The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), conducted a four (4) day write shop for the development of Value Chain Innovations for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) on 15 to 18 August 2023, at the Harolds Hotel in Quezon City.

The DAR – Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) facilitated the event, with the primary objective of fostering a common understanding of the draft VISTA project design among the three (3) agencies.

The VISTA project aims to uplift the livelihoods and enhance the resilience of vulnerable rural populations residing in upland areas through the implementation of a value chain development approach integrated with natural ecosystem adaptation strategies. The project addresses the challenges faced by fragile and impoverished regions in the upland areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).

Day 1: Navigating Project Objectives

The opening day of the VISTA Project Design Writeshop was dedicated to confirming and validating the draft project descriptions, strategies, and arrangements. DAR – Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) Assistant Secretary Rene E. Colocar vigorously opened the event through his welcome speech and provided insights into the vision of the VISTA project, emphasizing its potential to create positive and impactful change within the targe communities “Ang VISTA ay isang pagkakataon para lumikha ng magandang pagbabago” said Asec. Colocar.

On the other hand, DA Project Development Service (PDS) Director Fernando Flores stated “We look forward to synergy through collaboration with DAR in uplifting the lives of the farmers. This is a good exercise and avenue for collaboration in uplifting the rural advancement,” expressing his support for the development and implementation of VISTA.

The IFAD representative, Ms. Mags Catindig-Reyes, took charge of presentation on Objectives, Overview of Program Flow, and Methodology. During the session, she provided the timeline of events of Project VISTA conceptualization, numerous consultations, and negotiations until the initial project design report was drafted. She emphasized that the main objective of the write shop was to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the draft VISTA project design, which includes validating project objectives, confirming geographic coverage, identifying target groups, defining project strategies, and clarifying implementation arrangements.

The discussion shifted to the presentation of the Theory of Change, which was virtually discussed by Ms. Dorothy Lucks from SDF Global PTY Ltd via Zoom. She shared the development problems, proposed solutions, expected results of the project, inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and assumptions of the VISTA Project Design Report (PDR). The Theory of Change discussion was then restated into a Log Frame, which Mr. Yolando Arban of IFAD presented. He highlighted the Objectives and Component outputs hierarchy that the participants must review.

During the afternoon session, Ms. Mary Ann Botengan from IFAD introduced the Geographic intervention of Project VISTA. She explained the relevance of coffee and cacao as the principal crops of VISTA and the geographic area involved in the project implementation. She emphasized that the target areas where chosen because of their climate vulnerability and poverty rate.

Day 2: Forging Component Clarity

On the second day, the participants delved into the intricate details of the project’s components. The focus was on firming up and reaching consensus on the various aspects of the project, ensuring a coherent and well-structured approach.

Ms. Catindig-Reyes mediated the morning session, where she discussed the Day 1 agreements and provided the set targets for the VISTA component discussion. In addition, the IFAD team delivered the VISTA’s Component 1 and 2 orientations. Participants actively engaged in the discussion and raised concerns on the expected outcomes and outputs of the components and sub-components.

Day 3: Aligning with NEDA ICC Requirements

As the writeshop progressed, the third day revolved around aligning the project design with the stringent requirements of the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA ICC). This involved thorough discussions on financing, mainstreaming themes, risk assessments, and more.

Afterward, a break-out session transpired to align pertinent requirements. The first group addressed VISTA’s Social, Environmental, and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP), facilitated by Ms. Botengan, while the second group examined the Finance and Safety component of the project design report, facilitated by Ms. Catindig-Reyes. Each group was divided with members from DAR, IFAD, and DA to ensure that VISTA project provisions were appropriately aligned amongst the three (3) agencies before submission to NEDA ICC.

Following the first breakout-session, the participants were divided into three (3) groups to discuss ICC-PE forms. The purpose was to examine and discuss the contents of the ICC PE forms based on the VISTA Project Design Report (PDR). Group 1 reviewed ICC-PE Forms 1 and 2, which contained general information and gender-related data for VISTA. Group 2 examined ICC-PE Forms 3, 4, and 5, which included financial information related to VISTA. Lastly, Group 3 went over ICC-PE Forms 6 and 7, which contained data from the VISTA log frame. The third day’s session concluded productively, with participants engaging in a well-coordinated and interactive conversation.

Day 4: Paving the Path Forward

The final day of the event was dedicated to defining and agreeing upon the next steps for the VISTA project. The program began with the presentation of Groups 1, 2, and 3 on their NEDA ICC PE Forms evaluation. The attendees discussed the required actions and confirmed relevant information for the completion of the forms.

The event concluded with a discussion of the next steps required to obtain NEDA approval and successfully implement the VISTA project.