Internal Lessons Learned

Workshop Documentation
November 27, 2023

Background
In July. Super Typhoon Doksuri (local name: Egay) underwent a series of developments and
intensifications which have affected 328,356 people across (89,639 families) across 11 regions and 36
provinces in the Philippines. In Abra alone, 270,645 individuals were left devastated in the aftermath of
Super Typhoon Egay. Strong winds and flooding have left more than 15,000 homes damaged, as well as
causing disruption to the water supply system and damaged toilet facilities mostly superstructure.
Consortium partners in the project, “Assisting Most Vulnerable Communities and Schools Affected by
Complex Emergencies Access Quality and Timely Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness Services
(ACCESS)” funded by the by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
requested for a modification to the project to immediately augment and provide initial rapid response,
with delivery of assistance applying the filling gaps in needs approach, with focus on the shelter and
settlement, WASH, and protection mainstreaming.

Two interventions were initiated to address the urgent needs of the affected population, assessed through a
beneficiary selection matrix based on vulnerability criteria and validated within the community. These
interventions focused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) as well as Shelter. Under WASH,
activities included the provision of toilet kits, financial support for labor fees to rebuild toilets,
repair/rehabilitation of the water supply system, and dissemination of information during hygiene
promotion sessions. Regarding shelter, activities encompassed the distribution of shelter repair kits,
financial assistance for labor fees, combined Build Back Safer Training, and technical support.

However, it is imperative for the organization to gather input from partners regarding the implementation
of the ACCESS project. Specifically, this initiative aims to extract lessons learned and present the overall
accomplishments that have emerged through this partnership. Therefore, we are conducting this Internal
Lessons Learned Workshop.

Workshop Objectives
The objective is for us to present the overall accomplishment, assess the success of project
implementation, identify bottlenecks and barriers in project execution, evaluate stakeholders' project
rating, ascertain reflections from LGU stakeholders and AAH implementers, and determine the ways
forward for future interventions by Action Against Hunger.

Attendees

La Paz Dolores San Quintin Action Against Hunger

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 Luzviminda Bugtong Jennifer T. Divina Jeanette G. Cantano Engel Merl De Villa
BHW Brgy. Kagawad Brgy. Kagawad WASH/Shelter Engineer
Toon Cardona Villa Mercedes

Roberto Belleza Stephanie Abegail Medrano Alvin M. Cantano John Paul Madalipay
Beneficiary Beneficiary Beneficiary MEAL Officer
Toon Cardona Villa Mercedes

Leo G. Blanza Teresita C. Tabaday Geronimo Pajara

Brgy. Kagawad Brgy. Kagawad Brgy. Chairman
Udangan Pacac Tangadan

Ranny Galera Celia T. Buentipo Lorna Fe Tumbaga

Beneficiary Beneficiary BHW/Representative
Udangan Pacac Tangadan

Ronalyn Apuya Lourdes R. Bejarin Edwin R. Fabian

Shelter Roving Team MDRRMO Brgy. Kagawad
Bulbulala LGU Dolores Palang

Erlinda Segundo Marlyn S. Avila Francis Fabian

Beneficiary MSWDO Beneficiary
Bulbulala LGU Dolores Palang

Freddie Garcia
Sanitary Inspector
RSI – San Quintin

Highlights from the Internal Lessons Learned

A. Presentation of Over-All Accomplishment

1. Milestone from Action Against Hunger - Abra

Engr. Engel Merl De Villa of the AAH presented the milestone for the over-all accomplishment of
the ACCESS project on the 11 barangays as program areas of intervention. Accordingly, the three
interventions of AAH covered the shelter and toilet repair assistance, and water system repair.
The following key points were discussed:

a) Presentation of Total Accomplishments for Shelter Repair Assistance: 112 shelters were
completed covering the 86% of the total of 130 target beneficiaries of SRA while 18 shelters were
currently on-going covering the 14% of the total SRA.
b) Presentation of Total Accomplishments for Toilet Repair Assistance: 82 toilets were completed
covering the 82% of the total of 100 target beneficiaries of TRA while 18 toilets were currently
on-going covering the 18% of the total TRA.
c) Presentation of completed water system repair for one (1) barangay in the Municipality of San
Quitin and one (1) barangay in the Municipality of La Paz.

Part B. Determinants in Successful Project Implementation (What Went Well) and Identification of
Barriers and Challenges

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Mr. John Paul Madalipay, MEAL Officer for Action Against Hunger facilitated this workshop.

1. What Went Well

It should be noted that the success of the projects significantly depended on the support and
political will of the Barangay Officials, particularly the Barangay Chairperson. It is also
important to note that if targeted beneficiaries want to improve their settlements, they must
provide counterparts to repair and reconstruct their shelters. These are the consolidated factors
that contributed to what went well in the current implementation of the ACCESS project in the
three municipalities in the Province of Abra.

