Reflections of
Partner-Communities
On Their Journey with Us, Balay Mindanaw Family
Presented by Kaka J. Bag-ao during the 10th year anniversary
conference of the Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs
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| Atty. Kaka Bag-ao |
Telling our story is not complete if seen only from our perspective. We might be losing sight of the forest simply because we are so focused on the trees. So we searched for further insights to shed more light as we recount our life story. We went back to the communities that we have worked with for the last 10 years, knowing that only their wisdom can complete this phase of our journey. We conducted several community consultations that guided us in our own reflection process.
They said this is not only ours but also their story and telling it from their viewpoint also allows them to deepen their reflection of their own struggles and victories.
We had conversations with them. We talked about our partnership and how Balay Mindanaw contributed to the realization of their efforts towards improving the quality of their lives. The partnership was not built easily, it was and will always be filled with challenges but every step was worthwhile.
They began by identifying what for them are the most important interventions of Balay Mindanaw, which refers to BMFI, BDSI, RCED and BALAOD, in the last 10 years.
Significantly, the partner communities affirmed that the interventions were truly SIAD (Sustainable Integrated Area Development). Interventions were not limited to a particular development area but the efforts through the years had put emphasis on the different aspects of the lives of the communities that Balay Mindanaw worked with.
Ensuring strong community based organizations by enhancing their participation in decision-making processes that include:
Strengthening of Peoples’ Organizations (IP, women, farmers, and other basic sectors); Leadership Trainings; Financial Planning; Simplified Bookkeeping Training; Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM & E); Savings Mobilization; Organization Management and enhancement; Community Advocates Formation; Local Community Organizer’s Formation; Training & Seminar on Finance and Culture; Local Farm Tech Formation Program; Paralegal Formation Program; Community Based Legal Resource Institution (CBLRI) Building
at the same time, contributing to the institutionalization of mechanisms for good and participatory governance, believing that the government is not monolithic, such as:
Enhancement of people’s participation through democratic participation in Governance; Barangay Development Council (BDC) strengthening; Local Governance Seminar; Barangay Development Plan Formulation through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA-BDP); Conduct of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Training; Disaster Management & Preparedness Planning; Barangay Justice System Development
became the foundation for a dynamic interaction among different stakeholders in community development.
But Balay Mindanaw did not stop there. Building a dynamic relationship between the self-help organizations and the local governments down to its most basic unit, which is the barangay, also required that they remain responsive to issues that affect their development initiatives. Several programs were also directed at shaping and reshaping policies that will create a favorable environment for the development of these communities, and these were recognized by the partners as significant, such as:
Policy Reform and Advocacy; VAWC Programs; Human Rights Advocacy; involving community leaders in the GRP-RPMM community consultation; Peace Building Programs; Assistance to Misamis Oriental Eastern Towns (MISORET) Peace Zone Project; Localization of Federalism Advocacy; Anti-mining Fora
Like all capacity-building interventions, however effective they may be, community actions can be more sustainable if they are also economically empowered, and for the partner-communities, there is a significant recognition for Balay Mindanaw’s contribution to their economic development, among these are:
Tropical Fruits and Root Crops Trading; Meat Processing; Vegetable Production; Banana Chips Production; Fish Marketing; 2 units grass-cutter project; Cattle Dispersal Project; Livelihood Support Program; Lawi Development and Marketing; Dressmaking Programs; Broom Production; Micro-Lending Trainings; Food Processing Trainings; Goat Dispersal Projects; Broiler Growership; Abaca Trading; Agri-Environment Development; Corn Sheller Project; Nursery Establishments
For Balay Mindanaw, these interventions were not enough. Communities may have the capacity to realize their full potentials, but they must be able to bring their products to the market, or ensure that there is a market to bring their products to. Families conscious of health and hygiene must have water to drink or health centers to bring their children who get sick. These efforts did not go unnoticed by communities. They shared that Balay Mindanaw contributed in the construction of basic infrastructure projects such as:
Barangay Market; Barangay Outpost and Barangay Hall Construction; Potable Water System Development; Mini-Irrigation; Farm to Market Road; Improvement of Multi-Purpose Building; Solar Dryer; Health Center; Construction of Community Peace Centers (Balay Claveria, Tabok Community Center and Tulugans in Kalagonoy, Madaguing & Sangalan)
All of these interventions were not done simply. Processes promoting participation and self-reliance were integral to every development initiatives. These processes however are not simply methods of learning. Basic and important guiding principles were incorporated in the programs and projects that were implemented.
For the communities that we in Balay Mindanaw worked with, the SIAD approach was a very effective tool for development. For them, SIAD promoted not only a stable partnership between the POs, the NGOs and the government in a particular territory, it also promoted a multi-sectoral approach to confronting issues encompassing those that affect farmers, women, fisherfolks, indigenous peoples and peace building.
