This document proposes a project to promote sustainable development in Southern Leyte province through massive production of coffee and cacao seedlings. It outlines a competition for schools to produce the most seedlings, with the goal of supplying farmers with alternative crops to replace industries devastated by disease. Schools will be judged based on number of seedlings produced, environmental programs, and integration of sustainability into their curriculum. The top three schools will receive prizes including equipment, funding and recognition to promote their environmental efforts. The project aims to accelerate recovery of the local economy and introduce new crops through widespread community involvement in seedling production led by the education system.

1. Southern Leyte Sustainable
Development Plan
“Massive Coffee & Cacao Seedling Production”
a project concept suggestion proposal by RGM-ERS Alliance

2. Two major agricultural products of Southern Leyte faces
devastation
In 2003, a certain virus
threatens the abaca industry
in the province.
E. Visayas abaca output falls
BusinessWorld Online
Edition-Aug 8, 2013
Beetles devouring 75
percent of coco-farms -
Southern Leyte News…
Goodbye Coconut Industry
www.southernleytetimes.c
om/Goodbye_Coconut_Ind
ustry.html
FIDA regional director Jeffrey
Espeña said in a statement
that the abaca disease
eradication campaign, on a
budget of ₱7.6 million
Abaca fibers coming from
Leyte and Southern Leyte are
known to be the most
durable. The abaca industry
plays a vital role for the
Philippine economy
The coconut industry in
Eastern Visayas lost over
P400 million when ...
Southern Leyte

3. Immediate Effects Encountered by the
Locality
• Hunger
• Poverty
• Displaced families
• Unemployment
• Migration to the cities and urban centers.

4. Government Response
“MANILA – Agriculture
Secretary Proceso Alcala
raised the Bureau of
Agriculture Research’s (BAR)
annual budget from P350
million to P740 million.
A large part of this
amount will be used for
research on Coconut Scale
Insects (CSI) like the Hispine Beetle infestation that has infested 50 percent of the coconut plantations in Southern Leyte and
the Visayas region.
Other research projects will include studies on the Bunchy Top infestation which has reduced abaca production in
Southern Leyte (which used to be the country’s top abaca producer) by 75 percent. “ Southern Leyte Times
“Biological, Chemical and the desperate Cut and Burn are among the counter measures implemented by the
government. These pestilence is a clear and present danger to Southern Leyte and we cannot just sit back and watch it
destroy our industry.” Southern Leyte Times
Another promising counter measures is the introduction of alternative crop. “ The City Government of Maasin has
signed an agreement with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for the establishment of a coffee complex in 12
upland barangays of the city. “Around 7,000 quality robusta seedlings in seven varieties will be planted in 12 mountain
villages.” Leyte Samar Daily Express.

5. Practical Actions for Sustainable
DevelopmentIn 2012 the City
government of Maasin and
the German Development
Cooperation (GIZ) ventured
into this innovative
partnership. They have
started with 12 communities
and planted 7,000 coffee
seedlings.
Farmers, especially those affected by the infestations and suffered the decline of income, dreamed of government
intervention that is physical and tangible. They expect to receive immediate assistance thru seeds, seedlings and technology
for alternative livelihood.
“If a farmer has a hectare of coconut trees, let’s say if he can insert about 900 cacao trees, that’s an additional income
already. That’s at least P150,000 of extra income. A cacao tree can yield around 1.5 to two kilos of dried beans or around a
ton of dried cacao beans per hectare. At P100 to 125 per kilo, while wet beans cost P28 to P32 per kilo in the local market.”
MindaNews. The same projections to coffee productivity.
How can we address the immediate needs of our farmers and accelerate seedling dissemination in a short period of
time? And, to a much wider coverage riplicating the initiative of the City government and the GIZ partnership throughout
the province?
The National Greening Program has all the answers. The school system alone, as the focal point of learning, is a major,
potent and powerful vehicle for change. Below is a concept program proposal suggestion from rgm-ers alliance:

6. Institutionalizing Executive Order No. 26 Section 3 that requires
all government institutions to produce Quality Seedlings for the
NGP
(Considering only the Schools of Southern Leyte)
1. Department of Education (DepEd) – Maasin City Division:
Government Level No. of Schools
Enrollment
Population
Target Seedlings
Per
Pupil/Student
Total Seedling
Production
Variance (50%)
Elementary 63 9,027 100 902,700 451,350
Secondary 16 4,925 100 492,500 426,259
T o t a l 79 13,952 100 1,395,200 697,600
Private
Level
No. of Schools
Enrollment
Population
Target Seedlings
Per
Pupil/Student
Total Seedling
Production
Variance (50%)
Elementary 4 1,063 100 106,300 53,150
Secondary 3 1,739 100 173,900 86,950
T o t a l 7 2,802 100 280,000 140,000

