Year 2007 is practically a significant year for Mindanao network as it continued to carry on its remaining tasks directed towards the realization of the 5-year strategic thrust (2003-2008) of the network. With the new set of network leadership, the network is  challenged to strengthen its members to become more relevant NGOs that contribute to sustainable rural development in Mindanao. Below were the highlights and accomplishments undertaken by the network.

Membership Support and Development

The network leadership recognizes that strengthening members initiatives can help build their performance and participation in pursuing its contributions to poverty alleviation in the rural (and urban) areas through their concrete programs/projects deliveries in their respective areas of operation.

For the year alone, two NGOs operating in the network’s priority areas have applied for membership and were newly accepted members of the network. The AGB Foundation, a newly associate member, operates in the provinces of Misamis oriental and Bukidnon providing microfinance services and agri-livelihood activities to farmers and women in the areas.  While the Save The Children, who’s membership originates in PhilDHRRA Visayas have transferred to Mindanao and was accepted as a new member joining the Cotabato cluster as they operates in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat delivering basic childhood education and health services to these areas.

Part of the updating and monitoring of the general membership on the highlights of the network’s operations for the year was the conduct of the network performance monitoring among its members which resulted to giving recognition of 9 commendable members and 15 active members for year 2007.  Aside from the performance monitoring activities, the network also provided the following technical and capability enhancement services to the members, namely:  project development sessions between Intered and Cotabato cluster, Conducted SIAD orientation and strategic planning to LEAF Foundation, Conducted Technical Writing Workshop to 15 Member NGOs, provided basic orientation on ECLOF to Northern Mindanao and Caraga clusters, organized EPRA consultation involving selected member NGOs in Region 10,  assisted in the installation of MIS system using MS access software to Caraga cluster, provided training opportunities to HSPFI, MUCAARD and CESCOD on specific theme that includes Micro financing, Organic Rice technology and Gender Peace-building.

Consistent to the thrust of increasing capacity of members on ICT development, the network provided a basic orientation on ICT where the IT Consultant share some information on the current trends in non-profit technology to members. Highlighted also was the advent of information management and its four key trends in technology development.

PCNC orientation and coaching were also facilitated to 8 interested members from Davao, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga clusters  with the help of the national secretariat. A total of 5 members in Mindanao are PCNC accredited, while 3 more members were interested to apply for certification.

Research and Documentation

In support to policy research and documentation objectives, the network through the members continued to document cases in line with the following thematic areas on sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge practices, transparency governance, localizing agri-development, and MDG advocacy. And yearly, members provided copies of their publication, newsletters, annual reports, project documents and literatures for compilation. The latter part of the period was the busiest engagement of the network with respect to research and data-based project profiling and updating as mostly of the members participated in the CODE NGO Data-based Profiling project where 9 members were involved in the actual conduct of PARRC survey project in 11 provinces in Mindanao. On the other hand,  ICT capacity under this component were on its way as majority have maximized the used of internet and website to facilitate easy access of information and communication.

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