Strengthening barangay governance ensured that mechanisms for people’s participation are established and that the barangay take responsibility in realizing its development plans. These were done through:
Coordination w/ Barangay LGUs; Partnership agreement w/ terms of reference; Plans and activities were based on the BDP; BDPs were formulated through participatory rural appraisal; Conduct of public hearings on various topics in the barangay; Public consultations and discussions with the members of the BDC; Barangay Peace & Development Planning; Barangay Development Revolving Funds (BDRF) utilization
There were several principles that the partners think were crucial to guarantee that the capacities that were developed will redound to the benefit of the over-all development of the community and for them are also part of their empowerment. These are:
Participation by community folks in planning and decision making at all levels of governance work; Bayanihan system; Mechanized counterparting system on the part of the LGU and POs; Reflow utilization
The programs and projects were also implemented through methodologies that highlight the primary role of the self-help organizations and community folks working in partnership with barangay leaders in promoting their development agenda. They have identified the following to be very effective:
Trainings and Seminars including Conduct of Peace Courses in the communities, POs and LCEs; Paralegal cliniques/ training, seminars and thematic sessions on laws, policies and other legal and metalegal tactics; Educational tour and site visits; Fora and dialogues with line agencies; Conduct of VAWC trainings for the communities, POs and LGUs; Lobbying before line agencies and LGUs; Local Peace Consultations; Public fora
In our conversations with them, we asked what they consider to be achievements or victories, however small, in their partnership with the organizations involved in Balay Mindanaw. We asked what they consider to be significant changes that contributed to the improvement of their lives. Their response humbled us for they articulated in great detail changes that they consider as their victories and recognizing that Balay Mindanaw played a big part in it.
The successes and victories for them can be seen at different levels of their being persons, being members of a group, and being members of a community. These successes also include significant changes that contributed to a more effective governance system.
On a personal level, they consider to be victories the following:
Enhanced self awareness; raised political and social consciousness; increased self-confidence, increased awareness on gender and domestic violence and peace building initiatives; Empowered paralegals with adequate knowledge and skills
At the level of organizations and self-help groups, the following were considered as gains, achievements, and victories that they have realized.
Formed several community-based peoples organizations on various sectors such as farmers, fisherfolks, women, IPs, and youth; Established and formed Community based legal resource institutions (CBLRI) in the barangay; Established legal resource centers in the barangay level; Empowered POs and Communities; Developed social and political awareness among the POs; Developed strong public participation from the POs; Developed stronger sense of community participation and involvement; Developed sustainability mechanisms among the communities and POs
They have also recognized that there were significant victories in terms of economic development, such as:
Increased income sources; Lessen economic crisis; Diversified sources of income; Development of livelihood programs; Increased knowledge and skills on farm techniques and technology; Enhanced agricultural production
Equally important for them is the realization of the creation of an environment for a more effective and responsive governance. Institutionalizing positive changes in the structures of government that allows people to be at the forefront of development initiatives are valued as important and essential for our partner-communities. They have articulated the following to be of great consequence:
Strengthened Local Government Units; LGUs formulated their respective BDP; Complementation of development efforts; Provided a venue to discuss and settle issues and problems in the communities; Increased knowledge capability and skills among communities, POs and LGU officials; Active and involved barangay officials; Lupon, BARC and POs gained credibility and respect from the people; Increased income of the barangay
As to ensuring access, use and protection of resources and access to justice by the poor and marginalized, our partner-communities have considered the following to be victories in their partnership with Balay Mindanaw. These are:
Local Farmer Technicians (LFT) helped in safeguarding the natural resources through the use of organic materials; Resolution of Resource Tenure Improvement and other Access to Justice Issues (RTI/OJ); Resolution of cases in courts; CARP coverage of huge landholdings; Conflict resolution through peaceful means; Conducted stakeholders forum (Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Upi, Zamboanga del Norte); Facilitated signing of cessation of hostilities bet. GRP-RPMM; Heightened political, social and cultural awareness
Similarly, giving importance to basic infrastructure as critical elements to the success of any development interventions, they have identified the following as gains:
Construction of important barangay infrastructures such as the barangay market and barangay halls; Availability of potable water which lessened the burden of the people; Availability of a dryer for corn; Development of health centers in the barangay with adequate medicines and other provisions; Provided comfort to the barangay health workers (BHW) and Midwife
As established in the beginning of this narrative, building partnerships and achieving victories, big or small is and will always be filled with challenges. It is understood and is never neglected both by us and our partner communities. So aside from collecting success stories and recounting victories, our conversation also went into identifying challenges that we will meet along the way as we continue our journey.
