REPORT OCT 2002-2003 (OTHERS; PERISHED ARCHIVES)

Dear Members and correspondents,

It's been a busy time; fast-moving events have accelerated the demand to deliver the project leaving little time to report.

But, in addition to 2 motorbikes to get our team and partners out to deliver outreach we are now seaborne.

we have the boat on the water to visit the otherwise inaccessible coastal settlements. When possible we go out in coordination with the "Eric Sustat" pumpboat of the US NGO "SUSTAT" to ensure marine safety- the Coastguard having no serviceable vessel.
[Photo- SUSTAT]




As part of our joint activity with SUSTAT we assist in distribution of their quality seeds to improve vegetable-growing in the tribal communities with which we work: inadequate vegetable consumption is a major factor in widespread malnutrition which particularly handicaps the young.

This harvest is the result of us supplying the Tribal Chieftain of Lingig with quality seeds from Sustat which he passed over to one of his tribal members establishing this Demonstation Farm in barangay Mandus. They have done well! But - it will only count as a success when the neighboursask for seeds, and succeed in growing for seeds as well as for crops.





One of the most arduous duties was to assist in the prejudging of
"Miss Bislig City Tourism" at this noted beauty spot-

Tinoy-An Falls, near barangay Borboanon. We are assisting the tribals to establish not only their land claim here but also in firming up the wildlife sanctuary/reserve.




We have a bit too much exitement in the last 2-3 months, starting with a request from a US associate to help trace relatives of a supposedly British victim of an explosion in a Davao Hotel. In fact not - a complicated tale of treasure-hunting and conspiracies. Thanks John and the team at Headweb.co.uk for rapid research.
It has been hectic- in the last Quarter we have supported the Highway and Bridge demonstrations- clamourfor justice- the District General Assembly, Tribal Council meetings at Barangay, Municialand District levels where most of the delivery of our training takes place, petitions to halt the further takeover of Tribal Lands, information drive to inform the investigatory team of the Dept of Environment, attendance of chieftains at the Provincial and Municipal Tribal Chieftains Convention in Butuan City, response to the Government Circular announcing implementation of the Mandatory Representation provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and lobbying of the National Commissioner for Indigenous Peoples and her Executive Director on their visit to this area.




The City was cut off from the outside world for a short while as
tribal and migrant protestors closed the bridge. Women and families

also camped out in improvised tents to call attention to their plight.

 The Provincial Governor promised action in Manila and the protesters agreed a moratorium on their protests. rf3000 supported the organisers with loads for mobile phones, secretarial and xerox costs and technical advice on communications with the Police and Military to prevent any hasty misjudged response on their part.

We agreed that the 2nd District Tribal Council General Assembly could be held in rf3000 office/conference room/tribal hall. Three weeks before welcoming tribal representatives from 120 barangays ("Parishes") we have a slight problem with the Tribal Hall-

The nightly rainstorm is sometimes accompanied by very strong winds. (I said the building was too high!)




We have the technology-we can rebuild. Tight schedule, that's all. Two weeks to go.

Today's the day - 150 delegates and special attendance guests will arrive in two hours.

The roof's not finished - but I the floor will be fine. I think. (Jun adds some nails, just in case, 7am.) 

"Do we have a conference pack for every delegate?"   

First attendees sign in.






First arrivals study the information packs and Agenda

while waiting for the meeting to start. It's the first one. They never had one before because they come from up to 50kbm away; they never had the money to ride and it's too far to walk.


 

Too busy listening to remark that the roof is only a tarpaurlin.

The men chieftains are called "Datu" ; the women chieftains are called "Bae".






Government Officer for the Environment is discomfited:

This tribal chieftain has a substantial complaint from his village. And he has the microphone.








He is not the only one with a hard question:

Making the best of the opportunity he has been waiting for.

The organisers can relax- in full swing, and everything

appears to be under control. No-one knows that underneath, on a rising tide, Jun the carpenter is doing further repair works to the flooring!






No less than the Chief of Police has come to reassure the tribespeople that the PNP will protect them from criminal abuses that they have suffered so long.

Not all the listeners are convinced.
 




Meetings are the focal point of the work experience training we provide- in managing the tasks they need to achieve the self-determination and self-governance promised to them in their Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.  

Regular monthly sessions of the District Tribal Council  were held in rf3000 office.

We supplied the fares, snacks and secretarial expenses
Surprised by the numbers attending, the Commissioner's party hastily arranges a venue to hear the complaints of the tribals.



The City Tribal Chieftain has a simple statement to make to the National Commissioner:
"All we are asking for, Ma'am, is implementation of the Law".




We all need a vacation; Philippines is not a very safe place, but here in Eastern Mindanao things remain relatively secure in what has become a rather insecure world. And the positives appear to outnumber the negatives. Interesting times may await us as the peso falls, but we are watching out.

Mind how you go - we will.

Mike Greenwood CEO rf3000, Mindanao, Philippines 25 Oct 2002








rf3000 is a UK-registered not-for-profit Company funded by membership subscriptions and the UK government's Department for International Development [DfID. rf3000 works with Philippines partner organisationsfor the enhancement of livelihoods, civil rights and rainforest and coral sea environments.