“If you are part of the Amburayan watershed or communal forest, what part are you and why?” – a jump start question that was asked to the participants to define their involvement in the protection of the watershed during the 2-day training on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the core technical working group (TWG) of the Amburayan River Project.

Held on January 31 and February 1, 2017, the training aimed to guide the participants in developing the M&E Framework for the 10-year WQMA Plans of the Upper and Lower Amburayan River Systems. Although not required by the Environmental Management Bureau, the training specifically aimed to improve the current and future management of expected outputs, outcomes and impact of the WQMA plans.

During the drafting of the M&E Framework, the participants realized that their earlier drafted WQMA Plans have to be improved to ensure that all identified activities address plan objectives. One participant shared that the skills that he learned in this M&E training are not only applicable for the WQMA plans but will be applicable in his work, especially in planning and monitoring.

Sharing of thoughts and collaboration of ideas are keys that help in implementing the project’s aim.  To build wisdom, we learn; to develop skills, we train; to achieve a goal, we start and finish the race.

Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active Peoples’ Participation is a project funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) and is implemented by the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc.  (JVOFI).