By: Albert Aquino, CENVISNET

Synthesis of the public forum on September 24, 2020 during the CODE-NGO Social Development Week with the same title/theme; presented by Mr. Albert Aquino, Chairperson of CODE-NGO, 2018-2020

We acknowledge and value the recognition that our Honorable Vice President Leni Robredo gives to the work of CSOs, of CODE-NGO, its members and partners during this difficult time. Her recognition strengthens our resolve. “We are made for times like this!” she reminds us confidently. Indeed we are!

The presentations of Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC and Dr. Jing Karaos give us more courage. Here are some points I value from our discussion this afternoon:

“An Empowering Mindset/Framework from the Communities”, Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC

• The Filipino culture rules. – We began the Covid-19 survey with kamustahan, followed by the impact rating. From the kamustahan, we found out what the communities truly needed.
• Our data collection work is pioneering. – The communities and CSOs were ahead of government in gathering such information for we know that Covid-19 response needs to be evidence-based, science-based, and relevant. Our partners in government and other sectors must learn about how local organizations and communities cope and the extent of their positive contribution during this crisis. It is not strange, in fact, to find CSOs as resource institutions training local government units.
• The civil society sector is often the source of innovations. –  Our study documented Filipino families’ diskarte. They did not depend on government; each family searched for solutions. Loss of income? Many started backyard gardening, online selling; some made better use of their money; others augmented income by using their talents, ex. baking, sewing, cooking, repairing gadgets, etc. We can learn so much from the poor.

“Organisadong Pagdadamayan”, Dr. Anna Marie Karaos

• Despite limited financial capital and human capital (because of less mobility due to lockdowns) in the communities and in our NGOs, our wealth remains and it lies in our social capital, the trust or confidence that our partner communities and social networks have in us.
• Poor communities like those in BASECO Compound in Manila harness such social capital dynamically. Buhay na buhay ang damayan – support-giving is extensive among family members and neighbors in the community. We also see that in the basic ecclesial communities (BECs) in St. Vincent de Paul Parish where their social enterprise is actually a community enterprise. They exemplify mutual support and accountability among BECs.

In these times when people are gasping for breath to survive, many are fighting for resources, some are even fighting for recognition. But servant leaders collaborate with each other.

Ang mahalaga sa nabanggit ng ating mga speakers ay mayroon tayong kapital – social capital at mga talento – at kailangan nating palakasin ang ating pag-oorganisa at networking para “pagkakitaan” ang kapital na ito. Trust-building ang ating puhunan – trust or tiwala ng komunidad, ng barangay, ng local government, etc. May extra challenges man sa panahong ito, di tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa kung tayo ay organisado.

The importance of social capital cannot be over emphasized. Ang pagdadamayan sa maliit at mahirap na mga komunidad ay pagpapakita ng ating pakikiisa, tiwala, at pag-unawa sa mga tao. Communities can then draw strength from each other; from that, innovations are born. It is in this manner that we make things happen, grounded in the foundation of community organizing and anchored on love for God and country.

Way Forward

So let us maximize this capital and this empowering mindset.  

Let us strengthen partnership with the business sector and local government units, enhance efforts at influencing national and local government to develop and implement non-traditional, relevant programs for communities.

Ang atin lang panawagan sa national government ay suportahan ang mga innovations at diskarte mula sa komunidad at community-based organizations (e.g. online selling, community enterprises, informal employment gamit ang sariling talent, etc.), sa halip na i-tax o i-require silang mag-register.  Suportahan din ang mga local governments na may diskarte ring tumugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan.

Kaya’t tulad nga ng sabi ni VP Leni, padayon lang tayo, patuloy lang sa pagbibigay ng sarili, sa paglawak ng malasakit, sa pag-angat ng mga kasamahan natin na nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Dahil ang kanilang pag-angat ay pag-angat nating lahat.

Thank you very much and have a pleasant afternoon.

Watch the full video of the public forum here.