phils 2004 report - The Samdhana Institute

ENGAGING OUR
COMMUNITY
The Phlippine Stories
2004
Samdhana
Samdhana, whose name comes from the Sanskrit
nonprofit organization based in the Philippines. A
group of individuals who have dedicated their ca
The Fellows include planners, builders, policy and
activists whose work spans Southeast Asia.
Samdhana is also the new Southeast Asia
member of the Greengrants Alliance of Funds,
in which capacity it administers its own
grantmaking and fundraising programs.
The GGF Southeast Asia Advisory Board
now merges with Samdhana to provide
support to partners in Philippines, Indonesia,
East Timor as well as the Mekong region.
“We at Samdhana have received a lot of support
from Greengrants, particularly institutional support.
We see it as a partnership among equals, with each
of us bringing different skills to the table.
photo credits:http://www.filemagazine.com/thecollection/archiv
t word means a “peaceful coming together” , is a
t the Institute’s core are the Samdhana fellows, a
reers and lives to equitable development practices.
d lawmakers, economists, farmers, researchers and
“We created Samdhana to provide space and support for fellows
to do what they do best in the field of environmental justice”.
ves/2004/09/together.html
Our contributions to the partnership with Global
Greengrants include the “chain of trust” we have
established, through our fellows and contacts, to our
grantees. This increases accountability and the quality
of reporting, by having the grant linked to people we
know and trust”.
Chip Fay
Executive Director of
The Samdhana Institute
In the Philippines, 11 communities are
able to avail of the assistance which
Samdhana has provided. Thru the Small
Grants Program
Program, Samdhana are able to
fund grassroots initiatives up to approximately
$5000 US. Grant focus on equitable access
and control over natural resources
and this is their stories . . . .
TRENDS IN THE PHILIPPINE
ENVIRONMENT
The economic and socio-political crisis extends to
the natural bounty of the archipelago, which is
rapidly being devastated. Through time, various forms
of environmental problems have mounted into unmanageable proportion. Among these are massive
deforestation, pervasive and health-impairing pollution,
indiscriminate discharging of mine tailings and other
pollutants into the rivers and lakes, coastal and
marine ecosystems destruction, massive pesticide
poisonings, degradation and erosion of agricultural
lands, siltation of rivers and farmlands, salt water
intrusion into aquifers, loss of biodiversity, and others
(Republic of the Philippines, 1997).
The country’s 16 million hectares of forests are
reduced to 700,000 hectares which is now at risk
due to indiscriminate mining activities, geothermal
exploration, dam construction and land conversion
projects.
With deforestation rate
of 1,900 hectares a day,
it is expected that the
Philippine forests will be
completely denuded by
2025. In fact, the IBON
Foundation reported that
the Philippine forests
have been steadily
shrinking at an average
rate of 2% per year
and now cover a mere
18.6% of the country’s
PHOTO: http://www.gbgmtotal land area.
umc.org/Bryantville/rainforest.htm
The state of the Philippine environment
- similar to its current economic and
political conditions - is rapidly
developing into a crisis situation
Photo by
Hans Brandeis:
http://
aedv.cs.tuberlin.de/
~brandeis/Bilder/
baumtodl.jpg
http://www.dipolognon.com/dipolognonHeadline01012004.htm
Human greed, abuse and misuse of the
country’s natural resources have resulted in the
sad state of our environment and people.
The continuing onslaught of the country’s forest
cover and habitat also threatens its rich biodiversity.
The Philippines is one of the countries identified to
have the highest biodiversity loss rates among the
world’s biodiversity hotspots. Within a span of
only eight years, the country’s endangered species
have increased by 34%, that is, from 212 in 1990
to 284 in 1998.
The Sierra Madre is
the largest remaining
area of forest habitat in
the Philippines
PHOTO and CAPTION
http://cnn.com/2000/
NATURE/05/31/
philippines.forest
May 31, 2000
Findings from recent
biodiversity
assessment indicate
that existing
infrastructure −
roads, power and
energy, ports and
harbors and growth area − badly endangers
around 1.6 million ha of biodiversity-rich
ecosystems.
About 20 million people are now residing
in the upland areas including the Indigenous
Peoples. Most of them depend on upland
resources for livelihood but the conversion of
uplands into industrial, agricultural and residential
areas is on the rise. The state’s backward
policy in resource utlization and iniquitous sharing
arrangements contributes to the widespread poverty
and limited livelihood opportunities of many of
the Filipino people.
Generally, landlords remain in control
over vast tracts of land while big
businesses, both local and transnational,
continue to consolidate their own large
holdings.
Davco Inc. bribe the politicians and police to allow them to drive the
residents out of their lands and into poverty; [Davco Inc.] sell the
pineapples to Del Monte who sell globally to supermarkets
PHOTO and CAPTION: http://www.rf3000.org/activism.htm
PHOTO and CAPTION: Cordillera Peoples Alliance
http://www.cpaphils.org/gallery_d.htm
The San Roque
Dam has not
physically
displaced the
community itself,
but hundreds of
peasants are
bound to lose their
sources of
livelihood such as
gold panning,
fishing grounds,
pastureland,
orchards and
ricefields, as these
will soon be
inundated by the
dam reservoir’s
waters and buried
in silt due to the
sediment-control
checks dams built
along the Agno
River and its
tributaries.
San Roque protesters in
Baquio City, the Philippines,
on the International Day of
Action Against Dams,
March 1999.
Credit: Toots S., PDI
PHOTO and CAPTION:
http://www.irn.org/programs/
sanroque/index.shtml
“… We are systematically minoritized in
our land through the systematic ..
imposition of dominant political,
economic, cultural and religious system,
power and structures that uproots our
people from their land and communities
through ensuing conflict and even the
peaceful means through deceit and direct
occupation of our lands. We are
persistently discriminated with no
opportunity of just representation. This
prevailing situation manifests our people’s
oblivion and enslavements within our land
by the dominant forces”.
Excerpt from the verbatim translation of the original Bisayà version of
THE ERUMANEN NE MENUVÛ DECLARATION OF GOVERNANCE
Like the other forms of natural
resources, coastal and marine resources
are likewise deteriorating.
The same features of exploitation
characterize the fishing environment,
which provides food and livelihood to
majority of the fishers in the country.
The country’s coral reefs are
in poor situation with only 4.3%
in excellent condition.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR) reported 70% of the 34,000 square kilometers
of Philippine coral reef systems that serve as crucial
habitats for marine species are already dead (as of
1998).
Mangrove forests are
likewise vanishing
rapidly. Fifty-seven
percent (57%) of the
area has been lost in
the last 23 years
Mangrove areas, the
breeding ground for
fishes and other marine
species
have
significantly reduced
from 418,990 hectares to 139,735 hectares as a
result of land conversion ranging from commercial
fishponds, beach
resorts, residential
to industrial
estates. Mangrove
forests are also
cut for firewood
and construction
purposes.