7. Institutionalizing Executive Order No. 26 Section 3 that requires
all government institutions to produce Quality Seedlings for the
NGP
(Considering only the Schools of Southern Leyte)
Government
Level
No. of
District/NHS
Enrollment
Population
Target Seedlings
Per
Pupil/Student
Total Seedling
Production
Variance (50%)
Elementary 20 51,863 100 5,186,300 2,593,150
Secondary 41 18,506 100 1,850,600 925,300
T o t a l 61 70,369 100 7,036,900 3,518,450
Private
Level
No. of Schools
Enrollment
Population
Target Seedlings
Per
Pupil/Student
Total Seedling
Production
Variance (50%)
Elementary 26 834 100 83,400 41,700
Secondary 14 320 100 32,000 16,000
T o t a l 40 1,154 100 115,400 57,700
2. Department of Education (DepEd) – Southern Leyte Division:

8. IntroductionI. The National Greening Program
There are at least 17 national government agencies mandated in the implementation of the National Greening
Program. Although it is among the priority programs of the government, it is more of an “invitation” a social mobilization. We
need a collective and religious commitment if we where to improve everyone’s quality of life including that of the future
generation. The pestilence that attack our major industry is slowly destroying all social and economic progress of our province.
The agricultural sector, the backbone of our economy felt the rapid decline in production and the farmers are the ones badly
affected. We must, therefore, protect our abaca and coconut industry at all cost, which has been supporting many generations
and at the same time create alternative crops in order to pass on a sustainable heritage for future generations. How can we
address the immediate needs of our farmers for alternative crop?
II. The Emerging Industry
Coffee and Cacao is a lucrative industry. The demand of the product is steadily increasing. Both crops are suitable to
our climate and topography. It can be planted along with other high-value crops or integrated in farms already planted with
abaca and coconut. It is also best suited for inter-cropping in reforestation sites and existing forest areas enhancing productivity.
Through hard work and perseverance, we might as well become a coffee and chocolate corridor of the Philippines as what abaca
and copra has brought us fame. What urgent measures can we take to bring us back to the road to agricultural development?
The challenge for the present generation today as people of Southern Leyte requires strong determination and will
power. Turning these challenges into opportunities are already in place. Policies, Memoranda, Executive Orders are already
engraved by the national government. Our job is to formulate innovative local actions and enhance developmental framework
among local leaders and local heads of agencies to accelerate recovery as well as introduce alternative crops encouraging more
windows for development. A concrete step is to adopt a local version of the convergence initiative and focus on massive
production of seedling materials. What segment of the convergence initiative has the potential to accelerate implementation?
III. The School System a Powerful Engine for Change
This is reorienting educational programmes. Revising the role of students from the primary level to the secondary
levels, and that, they can become instrumental in improving social, economic and environmental change. The educational
institution’s diverse geographical location is crucial in achieving these goals. School children’s participation allows them to learn
and their contribution is essential in rebuilding an industry that will support them in the future.

9. Objectives:
1. To enhance local participation of the entire
Southern Leyte Schools Division to become
actively involved in environmental issues and
implementations;
2. To encourage massive production of Quality coffee
and cacao seedlings in our schools in support for
alternative plantation crop for Southern Leyte;
3. To develop skills thru actual learning by doing
among the students, faculties and school
administrators in initiating tangible and active
responses on environmental concerns.

10. • Rationale:
Partnering for innovative local action for the Province of
Southern Leyte industry strengthening developmental framework of
the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools
integrating multi-sectoral Public, Private, Pastoral Partnership
Convergence Network.
Turning Challenges of the National Greening Program into
workable Opportunities.

11. The Competition seeks to support the
following:
• Executive Order No. 26 – The National Greening Program (NGP) as
government priority.
• Republic Act 9512 – Environmental Awareness and Education Act.
• Restore Green Movement Plant for the Planet.
• The One Man One Tree - Massive Reforestation Campaign.
• Coffee for Southern Leyte Alternative Crop Production and
• Edmund Rice Services Poverty Reduction thru Agricultural
Development.

12. Objectives:
• To encourage massive production of coffee and cacao seedlings as alternative
plantation crop for Southern Leyte;
• To supply Free coffee and cacao seedlings to our farmers and agricultural
entrepreneurs at no cost and encourage intercropping of coffee and cacao
plantations in abaca and coconut farm lands;
• To turn coffee and cacao as emerging industry for Southern Leyte;
• To encourage local participation of the entire Southern Leyte Schools Division to
become actively involved in environmental issues and implementations;
• To develop skills thru actual learning by doing among the students, faculties and
school administrators in initiating tangible and active responses on environmental
concerns;
• To pursue passionate sustainable development for poverty reduction, food
security, biodiversity restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• To enhance massive reforestation programs and integrated agricultural
development in the countryside.

