2007 Updates: Membership Development and Support

Program Support Towards Innovative Models for SIAD

The network through the project management office of PhilDHRRA Mindanao has implemented the Caraga SIAD project with 4 member-NGOS of Caraga cluster involved in project implementation. The project employs SIAD or Sustainable Integrated Area Development as over-all strategy. Recent developments of the project adopted the reformulated design as agreed by the project implementers and InteRED in August 2007. This  resulted to the accomplishments of the following activities: a) The presentation and discussion of the reformulated logical framework and recast budget before the Executive Directors, Point-persons and Community Organizers of the Implementing NGO Partners, b) The review and re-adjustment of work plans of all project staff, c) Modified the project database system in accordance with the contents of the reformulated logical framework, and  d) Modified and implemented the staff complement of the Project Management Office.

In another yet recent development, InteRed representative informed PhilDHRRA that  InteRed is looking forward to a long term partnership with PhilDHRRA and is open to accept new proposals from PhilDHRRA in time of project call by AECID.  The consortium approach with PhilDHRRA will continue along with the new approach that InteRed is pursuing – the convenio.

In support to the SIAD initiatives, the secretariat was able to access funding from LWR on its short term project on “Developing a SIAD Guidebook for Replicators”. The project facilitated the documentation of the processes involved in the operationalization of the SIAD strategy as experienced by SIAD practitioners. A series of activities such as key informants interview, Focus Group Discussions, and validation has been undertaken in line with the processes outlined in coming up with a guidebook. Participation of members has been very limited as it only involved key 5 Key SIAD practitioners’ as contributors in the development of the guidebook. However, in the Mindanao SIAD Forum conducted, more members were invited to share and critique in the 1st draft output of the guidebook. The guidebook is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2008 for the awareness and information of the general public, especially among the development practitioners community.

The programs and projects implemented were in line with the areas on natural resource management, good governance, social infrastructure building, tenurial security- AR and ancestral domain, basic social services such as access to potable water system, electricity, and education, health and nutrition, enterprise and livelihood development, sustainable agriculture, micro finance, gender and development, megalink connectivity – Pinoy ATM Coop, and peace and development.

Two proposals were also developed for submission from the Zamboanga and Cotabato clusters and are waiting for its approval. Part also of promoting SIAD as a development strategy is the plan of producing a video documentation which is on the initial conceptualization and designing stage facilitated by the secretariat and the RBOT.

Network Agenda Promotion and Advocacy

The network continued its network agenda promotion and advocacy in the areas of mining, engagement in the act for peace, asset reform, sustainable agriculture, IP rights and tenurial security, governance, gender and health.

Members continued its active involvement and participation as they sit in the different strategic formations from the barangay, municipal, provincial and regional level. The Northern Mindanao cluster continued its involvement in partnership with the church specifically in the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro through its active participation in the Church-Academe-NGO CONVERSATION and active membership with the PMP Cabustam cluster.

In the series of preparations for the national rural congress initiated by the church, the network is providing support by encouraging its members in the different clusters to participate in the sub-regional consultations conducted. So far, clusters in Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga, and Cotabato have participated in the different consultations facilitated by the church for the NRC.

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