Likewise, inland
lakes and rivers
throughout the country are not spared from environmental
destruction. Freshwater resources are degraded by
the same - over fishing, extensive fish pen
operations and unregulated discharge of urban and
industrial wastes. No wonder that out of the country’s
421 rivers, 50 of them were already declared biologically
dead in 1994 (CEC:1994).
Surface disposal dumping into Calancan Bay where
locals fear that the fish they eat is contaminated with
heavy metals from mine waste dumped into the bay by
Placer Dome Inc.
PHOTO and CAPTION:
http://www.probeinternational.org/probeint/Mining/Placerdome/intro.htm
The situation of the country’s marine resources is
reaching unsustainable level. They are destroyed by
the use of cyanide, dynamite fishing, industrial
pollution, dumping of domestic wastes and accumulation
of silts coming from denuded watershed areas.
Moreover, growing population and a rise in
export have increased pressure on marine
fisheries over the last 25 years. These
significantly reduced fish production which
serve as the main source of livelihood for
many poor coastal dwellers.
The development challenge of the current
scenario in the Philippines necessitates
initiatives that will address structural
inequities and erroneous policies that
have long bind many of the Filipinos to
a life of poverty and
injustice. Moreover, this cries
out for solid and viable
development and strategic
alternatives that are identified
and developed by the Filipino
people themselves - where
people would have access to
adequate and cheap food,
where people own the land
and other productive
resources and where the
rights of every individuals are
upheld and protected.
Higaunen mother and
children returning home
from their kaingin. They
rest for a while and watch
a young man who is
climbing in the trees cutting
rattan.
Sitio Iponan,
Balungkud, Dansulihon
Misamis Oriental.
January 6, 1983.
Photo and Caption by:
Hans Brandeis
http://aedv.cs.tu-berlin.de/~brandeis/Bilder/rattan2l.jpg
The merging of GGF Southeast Asia
Advisory Board and the Samdhana
Institute openend funding opportunities
to partners in Philippines, Indonesia,
East Timor as well as the Mekong
region. It provides small grants to fund
grassroots initiatives up to
approximately $5000 US.
Responding to the Challenge
“As a response, Global Greeengrants Fund
advisors from the Southeast Asia have created
Greengrants Alliance Funds: independent,
locally constituted and
governed grantmaking
organizations for
environmental justice... Our
grants offer hope and tap the
energy of communities where
other sources of support are
unavailable. There is no better
investment than supporting
passionate people with great
ideas”.
Thru the Small Grants Program of
Samdhana Institute in partnership with the
Global Greengrants Fund (GGF), 11 grassroots organizations from the Philippines are
able to initiate activities that generally aims
to strengthen their organization and their
advocacies.
advocacies..
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP TOWARDS
EFFECTIVE ECOSYSTEM-BASED NETWORK
MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED MARINE
PROTECTED AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Grant Number 50-363
It aimed at gathering together all elected members
of the National Council into a strategic planning
workshop in order to (1) formally update and keep
the new leadership on track with the current status
of operations and accomplishments of the Alliance
since its birth five years earlier, and (2) Level off
with the new leadership on the future direction of
Pamana towards ecosystem-based management
based on the context of community-based principles.
PAMANA KA SA PILIPINAS
(A Philippine Heritage)
Pambansang Alyansa ng Maliliit na Mangingisdang
Nangangalaga ng Karagatan at Sanktwaryo sa Pilipinas
Eighteen (18)
of the twentyone (21)
newly-elected
National Council officers and
members (or
85%) attended
the Strategic
Planning Workshop.
The Council
was also able
to share the
prevalent
LOCATION MAP OF PAMANA MEMBER SITES
issues and
concerns in the sites. The framework of network
management for protection of marine sanctuaries
at each ecosystem level is already incorporated in
the 5-year Strategic Plan under the Programs and
Services, as well as Systems and Procedures.
II. LOCATION MAP OF PAMANA MEMBER SITES
Strategic Bio-geographic Ecosystem
Chapters of Pamana Ka Sa Pilipinas
Luzon:
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Lingayen
en Gulf
, Pangasinan
Masinloc-Oyon Bay , Zambales
Balayan Bay
, Batangas
Tayabas Bay
, Marinduque
Ragay Gulf
, Quezon
Dibutt Bay
, Aurora
Honda Bay
, Pa
Palaw
lawan
Albay Gulf
Alb
, Sorsogon
Visayas:
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ALLIANCE
Organizational Direction Setting – the
Workshop provided the alliance a guide on
what to do within the next five years. It set
the pace that the network had to work to
achieve its Vision-Mission-Goal and manage
its member MPAs in the course of protecting
the marine resources in the country.
Institution Building and Strengthening – the
Workshop gave the council members a
chance to work with each other. These
helped strengthen the new leadership.
Working together gave each chapter a
better chance at solving the issues at the
different sites because of the sharing of ideas,
learnings and experiences.
Community-based management of MPAs –
the Workshop stressed that MPA enforcement
is effective when it is the POs/BLGUs who are
individually or jointly managing because they
are the ones residing in the community. They
are more aware of what management tools
are best applicable at their sites, based on
their rich experiences of successes and failures
as marine sanctuary managers.
ADVOCACY EFFORTS
Firmed up the 5-point advocacy agenda:
Implementation of DAO 17, Full
Implementation
of
RA
8550,
Institutionalization of Fish Wardens, Marine
Tenure Documentation and Establishment of
Marine Court.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Pandan Bay
, Antique
Mindanao Sea, Negros Oriental
Orien
North Tanon Strait, Cebu
South Tanonn Strait,
Str Negros
gros Oriental
Or
Danajojon Bank
, Bohol
Bohol Straitit
, Bohol
Cuatro Islas
, Leyte
Leyte Gulf
, Samar
Oriental
Mindanao:
x
x
x
x
x
x
Siargao Tria
Triangle,, Surigao de
del Norte
Lanuza Bay
, Surigao dell Sur
Hinatuan Bay , Suriga
Surigao dell Sur
Gingoog
og Bay , Misamis Oriental
Danao Bay , MMisamis Occidental
Illana Bay , Zamboanga
Zamboang del Sur
Moreover, Council was still able to earn probable
networking opportunities owing to the media coverage provided by SMART for the launching of their
partnership with Pamana. The partnership with
SMART in itself is already a break for Pamana.
The launching served as Pamana’s introduction to
other sectors of society because it generated news
coverage informing of Pamana’s existence, advocacies, and thrusts
“We bridge the gap between those who can
offer financial support and grassroots groups
in developing countries that can make
effective use of that support”.
