Oxfam in the Philippines

How can small producers get back in the game?

This opening remarks is delivered by Dante Dalabajan, Oxfam Mindanao Programme’s (OMP) Building Resilient and Adaptive Communities and Institutions in Mindanao (BINDS) Project Manager, during the Back in the Game Briefing Paper Launch and Roundtable Discussion held last April 17.  Dante is also a former policy and research officer of Oxfam in the Philippines’ economic justice program.  (For the e-copy of the briefing paper click here) 

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Wanted: Tubero

This piece is part of Oxfam in the Philippines’ initiative on climate adaptation and financing.  Under its Economic Justice Programme, Oxfam works with the World Resources Institute (WRI), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC) under the banner of the Adaptation Finance Accountability Initiative (AFAI).

By: Gelo Vanguardia, iCSC

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Tiangge ni Manay

by: Ana Caspe 

Alamada, North Cotobato, Philippines — It was Tuesday, a rainy morning in Poblacion Alamada (North Cotabato). Various farm products were brought to the public market for selling and people would come to buy- locally, they call this occasion as ‘Tabo’. Temporary tents were installed and tables were full of varied farm products.  Alongside, a white tent mounted in a green coloured GI pipes and steel bar posts were seen erected, and tables set up full of select vegetables (green leafy, okra, eggplant, squash, sayote, potato, etc), fruits, root crops and tubers from some of the women’s farm gardens.  This tent appeared nicer than the rest.

‘Tiangge ni Manay’ provides space for women to earn from their vegetable produce. (Photo: Keith Bacongco)

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Gender…so “what about it?”

Musings on gender equality and disjointed realities from Oxfam humanitarian program officer Ma. Gabriela ”Abbi” Luz         

Building back resilient economy for Pablo hit areas remain a challenge

by: Jed Alegado

Davao City, Philippines (March 6, 2013) —”My crops were all destroyed. It will take six years for the coconut plantations to be recovered,” said 80-year-old Epifanio Apsay Sr., a farmer and native of New Bataan, Compostella Valley which was one of the worst hit areas by Typhoon Pablo December of last year.

His daughter-in-law Vivian, agrees: “Our main concern is livelihoods and how we are going to feed ourselves. I’m also very worried about how my children will be able to continue their education, as we have no money now.”

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FAB and the role of Oxfam towards a lasting peace in Mindanao

by: Simon Tisdall, The Guardian UK

Manila, Philippines (February 12, 2013) — The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) – the outline peace settlement that the Philippines government and Muslim insurgents of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed last October – provides international agencies and local partners with a rare opportunity to help shape and develop a new political, social and economic entity.

The Bangsamoro (land of the Moro) will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), an administrative structure imposed by Manila in the 1980s that became a byword for inefficiency and corruption. Crucially, the creation of the ARMM failed to stop a war that is estimated to have claimed 120,000 lives over 40 years.

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Christmas in Cateel

Cateel, Davao Oriental (December 25, 2012) — Amidst the festivities and celebratory Christmas mood in the country,  the Humanitarian Response Consortium and Oxfam in the Philippines continued with its Typhoon  Pablo emergency response in Comspotela Valley and Davao Oriental. On Christmas Day, they have distributed water and hygiene kits to 179 families living in Barangay Mainit in the Municipality of Cateel in Davao Oriental.

The response continues in the midst of Christmas parties and revelries in most parts of the country.  From December 26 to 29,  home return kits will be distributed to the Municipalities of Compostella and New Bataan. Water quality monitoring training for residents will also be simultaneously conducted in these areas. More photos in Oxfam sa Pilipinas Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oxfam-sa-Pilipinas/132670216757762?ref=hl

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HRC and Oxfam distribute hygiene kits and give cash grants to residents of Brgy. Kidawa in Laak

Written by: Rodilyn Bolo

Photos: Rodilyn Bolo and Ipe Ramiro, Jr., Oxfam in the Philippines Mindanao Programme Coordinator

Compostela Valley, Philippines (December 17, 2012) — Susan Unuangay,  51 years old and a resident of Brgy. Kidawa in Laak, Compostela Valley looks pensively at the land before her – the muddy, now-unproductive rice fields and the barren mountains beyond.  She shares, “Karon pa mi kita na ana diay ang porma anang mga bukida. Sa una, ga-green-green ra na siya, puno ug punuan.  Mao bugnaw kini among lugar.  Karon, musakit imong ulo, sa kasuga sa adlaw.” (It is only now that we know that the mountains are shaped that way.  Before, we see nothing but green because of the trees.  We also used to enjoy cooler days now, our heads would ache because of the glaring heat of the sun.)

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