Two development projects funded by the Spanish government have been approved for implementation in Catanduanes through the Fundacion de Religiosos para la Salud (FRS) in partnership with Caritas Virac.
This was reported to Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza recently by FRS representatives Alfonso Nuñez Corvinos and Reynato S. Caño, together with Caritas Virac Executive Director Rev. Fr. Raymund Teodones, Patricia Mae Molina, and Mila Arevalo. Also in attendance were Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Luis Surtida Jr. and Provincial Agriculturist Ace William Tria.
The approved projects are “Strengthened Productive and Advocacy Capacities for the Defense of Economic Rights for Vulnerable Women in Catanduanes” and “Reconstruction and Enhancement of Community Resilience after Typhoon Pepito.”
The projects will be implemented in nine (9) barangays in the Municipality of Gigmoto and six (6) barangays in the Municipality of Bagamanoc, namely Bacak, Bugao, Magsaysay, Quigaray, San Isidro, and Suchan.
These initiatives are funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the Generalitat Valenciana Regional Government of Spain, respectively.
Discussions focused on agriculture and food sustainability, support programs for abaca farmers and abacaleros, strengthened collaboration between the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units, health and disaster risk reduction management, women’s socioeconomic empowerment, access to decent work, and the development of human capital to further boost the province’s economic sector.
Governor Azanza expressed his appreciation to FRS and Caritas Virac for their continued support and commitment to uplifting the lives of Catandunganons.
According to Caritas Virac, the subprojects under the initiative include the rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Gigmoto; establishment of livelihood projects consisting of poultry house and fish processing (smoked fish or sardines) in Bagamanoc and Gigmoto; and cassava chip making in Bagamanoc.
FRS is a Spain-based non-governmental organization with 17 years of development work in the Philippines, focusing on livelihood development and building resilient communities, particularly those affected by climate change and natural disasters.