AHON SA HIRAP, INC.
(A Microfinance NGO)
News
Japan, nag-donate ng refrigerated trucks sa mga magsasaka sa 3 probinsya ng 'Pinas
by MJ Salcedo
June 18, 2023 in Balita, National/Probinsya
Nagkaloob ang bansang Japan ng mga refrigerated truck para sa mga magsasaka sa mga probinsya ng Rizal, Laguna, at Antique upang matulungan umano sila sa pagtataguyod ng kanilang mga produkto.
Sa isang pahayag, ibinahagi ng Embassy of Japan in the Philippines na sa tulong ng mga bagong refrigerated truck, magkakaroon ng mas mahusay na kontrol ang mga magsasaka pagdating sa mga gastos sa transportasyon, oras ng paghahatid, at kalidad ng produkto.
“The vehicles will serve as a key instrument for empowerment of the farmers as this will allow them to promote their products to more clients and carve a niche in the sector,” saad ng Japan Embassy.
Iniabot umano ng Embahada ang mahigit tatlong refrigerated trucks sa Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI) mula sa kanilang project sites na matatagpuan sa tatlong probinsya noong Hunyo 15.
Ang ASHI ay isa umanong non-governmental organization na may layuning tulungan ang mga maliliit na magsasaka mula sa kanilang mga project sites na matatagpuan sa mga Rizal, Laguna, at Antique.
“With the lack of access to logistical equipment, the farmers assisted by ASHI had limited capacities in ensuring the timely delivery of their produces and retaining its quality and freshness,” anang Japan Embassy.
“They also had to shoulder high transportation costs. Under these circumstances, ASHI recognized the necessity to streamline the supply chain operations of the farmers,” dagdag nito.
Turning money into mortar: Transforming the housing landscape in disaster-prone Philippines
BY CLIMATE CHAMPIONS | JUNE 15, 2023
Location & Region: Philippines, Asia
Partner: Build Change
Impact systems: INFRACTURE AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS / FINANCE
DIRECT BENEFICIARIES: 45,000 PEOPLE
Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, the Philippines holds an ominous title: The World’s Most Disaster-Prone Country. Year after year, the nation battles against an unending torrent of typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and landslides. In 2019, a sobering estimate by Race to Resilience partner Build Change, revealed over 15 million precarious homes in urgent need of attention, most of them sheltering the country’s economically marginalized families. Just the following year, nature’s wrath laid bare the vulnerability of the Filipino people, affecting over 5 million lives and destroying more than 425,000 homes.
In this context, Build Change initiated a transformative concept: Resilient Housing. Beyond simply standing against the elements, resilient homes serve as bastions of security and prosperity, enhancing the occupants’ wealth, health, and well-being. These homes are more than mere structures; they save lives, safeguard possessions, generate jobs, and fuel local economies. They are a long-term, cost-effective response to the severe housing deficit, preventing livelihood losses, forced migration, and displacement in the wake of disasters.
In 2014, Build Change began a journey to strengthen Philippine homes, infusing engineering, technology, and innovative financing to create over 4,000 resilient buildings. This endeavour unearthed a significant market appetite for retrofitting loans, proving that low-income families could indeed afford these improvements. Further, it illuminated the willingness of private financial institutions to champion this cause, paving the way for resilient housing loan products.
Jollibee Group helps level up farmers to entrepreneurs
Jollibee Group
Posted at Jan 16, 2023 11:06 AM
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), one in every five Filipino workers is employed in agriculture, but this sector remains one of the poorest among the basic sectors. PSA also reported in May 2022 that the value of agricultural and fisheries production fell by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2022.
Smallholder farmers dominate agricultural production in the Philippines, but most of them are struggling to improve their farming practices and find buyers due to a lack of access to training and technologies.
Since 2008, Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) and its partners nationwide have been helping empower farmers to have a sustainable livelihood and income.
JGF's Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) is a comprehensive agro-entrepreneurship program that helps sharpen the technical and business skills of farmers. FEP also links farmers to institutional markets such as the Jollibee Group's brands for increased and steady income.
JGF's Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) is a comprehensive agro-entrepreneurship program that helps sharpen the technical and business skills of farmers. FEP also links farmers to institutional markets such as the Jollibee Group's brands for increased and steady income.
Jollibee Group said it currently has 18 accredited farmer groups as suppliers. Since the program began, FEP farmers have delivered 9 million kilos of vegetables to the company and earned more than P360 million (USD 6.3 million).
"JGF and our partners assist farmers in becoming farmer-entrepreneurs, allowing them to participate more actively in agriculture value chains, provide food for their own families, and contribute to the country's food security," said JGF Executive Director Gisela Tiongson.
Japan signs P19.9-M new grassroots projects in PH
by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
March 3, 2022, 6:33 pm
JAPANESE GRANT. Ambassador Koshikawa (right) and ASHI Chairman of the Board Henry Joseph Herrera present the signed grant contract for the procurement of delivery trucks for small farmers in Laguna, Rizal, and Antique. The Japanese envoy signed four contracts on Thursday (March 3, 2022) at his residence in Makati. (Photo by Joyce Rocamora)
MANILA – The Japanese government is funding four projects worth PHP19.9 million to acquire ambulances and medical equipment in three local government units as well as delivery trucks to help local farmers in three other provinces.
The grants would help procure two ambulances for Parañaque City, rebuild the 66-year-old Grace Park Health Center in Caloocan City, acquire medical equipment for the rural health unit of Palo, Leyte, and provide three refrigerated trucks for small farmers in Laguna, Rizal, and Antique.
The funding is part of Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines, first launched in 1989 to help countries reduce poverty.
"Japan has long been a top development partner for the Philippines and through the GGP we are proud to say that not only have we worked hand-in-hand with the Philippine national government but also with the local government units in addressing the basic concerns of the people," Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said during the signing of four grant contracts at his residence in Makati City on Thursday.
"These projects will be implemented in direct consultation with the local governments and non-government organizations. We can carry out these projects that meet the need of each region," he added.
The four new grants bring to 553 the total grassroots projects Japan has funded in the Philippines.
One of the recipients, Ahon sa Hirap Inc. (ASHI) said the grant would benefit more than 3,000 farmers and allow them to supply fresher agricultural products directly to ASHI partner institutions, including supermarkets and fast-food chains.
"ASHI is very grateful to the Embassy of Japan for the approval of this project. This grant will help our farmers collectively deliver on time the quality goods to the local and institutional markets thereby increasing their income," ASHI Chairman of the Board Henry Joseph Herrera said.
Also joining Koshikawa and Herrera during the signing ceremony were Caloocan City Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, and Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla who signed the contract virtually. Koshikawa said this was the first GGP contract signing since the pandemic began. (PNA)