Showing newest posts with label Community Stories. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label Community Stories. Show older posts
Massive military operations have forced the evacuation of 281 families with 1,659 individuals from 14 communities in the municipalities of Lianga and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. Students and staff from the Alternative Learning System for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) and Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur have also been forced to evacuate. Classes have been suspended.
Two battalions from the 36th and 58th brigades of the Philippine Army arrived in Lianga and San Agustin on July 13 and have been living inside the communities of Kilometer 16 and Han-ayan. In Kilometer 9, they are even staying inside people’s houses.
ALCADEV teacher Jerume Loquite was prevented from bringing four sacks of rice to the ALCADEV students. The commanding officer at the Sammilia checkpoint, Col. Pedralves, told him that he did not believe that there were any students at the school.
People of the community called for a dialogue with the military in order to appeal for peace and to ask the military to leave the area. But the military refused to leave. They said that they were part of a research team for peace and development that had come to evaluate communities for possible projects.
As a result, the community decided to leave their villages if the military insisted on staying. They did not want to get caught in military operations. Together with ALCADEV and TRIFPSS students and staff, they walked for seven hours from Han-ayan to the municipal gym in Lianga. They joined 48 families from the community of Logdeck, who have been displaced for a month as a result of military operations in their area.
This is the third time in five years that an evacuation has occurred. There were previous evacuations in 2005 and 2007. Militarization is a perennial problem in the area. When soldiers enter a community and visit people’s houses, the people become too scared to farm. There is also forced recruitment of the lumads into bagani force as part of the province-wide Task Force Gantangan.
The evacuees say that they need food, and eventually, medicine, if the evacuation continues to last. Water supplies are low and there is a lack of latrines. There are no beds and some people do not even have mats to lie on.
“The military should respect our culture and recognize our efforts at building a sustainable and secure economy,” says Jose* a member of the organization Malahutayong Pagkibisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU).
After every evacuation, the people must start their livelihoods again. As a result, there is little development.
MAPASU member Jean* says that if the military insists on working in the mountain communities, they should not operate in the communities but in the mountains. Community members add that the military should stop forcing lumads to join the bagani force.
All of the evacuees hope to return home soon.
*Names have been changed to protect the people’s identities
Prepared by:
Research and Documentation Desk
Social Action Center, Diocese of Tandag
Two battalions from the 36th and 58th brigades of the Philippine Army arrived in Lianga and San Agustin on July 13 and have been living inside the communities of Kilometer 16 and Han-ayan. In Kilometer 9, they are even staying inside people’s houses.
ALCADEV teacher Jerume Loquite was prevented from bringing four sacks of rice to the ALCADEV students. The commanding officer at the Sammilia checkpoint, Col. Pedralves, told him that he did not believe that there were any students at the school.
People of the community called for a dialogue with the military in order to appeal for peace and to ask the military to leave the area. But the military refused to leave. They said that they were part of a research team for peace and development that had come to evaluate communities for possible projects.
As a result, the community decided to leave their villages if the military insisted on staying. They did not want to get caught in military operations. Together with ALCADEV and TRIFPSS students and staff, they walked for seven hours from Han-ayan to the municipal gym in Lianga. They joined 48 families from the community of Logdeck, who have been displaced for a month as a result of military operations in their area.
This is the third time in five years that an evacuation has occurred. There were previous evacuations in 2005 and 2007. Militarization is a perennial problem in the area. When soldiers enter a community and visit people’s houses, the people become too scared to farm. There is also forced recruitment of the lumads into bagani force as part of the province-wide Task Force Gantangan.
The evacuees say that they need food, and eventually, medicine, if the evacuation continues to last. Water supplies are low and there is a lack of latrines. There are no beds and some people do not even have mats to lie on.
“The military should respect our culture and recognize our efforts at building a sustainable and secure economy,” says Jose* a member of the organization Malahutayong Pagkibisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU).
After every evacuation, the people must start their livelihoods again. As a result, there is little development.
MAPASU member Jean* says that if the military insists on working in the mountain communities, they should not operate in the communities but in the mountains. Community members add that the military should stop forcing lumads to join the bagani force.
All of the evacuees hope to return home soon.
