Sustainable Rural Development Program

TERMINAL REPORT
Covering the period
November 2004 to October 2007

Submitted to

Evangelischer Entwinklungsdienst
EED

by the

Project Development Institute

PDI

building self-reliant communities through people’s initiatives…

44 Gen. Segundo Street, Heroes Hill, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Quezon City
Tel No. 374 39 86; 415 16 73/Telefax No. 413 39 35
 TERMINAL REPORT 2004-2007
Sustainable Rural Development Programme
Narrative Report # 6

Table of Contents

I. Developmental Context & Situational Analysis

a. Sustaining Agrarian Reform

b. Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
c. Challenges

II. The Programme

a. Objectives
b. Areas of Operation
c. Management
d. Efficiency and Effectiveness
e. Alliances and Networks in Advocacy

III. The Right to Land: Land Transfer

a. Agrarian Reform
b. Ancestral Domain Rights

IV. The Right to Food: Economic Support Services

a. Starting Aid
b. Trading Capital
c. READ: Small Projects Fund
d. Sustainable Agriculture

V. Local Governance and People Empowerment

a. Institutional Building
b. Participation in Local Government Bodies
c. Women Empowerment
d. Empowering the Youth

VI. Research and Policy Advocacy

a. Advocacy Campaigns and Mobilizations

b. Linkage Work
c. Usaping Bayan
d. Research

VII. Developing Human Resources through Education

a. Training
b. Non Formal Education
c. College Scholarship

VIII. Conclusion

a. Project Objectives
b. Facilitating Factors
c. Constraining Factors
d. Lessons Learned
 Annexes:

1. Summary Report for Starting Aid

2. Own Means Starting Aid
3. Schedule of Repayment
4. Small Project
5. Trading Capital
6. Financial Report
 Project Development Institute
44 Gen.Segundo, Heroes Hills,
Brgy. Sta.Cruz, Quezon City
Tel No. 374-3986/Fax 413-3935

TERMINAL REPORT
Covering the period
November 2004 to October 2007

I. Developmental Context and Situational Analysis

Our situation

Deepening rural poverty, fueled by inequitable access to economic resources and the
continuing lack of determination and vigor on the part of government in
implementing land distribution laws, mirrors the situation of the rural poor. This
underlines the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups such as peasants, rural women
and indigenous peoples in overcoming poverty and food insecurity.

Sustaining Agrarian Reform

The Department of Agrarian Reform funded a study entitled “Comprehensive

Agrarian Reform Program Impact Assessment -Study on the Impact of CARP on
Poverty Reduction and Prospects for Long-Term Growth”. The study found that less
than two-thirds of the program scope had been accomplished. Furthermore, in the
last eight years ending December, 2006, the pace of distribution had slowed down
with only 24 percent of the target being achieved.

The study found that only 18 % of private lands under compulsory acquisition have
actually been covered and distributed as of end December 2006. Moreover, for most
of the lands which have been distributed, around 72% are still not individually titled.
This means that the incentive effects of ownership will not translate to any economic
development since there is no individual ownership as yet. Consequently the farmers
will have difficulty getting credit and will be vulnerable to the temptation of selling
their rights or abandoning their lands.

The study found that CARP has improved the quality of life of agrarian reform
beneficiaries (ARBs), citing that the per capita expenditure, per capita income, and
per capita net farm incomes of farmers owning lands are significantly higher than
their counterparts who do not own land. It concludes that land ownership is critical
for poverty reduction and economic growth and that ownership and control of the
land determines the incomes of farmers. It goes on to say that the odds that a
household is non-poor are higher than the odds that it will be poor, if it owns land.
This conclusion is a truth that all farmers have known since time immemorial. This
truth is the rationale for the struggle of peasants to own the land they till because
they know that land ownership is their way out of poverty.

Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples (IPs)

Republic Act 8371, the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), was enacted by the
10th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines and was signed into law by President
Fidel V. Ramos on October 29, 1997.

IPRA is the first and the most comprehensive law that recognizes the rights of
Philippine Indigenous Peoples to self-governance, social justice, human rights and
cultural integrity. The IPRA recognizes the rights of IPs to own their ancestral
domains and ancestral lands.

Unfortunately, while indigenous peoples are claiming their ancestral land rights
based on the IPRA law, their claims are in conflict with other legislations that grant
utilization rights, ownership or stewardship rights over lands and resources. Some
examples are the National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAs) program of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Mining Act and the
Local Government Code of 1991.

Our challenges

To reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth, the implementation of the

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to redistribute land to landless
peasants is critical. It is unfortunate that there is only one year before the scheduled
termination of the Program yet much still needs to be done.