3RD NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CHILDREN
AND YOUTH FESTIVAL (NIPCYF 3)
April 21-27, 2007
Greenville Elem. School, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City
Negros Occidental
Sama-samang Paglalakbay Tungo sa Pagkakaisa sa
Pagtataguyod at Pagtatamasa ng mga Karapatan ng mga
Katutubong Bata at Kabataan
(Journeying together for the protection, promotion and
enjoyment of IP children’s rights)
The first two festivals were held inside the ancestral
domains in Mindanao and Luzon. The ancestral
domain in the visayas is quite far and there is
difficulty in accessing water and in preparing for
food supplies. Thus, for the 3rd Festival which is
funded by GGF, it was held in the town proper in
Negros Occidental. It was seen as an opportunity
for the IP children and youth to be exposed and
have a comparison on the life outside the ancestral
domain where there are a lot of “settlers”.
The shared issues included the
following: child labor; IPCY as
domestic
a 6 yrs old
girl earning
workers; the
a living
dirty game of
young refugees in
politics in Upi,
Southern Mindanao
Maguindanao;
military operations in communities
of Zambales causing much fear
to the residents; abuse of power
by armed officer/s; discrimination;
other IPs asking for alms in
the cities; non-recognition of
IPs by government officials;
prostitution; early marriage,
indigenous peoples being accused
as NPAs.
young women of Cordillera
are said to cost only P30
causing much degradation of
dignity, inability to pursue
elementary, secondary and
tertiary education due to
poverty
In their little worlds
in which children have their existence,
there is nothing so finely perceived
and so finely felt as
injustice.
-Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Millions of children are forced into prostitution and
child labor because of many different reasons, one
being poverty and the need to survive.
Worldwide, each year, about one million children are
forced into the sex slave trade, about 60%-70% of
them becoming infected with HIV\AIDS. In the
Philippines, as many as 75,000 children are sexually
exploited. Often, their exploiters are men who travel
to the region specifically to have sex with children.
However, it is important to note that poverty alone
does not cause millions to suffer throughout their life.
Gender discrimination also plays a large role in
causing such a problem, while poverty blatantly
underscores the racial and sexual discrimination going
on in child exploitation around the world.
Discrimination, along with a general lack of
education and job opportunities, forces innocent
children to give up their most valuable assets: their
childhood, their health and their future.
The National IP Children and Youth Federation
(NIPCYFed) aims to uphold the integrity of the indigenous
peoples by encouraging and enhancing active participation
of IP children and youth in all community activities
including the protection and sustainability of ancestral
domains as well as in decision-making. The Federation
hopes to build an atmosphere that is filled with
respect and cooperation among all IP groups emphasizing
children’s rights to survival, protection, development,
and participation while at the same time rooted to the
indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP).
Further, the Federation seeks to organize and consolidate
all IP children and youth nationwide in order to
advance the interests and aspirations of IP peoples, in
general, and of IP children and youth, in particular.
“... and we trust them to help
us grow the next generation
of like-minded leaders, with a
ripple effect that will reach
people and places we can
scarcely imagine”
- GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND
Annual Report 2005
W or kshop Accomplishments
The youth expressed that they are
encouraged to do research about their
tradition and culture.
The children and youth are
proud of their identity.
The children and
youth are no longer
ashamed of their IP
identity. The
activity changed their
view of themselves.
This is very evident
during small talks
outside of the
plenary discussions
where they are more
open and vocal.
The children and youth are now
seeking their elders to tell stories
of their tradition and culture.
The children and youth are
impressed with the knowledge of
their elders who are aware of what
is happening outside of their
communities. (hindi nahuhuli sa
pangyayari sa labas)
The children and youth are impressed with the
traditional dances and songs during the cultural
presentation. They take it as a challenge to be
able to prepare for their cultural presentation in the
next festival.
After the activity, when the children and youth
went back to their respective
communities, some of them became
more involved in community activities
especially during summer and
December when they have no
classes. Others started organizing
the youth. Others participated in the
youth activities such as the youth
summit. Some of them are now
invited to attend meetings sponsored
by LGUs. (especially in ARMM
areas). Others started linkage with NCIP.
“ ... culture itself is the basic foundation of the
indigenous peoples’ human dignity and values.
Much research has been done on integrating
the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and
Practices in different developmental projects
concerning the
environment, which
goes to show that the
hope of the world
rests on the hands of
the indigenous
peoples”.
- Datu Jimid Mansayagan
from Central Mindanao
FACILITATING
COMMUNITY CAPABILITY BUILD-UP OF THE
ERUMANEN NE MENUVÙ CLANS
IN CENTRAL MINDANAO.
Kebager te Ked-Inged (KtKI)
The Lumad Peoples Movement for
Peace, Power and Righteousness
KtKI is the partner organization of the Asia Indigenous
and Tribal Peoples Network (AITPN). AITPN having a
Special Consultative Status with the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, Genève
GGF Grant Nº. 50-470
There were countless efforts and approaches taken in
the past to realize the struggle of the Lumad Peoples
claiming ancestral domains — claiming what already
belongs to them since time immemorial... But many
lumad communities who have no technical and financial
capacity cannot claim land and opts for possible
tenancy to those who can have a Certificate of
Ancestral Domain Title or CADT issued by the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Given this
trend, there is a serious degree of disorientation
among the Lumad Peoples’ leadership. The essence
of ancestral domain or territory is inutile without the
integral life element — the inherent collective rights
and the capacity to govern.
Ancestral domain does not limit to the legal
token i.e. CADT but more of the capabilities
and the determination to govern through the [re]
institution of the traditional political structure,
that is, (for the Erumanen Ne Menuvû): the
ubpaan , inged and derepa .
KtKI conducted series of community consultations
leading to the convention of the “Erumanen Ne
Menuvû Leaders Summit on Territorial Governance”
last 28 April to 01 May 2004. As a result, the
Interim Erumanen Ne Menuvû Derepa Advisory Council
(IEMDAC or the Council, for brevity) was formed to
implement the summit approved a transitory plan.
The plan focuses on the establishment of governance structure of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû to
control their territory or ancestral domain.
OATHTAKING
The Erumanen
ne Menuvù
Pre-summit consultation in
Rinibun, Pigkawayan, Cotabato
numbering less
than a quarter of
a million is one
of the 23 unIslamized
indigenous
peoples in
Mindanao, Philippines collectively identified as
“Katawhang Lumad” (or Lumad, for brevity). The
territory of the Erumanen ne Menuvù is estimated
600 000 hectares is located in the heart of Mindanao
(considered to be the vortex of the Mindanao conflict)
particularly in Cotabato Province and Southern part of
Bukidnon. This particular tribe-cum-people composed
of 11 smaller groups called vansá. Each vansá
composed of three or four clans and has distinct
territory, culture and practices. They are the Kirinteken,
Ilentungen, Isuruken, Mulitaan, Livunganen, Lehitanen,
Ilianen, Divevaan, Simuniyen, Dungguanen and the
Sinimburanen.