They have expressed the desire to strengthen their partnership with us in Balay Mindanaw. However, they were also aware of certain situations that need to be addressed or sustained. Among them are:
On Balay Mindanaw’s continued partnership with self-help groups and peoples’ organizations in the barangay:
Replication of Initiative; Continuation of BMG agenda in the barangay; How to manage BMG development initiatives and efforts in a manner that it would not be a “threat” to the development efforts of the LGUs, or as a “competition” to other groups, but rather a more strengthened complementation and partnership of development efforts; How to integrate PEACE efforts in the communities; Determination of the poorest of the poor in the communities and sustaining partnership activities with them; Continuation and expansion of community development trainings; Identify and train second liners
Regarding strengthening of participatory and effective barangay governance and local policy development:
Continuation of the implementation of the 5 year BDP of the LGU; Strengthening of alliances and networking with other agencies; Expansion of PRA-BDP to other barangays
As to sustaining economic development, our partners are very mindful of the following challenges:
Development and sustainability of livelihood projects; Continued activities in support to small projects; Development of other sources of livelihood; Implementation of a more Comprehensive Social Enterprise Development interventions; Mainstreaming and development of more effective farm techniques and technology; Develop projects on LFT, especially on goat care and corn breeding; Increase prices of farm products; Sustainable farming; Implementation of support services to the farmers; Lack of substantial facilities to implement barangay projects
As to access to justice, tenurial security and peace building, our partners still consider the following to be present in their respective areas, thus posing as a challenge to intensify initiatives toward the following:
Fast track the CARP coverage and distribution of big landholdings; Installation of Farmer Beneficiaries; CADC/CADT acquisition; Cancellation of expired pasture lease agreement (PLA) for distribution to landless farmers; Establishment of additional Community Peace Centers; Integration of peace building initiatives in the community level, especially on those who oppose peace building efforts in their communities; Management of unresolved conflicts among members of POs and other organizations; Expansion of local peace consultations to other areas; Continuous opposition to mining expansion, especially in BMG areas; Need for a more extensive campaign plan on mining
This time, our partner-communities knew too well that identifying challenges in the pursuit of equity, development and peace is one thing, identifying strategies to resolve them, which is imperative, is another. They have left us and their respective groups with handles that will guide all of us in building more blocks to realize our dreams --- dreams that are not written on clouds but are rooted on the aspirations of peoples that have long desired for a better future for their children. Some of them are as follows:
On sustaining institutionalization of effective governance mechanisms:
Develop an effective monitoring system on the implementation of the BDC, MDC, PDC, etc; Systematize information, documentation and data banking; Transparency of programs and projects; Cooperative/coordinated efforts among LGU, Barangays, PO, BM, and other line agencies; Strong partnerships with Local Government Units; Develop Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms; Organize Barangay Human Rights Action Officer (BHRAO); Maximize other resources to fund barangay projects; Develop fund sourcing skills for barangay officials
On continued strengthening of self-help organizations and people’s organizations working in partnership with LGUs as the key stakeholders in community development:
Develop and maximize the collective efforts of the communities; identify sustainability efforts and initiatives among the paralegals, communities and POs; Community Advocates to be incorporated in the structure of the barangay; Expansion of training for community advocates; Systematized coordination mechanisms and regular updating of every advocate/paralegals in order to improve mobility structures; Regular updating of Community Advocates, especially on training and information
On ensuring sustained economic development:
Resource mobilization; Project proposal and linkage to funding institution for livelihood assistance; Nursery development; Training development in other countries with effective farm technologies (i.e. Japan)
On access to resources, access to justice and national policy advocacy:
Continue and develop the implementation of paralegal formation program to properly and speedily resolve RTI/OJ issues; Continue the campaign on genuine agrarian reform; Maximize the LGUs and POs in opposing the entry of mining activities and applications in the area through the passage of local legislative policies; Maximize community; involvement in the campaign against mining; Building partnerships with other like minded-groups; Involvement of the community on the issues on policy advocacy; Integration of the media in the policy advocacies of BMG
On peace building:
Sharing of knowledge and processes on community development through peace building initiatives; Establishment of a committee to facilitate conciliation and mediation processes; Trainings and research projects on conflicts resolution/ transformation; Define clearly the roles of the member organizations in peace building strategies in order to effectively implement the peace building efforts in the communities
We are certain there are more stories behind every story that was told. What our partner communities shared with us have filled us with great inspiration and have strengthened our commitment to continue our journey with them as well as with other communities that we will be journeying with in the future.
As we pursue our dreams, we know that the road will not only be filled with hundreds of flowers that bloom. There will be thorns, rocks, and cracks on the road. We will be committing mistakes, some could be painful. But we say we will be fine because we know our roots will not leave us. Their struggles will continue to inspire us. From our bottom of our hearts, we continue to thank them for continuously believing in their strength and for reminding us always to keep our bearing lest we forget that our task is to help build empowered communities towards a dream of equity, development and peace in Mindanaw, in the Philippines and in the world.
In the meantime, on this very day, our 10th year anniversary, we shall pause, take a bow and relish this moment, for today we will celebrate our victories, however small others may see it. For us, this is big time, and with all humility, we would like to share them with you.
Thank you and good morning.