For the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the challenge is to enable them to regain
ownership of their ancestral lands and be accorded respect for their culture and way
of life, including their political structures and systems. The Indigenous Peoples Rights
Act (IPRA) must be implemented. Time is of the essence because of the threat of
mining companies poised to explore huge tracts of mountainous areas in their search
for valuable metals.

II. Financial Review

Based on the Financial Statement for the period ending October 31, 2007 and the
Auditor’s Report, the total grant received by PDI from EED-EZE (from July 2007 to
October 2007) amounted to P1, 344,159.83. PDI’s interest income is P742.07 while
its gain in foreign exchange gain is P2, 546.17. Its own means reached P957,
562.25. Thus, total revenue is P2, 306,042.32. However, total expenditure reached
P4, 596,168.82.
III. The SRDP Program

a. Objectives

The Sustainable Rural Development Program (SRDP) was implemented by the

Project Development Institute from November 1, 2004 to October 31, 2007. It was
supported by Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e.v. (EED) from funds provided by
Evangelische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe e.v. (EZE) out of grants of the
Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Protestant Church
(EED/KED).

SRDP evolved from the need to sustain and consolidate the gains achieved in Central
Luzon and Palawan by the Rural Empowerment through Agrarian / Asset
Development (READ) Program. The main objectives of SRDP are:

1. To strengthen land tenure security through land development, livelihood and

support services.
2. To ensure the sustainability of local institutions by strengthening the capacity
and autonomy of its partner-peasant organizations (PO)
3. To increase the participation of women and youth in community affairs.
4. To enhance participation in local governance and to improve capacity in
formulating strategies for mobilizing public resources for rural development.
5. To utilize the consolidation period to prepare its partners for the eventual
transfer of the development work from PDI to their Peasant Organizations.

b. Areas of Operation

The SRDP Program was implemented in 8 provinces in Central Luzon namely Aurora,
Bataan, Bulacan, Nueve Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and the province of
Palawan in Southern Tagalog.
SRDP Coverage

AU R O R A

N U E V A E C IJ A

T AR LAC

P AM P AN G A
Z AM B ALE S
B U L AC AN

B ATA AN

REGION III

c. Management

Supported by members of its PDI Board of Trustees, the Project Development

Institute is headed by its Executive Director, Aurea G. Miclat-Teves. The Office of the
Executive Director leads the Management Committee which is composed of the Field
Operations, Monitoring and Information System, Finance and Administrative
Departments.
Area Management Teams

PDI established Area Management Teams (AMTs) to facilitate the management of the
program. The AMTs promote people’s participation in the operation and
implementation of the program.
Zambales Area Management Team (ZAMT)- manages local operations in Zambales
and administers the Alternative Development Center in Bulawen, Palauig. It also
coordinates field operations in the adjacent province of Bataan.
Nueva Ecija Area Management Team (NE-AMT)- is based in Villa Mena, Laur. It
coordinates the development programs of Aurora, Pampanga and Tarlac.
Palawan Area Management Team (PAMT)- implements development programs for
Tagbanuas of Calamianes Islands. PAMT has expanded to assist non-IP beneficiaries.
It promotes and advances Sustainable Agriculture and Non-Formal Education in the
island.
Community Organizers are stationed in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan,
Pampanga and Tarlac. Community Organizers live among the peasants and work
from PDI-NMGL Coordinating Centers.
PDI ensures sustainability by training the members of Peoples Organizations to
assume leadership responsibilities. It acts as a support structure, providing technical
help, organizational training and education.

d. Efficiency and Effectiveness

From November 2004 to October 2007, total project cost of SRDP amounted to
Php57.05million, of which Php37.87million was used for direct program costs and
Php19.18million covered indirect costs of Personnel and Administration. PDI
contributed Php14.05million in counterpart funds. This is 24.64 percent of total
costs, slightly higher than the required counterpart percentage of 24.13 percent. PDI
has adhered to the budget guidelines in its funding contract and maintained total
Personnel costs at Php 15.78 million or 27.66 percent of total costs. The program
has been efficient with a delivery cost (defined as the ratio of Personnel and
Administrative costs to Total Cost) of 33.62 percent.

SRDP is highly effective in terms of costs and benefits. With Php57.05million spent
for the projects, it has delivered (in current market valuation) Php 368.52 million of
agricultural lands to 625 agrarian reform beneficiaries. It has facilitated the re-
acquisition of 39,973 hectares of ancestral domains to 3,444 families of indigenous
Peoples. Also in the pipeline are 73,883 hectares of ancestral domains in various
stages of the re-acquisition process. If we assign a nominal value of Php 1,000.00
per hectare on the re-acquired 39,973 hectares of Ancestral Lands, the total would
be Php 39.97 million. This means that PDI was able to assist in the transfer of a total
Php408.49 million of real assets for Land Tenure Improvement. Moreover, PDI’s
partner organizations were able to generate Php 25.49 million of government
resources to benefit their communities with farm-to-market roads, post-harvest
facilities and school improvements. All these translate to every peso spent by SRDP
resulting in benefits of about Php433.98million for farmers and Indigenous Peoples, a
multiplier effect of 7.6 times.
 e. Alliances and Networks in Advocacy

PDI recognizes the importance of networking to achieve development goals and has
built significant linkages such as coalition networks, task forces and alliances. As an
active member of broad networks of advocacies, PDI brings lessons and ideas from
the local level into regional and national fora.

