Bureau of Agricultural Research

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

DIRECTED RESEARCH
BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT MONITORING
Project Terms of Reference

I. RATIONALE/PURPOSE OF THE CALL

The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) is

currently implementing the Comprehensive Climate Change R&D Program and is
inviting reputable institutions like your agency to submit R&D proposal(s) to address
the above priority area – details of which are discussed in the following sections.
The purpose for this call is to provide detailed guidelines in preparing the expected
proposals to facilitate standardization and thus allow for a better evaluation and
prioritization of proposals that can be considered for funding in CY 2022.

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In response to Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, BAR crafted
the Climate Change Research, Development and Extension Agenda and
Program (CC RDEAP) for Agriculture and Fisheries in 2011-2016. This is in
recognition of the need to address the challenges and threats of climate change to
agricultural productivity and consequently to the food and livelihood opportunities of
Filipinos. The CC RDEAP is a result of a series of consultations, meetings and
workshops with various stakeholders from the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The agenda follows the policy thrust of the “Philippine Adaptation and Mitigation in
Agriculture Knowledge Toolbox” which is one of the seven DA Systems-Wide Climate
Change Program. The program aims to inventory, generate and disseminate adaptive
tools, technologies, and practices that users can access and use through the
extension services of the country. Research, on the other hand, hopes to pursue new
tools and knowledge in partnership with the scientific community. The program has
two pillars – mitigation and adaptation. Adaptation serves as the anchor strategy and
mitigation measures come as a function of adaptation.

In 2015, the CC RDEAP was updated to accommodate the next medium-term plan
covering CY 2016-2022. The document covers three main sub-sectors namely:
Crops, Poultry & Livestock and Fisheries & Aquaculture. As in the past updating
underwent rigorous and widespread consultations to maximize stakeholder
participation. The researchable areas per sub-sector were anchored on specific

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

problems concerning each element in the value chain thus producing a more
comprehensive and responsive research agenda.

Finally, in 2017, the CC RDEAP 2016-2022 was assessed vis-à-vis the BAR funded
projects under the Climate Change Program. Research gaps per subsector were
identified and eventually prioritized. This call for proposal hopes to generate specific
proposals on each of the prioritized research area to ensure the objectives of the CC-
RDEAP are achieved and major research gaps are addressed.

III. SCOPE OF R&D INITIATIVE

Fisheries resources and its environs are becoming increasingly fragile due to
pressures of increasing population and demand for multiple use. Climate change and
climate variability effects further worsen these scenarios. Biodiversity inventory and
habitat monitoring – seeing what is there, assessing what condition it is in, and tracking
how that is changing – is therefore critical for taking stock of progress, learning and
improving practices, and showing how critical fisheries resources can be spent most
effectively.

Historically, much of the biodiversity monitoring has been done at the local level to
meet specific local needs. A more nationally-consistent, systematic and
comprehensive approach means the information collected can be built into a national
framework and used in multiple ways. The proposed project should therefore be able
to answer the following questions:

a) How does climate change affect the hydrology, ecological character and
fisheries livelihood opportunities in multi-functional landscapes?

b) How can governance mechanisms be improved in these landscapes to support

a more inclusive and equitable distribution of benefits from fisheries? and

c) What tradeoffs between fish production and other uses in these landscapes
need to be considered to optimize contributions to livelihood, food security and
resilience while maintaining long term ecological stability?

The proposed monitoring system should show what works best, and can be used to
improve future management effectiveness. It should also provide locally relevant
information to share with the vulnerable communities. Proponents can submit more
than one proposal but not to exceed three proposals per researchable area.