The ubpaan, inged, derepa are Menuvû words that
has a single meaning —
the governance territorial structure of
the Erumanen Ne Menuvû. The only differences
between the three are the area and scope..
Since May
2004,
maximizing
t h e
remaining
fund from Penawagtawag, an opening prayer during the
GGF, two Ubpaan en ni Apu` Mendadtem General
u b p a a n Assembly last 01-03 August 2004
w e r e
established:
the Ubpaan te Menselilang formed in 28 May
2004 through an assembly and the Ubpaan en ni
Apù Mendadtem launched in 25 August 2004.
Another great achievement of project funded by the
GGF was the organization of young Erumanen ne
Menuvù volunteers called the Ubpaan Fellowship of
Organizers or UFO. The KtKI trained 23 young men
and women to conduct the ubpaan organizers. Only
six survives as bona fide members of the Fellowship.
UFO serve as the vanguard of the Derepa future.
leadership of the Erumanen ne Menuvù.
A verbatim translation from the original Bisayà version.
THE ERUMANEN NE MENUVÛ DECLARATION OF GOVERNANCE
We, the Erumanen Ne Menuvû People at all times believed that human beings are created as part and parcel
of the creation. And the Creator, Megbevayà Misuwara’n Midlimbag put us in this part of the earth as the territory of
our people and the place for our coming generations. The Megbevayà Misuwara’n Midlimbag taught us our sacred belief,
culture and traditions, endowed with cogent judgment to learn the sacred responsibilities to care, nurture, protect and
defend our territory. And that this sacred responsibility is the wellspring of our collective rights as Erumanen Ne Menuvû
people. We believed and stand for our collective rights as the source of our endless existence as Erumanen Ne Menuvû
people. Our collective rights ensures better and healthy relation with:
q one’s dignity;
q other individuals;
q other vansá;
q neighbors and other peoples;
q the environment; and
q the generations—the past, the contemporary and the coming generations.
These relations exemplify the situation, life and the tradition of co-existence. That co-existence and harmony serves
as the framework of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû territorial governance to ensure the existence of justice, sustainable and
equitable development, peace and sustainable protection of the land.
That we are systematically minoritized in our land through the systematic of imposition of dominant political,
economic, cultural and religious system, power and structures that uproots our people from their land and communities
through ensuing conflict and even the peaceful means through deceit and direct occupation of our lands. We are
persistently discriminated with no opportunity of just representation. This prevailing situation manifests our people’s oblivion
and enslavements within our land by the dominant forces.
Because of this prevailing destitutions, more than 80 timuéy, women and youth delegates representing seven (7)
of the eleven (11) vansá of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû: Kirinteken, Ilianen, Dungguanen, Lehitánen, Livunganen,
Ilentungen, Isuruken, Divevaan, Simuniyen, Mulitaan and Sinimburanen converged in CORUM Training Center, SCC,
Midsayap, Cotabato last 28 April to 01 May 2004. Emboldened with realizations, we reflected on our past, present as
well as the future. We come to a decision that our only hope for the future is to collectively govern our territory: ubpaan,
inged and derepà. This is the ultimate recourse to secure the future of our land, territory, people and our generation.
The spirit of our ancestors called upon us during the kenduli pengapar ceremonies in Pibunuan, Kabacan last 26
April 2004, seeking compassion from the Most High Megbevayà Misuwara’n Midlimbag, to stand up for our rights and
walk to the future in the footprints of our ancestors; Apû Agyu and Apû Tulalang and the rest of them who have gone
home to the spirit world.
In pursuance to the mandate of the Supreme Law of the Land, the 1987 Philippine Constitution that committed
and obliged the State: Section 22, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies: “The State recognizes and
promotes the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities within the framework of national unity and development”; Section
5, Article XII National Economy and Patrimony: “The State, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and national
development policies and programs, shall protect the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities to their ancestral lands
to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being”; and Section 17, Article XIV Education, Science and Technology,
Arts and Culture: “The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities to
preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national
plans and policies.”
It mandated to pass the enabling law, the Republic Act 8371, “Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997” or IPRA
and its Implementation Rules and Regulations (IRR) to fully recognize, respect and protect our rights as indigenous
peoples. Taking into considerations the existing international instruments e.g., Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(1946), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or ICCPR (1966), International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights or ICESCR (1966), ILO Convention 169 (1989) including the United Nations Draft Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples (1994) and other international instruments that recognizes, promotes and protect the rights
of peoples for empowerment and the right of self-determination.
We, the Delegates to the Erumanen Ne Menuvû Leaders Summit on Territorial Governance are united to establish,
strengthen and govern our territory. The Rule (Eturan/Tepiran) of the Territorial (Derepà) Governance of the Erumanen
Ne Menuvû shall at all times govern our people.
We pray unto the Megbèvayà Misuwara’n Midlimbag, the spirits of our ancestors and to the tumanud (guardian
spirits) watching over us to continue being with us, are guiding our people towards the direction for the total control
of our destiny as people. Notwithstanding the concurrence of the sumesevalag umaarù shall make these visions to final
fruition.
We appeal to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Christians and the Moro peoples, NGOs,
the armed-oppositions and the international communities to recognize, respect and supports our goal to achieve
sustainable peace and equitable development.
We adopt this Declaration by affixing our signatures manifesting our intention this First of May 2004 here at the
SCC-CORUM Training Center, Midsayap, Cotabato.
(Original signed by 81 delegates of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû Leaders’ Summit on Territorial Governance.)
The “Erumanen Ne Menuvû Leaders’ Summit on
Territorial Governance” affirmed the existence of the
collective rights practiced by the ancestors long
before the advent of the existing mainstream political structure.
The delegates approved that ubpaan shall be the
basic unit of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû governance. The inged on the other hand shall be the
governance of a vansá.
Derepa is the totality of the
Erumanen Ne Menuvû territory
from Menemaing, Matalam
(East) to Beluhu, Pigkewayan
(West) and from Penikepen,
Pikit (South) to Anggaan,
Damulog, Bukidnon(North) covering an area of about 180,000
hectares of land in Central
Mindanao.
To implement the program on the (re)
instituting the Erumanen Ne Menuvû Governmental System (derepa), the summit
created Interim Erumanen Ne Menuvû
Derepa Advisory Council or IEMDAC
better known as the Advisory Council or
AC. The AC meets regularly once every
six months and is responsible in the
implementation of the interim Program Plan.
