"I never imagined we would one day be venturing into tilapia production," Tomanto states in Tagalog, as he surveys the fish cages he and his men have built painstakingly over the past three years, since his group began tilapia production.
"Our hard work is finally bearing fruit. This is a dream come true for my people," says Tomanto, who is chairman of the Uyaan National Unit Command Farmers’ Association (UNUCFA), a cooperative composed of more than 100 members living in this remote, upland village.
At the age of 12, when most children his age where preoccupied playing with toys, Tomanto was carrying an M-16, patrolling the highlands of Lanao del Sur. He was only 13 years old when he fought his first gun battle. After undergoing intensive military tactics training in his later teens, he was designated to head a logistics support group, which was in charge of food and ammunition.
From 1983 to 1993, he was the team leader of the MNLF’s Second Satellite Command. He became a demotions expert after undergoing a one-year training course in Malaysia in 1992. Thereafter, Tomanto headed the Urban Mujahideen Operative for three years.
"It was a very difficult time for us combatants and our families, as most of our time was spent eluding government troops. My men and I were also wary of local officials whenever we made stopovers, as they might have turned us in. We survived in the jungle eating mostly wild fruits," Tomanto recalls.
After laying down their arms, Tomanto and his comrades settled near the shores of Lake Uyaan and started a new life as corn farmers. With financial and technical assistance from USAID’s Livelihood Enhancement and Peace (LEAP) Program, Tomanto organized the UNUCFA, which slowly unleashed the cooperative, productive spirit of his people.
Tomanto recalls that after their first corn harvest in 2000, more than 20 co-op members were able to purchase farm animals such as carabaos and cows, as well as household appliances. This trend of increased disposable income has continued, and most members are now able to send their children to school, while a few with sufficient savings have undertaken sweeping home improvements.
"The economic well-being of my people improved greatly after the signing of the peace agreement. With their earnings, they are now able to buy most of the things they need," he says, with pride in his voice.
"We saw the community’s huge potential in the area for tilapia production. With its proximity to the Lake Uyaan, we knew that it would not be difficult for Tomanto and his men to jump start production," says Adel Oviedo, TCEP team leader, who was part of the group that surveyed the community.
UNUCFA started production with two 5x20 fish cages. As part of its technical assistance, TCEP helped to link the cooperative with a buyer in Marawi, thus guaranteeing a ready market for the commodity. Tilapia is a prized fish in Marawi, and it price can go as high as P120 per kilo, especially during the Ramadan season.
For instance, a 10m x 20m x 3.5m fish cage with a stock density of 10 pieces of tilapia per cubic meter, has a projected annual yield of 1,920 kilos. Even at a selling price of P50 per kilo, a farmer can earn as much as P20,000 a year, after production and labor costs are deducted.
As demand for UNUCFA’s tilapia increased, Tomanto saw the need to expand production. However, the cooperative’s earnings were not sufficient to underwrite the cost of its expansion plans.
Tomanto approached Oviedo and discussed with him the possibility of obtaining a loan. Oviedo explained that loan approval would not be easy, considering that the cooperative had yet to develop a financial track record.
"But I couldn’t turn down Chairman Tomanto because I could see that he was really determined to succeed and provide a better life for his people," Oviedo shares.
UNUCFA’s big break came in November 2003 when PhilAm Foundation approved the association’s proposal and granted a loan of P240,000 which funded the construction of 15 fish cages, stocked with 15,000 fingerlings.
Maximillian Ventura, president of PhilAm Foundation, flew from Manila to witness the stocking cycle, and was amazed at the zeal and determination showed by Tomanto and his men.
"When I met chairman Tomanto and talked to him, I knew that granting the loan to UNUCFA was a good investment decision," says Ventura.
UNUCFA’s tilapia production area now spans 1.3 hectares. The cooperative plans to expand the existing area by another hectare once it saves sufficient funds.
UNUCFA has also been a recipient of additional USAID assistance. For example, under the LEAP program, the association received post-harvest facilities including a grains warehouse, a solar dryer, and a corn sheller. Due to Tomanto’s determined leadership, UNUCFA was also able to construct a sari-sari store and to acquire a rice thresher, using the funds generated from the cooperative’s various livelihood activities.
"USAID has really been a very big help to us. Through its assistance, we have not only been able to significantly increased our incomes but more importantly, to provide a better future for our children," Tomanto declares.
Taking stock of the many blessings he and his community are now enjoying, Tomanto says that his journey from "arms to farms" was well worth the trip. – GEM