FAO in the Philippines

Enhancing Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation through Innovative ICT Solutions: Linking Upland Farmers to Markets and Improving Governance of Municipal Waters

IFAD's Results-Based Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for the Philippines for 2017-2022 established IFAD's Strategic Objective for the country, which calls for providing the national government with innovative and scalable pathways for reducing rural poverty that will influence national policies and generate substantial and measurable benefits. This grant seeks to support the development of models and solutions for effective monitoring and reporting of results of rural transformation initiatives through the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) that will influence national policy and programme development. This will result in more focused interventions in rural areas towards inclusive growth and help more poor people get out of poverty within a definite time frame.


The project will support the implementing agencies of IFAD-funded projects, the government's two oversight agencies, and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) to develop real-time monitoring solutions using ICTs. This will substantially upgrade the accessibility to user-friendly outcome reporting of development projects in the Philippines by securing more robust and efficient reporting of results from the ground. The methods that will be developed are envisaged to improve the target groups’ access to markets and governance of natural resources, and support the government’s implementing and oversight agencies and offices in adopting more evidence-based decision making.

GOAL AND OBJECTIVE

The overall goal is to contribute to IFAD-Philippines’ COSOP in developing an enabling environment and delivery systems in support of competitive, inclusive, and resilient agri-food value chains to help reduce rural poverty in the Philippines by 2022.


The project aims to demonstrate replicable ICT models for: (i) project services; and (ii) participatory, quantitative, and qualitative assessment of market transactions, natural resources, and project interventions and outcomes.

PARTNERS

FAO will collaborate with the implementing agencies of IFAD-funded loan projects, namely the Department of Trade and Industry’s Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (DTI-RAPID Growth) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Fisheries, Coastal Resources, and Livelihood (BFAR-FishCORAL), as well as pertinent national government agencies and local government units.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 

  • Outcome-level monitoring and evaluation system with dedicated mobile survey tools and online platform.
  • Online directory of and guide for producers, vendors, suppliers and service providers.
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) reporting system.
  • Compliance and monitoring system to combat IUUF developed.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES

  • Development of sampling methodology and survey instruments for outcome level monitoring system, implemented with mobile survey tools and online web platform.
  • Conduct of beta testing and pilot testing of the outcome-level monitoring system and tools.
  • Project and government staff training on operation and maintenance of survey application and online portal.
  • Development of an online directory of and guide for producers, vendors, suppliers, and service providers.
  • Promotion of registered entities as recognized or preferred (through product labelling and awareness-raising) partners for private sector participants.
  • Deployment of a UAV system with night-time mission capabilities.
  • Development of mobile app or SMS-based system and protocols for anonymous reporting on IUUF.
  • Conduct of guided missions with Bantay Dagat and other law enforcement units.
  • Installation and pilot testing of boat tagging equipment for local monitoring.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO AFFECTED POPULATIONS (AAP)

FAO is committed to integrating AAP principles throughout its policies and projects. The five commitments address: leadership/governance; transparency and communication; feedback and complaints; participation and representation; design, monitoring and evaluation.