THE MAKING OF HCAAP
In 1997, supply and production problems involving rice and corn convinced our policy makers to modernize agriculture. Agricultural modernization then became the keystone in our nation's vision of sustained growth. It was also during this time that government focused its development efforts in the eradication of poverty and the attainment of a better life for every Filipino in an equitable and just society.
Samar island, the third largest island in the Philippines and is located in Eastern Visayas Region. The island was identified as one of the most depressed areas in the Philippines in terms of socio-economic conditions with dismal indicators like high incidence of families below the poverty line, low per capita domestic product, high rate of out-migration and low employment rate.
These developments give way to the remaking of the proposal to develop the Catubig Valley in the island of Samar. A proposal to develop the area was prepared in the early 80's. The development of Catubig Valley has long been seen as a catalyst of development in the island of Samar, as it was identified as one of the major production areas in the region. The Regional Development Council - Region 8 re-endorsed the project to the Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC). The proposal was evaluated by the NEDA 8 evaluating team. After a tedious evaluation and re-evaluation of the proposal, the national government finally gave attention to the proposal and ICC approved it for funding under the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
The proposal was renamed Help For Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP). The project's general objective is to alleviate poverty by raising income level of farmers, generate employment opportunities and improve social infrastructure of Catubig Valley in Northern Samar. Specifically, HCAAP aims to increase agricultural production with the provision of irrigation and drainage facilities, extension of road network and to strengthen the productive activities with the development of agricultural and social support services and institutions.
The project cost is estimated at P2.48 Billion and to be implemented for seven (7) years from CY 2002 to 2007. At present, the implementation of HCAAP is on-going.
Will
the implementation of HCAAP live up to the expectation of the people of
Samar? It remains to be seen.
| Catchment
Area Map in Existing Stream of HCAAP Area |
 |