The Tongonan Farmer Association as a Model

The Philippine National Oil Company – Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDP) was awarded contract to explore and develop the greater Tongonan area for geothermal energy. Along
with it came the responsibility of managing the 107,625-hectare watershed reservation, which during that time was already in an alarming state of denudation. Since geothermal is water-based that constantly requires water recharge from the forests for sustenance, rehabilitating the watershed was prioritized.

The PNOC-EDP invited the kaingeneros (slash-and-burn practitioners/farmers) in the area to join in their reforestation program. Although there was reluctance at first, they eventually accepted the offer in 1989 to become stewards of the Tongonan forests. Thus, the Tongonan Farmers Association was founded that year by 47 former kaingineros, rattan gatherers, and loggers who have been mobilized by the extension staff of PNOC-EDC towards a more productive and non-destructive livelihood. The members of the Association are empowered to co-manage forest-based resources within PNOC-EDC’s geothermal reservations.

During the establishment period of five years (1989-1995), TOFA members were provided replacement livelihood which redirected their efforts from destructive activities to stewardship of the forest. PNOC-EDC hired them for various nursery and plantation operation activities for which they received government-mandated wages. At the same time, they cultivated compatible cash crops in-between forest trees on the same land. In addition to providing livelihood and employment, the project primed TOFA members for self-sustainability by providing the following: 1) continuing social education and technical training; b) team building and enhancement of organizational discipline; c) generation of self-help income generating projects through capital build-up fund formation and savings mobilization scheme; and d) linking with other government offices for support services until the group can stand on its own. With the success of the project becoming more evident, TOFA’s membership swelled to 178 in only five years.

TOFA’s major livelihood module is the rattan plantation which is being developed at a rate of 100 hectares per year. The target plantation of rattan in Tongonan is 1,000 hectares. To date, it has established 600 hectares, so far the second largest plantation of its kind in the Philippines.

The Association earnestly strives to achieve self-sustainability. During the project’s beginnings, it has already instituted the CBU or the capital build-up scheme whereby 10 percent of the individual incomes are set aside for their communal enterprises. It goes directly to the association for capital formation to support expansion of livelihood projects after the PNOC-EDC pulls out of the project.

TOFA’s CBU has grown tremendously and is being managed so well that the association was able to acquire real properties such as a 10-hectare land, farm equipment, and appliances which they now use for their other livelihood projects. The CBU also became the source of funds for their other livelihood projects such as the savings and loan venture, consumer store, canteen, marketing coop, film showing, handicraft, and livestock raising.

The Association’s net worth is approaching P2M and they have no liability. In 1997, the average annual per capita income of TOFA members leaped to an impressive P9,686 from a measly P2,240 in 1988. As a result, 66 percent of the members or 41 households are already above the poverty threshold level.

The project’s positive impacts are reflected in the members’ much improved financial status and the ease with which they have adjusted to their new-found role in the society as forest protectors. They have become veritable social fences in the geothermal reservation area, protecting the forests from illegal loggers and other encroachers. Today, TOFA has emerged as one of the most successful models for rural development and one of the most awarded farmers association in the country. TOFA’s success gave birth to 72 more farmer’s association not only located in Leyte but also in other areas where PNOC-EDC operates. Having reached this stage, its members are eagerly looking forward to a brighter and more secure future confident that they can very well sustain what they have started. On an even greater scale, TOFA members have proven themselves to be capable of dutifully responding to the urgent call for countryside development in the fulfillment of the more challenging task of nation-building.

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