Bacarra,
a fourth-class municipality in Ilocos Norte, was beset by
plenty of problems. This included limited financial resources,
high unemployment rate, and debt-ridden farmers and fisherfolk.
Farmers were struggling with outdated farm practices, while
fisherfolk were netting unbelievably low fish catches everyday.
To
address these problems, the local Sanggunian passed a resolution
for an integrated approach to community development. This
consists of (1) Accelerated Agriculture and Fisheries, which
instituted the distribution of livestock and fingerlings,
set up of seed banks, construction of farm-to-market roads,
demo farms, and organic farming; (2) Small and Medium Enterprises,
which provided training in dress- and bag-making, meat processing
and candy making; and (3) Social Enterprise, which broke
new ground in mushroom propagation and seed production for
auction markets.
In
financing these projects, the municipality coordinated with
various national government agencies for financial and technical
support. After two years of implementation, success stories
followed. Unemployment decreased by 15%. Cooperatives became
a commanding force. Rural improvement clubs emerged. Fishermen
had significantly improved their catch sizes. The municipality
generated a surplus of almost 16,500 metric tons in rice
production. Fourteen small farm reservoirs, eight units
of shallow tube wells and 22 multi-purpose drying pavements
were constructed. Bag- and dress-making became popular sources
of additional household income for women and out-of-school
youth. A 14% increase in business permit applications was
recorded on the same year. Backyard industries proliferated
and the mushroom laboratory and auction market produced
a net income of Php 172,000 in 1998. Thus far, Bacarra is
a candidate for third class municipality membership and
has become a Lakbay-Aral site for other LGUs.
