CHARM projects set in Kalinga towns

TABUK, Kalinga – Projects under the second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project (CHARM 2) are now set for implementation in this province.

Norma Frances Damian, provincial planning and development coordinator and CHARM 2 Point for Kalinga, said concerned barangays and town officials have already identified their needs and roles.

“The ball is now on the hands of the provincial government to integrate in its plan what was approved by the communities,” Damian said.

Committees for each of five project components will be organized in barangays as overseer of projects with municipal supervisory teams assisting, Damian said.

He added before the provincial government could give its support to project proposals, the “barangay participatory investment plan” has to be reviewed to determine how counterpart money would be appropriated.

The provincial government has allotted an initial P1 million counterpart this year and has budgeted P5 for next year.

“In the municipal level, the counterpart scheme adopted is for 6th and 5th class municipalities to contribute 40 percent while CHARM 2 provides the 60%. For 4th class LGUs, it will be 50-50 sharing,” Damian said.

CHARM 2 in Kalinga covers the five highland municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Tinglayan and Tanudan. Each of the towns has identified four barangays as pilot area.

The seven-year project starting 2009-2015 gives emphasis on solving malnutrition among underweight children by 50% and addressing poverty indicators by also 50%.

About 60% of the P3.056B fund of Charm 2 that comes from zero interest foreign loans will be used to rehabilitate farm-to-market roads, while 18% will go to income generation projects. -- PIA-Kalinga