EED Task Force

PDI is part of the EED Philippine Partners Task Force on Indigenous

Peoples Rights (EED-TFIP), a network of NGOs in the Philippines advancing the
cause of Indigenous Peoples, with support from Evangelischer
Entwicklungsdienst e.V. (EED) of Germany.

PDI is member of the steering committee of the TFIP which is at the forefront of
campaigns and advocacy for IP rights.

Second National Rural Congress

PDI is very active in the Central Luzon Regional Cluster Consultation which is
working for the holding of a Second National Rural Congress in 2008. The First Rural
Congress was held in 1967. It was led by diocesan and parish social action workers
and concluded that the Church must go to the barrios to be of service to the people
who need her most.

After forty (40) long years, the rural parts of the country are still the most neglected
by both the Church’s pastoral care network and the government's development
programs. Thus, a revival of the Congress was envisioned. This time the rural poor
will speak for themselves, share their ideas and formulate plans for their upliftment.

The members of PDI’s partner peasant organizations, the Nagkakaisang Magbubukid

ng Gitnang Luzon (NMGL), the Bukluran ng mga Katutubong Ayta ng Luzon (BUKAL),
and PASAMAKA-L (Pagkakaisa ng Samahang Magsasakang Kababaihan-Luzon), will
lead the preliminary consultations in Central Luzon.

IV. Support for the right to Land

a. Agrarian Reform

The aim of SRDP under this component is the redistribution under the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of 2,338 hectares of land which is
the balance under the former program, plus an additional 3,000 hectares. Under
READ, PDI was able to assist in the re-distribution of 2,953 hectares and this
encouraged optimistic estimate of substantial gains from Land Reform. Moreover, the
goal of an additional 3,000 hectares was based on the Department of Agrarian
Reform’s (DAR) figure of lands placed under CARP in PDI’s service areas.

Unfortunately, the succeeding years were characterized by heightened farmer-

landowner disputes and the inability of the Government to implement land reform in
contested private lands. This is especially evident when the landowners are able to
flex financial and political muscles. Land disputes have become very contentious with
verbal threats and acts of violence directed against the farmers, the organizations
who assist them and even against government personnel who are perceived as
“farmer-friendly”. Big landowners are especially resistant to moves to re-distribute
their lands. To date, PDI and its partner peasant organization, NMGL (Nagkakaisang
Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon) have 50 Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) and
Acquisition Law Implementation (ALI) cases pending with the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR). According to the Secretary of the Department, there is a
backlog of 1.2 million hectares of land still to be processed for land reform and over
2,000 cases involving land disputes.

From 2004 to 2007, PDI in coordination with the Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) and its partner peasant organization NMGL, facilitated the re-distribution of
939.71 hectares of land. (see Table 1). This means land tenure improvement for 625
farmer beneficiaries who now own the land they till. These lands were secured for
the farmers after a long struggle with the government bureaucracy and the
landowners. PDI is especially proud that of this total, 98 percent consists of private
agricultural lands and were obtained in the face of strong landowner resistance to
land conversion.

For July to October 2007, the Lutgarda Torres Property in Angeles City made up of
164 hectares was awarded to 64 farmer beneficiaries (See Table 1).

Table 1
Land Tenure Improvement under the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP/RA 6657)
By Province
2004-2007
Area
No.
Awarded
Year Location of Land Owner
(in
FBs*
Hectares)
2004 Laur , Nueva Ecija 20 Lot 22 Tinio Property 21.00
Morong, Bataan 15 Frederick De Dios 29.05
Magalang,
Pampanga 14 Feliciano Tino 28.80
Angeles, Pampanga 46 Raul Claveria 34.96
Masinloc, Zambales 25 D. Yap 23.50
11 V. Jalipa 11.00
Candelaria
Zambales 14 F. Yap 42.07
Masinloc, Zambales 81 P. Estella 74.66
Gerona, Tarlac 20 Carbonel 58.00
2005 Laur , Nueva Ecija 10 Esteban Abesamis 14.97
Gerona, Tarlac 90 J. Cojuangco 88.00
Magalang,
Pampanga 28 Tinio Prop. 42.51
3 Forfom Prop. 1.50
Morong, Bataan 1 F. De Dios 3.00
Kaybanban,
Bulacan 21 Veterans Bank 12.00
Felipe Ricafort &
2006 Borac, Palawan 67 Rodolfo Pebiaco 93.93
 Laur, Nueva Ecija 17 Lot 23 17.00
2007 Bagac, Bataan 64 Felicio Banlig 165.00
Morong, Bataan 14 Abello Property 14.00
Lutgarda Torres
Angeles City 64 Property 164.76
625 20 landholdings 939.71

