PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT FOR PEOPLE’S ACTION TOWARDS HUMAN SECURITY The Official Biannual Newsletter of Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. PEACEPATHS Program AUGUST to DECEMBER 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Pagpukaw “Pagpukaw” was the term used by Mr. Ben Abadiano to capture the essence of empowering education, the central theme of the Journey for Peace in Zamboanga City last December 1-5, 2009. (continued on page 2)
Journey Participants Joined Buklog
WHAT’s INSIDE?
Precious Mazo, ADZU
Indigenous Leadership Focused in Kalindogan 2009
The Buklog is a thanksgiving festival celebrated by the Subanon tribe every seven years. It is an ancient spiritual rite to offer gratefulness, and to honor the spirits. This allows the world to be cleansed and spared from any natural disasters. Unfortunately, it has been fourteen years since the Subanon inhabitants of Limpapa last celebrated the Buklog Festival.
Peace Story Writng Held
(continued on page 6)
Marilog 4 C’s Mapping
Business Management Training for Community Workers “Payao” Projects Launched in DOS Family Health Guadians Formed Alternative Medicine Training Held Ompia Ko Iranon Peace Training Kauswagan Potable Water Peace Lens Enhanced Maguindanao Massacre Reflections 1
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Pagpukaw (continued from page 1)
Indigenous Leadership Stressed in Kalindogan 2009
Kristine Mae Sumalinab, Pamulaan Student Around 250 indigenous youth came to honor their elders at the opening night of the Kalindogan 2009, the 5th Annual IP Youth Peace Conference held at the Pamulaan Center for IP Education last October 17-21, 2009. Capturing this year’s theme: “Reclaiming Indigenous Leadership”, Ronalyn Floro, a Pamulaan student, welcomed the conference participants with this message: “Ang katutubong lider ay tulad ng isang Kamatis. Pagnahulog at namatay, eto ay nagiiwan ng punla para sa pagsibol ng bagong tanim.” After three days of reflective but fun-filled activities, the Kalindogan participants came up with an IP Youth Agenda that highlights the empowerment of IP leaders towards reclaiming their right to selfdetermination. The document was later presented to government officials and presidential aspirants who were invited to speak before the IP crowd, in the hope of influencing the political agenda for 2010 elections. 2
In his opening statement during the Journey, Mr. Abadiano, Founder of Pamulaan Center for IP Education and ADF President, defined education as a process of consciousness raising and capacity building towards an empowered, self-reliant and service-oriented individual and community. He explained that an empowering education takes place not only in the classroom, but also in our daily interactions. It requires learning processes and experiences which are anchored on current realities, community vision, cultural values and practices, and competencies for meaningful change (or four C’s, in short). Recognizing the significance of empowering education in the transformation of peace communities, the delegates of the Journey for Peace vowed to conduct continuing reflections on conflict realities, and to build local capacities for culturally appropriate and peace sensitive interventions in conflict vulnerable communities.
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Peace Story Writing Held in Pamulaan Pio Fuentes
Fourteen Kuwentong Kapayaapaan (Peace Stories) were written and shared by PEACEPATHS partners in a Story Writing Workshop at the Pamulaan Center for IP Education last August 13-15, 2009.
The workshop was part of the Partners Forum organized by the PEACEPATHS Program. It was designed to enhance the capacity of peace partners to document stories that can be used for monitoring and evaluating conflict transformation and peace building initiatives.
The use of stories as monitoring and evaluation tool was inspired by the “Most Significant Change (MSC) Technique” of Dr. Rick Davies and Dr. Jess Dart. MSC is a “form of participatory monitoring and evaluation that involves the collection of significant change stories emanating from the field level”.
Business Management Training for Community Workers Gonzalo Omison II, CAP Volunteer
Last October 5-9, 2009, PEACEPATHS organized a Business Management Training for 30 community workers at Durian Garden, South Cotabato. The training was facilitated by the Business Resource Center of Notre Dame University based in General Santos City. The training focused on the relevance of good planning in putting up a business and the techniques to sustain it. Area visits to selected small entrepreneurs in South Cotabato were also conducted. During the visits, the participants were deeply challenged as they personally witnessed the testimonies of various groups on how they struggled to keep their business afloat. sdfasfa
At the end of the training, the participants were able to prepare business plans for existing and prospective livelihood activities in their project areas. 3
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
“Payao” Project Launched in DOS
Jondric Daut, OND-HESED Foundation, Inc.
