The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently conducted field visit to Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) projects implemented by Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) on November 16, 2015 at Matungao municipality in Lanao del Norte.

Accordingly, the purpose of the field visit was to gather direct information from the beneficiaries and stakeholders, capture photos and videos as part of the preparation for the JICA’s 2015 annual report.

The visit was conducted by Ms. Maiko Morizane, JICA representative; Ms. Tracy Decene, JICA writer and Harvey Tapan, videographer/photographer.

Joining the visit were MLGU Municipal Mayor Hon. Aisah Mangontara Azis, Al-hadja; CD-CAAM project staff both from BDA regional and central management office; and ICNet project coordinator.

The team went to the barangays of Puntod (agri sector); Cadayonan (fishery sector); and infra sectors in Brgy. Cadayonan-Bubong Radapan and Brgy. Bangcobatal.

During the visit, the team took photos and videos while the beneficiaries are on action doing their field activities.

Also they interviewed some of the beneficiaries who successfully replicated the technology they learned from the project to their own farm lands.

“Before, we are just simply planting vegetable without technical knowledge but when CD-CAAM came, we were able to learn the proper way of planting vegetables. We learned about organic farming”,said Karen Canillo, one of the beneficiaries.

“The technical knowledge we gain from the project help increase our income and sustain the daily needs of our family because aside from this demo farm, we have replicated the technology in our own backyard farming”, Canillo added.

CD-CAAM was piloted in March 2012 and currently on its extension phase which started in May 2015 until July 2016.

It is implemented by BDA with the ICNet as the service provider and funded by JICA.

(BDA RMO-Ranaw is headed by Regional Manager Aragasi S. Mohammad. CD-CAAM program staff are: Engr. Alinader Sarangani, regional coordinator; Diamel b. Lao, community organizer supervisor; Engr. Jamael M. Omacaan, reg’l. project operation officer for livestock; Cosain B. Solaiman and Alimoddin P. Macodi, both reg’l. project operation officers; Camalodin M. Bacar and Pendatun G. Maradi, community organizers.)