Another obstacle to land tenure improvement efforts is the fact that land values are
being pushed upwards by rapid urbanization and a ballooning population. Increasing
land values encourage landowners to hold on to their properties and convert them to
other uses such as housing developments or industrial zones, which exempts them
from land reform. It also tempts some farmer-beneficiaries to “get rich” quickly by
selling their newly-acquired lands.

The lands re-distributed under CARP have an aggregate value of Php65.648 million
as assessed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). The Land Bank determines
compensation of landowners and the corresponding amortization obligations of the
beneficiaries. However, the assessed value is only 17.81 percent of the real value of
these properties. Current market valuation of the acquired lands is estimated at
Php368.52 million (See Table 2). With this huge discrepancy, it is easy to understand
the landowner’s motivation to resist land reform by all means.
 Table 2
Land Tenure Improvement
Land Valuation
2004-2007
Total
Area LBP* Total LBP Current
Market
No. Awarded Assessed Assessed Market
Year Location Land Owner Value
of FBs (in Value/Hectare Value Value/hectare
(in PhP
Hectares) (in PhP) (in PhP) (in PhP)
million)
Laur , Nueva Lot 22 Tinio
2004 Ecija 20 Property 21.00 40,000.00 840,000.00 100,000.00 2.10
Frederick De
Morong, Bataan 15 Dios 29.05 50,000.00 1,452,620.00 150,000.00 4.30
Magalang,
Pampanga 14 Feliciano Tino 28.80 125,000.00 3,600,000.00 1,000,000.00 28.80
Angeles,
Pampanga 46 Raul Claveria 34.96 125,000.00 4,370,550.00 1,000,000.00 34.90
Masinloc,
Zambales 25 D. Yap 23.50 40,000.00 940,000.00 700,000.00 16.40
11 V. Jalipa 11.00 40,000.00 440,000.00 700,000.00 7.70
Candelaria
Zambales 14 F. Yap 42.07 40,000.00 1,682,668.00 700,000.00 29.40
Masinloc,
Zambales 81 P. Estella 74.66 40,000.00 2,986,280.00 700,000.00 52.20
Gerona, Tarlac 20 Carbonel 58.00 110,000.00 6,380,000.00 700,000.00 40.60
Laur , Nueva Esteban
2005 Ecija 10 Abesamis 14.97 40,000.00 598,848.00 100,000.00 1.50
Tarlac 90 J. Cojuangco 88.00 200,000.00 17,600,000.00 1,000,000.00 88.00
Magalang,
Pampanga 28 Tinio Prop. 42.51 40,000.00 1,700,496.00 100,000.00 4.20
3 Forfom Prop. 1.50 125,000.00 187,500.00 1,000,000.00 1.50
Morong, Bataan 1 F. De Dios 3.00 50,000.00 150,000.00 150,000.00 0.40
Kaybanban, Veterans
Bulacan 21 Bank 12.00 300,000.00 3,600,000.00 500,000.00 6.00
Felipe Ricafort
& Rodolfo
2006 Borac, Palawan 67 Pebiaco 93.93 60,000.00 5,635,848.00 150,000.00 14.00
Laur, Nueva Ecija 17 Lot 23 17.00 22,070.00 375,190.00 55,180.00 0.94
2007 Bagac, Bataan 64 Felicio Banling 165.00 50,000.00 8,250,000.00 150000 24.75
Abello
Morong, Bataan 14 Property 14.00 120,000.00 1,680,000.00 150000 2.10
Lutgarda
Torres
Angeles City 64 Property 164.76 19,292.00 3,178,550.00 53,000.00 8.73
625 939.71 65,648,550.00 368.52

• Land Bank of the Philippines

Land Tenure improvement means secure economic conditions for farmer-

beneficiaries who regard land ownership as a source of pride, identity and wealth.
Even if the size of the land is very small, possession of a land title changes the
peasant’s status from a landless tiller to an owner. With land ownership, farmers can
now benefit 100 percent from their harvest, increasing their ability to provide food
for their families. Moreover, impact-assessment studies all concur that agrarian
reform beneficiaries (ARBs) are in a better situation than non-ARBs. They have
higher incomes and produce higher output values per hectare. They are more
satisfied with their economic conditions and have a better sense of well-being
compared to non-agrarian reform beneficiaries.
 b. Ancestral Domain Rights

Another goal of SRDP for 2004-2007 is to re-claim 1,000 hectares in the uplands for
the Indigenous Peoples (IPs). The 1,000 hectares comprise part of the IP’s ancestral
domains.

