Organizational Maturity and Evaluation of DILEEP Projects: The Case of PARBUF-MPC in Kiblawan, Davao Del Sur

Aims: This study intends to explore Pasig Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PARBUF-MPC) organizational maturity and its implications to the implementation of the Dole Integrated Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) projects in terms of the dimensions project management, financial management, organizational management, technical assistance and beneficiaries’ well-being.

Study Design: This study is anchored on the organizational maturity model which reflects a framework that defines maturity as an aggregate of incremental capabilities prerequisite to effective organizational project management. Using the convergent mixed methods research design, quantitative and qualitative data strands were collected and analyzed to achieve the objectives of the study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Pasig, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur for the period Jan 2017 to December 2018. Data were gathered from 119 member beneficiaries of PARBUF-MPC.

Methodology: Organizational maturity was measured using a 35-item, 5-point scale-type instrument, while project implementation was diagnosed using a survey with some close-ended items. These were administered to 119 members of the cooperative who were also beneficiaries of the DILEEP projects particularly on hog raising, banana chips making and rubber cultivation. The quantitative responses were gathered and analyzed using averages and frequency. The qualitative data consist of responses to open-ended questions and were analyzed to reveal themes from beneficiaries’ experiences on the project implementation and management.

Results: Results indicate the cooperative’s level of organizational maturity obtained an overall mean of 3.62. This level of organizational maturity is verbally described as predictable, which means that the organization’s defined processes are performed consistently in practice, with defined control limits to achieve its goals. Project implementation on the other hand was identified by the respondents to be established under project management, financial management and technical assistance while organizational management was described as not established. Qualitative remarks of the responses also revealed particular themes under each dimension of project implementation. The responses were processed and classified into two themes which are the positive and the negative feedbacks. Beneficiaries’ well-being as the fifth dimension of project implementation revealed themes like women empowerment and improvement in the quality of lives.

Conclusion: Essentially, the gaps in the implementation in the projects like banana chips making, hog raising and rubber cultivation were identified.