The project team of “Participatory Approach in Assessing and Promoting Women-led Permaculture among Selected Permaculture Sites in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) Sectors in the Philippines” conducted a courtesy call to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calape, Bohol, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bohol on 12 September 2025.
The project, led by Associate Professor Finaflor Taylan, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) seeks to promote women-led permaculture initiatives by documenting strategies, assessing impacts, and highlighting the role of women in advancing sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.
Representing the project during the visit were Assistant Professor Remsce A. Pasahol, Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, Raizza Anna Alforja, Tiffany Leanne Catbagan, and Alexander Caligang. The team presented the project’s objectives and explored possible areas of collaboration, particularly how the LGU and DTI can provide support in strengthening women-led permaculture practices in the community.
The courtesy meeting was attended by the following heads and representatives of the LGU of Calape:
- Office of the Mayor – Hon. Mayor Sulpicio N. Yu Jr., M.D.
- Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) – Chito R. Dumaran
- Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) – Maria Teresita J. Penticase
- Municipal Tourism Office – John Tedd G. Labajo
Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person – Laarni Christine D. Piodos, RSW
From the DTI Bohol Provincial Office, Roser Ann D. Escobilla also attended the meeting and shared with the team their interventions and support extended to the Atbang Farm Food Forest in Calape, which serves as one of the project’s partner sites.
The courtesy call was successful, with both the LGU of Calape and DTI Bohol expressing their support for the project and advancing permaculture initiatives in their municipality.
This project aims to contribute to the fulfillment of:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Change
- SDG 17: Partnership
Written by Tiffany Leanne Catbagan • Edited by Larry N. Cruz
#UPOpenUniversity