*Names have been changed to protect the people’s identities
Prepared by:
Research and Documentation Desk
Social Action Center, Diocese of Tandag
February 5, 2009
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office: Visayas Avenue,
Diliman, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Through: Honorable Secretary Jose “Lito” L. Atienza, Jr
Greetings in the name of justice and peace!
Today is the eighth day of the human barricade of the 400 tribesmen of the Mamanwa community along the highway of Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.
With them, we appeal to your good office for the fulfillment of their right to the one percent royalty of the gross output of the mining operations of the 3 companies (Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation (OSMC), Case Mining Company and Platinum Group Mining Company (PGMC)) operating in their 48,678 hectares ancestral lands.
We support them in their peaceful effort to fight for their rights as a people whose lives were very much affected by the operations of these mining firms, one even as early as 1960’s. We grieve that these people had to resort to this difficult means of protest which they consider their last resort in making their voices heard.
We condemn the fact that they were allegedly not properly informed of their rights based on the IPRA Law when they signed the Memorandum of Agreement with TMC entitling them to only P500,000 a year as “financial assistance”, when the one percent provision under the law is the minimum benefit that they should get.
We express our concern about the 5 members who were reported missing after they voluntarily returned to their camote farms to look for food for their fellow protesters. We feel for the community especially for their respective families.
We quote from the words of the tribe’s chieftain, “….we know how the justice system here favor the rich and the mighty.” May this be a challenge for us to prove that “justice for all” still reigns in our country.
We trust in the power of our liberating God that through your help, the long awaited justice be given to this people.
On behalf of the Social Action Center of Tandag Diocese,
Sr. Lydia L. Lascano, ICM
Social Action Directress
Diocese of Tandag
Surigao del Sure
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office: Visayas Avenue,
Diliman, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Through: Honorable Secretary Jose “Lito” L. Atienza, Jr
Greetings in the name of justice and peace!
Today is the eighth day of the human barricade of the 400 tribesmen of the Mamanwa community along the highway of Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.
With them, we appeal to your good office for the fulfillment of their right to the one percent royalty of the gross output of the mining operations of the 3 companies (Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation (OSMC), Case Mining Company and Platinum Group Mining Company (PGMC)) operating in their 48,678 hectares ancestral lands.
We support them in their peaceful effort to fight for their rights as a people whose lives were very much affected by the operations of these mining firms, one even as early as 1960’s. We grieve that these people had to resort to this difficult means of protest which they consider their last resort in making their voices heard.
We condemn the fact that they were allegedly not properly informed of their rights based on the IPRA Law when they signed the Memorandum of Agreement with TMC entitling them to only P500,000 a year as “financial assistance”, when the one percent provision under the law is the minimum benefit that they should get.
We express our concern about the 5 members who were reported missing after they voluntarily returned to their camote farms to look for food for their fellow protesters. We feel for the community especially for their respective families.
We quote from the words of the tribe’s chieftain, “….we know how the justice system here favor the rich and the mighty.” May this be a challenge for us to prove that “justice for all” still reigns in our country.
We trust in the power of our liberating God that through your help, the long awaited justice be given to this people.
On behalf of the Social Action Center of Tandag Diocese,
Sr. Lydia L. Lascano, ICM
Social Action Directress
Diocese of Tandag
Surigao del Sure
Barangay Carupay is reached through a 42 kilometer ride going to barangay dabiak and from there, it is a 12 kilometer walk going to the center of the barangay. If one is lucky and brave motorcycle drivers are available, you can be spared of the 12 kilometer walk. Going there is an exciting ride maneuvering above mountain tops, dilapidated almost unpassable steep roads. It is a breathtaking ride.
It is a remote barangay of the Municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte with 274 households and with 1,792 population. It has a land area of 1,600 hectares with farming as the people’s major source of income. Barangay Carupay is a subanen community.
The barangay has a history of armed conflict between communist rebels. Esmeraldo Tomas, the PO Chairperson, still remembers vividly their horrific experience, of their houses being burned down in 1986, of human rights abuses and of how they left their farmlands and homes as they evacuated in a safe place.
He confesses that when the livelihood project funded by TAF came, they were very suspicious about it that they did not attend the project orientation. The livelihood project is facilitated by a local NGO, CONZARRD. Their community organizers admit that aside from the distance which they have to conquer they also encountered resistance from the communities. Athough they have gone through the proper protocols of having a courtesy call to the mayor and barangay captain, they still were hesitant to accept the project. This is the extent of their being suspicious brought about by a painful experience of armed conflict.
