Photo shows Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa congratulating Mr. Arthur Quilalang after signing the grant contract for “The Project for Acquisition of Two (2) Units of Light Hauling Vehicles” for Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperativeon March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The ceremony was witnessed by the representatives of the Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperative. |
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa and the Chairman of Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Mr. Arthur Quilalang signed the grant contract for "The Project for Acquisition of Two (2) Units of Light Hauling Vehicles” for Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RIMMPCO) on March 24, 2015 at the Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, Metro Manila. The total amount is US$ 65,333 (approximately 2.74 million pesos) and is funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
(Project Summary)
Through the GGP, Rizal Molave Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RIMMPCO) will procure two (2) units of light hauling vehicles which will be used in transporting large volume of palay at a lower cost compared to the high rates of hauling services given by the private traders. The vehicles will help save the farmers up to 50% of their usual expenses in hauling services. The project will benefit 814 rice farmers in the municipality.
Majority of the members of RIMMPCPO are rice farmers from the municipality. These farmers suffer from poverty due to expensive production and post-harvest expenses. Most of these farmers endure the dilemma of paying for the high costs of production inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Even after harversting the rice, farmers have to pay for the expensive costs of transporting the palay from the farm to the storage area or to the market. Most of the time, they would have to pay for the services of private traders who own trucks which can be used to transport palay. However, these traders are taking advantage of the small farmers by collecting expensive transporation costs leaving the farmers with very small income.
(About the Proponent)
RIMMPCO is a duly recognized organization located in the Municipality of Molave which is found at the eastern part of the province of Zamboanga del Sur. The municipality has a total population of 48,939 residents from the twenty-five (25) barangays. The Philippines has 1,490 municipalities and Molave makes it one of the poor municipalities in the country with its low income and a poverty incidence of 44%. Not much commercial industries exist in the area. In fact, the municiapality is mainly dependent on its agriculture sector. 20,000 hectares or almost 90% of their land is devoted to agriculture wherein rice is the major agricultural commodity being produced. Aside from rice, other parts of the land are also planted with crops such as corn, coconut, cassava, banana, camote and various kinds of vegetables produced locally and marketed to neighboring towns and cities such as Cebu.
RIMMPCO would really like to help its members to lessen their production and post-harvest expenses and eventually earn higher income. To address this problem, the RIMMPCO helps its members to find other ways of augmenting their income by engaging them in lucrative agribusiness activities. The organization has undergone technical trainings on rice production as well as livestock, poultry and organic crops production. They are also involved in community development activities such as medical and dental missions. Members of the Cooperative are aslo well trained when it comes to technical production, livelihood and entrepreneurial skills.
The interventions provided by the Cooperative have been very helpful to its members. However, aside from engaging themselves with other sources of income, they are really eager to provide a solution to their dilemma concerning the high cost of hauling services in their area. It is for this reason that RIMMPCO sought the assistance of the Embassy of Japan through the GGP.
(About the GGP)
The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor for the Philippines, launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of present, 505 grassroots projects have been funded by GGP. Japan believes that this project will not only strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to further fostering a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines toward the future.
Japanese Version