The struggle to re-claim ancestral lands is based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights
Act (IPRA), or Republic Act 8371, a landmark legislation which recognizes and
guarantees the rights of Indigenous Peoples (IP) to their ancestral domains, to self-
governance and empowerment, to social justice, human rights and cultural integrity.

Ancestral domain includes trees, pastures, bodies of water, burial and hunting
grounds, places of worship, agricultural and residential lands and the natural
resources and minerals that are found within these lands. They are community
property belonging to all generations of IPs and cannot be sold, disposed or
destroyed. They have been occupied by individuals and families of Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) since time immemorial and up to the present.
Before the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), traditional land ownership of the
IPs were not recognized because they had no titles. IPRA gave them a chance to re-
acquire these lands and sustain their culture and way of life.

For 2004-2007, the Sustainable Rural Development Program was able to facilitate
the release of CADCs (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims) covering 39,973
hectares to 3,444 families of Indigenous tribes (see Table 3). This means that these
parcels of land have been re-claimed as ancestral domains by these tribes. These
claims are now recognized by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), by the
local governments of their municipalities and provinces and by the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). With the CADCs, IPs have land tenure
security and can inhabit, develop and till their tribal lands. They can now re-establish
their tribes and way of life in their ancestral domains.
 Table 3
Recognized Ancestral Domains
Under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA/RA 8371)
2004-2007
Location/ Photo Documentation Size Number of
Beneficiaries (In Hectares) Beneficiary
Families

Floridablanca,
Pampanga 8,218 1,424

Aeta Tribe

Hermosa, 4,355 700

Bataan

Aeta Tribe

Botolan,
Zambales 22,400 1,200

Aeta Tribe

Limay,
Bataan 5,000 120

Aeta Tribe

Total 39,973 3,444

Processing of Claims

The process of obtaining recognition for these claims has been difficult, time
consuming and expensive. Documentation requirements to support claims had to be
obtained from the Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This necessitated several months of
survey work done by PDI personnel with the help of its partner IP organization,
BUKAL (Bukluran ng Katutubo sa Luzon). The government agency tasked to do this
job, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), is ill-funded and ill-
staffed. To make its work easier, the NCIP entered into Memorandums of Agreement
with Non-Government Organization (NGOs) such as PDI to assist Indigenous Peoples
(IPs) in fulfilling the documentary requirements.

Field work was necessary to delineate the boundaries of ancestral domains as

narrated and claimed by tribe members. This involved months of field work deep in
the mountain ranges to ascertain, validate and confirm the tribe’s claims.
Afterwards, field surveyors and geologists from NCIP (National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples) had to be assisted while they conducted
geological/topographical surveys and mapped the ancestral lands. Genealogy
surveys going back at least five generations were also conducted to confirm the
tribe’s “occupancy since time immemorial and up to the present” of their ancestral
domains. These entailed months of field work conducting interviews, researching and
validating findings. These Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are nomadic mountain tribes so it
was a massive undertaking to seek them out, gather them and listen to their stories
in order to sort out their family trees. PDI also had to document the IP’s customs,
traditions, pacts, agreements, language and other anthropological data. It had to
produce photo documentation of landmarks, make genealogy charts and file
verification reports. It also conducted an updated population census.

Progress of Claims

For IPs (Indigenous Peoples) to have land tenure security in their ancestral domain,
their claim must be recognized by the government through the issuance of a
Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) issued by the Department of
Environment Natural Resources (DENR). Afterwards, the IPs must work for the
issuance of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) by the same Department
after approval by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). This
requires submission of the documentary requirements consolidated in a “Claim
Book”. The NCIP deliberates on their request on 1st and 2nd Readings and then
approves the release of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) by the
DENR. We are pleased to report that the IP lands claimed in Botolan, Zambales and
Floridablanca, Pampanga have hurdled the 1st and 2nd readings/deliberations of the
NCIP and are now awaiting approval for release of their CADTs.

At present, PDI is also assisting several IP tribes of Aetas, Dumagats and Tagbanuas
in getting recognition for their claims on 73,883 hectares of ancestral domains in
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Palawan. These efforts are in different stages of the
claims process. (See Table 4).