Two elders, seven representatives of the
11 vansá and sectoral representatives
represent the IEMDAC: women (5) and
youth (5). Promising young peoples organized themselves called the Ubpaan
Feelowship of Organizers or UFO to succeed the derepa leadership in the near
future.
Our grants help indigenous and rural
communities gain a voice in
development decisions and protect the
region’s rich cultural and biological
diversity. Our grants enable local
people to respond to development
threats, build alliances
and negotiate alternatives.
- GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND
map of central mindanao
“...ubpaan formation or organizing is last
chance recapturing the total essence of the
Erumanen ne Menuvù of governing its
derepa territory. Mere recognition through
issuance of Certificate of Ancestral
Domain Title (CADT) is meaningless.
Establishment of a system of ancestral
domain governance will ensure that the
future Erumanen ne Menuvù generation
will enjoy what the ancestors have enjoyed”
“Manobo” or
“Manuvu” means
“person” or
“people”;
“A member of the Manobo
tribe in her traditional
dress. (Photo by Fr. Fred
Bugarin)”
There are two opposing concept of owning lands
unconsciously imbibed by the lumad individuals.
The original concept of land is territory,
the ubpaan, inged, or derepa.
It is the home of the people and the future generations. It exemplifies that land owns the people
and not the people,
much less the individual own the land.
The second concept of which is actually the complete
opposite of territory is that land as property. The later
concept was a legal fiction crafted by the bygone
colonizers, the Spaniard conquistadores (1521-1898)
and the Americans (1898-1946).
... ubpaan shall be the basic unit of the Erumanen
Ne Menuvû governance. The inged on the other
hand shall be the governance of a vansá. And
AROMANON SINIMBURAN TINDEG BANSA,
INC. (ASTBI)
Grant no. 50-631
Originally, ASTBI aims to cohesively organize the
Erumanen Ne Menuvû clans in Carmen, Cotabato
to regain part of their territory occupied by the
government in 1939. However, after the launching
of the Kebager te Ked-Inged (KtKI) convened
Erumanen Ne Menuvû Leaders’ Summit on Territorial Governance in 28 April to 01 May 2004,
ASTBI became the SECRETARIAT of the
Interim Erumanen Ne Menuvû Derepa Advisory Council for the entire Erumanen Ne
Menuvû people in Central Mindanao.
As the secretariat of the advisory council, ASTBI
is mandated (01 May 2004-30 May 2007) to
implement activities on the [re]formation of the
Erumanen Ne Menuvû political structures of the
derepa. Ubpaan is the community-cum-political
structure of the clan or clans while inged is the
collectivity of ubpaans governed by a vansa
(distinct subgroups or tribes of the Erumanen Ne
Menuvû) based on territorial jurisdiction. And
derepa is the confederacy (collectivity) of the
Erumanen Ne Menuvû people.
It may be that the governmental system
supplanted the Erumanen Ne Menuvû system
with the centralized system such as the
republican form of government, but this does not
necessarily out-root the indigenous traditional
system.
Mt. Matutum
derepa is the totality of the Erumanen Ne Menuvû
territory...
At present, ubpaan, inged and derepa are traditional
governmental system that remains only in words
owing to the non-recognition of the indigenous peoples’
political system.
Hence, it is now the challenge of the Erumanen
Ne Menuvû and entire Lumad peoples of
Mindanao to fully exercise their inherent rights
to rule their territories on the basis of their
collective and inherent rights of selfdetermination as recognized, respected and
protected by existing state policies.
Global Greengrants Funds support
grassroots networks and coalitions
that represent large numbers of communities and groups. Some grantees
are successfully uniting communities
affected by a mine or a timber operation and allowing them to speak with
a single voice. Others offer a forum for
a broad range of groups to come together to seek common ground and
coordinate efforts. Grants also help
communities protect ancestral lands,
sustainably manage forest resources
and improve local livelihoods.
Funds will also be used for the procurement of
secretariat equipments and office supplies: a laser
printer, two sets of deskstop computer, digital/
video camera, 1 radio base (transceiver with
accessories: regulated power supply, connectors,
coaxial cable, antenna and a mast),
mimeographing machine, and office supplies.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
training/orientation on gathering data/information for
the formation of the ubpaan community structure
guide questionnaires for the data/information
gatherers
gathering, consolidation, analysis, validation and
re-validation of social, economic
and political data/information of
the three targeted ubpaan —
social, political and economic
information
facilitation of the framing-up of
ubpaan strategic program plans.
A timuey
speaking
during the presummit
The fund shall be spent for the formation of ubpaans
(Clan territories):
Ubpaan
Ubpaan
Ubpaan
Ubpaan
Ubpaan
Ubpaan
Ni
Ni
Ni
Ni
Ni
Ni
Apù Gepew (Kirinteken)
Apù Pontongan (Ilianen)
Apù Mampandig (Dungguanen)
Anggaan (Mulitaan)
Apù Mandadtem (Ilianen/Simuniyen),
Apù Giyanal (Lehitanen)
launching of ubpaan general
assembly (ubpaan governance
installations)
provision of mobility fund for the volunteer data/
information gatherers-cum-community organizers.
The Task Force Bugsuk is a loose network of nongovernment organizations and peoples organizations
formed in August 2002 with the objective of helping
SAMBILOG in their CADT claim, restore their livelihood
base and save the mangrove forests which form a
critical part of their traditional
territories. TF Bugsuk is composed
of five Palawan and 11 Manilabased organizations. Of the 16
members, two are federations of
indigenous peoples, one a
confederation of peasant groups,
four are alternative law groups,
six are national NGO networks,
one a primary non-government
organization operating at the national
level and one regional network .
TF Bugsuk’s expertise is diverse:
legal, organizing, advocacy,
environment, sustainable
development.
STRENGTHENING SAMBILOG’S ANCESTRAL
DOMAIN CLAIMS
Task Force Bugsuk (TF Bugsuk);
Samahan ng mga Katutubo sa Dulo ng Timog
Palawan (SAMBILOG)
Grant 50-526
The Palaw’an and Molbog tribal communities, as well as other settlers, of
Bugsuk and Pandanan islands in southern Palawan have been forcedly deprived of
their ancestral lands in the early 70s by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco. This
deprivation soon became permanent with the setting up of pearl farms in the area
under the control of Jewelmer International Corporation, a corporation established
through the partnership of Cojuangco’s brother Manuel and Jacques Branellec. As
a result, the affected tribal communities were not only driven out of their ancestral
lands and farms but were also denied access to their traditional fishing grounds and
navigational routes, particularly in the waters surrounding Bugsuk and Pandanan
islands.