With persistence, they finally cooperated and have undergone a series of capability building seminars on handling or managing the project well. The livelihood project is not only anchored in the PO’s but the barangay local government also has its strong support.
As the Chairperson, Esmeraldo Tomas was impressed by the local consultations where they were the ones who identified their problems and proposed programs and projects to address it. In his words “Kay mas kabalo gyud mi sa among sitwasyon” (we know our situation better). The livelihood project really helped as most of the beneficiaries purchased horses and used them for transportation especially of farm products. Barangay Carupay is 12 kilometer walk from Barangay dabiak where they could transport their products through PUJ’s.
He said that it increased the income of the beneficiaries and were now able to buy clothes for themselves and their family. The high cost of transportation has been bothering them for years. Now, instead of paying for their transportation, they now have their own horse to carry them and their farm products to market.
Mr. Esmeraldo says that the people are very enthusiastic as to the prospects of the project. In the future, they are planning to extend it beyond livestock acquisition and extend it to crop loans which they say they also need. Slowly they are taking the reigns of development in their own hands, becoming the empowered sustainable communities they envision themselves to be.
It is a remote barangay of the Municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte with 274 households and with 1,792 population. It has a land area of 1,600 hectares with farming as the people’s major source of income. Barangay Carupay is a subanen community.The barangay has a history of armed conflict between communist rebels. Esmeraldo Tomas, the PO Chairperson, still remembers vividly their horrific experience, of their houses being burned down in 1986, of human rights abuses and of how they left their farmlands and homes as they evacuated in a safe place.
He confesses that when the livelihood project funded by TAF came, they were very suspicious about it that they did not attend the project orientation. The livelihood project is facilitated by a local NGO, CONZARRD. Their community organizers admit that aside from the distance which they have to conquer they also encountered resistance from the communities. Athough they have gone through the proper protocols of having a courtesy call to the mayor and barangay captain, they still were hesitant to accept the project. This is the extent of their being suspicious brought about by a painful experience of armed conflict.
With persistence, they finally cooperated and have undergone a series of capability building seminars on handling or managing the project well. The livelihood project is not only anchored in the PO’s but the barangay local government also has its strong support.
As the Chairperson, Esmeraldo Tomas was impressed by the local consultations where they were the ones who identified their problems and proposed programs and projects to address it. In his words “Kay mas kabalo gyud mi sa among sitwasyon” (we know our situation better). The livelihood project really helped as most of the beneficiaries purchased horses and used them for transportation especially of farm products. Barangay Carupay is 12 kilometer walk from Barangay dabiak where they could transport their products through PUJ’s.
He said that it increased the income of the beneficiaries and were now able to buy clothes for themselves and their family. The high cost of transportation has been bothering them for years. Now, instead of paying for their transportation, they now have their own horse to carry them and their farm products to market.
Mr. Esmeraldo says that the people are very enthusiastic as to the prospects of the project. In the future, they are planning to extend it beyond livestock acquisition and extend it to crop loans which they say they also need. Slowly they are taking the reigns of development in their own hands, becoming the empowered sustainable communities they envision themselves to be.
Like most of the hinterland barangays of Mindanao, barangay miatan was once a haven of violent armed conflicts. Stories of communities sandwiched between forces of the Military and the rebels, stories of abuse and fear. This is what Mr. Bonifacio Cabasag, the barangay Captain of Miatan told us. He is glad those horrific times were over and have become nothing more than grim memories.
Miatan is a 1,000 hectare barangay of the Municipality of Katipunan which is part of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Located deep into the mountains, a river welcomes you as you enter the place with a hanging bridge suspended over it. It is passable only by people and with motorcycle, any four wheeled vehicle has to pass right through the river.
In 2003, the GRP-RPM-M Peace process begun and one of its unique features is the local peace consultations. Barangay Miatan was one of those identified to go through the process. The local peace consultations are where communities identify problems and the same time identify solutions. The main objective of the process is to have empowered sustainable communities. In these consultations most if not all of the barangays always identify livelihood projects in addressing the need to increase income of the families. These livestocks are an added income and security of families in times of need.