Table 4
On-Going Claims for Ancestral Domains
As of October 2007
Location Beneficiary Estimated Area Status
(In Hectares)
Validation of
Documents
Porac, Pampanga Aetas 40,000 Reproduction of
Claimbook
Scheduling of
deliberation by the
Commission
Under negotiation
General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Dumagats 17, 883 with NCIP
Signing of MOA and
Coron, Palawan Tagbanuas 16,000 Review of Work and
Financial Plan

Total 73,883 hectares

Threats and Challenges

The re-acquisition of ancestral domains is of particular importance because the

government’s mining liberalization program, Executive Order 270 or the National
Policy Agenda Revitalizing Mining in the Philippines, opened up 70 percent of the
national territory to mining interests. The continued rise of metal prices in the
world’s commodity markets have made mining very attractive to foreign and local
investors. At present there are about 500 mining applications filed with the Mining
Management Division of the Bureau of Mines covering explorable areas in Central
Luzon. The ancestral domains of the IPs are usually located in mountainous areas
endowed with mining and timber resources. If the mining applications are approved
in areas where the ancestral lands have not been re-claimed, the chances are nil that
their lands will be given back to the tribes.

Another threat is the rapid urbanization of satellite cities in the countryside where
access roadlinks pass through ancestral domains. Such is the case of the Subic-
Clark-Tarlac Expressway project which traversed the Aeta’s ancestral lands in Porac,
Pampanga. The law provides for the informed consent of the Indigenous Peoples
(IPs) on anything that enters their ancestral lands but the highway project did not
secure their consent.

The challenge for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) is to unite themselves and equip their
people to manage and protect their re-acquired ancestral domains. They must be
strong to withstand the external forces that are encroaching on their territories. They
must be steadfast but flexible to be able to sustain their culture and way of life in a
changing world.

PDI with its vision of agrarian reform and rural development is committed to assist
the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) face these threats and challenges. It has continuously
assisted IPs with technical support to re-claim their ancestral domains, capacity
building exercises, social preparation, leadership training and economic support of
small entrepreneurial endeavors.

V. The Right to Food: Economic Support Services

PDI recognizes that the provision of support services to poor farmers is essential
because of low agricultural productivity, lack of capital, limited market linkages and
poor infrastructure which limits access to buyers. Promotion of support services
ensures the sustainability of Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) efforts and contributes
to poverty reduction and to promotion of social justice.

PDI adopted an integrated strategy in the delivery of support services and

implemented these in areas not covered by similar projects. The Economic Support
Services (ESS) component emphasizes institutional development and participation.
This has proven to be an effective approach for support service delivery and has
contributed to the promotion of self-reliance and the improved capacity of
beneficiaries to manage their projects.

a. ESS/Starting Aid

The Starting Aid funds projects that assist farmers’ transition to more sustainable
and profitable farming practices (livestock production, rice production pineapple
 production, salt production), develop alternative products (virgin coconut oil, honey
production), or start a new farming operation ( fruit processing, pottery).

Since 2005, Starting Aid has funded loans and grants worth Php4,005,455.00 (See
Table 5). It has benefited 4,394 peasants, rural women and Indigenous Peoples
(IPs). Starting Aid beneficiaries are peasant organizations with the entire
organization signing for the loan through its duly-elected officers. Since the entire
community is involved in the loan, the credits are better managed and have higher
chances of repayment than personal loans.

Table 5
Economic Support Services
STARTING AID By Cluster of Economic Activity and Volume of Loan
2005 – 2007

Amount of Loan Released Number Number of

Economic Activity 2005 2006 2007 Total of Loans/ Beneficiarie
Grants s
Multi Purpose Bodega 150,000 30,000 180,000 2 401
Nursery 150,000 60,000 210,000 6 1,195
Agro-Forestry 350,000 40,000 390,000 5 1,150
Forest Trees 100,000 100,000 1 25
Seaweeds Farming 598,000 598,000 6 120
Livestock 196,750 425,000 75,000 696,750 15 399
(goat, carabao, hog)
Pineapple Production 444,000 54,000 125,000 623,000 5 155
Honey Production and 30,000 65,000 95,000 3 264
Processing
Virgin Coconut Oil 87,070 87,070 1 25
Water Sprinkler 135,000 135,000 1 13
Palay seed production 200,000 80,000 280,000 3 192
Vegetable production 80,000 80,000 2 41
Salt Production 20,000 40,000 60,000 2 20
Pottery 60,635 60,635 1 40
Fruit Processing 30,000 30,000 1 162
Fertilizer loan 300,000 300,000 2 136
Abaca Production 80,000 80,000 1 56
T l 2 153 750 1 151 705 700 000 4 005 455 57 4 394
Of the 57 ESS projects, six(6) were given as grants for agro-forestry projects and a
multi-purpose center. Of total releases, grants amounted to Php310,000.00 or about
7.7 percent of the total (see Table 6)