13. Search Mechanics:
1. Eligibility – The search shall be open to Elementary and High School levels only, to
both private and public schools in the entire Province of Southern Leyte. Where a
school has more than one level of education, both levels (elementary & high school)
shall be eligible to participate and submit separate entry forms.
2. Criteria for Judging – All entries, either primary or secondary levels shall be treated as
one category and shall be rated based on:
2.1 Actual Production of Quality Seedlings (50 points)
- Number of pupils/students + teachers and faculties or total school
population multiplied by 300 seedlings of various species of
native or indigenous trees, lumber trees, fruit bearing trees including
ornamental plants and with special priority to coffee and cacao seedling
production. (25 points)
- Adoption of new methods and technology for quality seedling
production, e.g. vacuum chamber, elevated plot technology for
aerial pruning, presence of basic equipment like sifter table and mesh
screens, etc. and other standards implemented for Quality Seedling
production. (25 Points)

14. - Nursery location must be within the school grounds and premises.
Should the school lacks space for nursery, adjacent land close to the school compound is
acceptable provided it is visually open and accessible for students and the community.

15. 2.2 Presence of Active Participations of Organizations in campus. (20 Points)
- Continued presence of Community Involvement or committee among
community officials, youths & women’s organizations, parents and
teachers association. Adopt a nursery program. (10 points)
- Allocation of financial and logistical support by the school to the
community organizations, clubs or parents-teachers association.
(10 points)
2.3 Environment-Friendly Schools Operations and Presence of Environmental
Programs. (15 points)
- Waste Management and Practices - e.g. waste segregation, recycling,
composting, presence of material recovery facility, production/sales of
crafts, compost and other items from waste recycling, etc. (5 points)
- Water Management Conservation Programs - e.g. Rainwater
Harvesting, Repair and absence of leaking faucets and water system,
etc. (5 points)
- Pollution Prevention Programs - e.g. air and water pollution prevention
programs, ban on burning of trash and garbage, stagnant water
eradication, etc. (5 points)

16. 2.4 Environment-related Features of the School Curriculum: (15 points)
- Integration of Environmental policies into the curriculum; (5 points)
- Presence of periodic Environmental training for faculty members;
(5 points)
- Presence of Environmental support instructional materials for use by
students, teachers and the community. (5points)
3. Requirements. All schools must submit official contest entry forms in three (3) sets:
3.1 Supporting Documents – Consist of all the supporting materials that show
evidence of the schools environmental efforts and programs; (ex. Memoranda,
circulars, photos and video documentations of periodic accomplishments,
publications, awards and certificates)
3.2 Digital Entry – Save digital copies of the official contest entry forms and the
supporting documents on a CD-ROM. Labelled properly.
Compile your school entry (official entry forms and supporting documents) in a folder and
labelled “Southern Leyte Sustainable Development Initiative of (Name of School)”

17. 4. Submission of Entries
- All entries should be submitted directly to the office of the
Provincial Governor, Attn: Hon. Roger G. Mercado, Governor,
Province of Southern Leyte.
Deadline of Submission: June 1, 2014
5. Screening of Entries
- Entries will be screened by a core group consisting of
representative from the Monitoring Team of Edmund Rice Services,
Inc., Restore Green Movement Alliance for Green Schools &
Communities and the DPWH National Greening Program Technical
Working Group and other partners.
6. Board of Judges
- The decision of the Board of Judges, to be composed of noted
individuals in the areas of environmental education, coming from
the government, the religious sector, civil society and designated
members of Edmund Rice Services international humanitarian
foundation missionaries, shall be final and irrevocable.

18. 7. Awards and Prizes - There will be three (3) winners for the entire Southern
Leyte participating schools:
- First Prize = Audio visual Equipment
= One (1) unit Computer system complete with
printer, computer tables and chair.
= Gardening tools & equipment
= Nursery improvement
= Monetary incentive of Php15,000.00
- Second Prize = Audio visual Equipment
= Gardening tools & equipment
= Nursery improvement
= Monetary incentive of Php10,000.00
- Third Prize = Gardening tools & equipment
= Nursery improvement
= Monetary incentive of Php5,000.00

19. 8. Winners shall be notified thru DepEd by June 10, 2014 thru phone, mail or
email and will be published in local newspaper circulation.
9. Exhibition of Winning Entries – Winners should submit exhibit-ready materials
of their entry by June 20, 2014 following the format below:
- Material = Tarpaulin, dimension 6 feet wide by 3 feet high tarpaulin with
eyelets at the corners;
- Content : Tarp design should feature the environment efforts and
programs of the school. Design should include the title “Southern
Leyte Sustainable Development and Eco-Friendly Initiatives of
(Name of School).”
10. Awarding Ceremonies – All three (3) winners, together with other selected
entries will be recognized during the Southern Leyte Provincial Founding
Anniversary celebration in July, 2014.
For inquiries, please contact the secretariat Edmund Rice Service, Inc., Social Action
Center Bldg., Bishop’s Palace compound, Pacu, Maasin City, Southern Leyte. Tel.
Nos.________ or email rgm-ersalliance@yahoo.com or visit us at
www.facebook.com/rgm-ersalliance.