Barangay Captain Bonifacio Cabasag said that one of the problems in their barangay is the lack of access to capital. There are loan sharks however who charge high interest to those that avail them, resulting to people drowning in debt. He said that the livelihood project which is funded by The Asia Foundaiton was well received by the community and there were very happy about it. Through the project, people were able to avail of livestock like chicken, goats and pigs which if not for the project, they would have difficulty availing.
What is more advantageous to them, he says, is that a local Peoples Organization is the one that manages the livelihood project and the small earnings from the 2% interest goes back to the community. These processes have given people the confidence that they could manage and implement projects arising from their initiatives. This confidence is necessary for empowerment.
The people’s organization, Barangay Miatan Livelihood Association, has been eager to learn all that is needed in project management, attending seminars and capability building activities. They are also represented in their Barangay Development Council and has established good relations with the barangay local government unit.
These are but bits and pieces of the thousands of stories from the GRP-RPMM peace process. Stories of communities struggling for development, families struggling everyday to have food on the table, farmers attending to their farms, children walking kilometers to go through school, horses carrying farm products to the market. The GRP-RPM-M Story has gone beyond the story of the two panels agreeing and disagreeing, it has become also a story of the people’s struggle, expectations, gratitude and hope. Some good things have come into their abrnagay because of the process but more is still being expected. The livelihood project is one of those small victories unseen by the public eye.
Miatan is a 1,000 hectare barangay of the Municipality of Katipunan which is part of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Located deep into the mountains, a river welcomes you as you enter the place with a hanging bridge suspended over it. It is passable only by people and with motorcycle, any four wheeled vehicle has to pass right through the river.In 2003, the GRP-RPM-M Peace process begun and one of its unique features is the local peace consultations. Barangay Miatan was one of those identified to go through the process. The local peace consultations are where communities identify problems and the same time identify solutions. The main objective of the process is to have empowered sustainable communities. In these consultations most if not all of the barangays always identify livelihood projects in addressing the need to increase income of the families. These livestocks are an added income and security of families in times of need.
Barangay Captain Bonifacio Cabasag said that one of the problems in their barangay is the lack of access to capital. There are loan sharks however who charge high interest to those that avail them, resulting to people drowning in debt. He said that the livelihood project which is funded by The Asia Foundaiton was well received by the community and there were very happy about it. Through the project, people were able to avail of livestock like chicken, goats and pigs which if not for the project, they would have difficulty availing.
What is more advantageous to them, he says, is that a local Peoples Organization is the one that manages the livelihood project and the small earnings from the 2% interest goes back to the community. These processes have given people the confidence that they could manage and implement projects arising from their initiatives. This confidence is necessary for empowerment.
The people’s organization, Barangay Miatan Livelihood Association, has been eager to learn all that is needed in project management, attending seminars and capability building activities. They are also represented in their Barangay Development Council and has established good relations with the barangay local government unit.
These are but bits and pieces of the thousands of stories from the GRP-RPMM peace process. Stories of communities struggling for development, families struggling everyday to have food on the table, farmers attending to their farms, children walking kilometers to go through school, horses carrying farm products to the market. The GRP-RPM-M Story has gone beyond the story of the two panels agreeing and disagreeing, it has become also a story of the people’s struggle, expectations, gratitude and hope. Some good things have come into their abrnagay because of the process but more is still being expected. The livelihood project is one of those small victories unseen by the public eye.
People empowerment starts with people believing and gaining confidence in themselves.
One of the unique features of the Peace process between the GRP and the RPMM is its inclusive and consultative nature. While the formal peace talks between the panels are being done, local peace consultations are conducted with the communities.
The local peace consultations are where communities identify problems and at the same time identify solutions. The main objective in the process are empowered sustainable communities. In these consultations most if not all of the barangays always identify livelihood projects in addressing the need to increase income of the families.
The Asia Foundation is one of those organizations who answered the call to journey with the process. TAF provides start up capital to People’s organizations in the barangays, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. CONZARRD the implementing NGO for the TAF projects says that beside the distance that they have to conquer, they also had some resistance from the communities of the project.