The dispossession of their ancestral lands and the deprivation of their traditional
fishing grounds raise serious constitutional and legal questions for which Jewelmer
International Corporation and other concerned agencies or units of the government
should be held accountable for. At the outset, it is the unified call of these
indigenous communities that they be allowed to fish along the Pandanan Channel and
to use it for navigational purposes. Likewise, the immediate issuance of their
Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) over the area and their peaceful
restoration to their lands are the legitimate claims to which they are entitled under
existing laws and policies.
excerpt from DISMANTLING JEWELMER’S BARRICADE
OVER THE TRADITIONAL FISHING GROUNDS OF THE
PALAW’AN AND MOLBOG TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL STRUCTURES
By Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) through Task Force Bugsuk
MAJOR OBJECTIVES
1. To facilitate the necessary documents needed
for the CADT application of the Molbogs
and Pala’wan Tribes in Barangays Tagnato,
Puring and Buliloyan in Bataraza and
Barangays Pandanan, Sebaring and Sitio
Marihangin, Barangay Bugsuk in Balabac.
2. To strengthen the IP core group in every
Barangay as an CADT applicant since the
SAMBILOG organization can not qualify as
CADT claimant due to its other members
are Non-IPs and there was also a pending
case filed by the Jewelmer in the court.
3. And to form a group of Fisherfolk in 6
Barangays as affected on the issue of
fishing rights.
4. To assist the SAMBILOG in the organizational
strengthening and other related issues in
the community.
Palw’an Taruk dance – for blessing, warding off evil
MAJOR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
SAMBILOG CHAPTER CONSOLIDATION
AND STRENGTHENING
The Task Force Bugsuk
deployed a full time
community-base community
organizer to help SAMBILOG
Chapter in the preparation
and completion of CADT
application requirements and
to serve as communication
links between Task Force
Bugsuk and the community.
Members and Leaders
monthly meetings were
conducted as well as emergency meetings.
The community organizer
visited the area and a
few meetings were
conducted. The meeting
also served as venue
of updating and
discussions on what IP
Leaders and Fisherfolk
leaders could do.
SAMBILOG Leaders from six covered
areas and Task Force Bugsuk
members met last April 16, 2005 at
Barangay Sibaring in the town of
Balabac to assess the past 6 months
activities September 2004 to April
2005, and plan immediate action with
regards to the passage of Balabac ordinance
(denying small fishers rights within the bugsuk
area). Plans agreed: (1)Continuous follow up of
CADT Application with NCIP (2) pushing for
fishing rights in ancestral waters (3) regarding the
ordinance attack the Local Government Unit of
Balabac and Provincial Government of Palawan by
means of Massive Action of the affected people.
(March from Rio tuba to PPCity).
FISHING RIGHTS
TF Bugsuk and SAMBILOG worked closely with
respective barangay officials. In late October 2004
SAMBILOG Leaders, individuals and legitimate residents
of Balabac requested a dialogue with the Mayor of
Balabac.The dialogue was meant to make a proper
solution to their complaint regarding the access on
fishing rights, but the mayor Has not recognized the
rights and the complaint being raised by SAMBILOG.
Just the reason of no juridical personality was
raised.
Illegal Barricade of Pandanan Channel and the
waters surrounding Bugsuk and Pandanan
Jewelmer International Corporation closed the
waters between Bugsuk and Pandanan islands for
navigation and fishing, employing armed personnel
regularly manning the area and on October 16, 2004,
set up heavy-duty cable buoys to block off the area.
As a result, the Palaw’an and Molbog tribes were
deprived of abundant fishing grounds and shorter
navigational route from Bataraza town to the next
town of Balabac. Then on October 2004, the
Sangguniang Bayan of Balabac passed an ordinance
declaring Jewelmer’s concession area as a strict
protection zone whereby fishing is absolutely prohibited.
Later, the Municipal Mayor of Balabac issued a
circular letter dated 15 February 2005 discouraging
the people from entering and fishing in areas covered
by the marine lease contract between the Municipality
of Balabac and Ecofarm System and Resources,
Inc., a corporation also owned by Cojuangco. The
said circular likewise authorized Ecofarm to act as
‘bantay dagat’ in the area.
PARTICIPATORY COASTAL RESOURCE
ASSESSMENTS
The PCRA was conducted in six areas thru the
help of BANDILLO ng Palawan in coordination with
Palawan NGO Network. It was also a basis for the
community as well as the Barangay officials for
determining the specific area to be delineate as
strict protection zone as well as the primary economic
source of the community members was determined.
CADT CLAIM
TF Bugsuk and SAMBILOG worked closely with some
allies in NCIP in an effort to make the latter speedup the processing of SAMBILOG’s CADT application.
The Palaw’an and Molbog tribal communities of Southern Palawan, together
with concerned NGOs and POs including Task Force Bugsuk, call for the immediate issuance of their Certificate of
Ancestral Domain Title. The issuance
of their CADT and their peaceful restoration to their ancestral lands and waters will finally put an end to the injustices they endured for the past 30 years.
Pending the issuance of their CADT, it is
also their call that the Pandanan Channel and the waters surrounding Bugsuk
and Pandanan be opened at once so that
they will once again gain access to their
traditional fishing grounds and navigational routes.
LAKBAYK-TRIBO
by INTER-PEOPLES EXCHANGE (IPEX)
Grant 50-366
The year 1999 marked the start of LAKBAYKTRIBO
TRIBO, a biking caravan for mother earth and the
indigenous peoples. It was organized by INTERPEOPLES EXCHANGE (IPEX)
(IPEX to commemorate
and celebrate the INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF
THE WORLD’S INDIGEN0US PEOPLES (19942004
2004) in the Philippines.
LAKBAYK has organized and mobilized the indigenous
youths from various tribes in the country namely: the
AETA, AGTA, DUMAGAT, HIGAONON, MANGYAN,
M A N O B O ,
MATIGSALOG and
PALAWANON. These
youths pedal the entire
route with the objectives
on generating awareness
and consciousness
about the 500 years of
the subjugation of the
12 million indigenous
peoples of the country
and their various histories of resistance for the defense
of their lands and resources, self-determination,
empowerment and self-governance.
Another highlights of LAKBAYK are the tree planting
in various IP sacred places, watershed, along riverbanks
and creeks, IP communities including the LA MESA
DAM. Various species of hard and indigenous trees
were planted by the lakbaykers. Each biker is
required to plant at least five (5) trees in his/her
place/community in order to qualify as member of
the tour. Monitoring and
maintenance of these trees are
the primary responsibility of these
IP youths. The new bikers
were given incentives in the
forms of jersey, t-shirt, bike,
transportation expenses (from
their residence and back), board
and lodging. While the old timers
served as the mentor and leader
to the new bikers.