San Quitin Dolores La Paz

1. Project 1. The design was 1. Targeted beneficiaries
implementation was adequate, were oriented before
accomplished and beneficiaries were the implementation of
needs of selected oriented and follow the project.
beneficiaries were the BBS Technique 2. Needs in water
provided. 2. The project was supply was provided.
2. The project was 100% relevant as the 3. Community members
relevant to the needs shelter was one of were actively
of the community and the basic needs of a participated the repair
in lined with the household. and attended the
ordinance of the 3. The project was in trainings to sustain
MLGU. lined with the and maintain the
3. The materials ordinance of the water system.
distributed were on- MLGU.
time and provided the 4. No deviation with
needs of the regards to
beneficiaries. effectiveness and
follow the BBS
principles and
shelters were more
resilient
5. Targeted
beneficiaries were
vulnerable, and
needs were
provided.
6. Activities were done
on time and
monitoring was on-
hand and technical

Internal Lessons Learned Documentation Page 3 of 9

 assistance were
provided

Based on Ms. Marlyn Avila, MSWDO Representative from the Municipality of Dolores, most of
the beneficiaries received financial support from different government agencies and other NGOs.
They utilized some of the funds to construct safer shelters made from concrete, ensuring a longer
lifespan for the structures.

2. Bottlenecks and Barriers in Implementing the Project

As a general challenge in the project implementation, the provided materials were insufficient for
the repair. Despite assistance from various government agencies and NGOs, most beneficiaries
prioritized their daily basic needs. The activities conducted in the program areas, such as
beneficiary sensitization, BBS Training, and Technical Assistance during project monitoring,
revealed that some beneficiaries lacked the knowledge that the provided materials were meant for
repair and not for whole construction. To enhance their shelters, they should provide a
counterpart.

San Quitin Dolores La Paz

1. Lack of materials on 1.
the repair and no
resource to purchase
additional materials. 2.
2. Difficulty on
implementation of
the project due to 3.
culture of the
community that once
the beneficiaries
received assistance 4.
there are no further
monitoring, which is
different from AAH.
3. Materials and labor
cost was received by
the beneficiaries, but
some prioritize their
basic needs.
4. Some of the
beneficiary deviate 5.
Time constraint due 1.
to availability of the
beneficiaries.
Difficulty on the
accessibility in the
community.
Difficulty on the part 2.
of the LGU to explain
the beneficiary
selection.
Materials provided
were not for long 3.
term purpose. In this
regard, some of the
beneficiaries decided
to purchase cement,
hollow blocks, and
reinforcing steel to 4.
strengthen their
houses.
Materials provided
Lack of Materials
and money for the
repair. Needs
additional good
lumber, CGI Sheet,
and plywood.
Some of the
materials provided
were insignificant
like the blue PVC
pipe and faucet.
Main components of
CR were the septic
tank and no cement,
hollow blocks and
reinforcing steel
provided.
Some of the
beneficiaries do not
follow the
instruction of the

Internal Lessons Learned Documentation Page 4 of 9

 the design of their
shelter to improve accident.
their way of living
without minding if
the materials will be
enough. They should
have counterpart to
improve their shelter.
were prone to fire shelter roving team
even they consulted
the technical team.
5. Difficulty of
transport of
materials from
distribution site to
the house of the
beneficiaries.
6. Lack of time during
the repair since the
availability of the
skilled workers was
Sunday only.

According to Ms. Teresita Tabaday, Barangay Kagawad from Pacac, Municipality of Dolores, one
beneficiary requested additional plywood. As explained by AAH WASH Engineer Engel Merl De Villa,
on the date of the assessment, the repair of the said house of this beneficiary had not yet started, and the
team could not identify the additional materials needed. AAH MEAL Officer Mr. John Paul Madalipay
stated that since the project was nearing completion, it was dependent on the budget allocated to a
particular timeline. The concern was valid; however, during this workshop, the response was documented,
but the organization would not be able to grant their request due to the said reason.

Additionally, Ms. Jeanette Cantano, Barangay Kagawad of Villa Mercedes, Municipality of San Quintin,
provided her opinion that some beneficiaries lacked the idea that the materials provided were for repair
only and not for construction. Some partially damaged shelter owners/beneficiaries improved their shelter
by starting the construction of the whole structure. Ms. Cantano added that the beneficiaries did not listen
to her instructions even though she was contracted as a member of the shelter roving team. AAH WASH
Engineer De Villa reflected that beneficiary sensitization was conducted once per barangay, and BBS
Training was conducted twice. During monitoring visits of the field officers, they provided technical
support and instruction to follow the BBS techniques. Mr. Alvin Cantano, a beneficiary of TRA in Villa
Mercedes, Municipality of San Quitin, added that if a beneficiary wanted to improve his/her shelter, they
should provide a counterpart. He also suggested that the organization should have a carpenter to
construct/repair. Ms. Cantano suggested having close monitoring for the future projects of AAH. Ms.
Marlyn Avila added that the materials provided should be intended for their purpose.

