2007 Accomplishment Highlights

KAPWA Upliftment continued to assists lumad and upland communities to address poverty and environmental destruction through capacity building in land tenure, technology, livelihood and health.

The Makilala Project

Kapwa assisted 253 farmers in Makilala with agro-forestry projects. It also assisted 53 women with income generating projects.

Also assisted were the Anonang, Bitaug, Alegre Tribal Councils to comply with the requirements for the Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Environmental Management Bureau to construct a Level 2 Water Project. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Mt. Apo Protected Area management board also endorsed the project.

Kapwa also assisted women to enable them to gain recognition as equal partners and participate in deciding home and livelihood matters as attend trainings and field trips.

Kaabag sa Kalambuan

Kapwa assisted 348 farmers in formulating farm and household plans. These plans enabled them to acquire knowledge and skills on agro-forestry, marketing and initiate other possible livelihood opportunities to augment income.

Creating Space for Peace

This project aimed to enhance the capability of the Sta. Cruz Municipal Tribal Council leaders to manage their ancestral domain. In addition the project also aimed to assist Barangay Tibolo farmers to implement agro-forestry and livelihood projects.

Kapwa provided leaders with seminars on the CADT process, the three laws operative in Mt. Apo, and training on basic leadership skills, gender sensitivity and project management.

Advocacy

The report of Task Force Kapatagan under the Regional Land Use Committee showed that the DENR was unable to regulate illegal activities inside Mt. Apo Natural Park. The report was submitted to the Regional Development Council – of which Kapwa is a membet – which then deliberated on the matter. Newly elected Governor Cagas of Davao del Sur expressed dismay and publicly declared the he would not allow the illegal banana plantations to compromise the health and environmental safety of the people of Davao del Sur. He tasked DENR to address the matter immediately.