The network through the secretariat convened two regular cluster meetings on April 22nd in Davao and April 29th in Zamboanga early this year.  The meeting cum fellowship was part of the mandate of the network in strengthening its cluster membership and development support to members. The network recognizes that operationalizing the membership in geographic clusters is a key mechanism for members’ participation in defining and pursuing network priorities and thrust for the development of Mindanao.

The cluster meeting was primarily convened to gather updates and stories from members on their current organizational status and performance as well as identify specific cluster needs for 2009. The clustering mechanism has been viewed by the network as venue and opportunity for members in facilitating dialogue, synergy, exchange of information, sharing of technology and project insights, as well as defining common advocacy positions that contributes to catalyzing the crafting of consortium agenda and initiatives for the development of convergence areas.

The perfect attendance of the Davao cluster members resulted to a productive discussions and reflections. Ms. Alma Monica de la Paz, KAPWA Executive Director, hosted the meeting and   welcomed representatives from JSFI, KAHAYAG, IPHC, MDC, and PCEEM including PHILDHRRA Secretariat in their office where the meeting was held. The gathering facilitated a fluid exchange of sharing and reflections on what have NGOs become in doing development work. Each was able to share their personal and institutional reflections on the nature of development work their respective NGOs are doing. One of the major reflections cited was quoted that “the passion, reflection and foundation of COs are no longer the foundation of today’s development workers”. The meeting concluded with a number of action points recommended that include: a) the need to rethink, re-assess, and defined NGO relevance of fittedness  in the context of development; b) the need to re-examine NGO bankability and credibility in project implementation, c) for the network to define and enforce membership discipline and sanctions particularly with members engaging with LGU conspiracy on project funds from funded projects, d) define mechanisms that can help influence international NGOs not compromising the small local NGOs in accessing projects and implementation as well. And finally, the cluster seriously recommended to the secretariat to conduct regular network NGO monitoring to assess NGOs performance based on the NGO Code of ethics and standards.

In the meeting convened by the Zamboanga cluster held at Zamboanga city, Chairperson Carbonera opened the activity by welcoming the members as well as non-members of the network invited to join in the meeting. The meeting started with a brief introduction and kumustahan. Organizational updating and sharing was facilitated highlighting the gains and successes of members in line with their respective development interventions in Zamboanga peninsula. To situate the cluster’s initiatives and priorities, RC Abando of the secretariat presented the Network Performance Indicator of the network (2009-20015) for their review and validation. The indicators being validated serves as basis in defining the cluster thrust and directions for 2009. Other important agenda discussed in the meeting include: CSO strengthening in Zamboanga peninsula in partnership with PEF, conduct of NGO performance monitoring and invitation to the network climate change conference. The Zamboanga cluster was attended by the active presence of Fr. Enrico Montano of CESCOD, Mr. Loreto Procianos of MOFECO, PEF Representative Mr. Enriquez and representatives from other NGO entities invited for said meeting.