Fifty-eight Shades of Green with Unified Dreams and Passion for Development

The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) held its 21st General Assembly (GA) last August 15-17, 2012 in Davao City with the theme “Looking back, strengthening synergy, achieving greater impact in sustainable rural development”. Representatives from its 58 strong member-NGOs gathered for a three-day, modest yet meaningful, celebration hosted by PhilDHRRA Mindanao.

The GA commenced with the parade of the organizations’ banners, highlighting the diversity of work among the members while sending the message that all are one under PhilDHRRA.

Keynote Address

The opening program included no less than the Keynote Speaker, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Hon. Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman, who took time despite her hectic schedule to reunite with her former colleagues in PHILDHRRA. Dinky, as she is fondly called, once served as PhilDHRRA Chairperson in the early 1990s. She commended PhilDHRRA and its members for their numerous and far-reaching initiatives, some of which have already been adopted as national programs of the Philippine government. She shared her dream of seeing true empowerment of the citizens — that from the common people, leaders will rise who could actively and meaningfully engage with government, talking about their issues and working together in governance. She said that in the next five years the challenge for PhilDHRRA would be to evaluate the impact of almost three decades of work that were done by the network collectively and/or its member NGOs in contributing to the network’s vision. In all this, she assured us that the national government would still stand by its commitment to promoting and instituting transparent and accountable governance for the people.

Ka-PhilDHRRA

The GA became an avenue, as well, to see and hear from development practitioners who have been part of PhilDHRRA. Mr. Raul Socrates Banzuela, now the National Coordinator of the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), took the members down memory lane and highlighted the milestones in PhilDHRRA history. Mr. Godofredo Villapando, Executive Director of Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), detailed several opportunities related to FPE grants and the National Greening Program that the members could tap as resources for their development initiatives. Ms. Marlene Ramirez, Secretary General of the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA), talked about global and regional trends, and perspectives that could impact on the advocacies and initiatives done by the network. Ms. Patricia Sarenas, Chairperson, and Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet, Executive Director of the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), presented the draft 2013-17 Strategic Plan of CODE-NGO. In as much as PHILDHRRA is an active member of CODE-NGO and is also in its final stage of crafting its own 2013-16 Strategic Plan, this 5-year plan of CODE-NGO provides major input in setting the direction for PhilDHRRA. Ms. Sarenas also gave an inspirational talk on the last day of the Assembly. Also present in the gathering are two former staff of PhilDHRRA who are now with AsiaDHRRA, Ms. Lany Rebagay who acted as the Master of Ceremony, and Mr. Nonoy Villas, who helped in refining the framework for Sustainable and Integrated Area-based Development (SIAD). These people showed great support for PhilDHRRA throughout the conduct of GA activities.

SIAD Enhanced Framework and Best Practices

The 21st GA highlighted the work being done by the member organizations. Best practices in Sustainable and Integrated Area-based Development (SIAD) were presented in simultaneous workshops that aimed to cull-out the success factors and points for replication of these initiatives. These exemplary practices were featured in: 

• Building Disaster Resilient Communities through Climate-Smart Disaster Risk Management Program (Municipality of San Francisco, Camotes Island, Province of Cebu) – Presented by Hon. Alfredo Arquillano, Vice Mayor, Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu
• Environmental Conservation and Regeneration Program: A CSDO-SC Experience in Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape – Presented by Dodoy Magdolot, Mahintana Development Foundation and Consortium of Social Development Organizations of South Cotabato (CSDO-SC)
• People Empowerment and Transparent Governance: An IPHC-DMSF SIAD Experience in New Corella – Presented by Jo Quianson of Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHC), Asosasyon sa Nagkahiusang Alagad sa Kalambuan (ANAK-New Corella), and Local Government of New Corella
• Mt. Isarog Area Development Program (MIADP) of Caceres Social Action Foundation, Inc. (CASAFI) – Presented by Fr. Jeffrey Briones of CASAFI
• SIAD Initiative in Lamon Bay of Institute of Social Order – Presented by Dr. Liza Lim, Director of the Institute of Social Order
• Maribojoc Coastal Resource Management of PROCESS-Bohol – Presented by Luchie Almagro, Regional Coordinator- PhilDHRRA Visayas

Building on the insights and lessons learned from the presentations, an enhanced framework of SIAD, as an area development model being promoted by PhilDHRRA since the 1990s, was presented by Ms. Jing Lopez, PHILDHRRA National Coordinator. The members affirmed SIAD as the overarching framework with enhanced features that include a description of major components such as (a) access to and control of productive resources, (b) natural resource and management, (c) enterprises and improved market governance and (d) enhanced delivery of health, education and social services. The SIAD is also highlighted in PhilDHRRA’s 2013-2016 Strategic Plan.

Moving Forward

The Board of Trustees headed by Chairperson Jose Ricardo Molina and National Coordinator Jing Lopez were commended by the membership for doing a great job in ensuring that PhilDHRRA maintains its dynamic structure and continues to significantly contribute to rural development. The challenge of achieving greater impact now lies on the shoulders of the new set of National Board of Trustees: Bimbo Fernandez – Chairperson; Alma Dela Paz and Liza Lim – Vice –Chairpersons; Edwin Nerva – Treasurer; and Members: Belen Fecundo, Ruth Montojo, Marge Dela Cruz, Chaco Molina and Boy Homicillada.

Solid color green for unity and solidarity! — Pat Sarenas, CODE-NGO

To cap off the three-day celebration, PhilDHRRA members and Secretariat donned green shirts and posed for a photo — the effect captured by the lenses were astounding: a solid mass of green that articulated the unified dreams and passion for the country’s development. — Ivy Panganiban, PHILDHRRA Research Assistant