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

RESEARCHABLE AREA EXPECTED OUTPUT

Monitoring and early warning Provide a foundation of sound data to better

system (including inform effective management planning and policy
biodiversity and habitat development
monitoring)
Assessment of the most common monitoring
systems currently available locally and in the
region

Handbook on monitoring and early warning

system

Networking strategies and potential partnerships

identified

Co-management strategies identified and

strengthened in critical areas for key species
(please specify)

Habitat rehabilitation strategies

Assessment and monitoring Assessment of impacts, sustainable and

of impacts of restocking /
stock enhancement of
hatchery produced juveniles
(in freshwater and marine
systems)
responsible restocking strategies
Genetic management (following global best
practices, guidelines of FAO of responsible
fisheries and aquaculture)

IV. DURATION

The proposed project must be completed in 12 months.

V. CRITERIA FOR FUNDING1

1
In the event that more than one proposal is received, each proposal will be assessed and rated using the
criteria specified. Detailed scoring (BOTH TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL will be developed by BAR and announced
immediately.

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

1. Budgetary Requirement: Fund ceiling is capped at PhP4,000,000.00 per

proposal. (10%)

2. Counterpart funding offered: Higher priority will be given to proponents who

indicate significant counterpart funds to cover project cost. The higher the
counterpart the higher the score. (20%)

3. Endorsement of the Regional R&D and Extension Network (RRDEN): Only

proposals reviewed and endorsed by the DA Regional Director will be considered
for review and funding. (10%)

4. Technical Soundness: Each proposal must be based on a robust scientific and

logical framework and supported by up to date review of literature of the state of
the art on the topic, technology or process proposed. (30%)

5. Cost Efficiency: Working on the principle of value for money, the proposal must
be able to justify the requested amount/cost of project implementation vis-à-viz
the quality and nature of new knowledge to be generated in addition to the
usefulness of these information to addressing climate change issues affecting
the agriculture and fisheries sub-sectors. (30%)

VI. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Proposing institution should have an R&D mandate.

2. Any individual or institution under the National Research and Development

System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF) and research-oriented
Private Sector2, NGOs2 and POs2 can submit proposals.

3. Availability and accessibility3 of adequate research facilities

4. Project team must be directly affiliated with the proposing institution and must
meet the required expertise for the project.

5. Both the institution and the project team must have excellent track record on
both the technical and financial aspects of project management. List of similar
projects conducted should be submitted with the proposal.

2
Provided it is registered with PHILGEPS and accredited by the Department of Agriculture.
3
Proponent must submit proof of this.

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

VII. PROPOSAL TEMPLATE and OTHER ATTACHMENTS4

1. Executive Summary

Must be submitted in addition to the Detailed Proposal (Annex 1). The

Executive Summary must be concise but comprehensive enough to discuss a)
the background of the study; b) the problem(s) the project hopes to address; c)
how the proposed project relates to other research efforts and initiatives (both
local or international); d) the project’s objectives and expected outputs; e)
foreseen project impact to the environment, the community, the sector or the
greater society; and f) the project’s potential contribution to enhancing climate
change resilience.

2. Climate Data and Information/Review of Literature

Relevant data and information on the project sites or the communities

involved/targeted by the project. This will not just highlight the proposed
project’s alignment to the climate change agenda but further validate the risk,
exposure and vulnerability the project wishes to address. A summary of recent
studies (both local and international) completed on climate change and the
problem the project hopes to address particularly on major lessons learned,
challenges, and other pitfalls the new project could or should avoid will be very
useful and will be a plus factor. These may include but are not limited to the
following:

- Hazard and exposure maps

- Climate projections
- Risk and vulnerability assessment

3. Climate Change Mainstreaming Guideposts/Considerations

The proposal must be able to clearly specify how the project will contribute to
mainstreaming climate change concerns across the various R&D programs,
projects and activities supported by BAR. Please refer to the 10-point
guideposts (Annex 2). This will help prioritize the Climate Change R&D
proposals received and identify whether the proposal contributes to efforts
addressing climate change and/or variability effects among others.

