Better Shelter and Basic Services Support for Urban Poor in Talomo Area
Davao City is one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Apart from the population growth, the city’s economic opportunities is a magnet to many people who seek better life. With more people in the city, the demand for housing tends to increase exponentially. Not all are fortunate to build their own, decent houses; they are often called informal settlers, making- do of the small spaces such as those considered road- right of way, those in danger zones ( such as near riverbanks) , those in private and government properties.
The Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies ( PHILSSA) and the Department for International Development ( DFID) of the United Kingdom are implementing a project called “ Institutionalizing Local and National Partnerships to Address Urban Poverty and Homelessness in the Philippines. One of the initial requirements is the conduct of a city baseline survey as to the profile of the urban poor in key areas of the country such as Davao City. The Institute for Small Farms and Industries ( ISFI) was tapped to undertake the baseline profile. ISFI also worked closely with the San Lorenzo Ruiz Socio- Economic Development Foundation and other offi ces of the Davao City Government to come up with the benchmark information on Davao City’s urban poor, particularly those located in 11 puroks of Brgy. Talomo.
The project , “Strengthening Governance Capacities to Rehabilitate the Mono-Alah Watershed ” was born out of a previous project with the Municipality of Bagumbayan — the formulation of the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) funded by the Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project – 2. The FLUP identified vulnerable areas and recommended actions to address the municipality ’s diminishing forest cover. 
ISFI zeroed in on Mono-Alah Watershed – Bagumbayan ’s most critical watershed, as it affects the most number of people . During this project ’s development stage, ISFI consulted closely with EcoGov particularly Mr. Mer Olvida and Mr . Edwin Camacho, on how to implement some of the recommendations contained in the FLUP. 
and Introduction to Food Packaging held last June 17- 18, 2009.
Village Enterprise Development and Strengthening (CVEDS), a component of the Catalysts for Enterprise Development, have reached the growth level initially planned by the project — such as the positive changes in their marketing and production aspects….
Two (2) barangay profiles have been completed under the household baseline survey in Sagittarius Mines, Inc.’s host communities. These are the Kimlawis and Tablu. By June, the Technical Writing Team will have the three (3) other barangays – Pulabato, Datal Blao and Danlag completed…