With regards to tenure of the loans, long term loans totaled Php600,000.00 (15
percent of total ESS) and consisted of agro-forestry, nursery and forestry projects of
Indigenous Peoples (IPs). These proposals were approved to help the IPs prepare for
the development of their re-claimed ancestral domains. Medium term loans
amounted to Php1,699,750.00 (42 percent of total ESS) and were released for
animal raising and farming of pineapples. Short term loans totaled Php1,395,705.00
(35 percent of total ESS) and funded seaweed farming, palay seed dispersal,
purchase of a water sprinkler, pottery making, and production of honey, virgin
coconut oil, salt, sweet potatoes and various vegetables (see Table 6).
 Table 6
Economic Support Services/Starting Aid
By Type of Aid and Term of Loan as of October 31, 2007
(In PhP)

Loan Amounts
(in PhP)
I. Grants
Multi-purpose Bodega 180,000
Nursery House 60,000
Agro-Forestry 40,000
Fruits Processing 30,000
Total Grants PhP 310,000
II. Loans
A. Long Term
Agro-Forestry 350,000
Nursery 150,000
Forestry 100,000
Total Long Term Loans PhP 600,000
B. Medium Term
Carabao Raising 186,750
Pineapple Production 623,000
Goat Raising 260,000
Hog Raising 150,000
Cow Raising 100,000
Fertilizer Loan 300,000
Abaca Production 80,000
Total Medium Term Loans PhP 1,699,750
C. Short Term
Seaweeds Farming 598,000
Palay Seed Dispersal 280,000
Water Sprinkler 135,000
Honey Production 95,000
Virgin Coconut Oil 87,070
Pottery 60,635
Sweet Potatoes 60,000
Salt Production 60,000
Vegetable Production 20,000
Total Short Term Loans PhP1,395,705
TOTAL LOANS PhP3 695 455

Repayment: ESS / Starting Aid

The repayment percentage is defined as the Amount of Repayment divided by the

Loan Amount. Consequently, the figure will reach 100 percent when the total amount
repaid by the loan beneficiary equals the amount of the loan.

As of October 2007, total repayments under Starting Aid totaled Php 679,656.50,
improving 22 percent over the June figure of Php 555,368.50. Comparing total
repayment versus total loan portfolio (excluding grants) of Php 3,695,455.00 gives a
repayment percentage of 18.39 percent, up from June 2007’s figure of 15.03 percent
(see Table 7). In December 2006, the repayment percentage was only 10.06
percent.
For medium term loans, repayments amounted to Php 247,900.50 for a repayment
percentage of 14.58 percent. For short term loans, repayments amounted to Php
431,756.00 for a repayment percentage of 30.93 percent. There is no repayment as
yet on long term loans (see Table 7).

Please see Annex 7 for a detailed schedule of repayments on ESS/Starting Aid loans.

Table 7
Economic Support Services/Starting Aid
Loan Repayment Schedule
as of October 31, 2007
(in Php)

Date Loan Amounts Repayment Repayment

Released (A) (B) Percentage
(B/A)
A. Long Term
Agro-Forestry Feb. ‘05 350,000.00
Nursery Feb. ‘05 150,000.00
Forestry July ‘05 100,000.00
Total Long Term 600,000.00
B. Medium Term
Carabao Raising Dec. ’05, April 186,750.00 60,000.50
& June ‘06
Pineapple Production Aug. ’05, Oct & 623,000.00 86,500.00
Nov. ‘05
Goat Raising Sept ’05, Nov. 260,000.00 82,900.00
’05 & June ’06
& March ‘07
Hog Raising April & July ‘06 150,000.00 12,500.00
Cow Raising June ‘06 100,000.00 6,000.00
Fertilizer Loan April ‘07 300,000.00
Abaca Production June ‘07 80,000.00
Total Medium Term 1,699,750.00 247,900.50 14.58%
C. Short Term
Seaweeds Farming July, Aug. & 598,000.00 164,425.50
Sept ‘05
Palay Seed Dispersal April ‘06 280,000.00 23,000.00
Water Sprinkler July ‘06 135,000.00 76,000.00
Honey Production Nov. ’05, Feb. 95,000.00 57,000.00
’06 & June ‘06
Virgin Coconut Oil May ‘06 87,070.00 15,130.50
Pottery Dec. ‘06 60,635.00 5,000.00
Sweet Potatoes May ‘06 60,000.00 64,800.00
Salt Production Sept. ’06 & 60,000.00 22,400.00
May ‘07
Vegetable Production Sept. 06 20,000.00 4,000.00
Total Short Term Loans 1,395,705.00 431,756.00 30.93%
Total Loans 3,695,455.00 679,656.50 18.39%
Total Grants Jan 05, Aug, 310,000.00
O t N 06

