Catsu- Graduate School Extension Services

𝐂𝐨-𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐜, 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬

Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) Philippines - Catanduanes, Catanduanes State University Extension Services (CatSU-ES), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and selected farming associations from Bato and Virac, Catanduanes convened for a co-design workshop to create an extension program proposal that primarily aims to improve the economic well-being of selected abaca farming associations from Bato and Virac, Catanduanes. The workshop was held last February 15, 2024 at Queen Maricel Inn.

The workshop's primary objective is the formulation of program proposal for 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 - 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝟐 which were attended by faculty extensionists from CatSU Graduate School, CHUMSS, COS, CAF, CIT and the ES Unit. The CARE WEE Project Phase 2 is enabled by the Memorandum of Agreement signed by CARE Philippines - Catanduanes and Catanduanes State University.

The workshop was led by Mrs. Maria Teresa Bayombong, Program Coordinator - Women Economic Justice Program of CARE Philippines. She delivered the rationale for CARE WEE Project Phase 2 and needs, problems, gaps, and opportunities in the abaca industry in Catanduanes.

Meanwhile, the components of the CARE WEE Project Phase 2 is to be proposed for funding from the Tijori Foundation, a foundation based in the United States.

Extension Program Lead and Assistant Vice President, Dr. Joseph Zafe who is concurrently the Graduate School Extension Coordinator, emphasized the socio-emotional aspect of the extension program although the economic impact should be the primary focus along the process of inception stage of the proposal. Meanwhile, the faculty extensionists and the extension services unit staff pledged to their continuous support from extension program formulation to extension program reporting.

Mrs. Mercy V. Francisco, representative of the partner farming association emphasized that she imagined the activity will help design the proposal that covers all corners of the abaca farming community. She expressed her gratefulness to these types of CatSU extension programs in partnership with CARE Philippines - Catanduanes and other stakeholders.

The output of the activity are the extension program proposal and individual PPA proposals by each colleges or units involved which are expected to be written by April 2024. In parallel, CARE Philippines - Catanduanes will write their project proposal to be submitted to Tijori Foundation for funding.

At the end of the activity, the partner communities/abaca farming associations distributed Chocolate Chip Cookies as their token of gratitude to the stakeholders involved in this developmental endeavor. These Chocolate Chip Cookies are products of their CARE WEE Project Phase 1.

Co-Design Workshop is an activity by CARE Philippines - Catanduanes in partnership with CatSU Extension Services, PhilFIDA and abaca farming associations. This activity is CatSU ES' support to SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.

The CatSU Graduate School Extension Services convened a highly fruitful meeting last Wednesday, January 10, 2024, aimed at refining the extension program in collaboration with the COOPERATIVE FOR ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF EVERYWHERE (CARE) PHILIPPINES held at the Accreditation Room, 2nd floor at the CatSU Main Building.

Drawing upon the collective expertise and dedication of the Graduate School Faculty Members, the session flourished with dynamic engagement as participants fervently immersed themselves in brainstorming sessions and strategic planning endeavors. This collaborative effort was underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ensuring a focused and impactful trajectory for future endeavors, reflecting the unwavering dedication of all involved towards advancing the mission and vision of the Graduate School Extension Services.