Every LAKBAYK, different batches of 25 to 35
indigenous youths join the tour from Manila to the
north then back to Manila and to Mindanao via
Samar-Leyte. They were met, welcomed,
befriend, fed and escorted by other cyclists,
host groups, advocates, government
officials, media and strangers. Also, they
experienced to see and observe the life
in the city and other indigenous
communities. They learned to take care
of themselves and the other lakbykers
as they trek every uphill of the tour. It
became a challenge on their limits and
enjoyed the fun of biking downhill. While
on the journey, the organizers and the lakbaykers find
time to share their learnings and insights about
mainstream society, its impact on indigenous lives
and vice-versa.
Samahan ng
mga Mamamayan
sa Tinis-an are
all belonging to
the Hanunuo IP
group
PHOTO CREDIT:
www.grabler.at/haus_grabler/.../
Tamaraw/phil_tamaraw.htm
“Noted anthropologist Harold Conklin had made an
extensive study on the Hanunoo-Mangyan
agricultural system in 1953. The HanunooMangyans practise swidden farming. This
type of farming is different from the
“kaingin” system practised by non-Mangyans
which is often very destructive when it is
done with no proper safeguards to prevent the
fire from spreading to the surrounding vegetation.
A fallow period is also observed so that the
swidden farm will revert back to forest. According
to Conklin, the Mangyans managed their swidden
farm skillfully. In 1995, almost half a century after
Conklin’s research, a study on the HanunooMangyans’ swidden farming system was conducted
by Hayama Atsuko. She concluded that the
Hanunoo-Mangyans’ farming practices have
prevented land derioration in spite of the fact that
forest land degradation is evident now in the
Hanunoo-Mangyan territory due to various
factors”.
- excerpt from HANUNUO translation by:
Ms. Emily Lorenzo-Catapang
The Executive Director of
Mangyan Heritage Center in the Philippines
SAMAHAN NG MGA MANGYAN SA TINIS-AN
Grant No. 50-438
SETTING-UP OF A DEMO FARM IN A
PILOT AREA IN THE SOUTHERN PART
OF MINDORO.
They have coffee production, propagation of
seedling and they have vegetable farms. The
technology they used in
farming is not limited to
traditional practices but
has developed technology
such as SALT farming
and improved system in
the practice
of kaingin.
They promote
organic
farming and
receive
technical assistance from
the Department of
Agriculture.
Their success story has inspired other IP groups
in Mindoro such as the Buhid to replicate the
activity in their area.
PURCHASE OF WATER PUMP
The utilization of the water pump provided
opportunity for earning which was used to provide
educational scholarship for Mangyan youth.
PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF
THE MANDAYA ARTS AND
CRAFTS, DESIGNS/SYMBOLS
MalibagoTree Planters Cooperative, Inc.
Grant No. 50-478
Mandaya means
“inhabitants of the uplands”.
It is the general objective of the
The Mandaya tribe is found in
project to promote, preserve and
the province of Davao Oriental,
develop the arts and crafts, designs
one of the seven (7) provinces
and symbols of the Mandaya tribe
in Caraga Davao Oriental. Specially,
of Region XI, Eastern Mindanao,
the project aims at:
Philippine Islands. The tribe’s
1. Transferring of skills to the young
greatest concentration is in the
generation within the community of
municipalities of Boston, Cateel,
Malibago, Pantuyan, Caraga Davao
Oriental
Baganga, Caraga, Manay,
2. Developing skills to market the
Tarragona, Lupon and Mati, both
local products
from the highlands and the
3. Producing dagmay cloth and
enhance the value of the plantation, PHOTO CREDITS: http://www.davaooriental.gov.ph/
lowlands. It is also believed that
website/mandayanculture.html
propagation, promotion and production
Mandaya is the largest tribal unit
of the indigenous dyes, abaca fiber
in southeastern Mindanao.
and the production of the weaving materials for the
The MTPCI, whose members and officers belong
weaving of dagmay cloth.
to the Mandaya Tribe in Caraga Davao Oriental,
4. Generating sustainable source of income and
decided to make use of their expertise in the
employment for the cooperative members to be able to
context of the community aspiration to promote
cater the needs of the market in the future.
and develop the indigenous arts and crafts, their
5. Preserving the sacred designs and symbols by way
symbols and designs in a way that will not also
be exploited but rather promote its
of producing them with
intricate designs, symbols and its
accompanying brochures to explain
significance, promote by way of
its symbols, meaning and
teaching the young ones. The
significance to avoid its desecration
dagmay cloth is becoming a part
but rather buy them for token,
of the fashion and a façade that
will die out too soon. Some had
respect and recognition of the
produced slippers, bags and some
said symbols and designs.
were even used for chairs and
bed covers out of this cloth but
none ever venture in weaving the
original designs and symbols using the indigenous
and not the commercial dyes, the sikalig, dul’law
and kanal’lum trees. All these species are scarce
and very few of the members of the tribe can
still identify these species. This has to be propagated first of all before the planting of the abaca
or manila hemp that is used as the strands of
the woven cloth.
“the project ... heightened and boosts
[our] morale. We have slowly regained
the lost hope that we can still relive the
art and skills mastered by our ancestors.
Preserving the sacred designs and symbols
by way of producing them with
accompanying brochures will explain its
symbols, meaning and significance to
avoid its desecration... people would buy
them for token, respect and recognition
of the said symbols and designs, rather
than mere facade and fashion”.
After the procurement of weaving materials and
the plants for propagation of abaca and kanal’lum,
sikalig and dul’law (indigenous dyes) and production of apog (lime from shells) were simultaneously done. After preparation of weaving materials
the weavers group came out with four rolls of
dagmay cloth with 5 meters each roll.
Dagmay cloth
produced with
sacred designs
from two clan
members of the
community. These
cloth can be made
as decors without
cutting the designs.
Four kinds of commercial
designs already
displayed in the
temporary display
center, in the house of
one of the members.
The cloth bears ordinary
symbols which can be
used for home decors,
slippers, and bags
There were more
or less fifteen
(15) youth who
were exposed to
the process of
dagmay weaving.
The plantation of
indigenous dyes and abaca was done simultaneously with the dagmay weaving.
Of the five hectares target for abaca plantation, three (3) hectares were planted; while
one (1) of the two (2) hectare as target areas
for plantation of indigenous dyes was planted
in September and October 2004. The members
shall have to wait for three to four years for
the abaca
and the
plant dyes
to be
utilized for
dagmay
production.
To continue
the weaving
activity,
however,
the MTPCI will have to procure weaving
materials for production within the period.
“We focus on the combination of
livelihoods and sustainability.
Environmental protection doesn’t
have to be at the expense of
livelihoods, if proper attention is
given to free and prior informed
consent of local people in
development issues”.
