Measuring Success

Our Geothermal business unit in the Philippines is undertaking innovative work to monitor and measure community engagement programs.

It has worked with local farmers and other partners to help establish an agricultural business program based on cassava, a root crop, near Chevron's Tiwi and Mak-Ban geothermal operations. The goal of the program is to build a free-standing, sustainable market for the cassava crop to support farmers and their families. Progress toward that goal is measured by:

• The number of hectares that were formerly unproductive and are now in use. In 2006, 30 hectares (74 acres) were planted, exceeding the first-year target by 33 percent. Targets have been set for the next five years, with the goal of planting a total of 310 hectares (766 acres) by 2010.
• The number of farmers taking part in the program. In 2006, 17 farmers participated in the program. Our target is to increase the number of farmers participating to 207 by 2010 in tandem with the increase in hectares planted.
• The increase in annual income for farmers. In 2006, the average income of farmers participating in the program increased by $144 dollars, or 40 percent, from $360 to $504.