In order to share even a very minimal contribution to the global effort to correct this problem, the CLAD/DISOP assisted organizations has conducted a synchronized tree planting activities last September 26, 2009. Planting of trees both in the mangrove areas as well as in the hinterlands has been identified by the group as one of the important moves to improve the considered carbon-sink in our surroundings- the trees. Trees during their photosynthetic process give off oxygen which is essential for human life existence on earth as well as absorb carbon dioxide. Hence, greater tree population means greater carbon dioxide absorption. Is it not that the Creator has long before installed this balance of nature before human existence, and yet due to greed the human whom entrusted by God over His creation is also responsible for its ruins. We must try to learn our lesson before its too late.

The urgency to make interventions and the result of continuous consultation of CLAD personnel with members of Garrido Credit Cooperative had made possible the conduct of seminar on hillside farming. Last September 22-23, 2009 CLAD personnel had conducted the hillside farming seminar, delivered lectures to the members of coop and trained them the proper way of establishing contour lines and contour hedgerows. With the absence of ipil-ipil seeds, kakawate branches were used as hedgerows. Members of the cooperative gained the knowledge of establishing their own hillside farms by the use of improvised A-frame. They planned to establish and convert all the farms into hillside farms and become a compact hillside farm.

Although the visit was just a short one, the whole day of September 8 was quite a busy day since we were able to visit four sites and met six organizations since aside from the four new organizations, Villanueva and Kabicolan group were also present during here visit in Villanueva Chapel.

Another things discussed were the characteristics of a good leader and how this leaders become the primemover of the different organizations or cooperatives to become successful. A workshop was held to determine the leadership potentials and characteristics of every participants.

To further disseminate the information learned, re-echo seminars on leadership and value reorientation were conducted in two clusters, one was held in Villanueva Elementary School which was conducted last August 5, 2009 with the participants from the four different groups such as the Garrido Credit Coop, Kabicolan Credit Coop, St. Vincent Credit Coop and Villanueva Credit Coop attended. Mr. Agustin Dignos, the CLAD Operation Coordinator served as the lone speaker.

The other cluster was held at Brgy Ul-og with Sr San Roque Credit Coop serving as the host. The seminar was conducted last August 11, 2009. The other cooperative who joined the second cluster were the Petrolio MPC, Calubian Agri-Products Producers Coop, Nipa-Calubian Credit Coop and the Katilingbanon Multipurpose Cooperative. Participants were being challenged by the speaker to become instrumental for the needed change not only for the benefit of their organizations but also to the entire nation as well.

One of the important lesson I learned being one of the participants was the importance of the monitoring and evaluation (M & E) activity of every project which the NGO had undertaken. The M & E tool introduced is for me a very much useful tool the managers should always think of to ensure the success of the project. The M & E phase is the often neglected phase of the project hence usually it is not being funded. This monitoring and evaluation activity should be given enough importance and should always be incorporated in the project because it is a significant tool to measure the impact of the project after its completion.