3. Project Performance
Mr. Madalipay led the participants in rating the project performance based on DAC criteria:
design, relevance/appropriateness, coherence, coverage, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability,
and likelihood of impact. The participants were asked to rate the project from 1 to 5, 1 being

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 unsatisfactory, 2- Needed Improvements, 3- On Average Meets Expectations, 4- Meet
Expectations, and 5- Exceptional. The consolidated results were as follows:

Criteria Rating
Design 4 (Meets expectations)
Relevance/Appropriateness 5 (Exceptional)
Coherence 4 (Meets expectations)
Coverage 4 (Meets expectations)
Efficiency 3 (On Average Meets)
Effectiveness 4 (Meets expectations)
Sustainability 3 (On Average Meets)
Likelihood of Impact 4 (Meets expectations)
TOTAL RATING 4 (Meets expectations)

Part C. Reflections

1. Reflections from Representatives from the Municipality of San Quintin

Ms. Jeanette Cantano as Shelter Roving Team

Ms. Cantano learned the importance of empathy; even if you understand an individual's attitude,
there comes a point where dealing with their behavior becomes challenging. Nonetheless, she
expressed gratitude for the organization's continuous support, from the Abra Earthquake through
the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Egay.
Mr. Alvin Cantano Beneficiary of TRA
Mr. Cantano expressed gratitude to the organization and the barangay officials for their support to
individuals in need. He learned the importance of contentment with what is provided and
emphasized that if they wish to enhance their shelter, they should contribute their counterpart.

2. Reflections from AAH Implementer

Engr. Engel Merl De Villa, WASH/Shelter Engineer
Engineer De Villa learned how to effectively socialize with beneficiaries, irrespective of
differences in attitude. He also gained valuable insights into coordinating seamlessly with
Barangay Officials. Additionally, he recognized the significance of close monitoring and adhering
to the standard BBS Techniques.

During the monitoring in November 2023, Engineer De Villa emphasized the importance of
maintaining connections with the previous roving team. Despite not being contracted with the
organization at that time, the previous team provided valuable assistance. This experience

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 underscored the importance of fostering collaborative relationships beyond contractual
obligations.

Part D. Ways Forward

As discussed by AAH WASH Engineer De Villa, the certificates of completion and turnover for the water
supply system repair, along with the statement of transfer for the operation and maintenance kits, were
handed over to the barangay beneficiaries. He advised them to operate and maintain their water supply
system properly to ensure its sustainability and prolong its lifespan. For the ongoing construction of
shelters and toilets, he will closely coordinate with the previous shelter roving team and barangay officials
to receive updates on the repair progress and ensure its timely completion.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Internal Lessons Learned Workshop (ILLW) conducted proved to be a vital and
valuable instrument for evaluating the outcomes of the ACCESS project. Through transparent and candid
discussions, we gained valuable insights into what went well, identified bottlenecks and barriers, engaged
in reflections, and explored avenues for future improvement. The ILLW process enabled us to discern
strengths and weaknesses in our planning, execution, and decision-making, setting the stage for ongoing
enhancement.

A pivotal lesson drawn from this ILLW underscores the significance of the alignment of project activities
with community needs and local ordinances; timely material distribution and adherence to the BBS
Technique were evident strengths. The collaborative efforts ensured the completion of project goals, with
active community participation and engagement in repair and training sessions.

In addition, participants emphasized the need for continued close monitoring in future projects,
addressing the lack of understanding among beneficiaries about the purpose of provided materials, urging
enhanced communication and education. It was also suggested to consider the specific needs of each
community to avoid deviations from recommended construction practices.

Furthermore, the ILLW underscored the importance of promptly documenting lessons learned and action
items. These insights and recommendations should not languish but must be actively integrated into our
future planning and training endeavors, ensuring that we build on successes and avoid repeating past
mistakes.

Looking ahead, it is imperative to view the ILLW as an ongoing process rather than a singular event.
Regular ILLWs will aid us in adapting to changing circumstances, fortifying our team's resilience, and
ultimately achieving greater success in our pursuits.

In conclusion, this workshop provided valuable insights into the successes and challenges of the ACCESS
project. It serves as a foundation for refining future interventions, emphasizing the importance of clear
communication, targeted education, and ongoing community engagement for sustained impact. The

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commitment to learning from these experiences positions Action Against Hunger for more effective and
responsive humanitarian endeavors in the dynamic landscape of disaster response and recovery.

Photo Documentation

Internal Lessons Learned Workshop held on November 27, 2023 at Max’s Restaurant, Calaba,
Bangued, Abra

What Went Well during Internal Lessons Learned Workshop

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 Bottlenecks and Barriers during Internal Lessons Learned Workshop
Prepared by: Engel Merl B. De Villa, WASH/Shelter Coordinator

Reviewed by: John Paul Madalipay, MEAL Officer

Approved by: Brian Kae Enriquez, WASH Coordinator

Ferdinand Gozar, MEAL Coordinator

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