4
Please refer to relevant annexes on the required attachments

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

4. Other Relevant Documents Needed

Proponents should also attach the following documents to help BAR to assess
and rate the institutional and personnel capacity of the proponents.

a. Roles and Responsibilities of Project Team including collaborators

and partners

Specify the distinct roles and responsibilities of the project lead, project
team and partner agencies to the research initiative. R&D components
and expertise may be indicated to delineate functions. Please use the
position description form (Annex 3).

b. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Project Team

 The CV should contain relevant information on the educational

background and employment history of the project team.
Information about the proponents’ highest educational attainment
including the names and addresses of institutions attended,
dates, courses and academic degrees obtained as well as area(s)
of specialization relevant to the proposed project must be
indicated.

 List of major publications, thesis/theses and researches done by

the proponent relevant to the proposed research project.

c. Track Record and Past Performance

The proponents shall attach a short list of related projects managed by

the institution (Annex 4). The list shall contain information such as
Project Title, Project Description, Duration, Funding Agency, and
total approved budget. BAR funded and other externally funded
projects may be included in the list. Preferably a brief narrative on how
the project leader/project team successfully accomplished previous R&D
endeavors should be attached.

VIII. SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The proposal must be endorsed by the proponent’s agency head. The letter should
be addressed to the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research through the

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

Regional Executive Director. Please note that only proposals endorsed by the DA
Regional Executive Director will proceed to the final review and assessment by BAR.

IX. REQUIRED REPORTS

1. Progress Reports

The proponents shall submit Semi-annual Progress Report and an Annual

Accomplishment Report duly endorsed by the Agency Head.

The Semi-annual Progress Report shall contain the activities conducted within
the period covered (6 months) and should be submitted within thirty (30) days
after the period covered has ended.

The Annual Report shall contain the major accomplishments and/or findings for
the year in accordance to the approved logical framework for review and
evaluation of the BAR Evaluation Team.

2. Financial Report

A semi-annual report on the status of fund utilization duly signed by the Agency
Accountant within thirty (30) days after the end of the 2nd quarter of project
implementation. An annual financial report signed by the Accountant and
verified by a COA Representative shall also be submitted within sixty (60) days
after project completion.

3. Completion Report

At the end of the project, six (6) copies of the project terminal/completion report
(Annex 5) properly endorsed by the Agency Head shall be submitted for review
and final acceptance by the BAR Evaluation Team. Final payment can only be
made once the report is revised and duly accepted by BAR to address
comments, if any.

The proponent shall also submit a brief write-up in a publishable form of the
project summarizing major accomplishments and significant results as well as
policy implications.

4. Periodic Reviews

DA-BAR shall schedule periodic reviews to assess the progress of the funded
projects based on its objectives and approved workplan schedule.

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

The proponent shall accomplish required documents such as monitoring &

evaluation forms, progress reports, financial reports, and completion report for
presentation. Templates of PowerPoint presentations for the review will be
provided by BAR’s Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED).

X. CONTACT INFORMATION

For clarifications and additional inquiries regarding the proposal, the proponents can
contact the following BAR-Climate Change focal persons under the Program
Development Division (PDD):

Ms. Maylen V. Cunanan

Program Development Division
climatechange.bar@gmail.com
02 461 2900 local 3130

Ms. Cynthia Remedios V. de Guia

Program Development Division
climatechange.bar@gmail.com
planning.da.bar@gmail.com
02 461 2900 local 3125

XI. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

The Timelines must be consistent with the logical framework and are negotiable during
the scoping meeting with BAR prior to final approval and MOA signing.

Activity (Specify or add more activities,

Date
if needed)
Presentation and evaluation of the draft proposal
Scoping Meeting with potential institution and
project team to discuss and agree on the details of
project implementation including budget
Revision and finalization of the proposal

Approval of proposal/moa signing

Release of funds

Project implementation

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 Bureau of Agricultural Research
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
E-mail: rd@bar.gov.ph website: www.bar.gov.ph

Activity (Specify or add more activities,

Date
if needed)
First semi-Annual review
Revision of the report or strategy for
implementation if needed

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