SIBAT Launches Village-level Sustainable Development (VLSD)

Starting this year, SIBAT begins implementing its Village-level Sustainable Development (VLSD) approach in community development in three pilot areas namely, Cebu, Bohol and Saranggani.

VLSD, attempts to model a community support intervention to help address rural poverty through interdependent socio-economic components which are interdependent and deemed crucial for a poor community to improve their present conditions. Among the characteristics envisioned is for the community to attain a level of self-sufficiency in food through high agricultural productivity, presence of appropriate infrastructures like irrigation, potable water, renewable energy access, vibrant enterprise and trading activities and highly capable peoples organizations honed in project and enterprise management.

This approach is a result of assessment/reflections of SIBAT's long years of experience in providing support services in appropriate technology. VLSD purports an ideal vision while recognizing the limitations and difficulties in the process which in turn, are looked at as learning situations to improve the strategy.

Currently, the 3 pilot areas have completed in-depth needs assessment jointly analyzed by the stakeholders (SIBAT/PO and NGO partners) and have began phasing-in the intervention designs and plan of action through a highly consultative and participatory process.