With the support of OND-HESED Foundation and the PEACEPATHS Program, more than 100 members of Mamalu-Tabunaway Association (MATAAS) launched their “Payao” or fish shelter project last October 2009 in Brgy. Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
“Payao” is made-up of bamboo poles with attached coconut leaves underneath. It is anchored on the sea, and left afloat to shelter small fishes that seek refuge under its structure. It is a traditional method of attracting big fishes [such as tuna and marlins] that feed on small fishes. It is environmental friendly and discourages fisherfolks to use illegal fishing methods, such as cyanide and dynamite.
The “Payao’ project has encouraged cooperation among the fisherfolks in Kusiong. Fisherfolks coming from nearby barangays are not prohibited to fish in the area, as long as they abide by the policies of the association. Dialogues were held in order to ensure the protection and management of the Payao. MATAAS members believe that “addressing the problem of poverty is not a loners’ job, it is everybody’s business.”
Long live the descendants of Mamalu and Tabunaway!
Family Health Guardians Formed in Zamboanga City Jane Chan, CCES-ADZU
The Center for Community Extension Services (CCES) of Ateneo de Zamboanga University launched its 2009 health project by holding a series of capacity building activities for twenty women who were selected as Family Health Guardians (FHGs) in their community. The FHGs were oriented about their roles and were taught on how to keep records on the health status of each member of the family. They were also trained on the uses of indigenous herbal plants, and the preparation of herbal medicines. The formation of FHGs was conceptualized by CCES on the premise that if at least one member of the family is trained on primary health care, problems on access to basic health services may be responded to, and illnesses and diseases may be reduced, if not prevented. 4
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
T’duray Women Trained on Alternative Medicine Rose Lantong, CAP Volunteer
Thirty T’duray women attended a six-day training on Alternative Medicine at Brgy.Darugao, Upi last August 24-29, 2009. The training was conducted by the Alternatibong Katilingbanon Kalambuang Panglawas (AKKAP) with ADF assistance.
As part of their training exercise, the women participants were asked to walk around their village to look for herbal plants that can be used as alternative medicine. Many were amazed as their trainers explained the therapeutic value of the plants they found in their community.
After the training, the women participants were very grateful because they learned how to prepare herbal medicines and nutritious meals. They also planned to put up their individual and communal herbal gardens so that they can produce herbal products all year round.
Ompia ko Iranon Trained on Peace Dialogue Bailani de los Santos, Kapatagan
In September 22-26, 2009, a “Community Peace Dialogue Orientation and Skills Training” was conducted in Brgy. Pinantao, Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur. It was attended by more than 41 members of “Ompia Ko Iranon”, a local mechanism set-up in 1998 to address the problem of cattle rustling in Kapatagan. The training was part of the capability building component of Kapatagan Human Security Program (KHSP). It was jointly conducted by Kapatagan Human Security Program of the Municipal Government of Kapatagan and the PEACEPATHS Program. The training was aimed at enhancing the conflict management skills of local community leaders and at strengthening local peace mechanisms. The “Ompia Ko Iranon” is among the peace mechanisms that are advancing peaceful resolution of local conflicts related to cattle rustling. With the newly acquired knowledge and skills on community peace dialogue, the “Ompia Ko Iranon” organization is expected to become more effective in their campaign against the problem using an equally, if not more effective approach, in addressing conflicts peacefully. 5
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Potable Water Flows in Kauswagan Village Marcela V. Sanchez, Community Volunteer
Residents of Barangay Tugar in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte gathered to celebrate the completion of their water system last September 14, 2009. It was a momentous event because it marked the fulfillment of their long-time dream to have access to low cost and safe drinking water in their community. With the support of Assisi Development Foundation (ADF) and the Religious of the Assumption, the community leaders underwent a series of trainings to enhance their capacity to manage the water system. They also took turns in assisting the ADF technical team in the hauling of the construction materials, lay-out of pipelines and construction of water tank. Behind the joyful tears of a wish come true, the project provided a venue to foster good relationship, camaraderie and unity among the residents. It also motivated the community to engage in backyard gardening and construction of sanitary toilets for a healthy living.
Journey Participants Joined Buklog (continued from page 1)
University to celebrate the Buklog Festival last December 1, 2009 at Luuk Limpapa, Zamboanga City.