Like most of the communities who have experienced violent conflicts before, they are already suspicious. Barangay’s like Miatan and Carupay are one such barangays. Though the Community organizers of CONZARD have already done the protocol of doing courtesy calls to the mayor, the communities were hesitant at first, memories of conflict between the military and the NPA in the 80’s and 90’s come to their mind.
With persistence, they finally cooperated and have undergone a series of capability building seminars on handling or managing the project well. The livelihood project is not only anchored in the PO’s but the barangay local government also has its strong support. Barangay Captain Bonifacio Cabasag of Miatan said that it really helped his constituents in having access to capital and acquire livestocks such as goats chicken and sows. What is also important he says is that the PO’s are the one managing the project, giving people the confidence to stand on their own.
Esmeraldo Tomas, PO chairperson of Barangay Carupay, said they are very enthusiastic about the prospects of their project. Barangay Carupay is a subanen community and is about 40 kilometers from the national highway going up to the hinterlands. Most of the beneficiaries preferred to have horses which esmeraldo says helped them a lot in transporting their farm products. The road going to the barangay is really dilapidated and is inaccessible to Public utility vehicles.
The barangay is also under threat to mining companies. TVI or Toronto ventures incorporated have been visiting barangays, since these areas are positive with gold. One such barangay they have visited is barangay Miatan, luring barangay officials with money but the barangay captain resisted knowing the effects and what mining can do to the barangay. Farming being the major source of income would be gone. These are but some signs of empowerment.
With the peace process, they said that their barangay have become peaceful, no more military operations and armed encounters. While the journey towards peace is but long and arduous, communities are beginning that journey.
The livelihood project of TAF complements projects from other stakeholders, like the Kalahi-cidds of DSWD which implemented a hanging bridge and road gravelling of barangays miatan and carupay respectively. The building blocks of peace are there, we just have to continue building.
One of the unique features of the Peace process between the GRP and the RPMM is its inclusive and consultative nature. While the formal peace talks between the panels are being done, local peace consultations are conducted with the communities.
The local peace consultations are where communities identify problems and at the same time identify solutions. The main objective in the process are empowered sustainable communities. In these consultations most if not all of the barangays always identify livelihood projects in addressing the need to increase income of the families.
The Asia Foundation is one of those organizations who answered the call to journey with the process. TAF provides start up capital to People’s organizations in the barangays, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. CONZARRD the implementing NGO for the TAF projects says that beside the distance that they have to conquer, they also had some resistance from the communities of the project.
Like most of the communities who have experienced violent conflicts before, they are already suspicious. Barangay’s like Miatan and Carupay are one such barangays. Though the Community organizers of CONZARD have already done the protocol of doing courtesy calls to the mayor, the communities were hesitant at first, memories of conflict between the military and the NPA in the 80’s and 90’s come to their mind.
With persistence, they finally cooperated and have undergone a series of capability building seminars on handling or managing the project well. The livelihood project is not only anchored in the PO’s but the barangay local government also has its strong support. Barangay Captain Bonifacio Cabasag of Miatan said that it really helped his constituents in having access to capital and acquire livestocks such as goats chicken and sows. What is also important he says is that the PO’s are the one managing the project, giving people the confidence to stand on their own.
Esmeraldo Tomas, PO chairperson of Barangay Carupay, said they are very enthusiastic about the prospects of their project. Barangay Carupay is a subanen community and is about 40 kilometers from the national highway going up to the hinterlands. Most of the beneficiaries preferred to have horses which esmeraldo says helped them a lot in transporting their farm products. The road going to the barangay is really dilapidated and is inaccessible to Public utility vehicles.
The barangay is also under threat to mining companies. TVI or Toronto ventures incorporated have been visiting barangays, since these areas are positive with gold. One such barangay they have visited is barangay Miatan, luring barangay officials with money but the barangay captain resisted knowing the effects and what mining can do to the barangay. Farming being the major source of income would be gone. These are but some signs of empowerment.
With the peace process, they said that their barangay have become peaceful, no more military operations and armed encounters. While the journey towards peace is but long and arduous, communities are beginning that journey.
The livelihood project of TAF complements projects from other stakeholders, like the Kalahi-cidds of DSWD which implemented a hanging bridge and road gravelling of barangays miatan and carupay respectively. The building blocks of peace are there, we just have to continue building.
