PhilDHRRA Mindanao has initially implemented its newly approved project in October 2008 in partnership with InteRed, entitled “ Integral and Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Caraga, with special focus on women, through the articulation and strengthening of the productive and social structures, through community participation”. Otherwise known as the Convenio Project.

The project is geared towards poverty reduction and improvement of the quality of life of marginalized rural men, women and children in Caraga Region. Specifically, it hopes to enhance the capacities of rural households in Caraga in addressing basic needs through the operationalization of strong and active social infrastructures proactively involved in local governance, socio-economic development, environmental protection and preservation and provision of basic social services. By the end of project period, it is expected that at least 80% of the project assisted community-based POs comprising of men and women in selected barangays in Caraga have built-up commendable track records in local governance participation, enhanced capability to generate income; spearheaded the establishment and operationalization of communal and HH based IGPs; promoted and conducted local environmental campaigns towards the rehabilitation and protection of degraded natural resources; and facilitated basic social services, particularly health and education.

The project is focus in four priority areas, namely: Barangays Tambis and Dughan, Barobo Municipality, and Barangays Sta. Juan and Do?a Carmen, Municipality of Tagbina, all in the Province of Surigao del Sur. The Project Convenio Team (PCT) is composed of 1 Project Coordinator (PC), 4 Community Development Facilitators (CDF) and Administrative and Finance Staffs.  These staffs have extensive experience/background on Community Organizing/Community Development work, Program and Financial Management, among others.  One (CDF) is assigned per Barangay.  Mr. Paul Baang, Project Manager for Caraga-SIAD Project, an expert in Program Development and Management, provides oversight support to the project in behalf of the PhilDHRRA-Mindanao Regional Coordinator. Mr. Baang, together with his team from Project Caraga also shares relevant and practical experiences, tools and techniques to the Convenio Project.

To date, the project was able to set-up and initially organized the office in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Moreover, series of orientation were done to the project staff about PhilDHRRA, SIAD and the Convenio Project. Preparatory activities undertaken by the staff includes: preparation of Individual and Consolidated Annual Implementation Plan and Budget (PAC 1), two (2) Monthly Action Plans (MAP), Review of references, survey tools and instruments (PRAs, HH survey, etc.), Reviewed/leveled-off on CO approaches and experiences and Designed Powerpoint Presentation for Convenio Project Orientation with target communities.

At the community level, Courtesy calls to key officials (Vice Mayors, Councilors, MPDOs) of Municipal LGUs of Barobo and Tagbina were conducted. Ocular survey and courtesy calls to barangay officials of four (4) barangays were undertaken and was able to set schedule for Convenio Project Orientation at the community level. Initially, the project team oriented the 122 BLGU officials, key community leaders and sectoral representatives about PhilDHRRA, AECID, InteRed and the Convenio Project, which gained social acceptance and LGUs’ commitment to the project (MOAs in progress). Community integration were done and informal discussions with potential key leaders and barangay officials were also facilitated by the COs. Initial schedules on the PRA conduct has been worked out with key leaders in the community.

The project team, hopes to implement the following plans and activities before the year ends namely: Community Profiling ,  Household Survey, Gender Gap Study,  Processing of Agreements/MOA Signing with Partners (PO/LGUs) , PO Organizing/meetings, Gender sensitivity trainings and workshops for POs (Men & Women), Capacity building/trainings for POs and LGU officials (participatory loc-gov, advocacy), Environmental Awareness Training, and PO-LGU consultations/planning for provision of education services,