Intervida Philippines Foundation, in collaboration with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), has adopted DIPECHO’s upscaling methodology for the identification, selection, and implementation of good practice options (GPOs) in upland and lowland agro-ecological zones. The DIPECHO approach, which considers agro-ecological conditions and natural hazards in the design and implementation of GPOs, will be applied in 20 pilot barangays in the Bicol Region involving around 400 farmer-beneficiaries.

The sharing of knowledge and tools with the Intervida-CBSUA Project began early this year when CBSUA (also an implementing partner in the DIPECHO project) invited the Department of Agriculture RFU-5 DRR unit and the DIPECHO National Coordinator and Agronomist to share DIPECHO’s field tested, location- and hazard- specific GPOs during the series of farmers’ Training Workshops on Climate Smart Agriculture and DRRM and Farm Plan Preparations. DIPECHO project team members shared their experiences with some of its pilot-tested GPOs for DRR/M in agriculture and provided technical guidelines on how to implement/replicate the selected GPOs.

Intervida Philippines Foundation is an international development NGO that works towards improving the human development of disadvantaged communities in the Bicol Region through active participation, community empowerment, and advocacy to achieve social change. Presently, its programs on Health and Nutrition, Education, Food Security, Economic Development, Environment and Disaster Management, and Community Participation in Bicol are being carried out through partnerships with the Bicol Consortium Development Incorporated (BCDII),  Albay Church-based Social Action Center (SAC), LIKAS of Irosin, and CBSUA. Intervida operates in 20 pilot barangays in Albay, Camarines Sur ,and Sorsogon, whose agro-ecosystems are similar to DIPECHO’s project sites.

Table 1: List of municipalities and barangays where selected GPOs are being replicated

(Source:  Intervida - CBSUA DRRM Project Office. Sept 30, 2011)