AID grant no. 492-0419-G-SS-9079-00 to the Andres Soriano Foundation, Inc. to implement the Quiniluban group of islands community development project

for an integrated community development project on the islands of Concepcion and Algeciras (populations 528 and 666), part of the Quiniluban island group in the Philippines. The Andres Soriano, Jr. Foundation, as subgrantee, will implement the project, which will include activities in health care and skills training. To improve the capacities of community organizations such as barangay (village) development councils, parent-teacher associations, and basic health committees, the project will provide training in administration, leadership, project planning and management, and resource management to 30 community volunteers or leaders. An area development plan will be formulated for each island. Improving the islands" health care systems will involve a preliminary health assessment and census, on-the-job training of 6 community health workers, and establishment on each island of a health care system with ties to municipal, provincial, and national systems and including a village pharmacy, a child/maternal health care unit, a medical and dental clinic, and TB control programs. In addition, two rain catchment tanks and four demonstration water sealed toilets will be constructed on each island. A livelihood support component will focus on the primary sources of income and employment: fisheries, and especially seaweed production. A start-up grant will be provided to organize a cooperative to assist fishermen and seaweed farmers in production and marketing, and at least 25 people will receive training in financial management and cooperative leadership. About 100 islanders will participate in various livelihood training programs addressing topics such as product marketing, new fishing and seaweed farming techniques, aquarium fish collection, and environmental protection; in addition, scholarships will be awarded to three students for study in the fields of health or fisheries. A communal storage and seaweed drying area will be constructed on each island. Finally, the project will construct a school building and a children"s park on each of the islands.