coaching session, every LGU group is expected to submit their proposed work plan as to how they can build and comply with the financial requirements at their respective level. From this initial coaching and submission of workplan, there is follow through on their proposed activities with close supervision from the WBA office and MILAB project team for the succeeding month. 

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the Basilan provincial government and selected municipal governments. 

WBA starts Training on Legal Requirements for Alliance Building

Online coaching session with provincial and municipal groups
facilitated by the consultant. 

Zamboanga City (October 21, 2020) – Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) starts today its training on legal requirements for alliance building as part of capacitation for personnel of member-LGUs. Participants from the provincial and municipal governments include Sangguniang Panlalawigan, administrative, planning and agriculture personnel.

In his opening statement, MILAB 2 Project manager Noor Saada explains to the participants that this morning's online session is the first in a 3-part training program that includes on-site group planning, online coaching and output validation. This training program aims to level off understanding among personnel of WBA member-LGUs as to what constitute critical legal ingredients in building and sustaining interlocal alliances or cooperation like the WBA. 

In her introductory session, content expert and training facilitator Kareen Oloroso-Miels explains the three (3) major phases of alliance building and together with the participants asssess where the WBA currently stands. Together, they went through these critical legal ingredients starting with adoption of a binding agreement to concurrence and mandatory review by the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of member-LGUs, from adoption of joint resolutions by the alliance to ratification by SBs of alliance agreements, harmonization of local policies by member-LGUs to creating legal mechanisms. 

MILAB project team facilitates the availability of learning materials online so that participants can learn and review on their own pace. There is an online assessment using Google Forms for individual participants to insure there is comprehension about the subject matter and also a guide to tailor coaching based on the comprehension level of the participants in a given group. 

After this introductory session, Ms Oloroso-Miels put out schedules for team planning and online coaching. At the end of this on-site team planning, every LGU group is expected to submit their proposed work plan as to how they can comply with the legal requirements at their respective level. From this initial coaching and submission of workplan, there is follow through on their proposed activities with close supervision from the WBA office, headed by Zia Ulhaq Basa, and MILAB project team for the succeeding month. The idea is as they level up to the training expectations, they are also contributing to the building and sustaining of their alliance. 

Given the nature of this blended learning and attuned to the 'new normal', Ms Sheila Marie Acquiatan, project coordinator, leads in organizing the administrative functions, from contacting the participants via phone and social media, setting up the Zoom meeting, follow through on attendance, schedules and outputs. 

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments in the province.

WBA conducts 3rd training, focuses on refining operations manual and proposal concepts

Mayor Hans Bud of Maluso, one of the WBA champions, inspires the participants
on the 4th day of the Training Series 3.

Zamboanga City (January 7, 2019) - Selected WBA legislative and executive officers convenes today up to January 12, 2019, for a week-long refinement workshop. According to Noor Saada, MILAB Project Manager, the focus is on refining the draft operations manual and proposal concepts.

Executive director Adolfo "Totoy" Badiola Jr of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) shares the beginning, evolution, gains and lessons learned. and current initiatives of their council. MNDC is celebrating her silver (25th) anniversary this year.

Executive director Johan "Dada" dela Rosa of the Naga City Peoples Council (NCPC) shares the story of people's participation in local governance through the NCPC, a network of people's organizations and non-government organizations from among the urban poor, transport, education, youth, persons with disabilities, women, labor, cooperatives, business, NGOs, peasant; civic, professionals and enthusiast sectors.

Executive director Marilou Penafiel of the Central Negros Council for Coastal Resource Development (CENECCORD) captures the 14-year journey of the council by emphasizing the trigger issues that gave birth to the council, the different partners and initiatives they have undertaken, how they weather through elections and change of leadership and where they are now.

Shaykh Salman Sakili of the Ulama Council of Zamboanga Peninsula (UCZP) takes concepts from the Islamic heritage on the values of working together and protecting the environment.

Participants revisited and refined the inputs for the operations manual and proposal concepts.

Mayor Hani Bud of Maluso, one of the alliance champions, visits the participants on the 4th day of the training and inspires them by emphasizing how the collective regional, provincial and local leadership in the area resulted to current gains such as security improvement to infrastructure development to bagging the seal of good local governance.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the AECID-funded MILAB Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as CSO partner.

WBA conducts 2nd training, focuses on advocacy, operations manual and conceptualizing proposals

Provincial administrator Manny Muarip relating to the participants
the evolution of the "alliance" idea, and how it transform from working and success
in the security sector towards the development platform under WBA.