There was a commemorative participation from the Journey In line with the 2009 Week of Peace celebration, the Subanon for Peace participants as well as guests coming from other Community was supported parts of Mindanao. They came by the Institute for Autonomy to experience, witness and and Governance, Assisi become one with the community Development Foundation, Inc., in celebrating this thanksgiving Peace Advocates Zamboanga event. and Ateneo de Zamboanga 6
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Community Workers’ Peace Lens Enhanced
Bong Jovita Twenty eight community workers underwent a Training Workshop on Peace Sensitive Community Development Planning and Social Mobilization last August 28 to September 1, 2009 at the Pamulaan Center for IP Education in Davao City.
The training was part of a series of capacity building activities organized by PEACEPATHS for its local partners. It was designed to equip the participants with basic knowledge and skills on participatory resource appraisal, community development planning, community peace dialogue and community organizing in the context of promoting peace and conflict sensitive development in conflict vulnerable communities. This activity made the participants realize the importance of understanding conflict realities, and the need to build on existing peace resources in the communities.
Marilog Folks Mapped Out Their 4 C’s Mila Chavez, IPHC
The Institute of Primary Health Care-Davao Medical School Foundation with the support of Assisi Development Foundation facilitated two batches of culture mapping workshops in Barangay Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City last October 30-31 & Nov 23 -24, 2009. The workshops provided a venue for 62 representatives of the IPs & other sectoral groups to map out their current realities, culture and traditions, conflict and peace concerns, and community vision. As a result of the workshop, the participants realized that “Pagtoo, Panlantaw, Pamatasan” are the foundation of their culture and practices, and are important references in looking back at their past and in shaping their future. Based on their realizations, they created a drawing of their community vision. Follow-up workshops were conducted in December 2009 to formulate Community Development Plans that are geared towards the achievement of the community vision. 7
PEACEPATHS August to December 2009 Vol 2. No. 2
Reflections on the Maguindanao Massacre The following statement was prepared as result of the reflection session of Muslim participants of the Journey for Peace in Zamboanga City last December 1-5, 2009. It was originally written in Tausug by Muddazer Hailanie in behalf of the Muslim participants, and was translated in English by Bong Jovita.
“La ilaha Ila Allah La Hawla Wala Quwata Illah” All of us, Muslims are brothers and sisters who believe in God who is the creator of all and the most powerful. No one has the right to take another person’s life except Him. Islam is a religion of peace, we are taught to protect and preserve life, not to take it away. There is no place for terrorism in Islam. The massacre in Maguindanao should not be treated within the religious perspective. It can be placed within the context of a clan conflict or “Rido” between two political families. The perpetrators were blinded by their greed for political power that in the process of protecting their interests, they set aside the Islamic teaching of settling conflict in a peaceful way through “musyawarah” (consultation and dialogue). In a higher order, it was an issue of a system of injustice that is prevailing in Maguindanao in particular and in the entire Philippine society in general. In our view, it was a message from Allah to remind us that injustice and the culture of terrorism will not prevail. It showed us the reality that the culture of injustice if not addressed will lead to more killings and massacres, not only in Maguindanao or ARMM but in the entire country. The incident should liberate those people who are under the rule of terrorism and injustice. And we cannot worship power and riches, but only Allah... Hence, we are calling all, Muslims, Christians and other faith groups, to: • Condemn this barbaric act of a few, and to continue to pray for peace. • Oust those who have committed abuses of authority. • Help in establishing a culture of justice in Mindanao.
The PEACEPATHS is a biannual publication of the ADF-PEACEPATHS Program. It serves as a venue for the different communities to share the developments of their programs as well as on their experiences and insights in promoting peace and development among the tri-people of Mindanao for inquiries, you may contact:
Pablo Rey Pio D. Fuentes
• Keep the peace in Mindanao.
Program Manager
Ferdinand G. Jovita Program Coordinator
All of these, we pray to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Beneficent, the Merciful, Owner of the Day of Judgment to guide us on the straight path.
Rene G. Higia
Program Officer
Rosalyn T. Lantong Volunteer
Assisi Development Foundation, Inc.
wishes to thank:
Units 503-506 Prestige Tower F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center Pasig City Philippines. Tel. No. (+632) 632-1001 to 03 Fax No. (+632) 632-7844 Visit www.assisi-foundation.org
...Local partners, Church partners, Bangsamoro partners, Community partners and People’s organizations