-
Chip Fay
Executive Director of
The Samdhana Institute
PAGPAPAUNLAD NG PAPEL NG KABABAIHAN
SA PANGANGAISDAAN
(IMPROVING THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE
FISHING SECTOR)
CALARIZ, a federation of fisherfolk groups from
the provinces affected—Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
Grant No. 50-364
Embracing a total of 90,000 ha, Laguna Lake has for
centuries provided its lakeshore dwellers - a hardy
population of fishermen and their families - a seemingly
unlimited source of livelihood. In 1966 a Laguna Lake
Development Authority (LLDA) was created to “promote
development within the lake area, conserve natural
resources and promote the socio-economic wellbeing of its
residents”.
Our grants support the efforts of
grassroots social and environmental groups
to contest unsustainable
public and private investments,
to challenge the dominance of
extractive industries in the economic
development agenda,
and to build stronger links between the
environmental, human rights and
sustainable development communities in
the region.
- GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND
The post Martial Law period,
however, witnessed an
areal view of fish pens in laguna de bay
unprecedented privatization of
the lake through the rapid
establishment of fish pens
primarily to grow milkfish.
Despite the intention of
allowing fishermen
cooperatives to have priority in
allocation of the pens, it was
clear that several Laguna town
mayors, military officials and
Government officers took
control of many hectares of Lake water. A large number of
these holdings were also illegal and undertaken without
proper licence from the LLDA. The Lake was soon a maze
of fish-pens of all makes and sizes. Watchtowers were
erected with armed guards protecting the waters against
poachers.
Deprived of their livelihood and having been denied
access to their traditional fishing grounds,
the small fishermen of Laguna Lake decided to
fight back. In 1979, they formed the
Samanan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda
sa Cavite, Laguna at Rizal
(Organization of Small Fishermen in
Cavite, Laguna and Rizal).
It is also called CALARIZ
CALARIZ.
Annual Report 2005
The fisherfolk’s struggle continues to the
present, now in opposition to the current
government’s industrialization plan. Laguna
Lake plays a vital role in MARILAQUE, the
Growth Trade Zone around Manila, Rizal,
Laguna, Cavite, and Quezon. Under the
industrialization plan, the lake will primarily
be used as coolant for industries
constructed around it, with only 3 percent of
lake water allotted for recreational fishing.
CALARIZ is a federation of fisherfolk groups from
the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. Its
leaders have led campaigns for lake reforms, like
the dismantling of illegally constructed fishpens, the
systematization of navigational lanes, fishpens, and
cages, and the prohibition of illegal fishing
particularly in the areas surrounding Laguna Lake.
The CALARIZ project aims to:
Conduct initial research on women’s groups along
the barangays at the coastal areas of Manila
Bay and Laguna Lake under the CALARIZ network;
Conduct education campaign on RA 8550, Fisheries Code of the Philippines, condition of the
fishing sector for Manila Bay and Laguna Lake,
People’s Lobby in the implementation of these
laws;
Conduct organizational assemblies; and
Mobilize the women’s sector in advancing their
role in the protectiom of our resources from the
Manila Bay and Laguna Lake.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
CAPACITY BUILDING and EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Leaders and community participants from
CALARIZ network participated in several forum
held in Laguna, Rizal and Cavite. Among
the capacity building activities conducted were
orientation on the salient points of RA 8550
and the new Fisheries Code and a discussion
on the current situation of the Philippine
fishery sector. The participants also had an
intensive discussion on the status of Laguna
Lake and Manila Bay.
As a result of the the education
campaign, members of the
CALARIZ alliance mobilized
themselves and launched a clean
the Lake Laguna activity
The Gains of the Fisherfolk in the
New Fisheries Code
RA 8550 institutionalizes
FARMCs in the Philippines,
as partners of the
government in the
management, conservation
and sustainable
development of fisheries and
aquatic resources. Unlike
EO 240 wherein FARMCs
are created only at the local
levels, the Fisheries Code
established a National FARMC to serve as
recommendatory and advisory body to the Department
of Agriculture. The critical role of the stakeholders in
achieving sustainable use of coastal and marine
resources is now recognized on paper in the
institutionalization of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Councils or FARMCs. However, it is only
an advisory body to the LGUs. Further, fisherfolk
representatives appointed in NFARMC do not come
from the fisherfolk sector.
There is a policy
challenge to truly
incorporate
comanagement
issues in fisheries to
make integrated
coastal zone
management more
effective. This makes
an increasing use of
local fishery
knowledge,
participatory decision-making and genuine
representation - with a strong emphasis on the
sustainable use of the coastal resources.
THE WOMEN’S ASSEMBLY AIMED TO
DISCUSS THE CONTRIBUTION AND ROLE
OF OF WOMEN IN THE FISHERIES
SECTOR.
Fishing in the Philippines is an occupation dominated by
men because of the image that only men go to sea in their
fishing boats. In most cases, women in fishing
communities are not allowed to go with the fishing vessels,
but this prohibition is tied mostly to the need for them to
remain within the premises of the household so they can
attend to their designated responsibilities in the home. Due
to this, they have little direct involvement in fish capture.
However they are involved in shell and fry gathering/
gleaning, spear fishing in rivers, reef fishing using scoop
nets, traps and fish baskets, all of which tend to be nearshore activities
Women’s work is most disadvantaged and
marginalized when coastal and marine
resources are degraded and depleted. When
reefs and mangrove areas are destroyed,
women fishers who use simple gears are
relegated to shell gathering or to vending
the produce of nearby fish ponds.
Fishing as an occupation is more than just fish production.
The participation of women before and after fish capture
has been given little importance, leading to the near
invisibility of women as contributors to this sector. However,
Younger women
leave the fishing
villages to seek
employment as
either domestics or
factory workers. The
men, on the other
hand, could acquire
more powerful
vessels to take them further to sea.
these pre- and post-production activities are significant in
terms of their economic and social value. These include
net mending, sorting fish upon landing, fish vending,
trading and market retailing, and
processing and preservation (salting
or drying). It has been observed that
men are involved in marketing
activities mainly when dealing with
intermediaries and the fish caught is
of high commercial value (tuna,
abalone). Otherwise, women handle
the small scale marketing that
A woman sorts fish
PHOTO and CAPTION:
www.fao.org/bestpractices/
content/06/06_05_en.htm
The women’s assemblies reiterated the need
for the deliberate inclusion, recognition and
appreciation of women in CBCRM, as they
too are as significant stakeholders... A
total of 8 women assemblies were held in
Laguna, Rizal and Cavite. The discussions
and the research done by the CALARIZ
further showed presence of information gaps
on women in the fisheries sector and
gender issues
involves inexpensive fish varieties. Fish processing and
preservation is mainly the arena of women because it is
associated with food preparation. Women engaged in postharvest fishing activities constitute 40% of such workers
and substantially increase the total income of their
households.
As a result, there was an increase in
the number of women participants in the
federation work.