Zamboanga City (December 12, 2018) - Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) conducts its 2nd training series from December 10 to 14, 2018, at the Cecille's Hotel, Tumaga Porcentro, Zamboanga City. The training focus includes generating inputs for the WBA's Operations Manual, Advocacy and Proposal Concepts.

Modeling Inter-LGU Alliance Building (MILAB) Project manager Noor Saada said, this is a capacity building initiative to expose WBA's change agents and advocates on the different dimensions of alliance building.

Palawan-based Kareen "Kakay" Oloroso is the inter-local cooperation specialist and training consultant. She emphasized that more than the joint initiatives is the need for shared vision on why WBA should be pursued, what it can achieved and how this shared vision can be pursued.

Miriam Suacito, Executive Director of Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., in her presentation drives down the essence of CSO participation in local development, tracing its roots and evolution, the laws that promotes it and models and lessons learned over the years.

Zamboanga City-based PDI correspondent Julie Alipala shares with the participants ways on how to do creative messaging through different media.

DILG Provincial Director Mr. Abou Mohammad E. Asmawil discussed "Building Inter-LGU Alliance" on the 4th day from the perspective of it being a mandate under the Local Government Code.

Provincial administrator Manny Muarip relates the unwritten story of inter-LGU alliance that has started to take form in combating local manifestations of violent extremism; and how this cooperation evolve into Western Basilan Alliance. In his message, he emphasizes that alliance should embrace the different sectors and work on the alliance building has just started. "Walang ibang Basilan, iisa lang ang Basilan natin, kaya kailangan natin ito itaguyod at pagbutihin."

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the AECID-funded MILAB Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as CSO partner.

WBA conducts training on baseline assessment

WBA participants registering their attendance for the training series 1. 

November 25, 2018, Zamboanga City – Selected municipal officials and local leaders from the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) – Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso, Sumisip and Tabuan Lasa - troop to this city today for a week-long training on diagnostic tool, drafting of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) and baseline assessment relevant to the coastal resource development (CORD). CORD is the new umbrella focus of the alliance. The training commences today and will run up to the end of the month at Cecille's Hotel, Tumaga Porcentro.

Noor Saada of the MILAB Project supporting the WBA, states that this training is first of three series with the objectives of building the capacity of the WBA technical working group around assessing the alliance using a standardized diagnostic tool, crafting a memorandum of agreement (MoA), establishing baseline information around the primary focus of coastal resource development, developing CORD advocacy and operations manual and in using all of these in developing project proposals based on CORD priorities, either for internal or external funding.

Mr Saada adds that during this training, there will be general WBA overview presentation as many participants are new to the alliance; an introduction to interlocal cooperation (ILC); champions, models, phases and processes; and diagnostic test will be presented by Karen Oloroso, the interlocal cooperation specialist who is serving as overall content and process consultant. Line agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reforms (DAR) and the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) will also share agency baseline data and plans.

Prof Rosalyn Echem of the WMSU Gender Research and Resource Center will also provide inputs on gender integration in project development.

From all of these inputs, a strength-opportunity-aspiration-result (SOAR) analysis will be undertaken to bring together a cohesive and relevant CORD baseline data and priority to inform project development and Phase 2 direction of the WBA.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the AECID-funded MILAB Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as CSO partner.

Local planning and development coordinators serve as WBA technical working group

Among the sites visited by the WBA Study Tour participants was the Museo ni Jesse Robredo.
The late Jesse Robredo started the Metro Naga alliance 25 years ago.

October 25, 2018, Isabela City, Basilan – Champions and supporters of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) convene today at the provincial capitol, this city, to discuss updates and ways forward for the alliance. Among the WBA champions present are Engr. Nelson Akmadol, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and Mr. Mohammad Noore Ladjagais, Executive Assistant of the Provincial Vice Governor.

Both officials participated in the study tour to Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) and Central Negros Council for Coastal Resource Development (CENECCORD) sites in Bicol and Western Visayas regions.

In his sharing, Engr. Akmadol is very particular on how local government units mobilize their staff and share internal resources to support alliance building and development activities.

Mr. Ladjagais is overwhelmed by multi-sectoral participation he observed throughout the study tour. He also appreciates the involvement local legislative bodies in supporting the alliance plan through budget allocation and program support.

In the meeting, the involvement of local planning and development coordinators as WBA technical working group members was reiterated. While serving as core members, additional members maybe invited as the need arises.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the AECID-funded MILAB Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as CSO partner.

WBA Champions Prepare for Study Tour in Metro Naga and Negros Occidental

Zamboanga City (September 06, 2018) – Champions of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA), from the local government units and NGO partners, prepare for a two-week study tour to Metro Naga and Negros Occidental scheduled from September 18 to 26, 2018. 

Mr Noor Saada, Project Manager of the AECID-fund Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) Project as implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), said, this study tour is of part of the capacity building intervention to provide first-hand exposure for champions of the Western Basilan alliance (WBA) to areas where there are functional interlocal cooperation models. While there a number of models throughout the country and closer to home; the need for good models is an imperative for success – to learn from long experiences that have demonstrated resilience, continuity and competence through the years.

The first leg of the study tour will be the Metro Naga Development Council or simply MNDC organized in 1993, making it among the pioneer alliances in the country and arguably the oldest still functional. MNDC is celebrating its silver anniversary this year, that is 25 years of ups and downs, learning through the rope and across 8-9 terms of change in local administration. The MNDC's  cooperative portfolio (Metro Naga Equipment Pool, Metro Naga Senior Citizens Program, Metro Naga Emergency Rescue Service, Metro Naga Livelihood Program, Metro Naga Project Assistance Fund, Metro Naga Water Supply Enhancement Project, etc.) attest to how inter-LGU alliance is making a difference in improving public services and promoting good governance in the locality. 

The second leg of the study tour will be the Central Negros Council for Coastal Resources Development (CENECCORD) organized in 2005. CENECCORD is a decade and three years old of interlocal cooperation among seven (7) local government units (LGUs) in the central region of Negros Occidental and decidedly focused on “restoration and conservation of coastal resources but also for the maintenance and preservation of sound ecological balance, clean environment, equitable use of resources and most importantly, giving preferential treatment to marginal fisherfolk.” It is important to note that this arrangement was also driven by the provincial and municipal agriculture offices. 

The participants will be learning from these models, reflecting on them and acting on these models as they concretize allied, shared or joint interventions under the WBA. After the study tour, the WBA is expected to finalize their Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), prioritize its thematic focus and LGU champions to provide the imperative in mobilizing LGU staff and resources through the WBA technical working groups, and to build the competence of their staff in formulating feasibility studies or project proposal at the alliance level.

Alliance and municipal staff train on website development

Mr. Noor Saada, training coach, explains to the participants the free online system.

Zamboanga City - Selected municipal staff from Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) and alliance management office commences today for a 3-day training on website development. 

Last January 2018, 2 AMO staff were trained on website development using free online service (www.blogger.com). As part of the training process, trainees created/activated their Gmail accounts, they were introduced to http://www.blogger.com, reviewed functionalities and did practical exercises leading to the creation of the WBA website - http://westernbasilan.blogspot.com/. The WBA site was made known to concerned municipalities and among the latter expressed interest to join the next training so that they can also have a web presence and advocacy for their respective LGU. 

In this 3-day training, the AMO and MILAB staff were coached to update the website by publishing new articles regarding their recent activities and supplement all necessary information. The WBA Municipal Information Officers (MIOs) were introduced on how to use the free blogger system, review functionalities and undertaken practical exercises, including website creation. Prior to the training, they were asked to bring their respective material to supply their created website.

Khamar A. Arajul of Maluso finds it exciting to learn new things. Lennie Handang, Municipal Tourism Officer of Sumisip views a lot of culture and tourism-related information she can share to wider audience; and feedback to her superiors what she have learned here.

Engr. Shamier K. Jakiram of Hji. Muhtamad expresses his full support and that he learned a lot; while Roseller F. Inclan II of Tabuan Lasa is grateful for the added learning.

AMO staff Almani thought website development is difficult; however, after two immersions he learned a lot about functionalities, is becoming more confident and is now ready to man the AMO website. Another AMO staff Amineth Calaton appreciates the deeper immersion and was able to refresh the first learning and good experience writing news article.  

The AECID-funded MILAB Project is being implemented by the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) with the Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA) as the local NGO partner.  (Amineth Calaton/AMO)

Outputs
Hadji Muhtamad - hadjimuhtaman.blogspot.com

Maluso - rebuildmaluso.blogspot.com

Sumisip - sumisip.blogspot.com

Tabuan Lasa - tabuanlasa.blogspot.com