Recent assessments on the ESS reveal that the package of support services for
beneficiaries in the key areas have resulted in increased production of non-traditional
crops and livestock and in the diversification of farm production activities. PDI’s
support service programs are designed to improve access to credit, strengthen
linkages with suitable markets for their products, make use of appropriate
technology, develop entrepreneurial skills, and fund viable income generating
activities to encourage agribusiness.
The beneficiaries of short term loans have been paying regularly except for two
projects, vegetable production and pottery. Fortunately, they have resolved their
production problems so we now expect them to pay regular amortizations. Some
projects have fully paid their loans: honey production, sweet potato farming and salt
production. The latter has expanded operations and was given a higher loan in May
2007. The seaweed farming projects for the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, the
Tagbanuas, have been ruined by a severe typhoon which washed away the
seaweeds. Capital recovery/collection is still being undertaken albeit at a “pay when
able” mode.

Medium term loan beneficiaries have remitted payments except for some loans
released in 2007 totalling Php380,000.00. Repayments have been slow for animal
raising projects but collection efforts were stepped up and yielded amortization
payments in September 2007 triple that of June 2007 repayments. Pineapple
production has been encountering problems because these are upland farms without
irrigation. The farms are adversely affected by continued dry spells which result in
smaller pineapples and lesser quantities produced.

b. ESS/Trading Capital

Economic support services also provide grants to peasant organizations so they can
develop their capacity for management of trading enterprises. Total grant portfolio
under Trading Capital is Php 1,080,000.00 (See Table 8).

Six farmers groups with 220 members have accessed this credit window and started
their trading businesses, buying local products and selling them to the market
directly, eliminating middle traders to maximize profit.

Table 8
Economic Support Services/Trading Capital
Grants as of October 31, 2007
(in Php)

Activity Amount of Beneficiaries Location

Grant
Buying and Selling 150,000 PASAMA 43 Laur, Nueva Ecija
of Various local
products
Buying and Selling 500,000 NAGSIKAP 102 Masinloc, Zambales
of Various local
products
Buying and Selling 30,000 SAMMARU 15 Coron,Palawan
of Cashew Nuts
Sweet Potato 190,000 NASAKA 20 Limay, Bataan
Trading
Buying and Selling 90,000 SKK 20 Coron, Palawan
of Cashew Nuts
Rice Trading 120,000 SMSD 20 Coron, Palawan
Total 1,080,000 220

c. READ/Small Projects Fund

 Table 9
READ: Small Projects Fund
Loan Repayments as of October 31, 2007
(In Php)

Term of Loan Loan Amount Repayment Repayment Rate

Percentage
Short Term 1,261,943.13 1,140,984.60 90.41
Various Long Term 219,175.00 39,335.00 17.95
Sub-total 1,481,118.13 1,180,319.60 79.69
Drying/Milling
(Long Term) 1,836,500.00 - -

TOTAL 3,317,618.13 1,180,319.60 35.58

The small Projects Fund component of the previous READ Program (Rural
Empowerment through Agrarian/Asset Development 2002-2004) consisted of small
loans given to peasant organizations for small business initiatives (Php 1,261,943.13
or 38 percent of total loans), various long term projects involving agricultural
production and entrepreneurial initiatives (Php 219,175.00 or 7 percent of total
loans) and a drying and milling machine for palay (1,836.500.00 or 55 percent of
total loans).

Total repayments as of October 31, 2007 amounted to Php 1,180,319.60, up 27

percent from the December 2006 repayment figure of Php 928,992.60. Repayment
percentage versus total loans is 35.58 percent. Note however that repayment
percentage versus total loans less the milling / drying facility is 79.69 percent,
increasing substantially from the December 2006 ratio of 62.72 percent. (See Table
9)

Repayment percentage for short term loans is 90.41 percent with repayments of
Php1,140.984.60, up from the December 2006 repayment ratio of 72.12 percent.

The milling / drying facility is fully operational, servicing the farmers of Doña Josefa,
a farming community located in a far-flung barangay of Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.
Income from the mill is recycled back into the business for maintenance and
overhead expenses so there are no repayments as yet.

Please see Annex 9 for a detailed schedule of repayments on READ’s Small Project
funds.

d. Sustainable Agriculture (Sus.Ag)

PDI’s Sustainable Agriculture Program is a community development project

implemented in partnership with agrarian reform beneficiaries, marginal farmers,
rural women and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). The goals of sustainable agriculture are
increased income and food security

PDI implemented its sustainable agriculture program (Sus.Ag) in Coron, Palawan

focused on farmer partners from barangays Borac, Turda and Tagumpay. PDI
facilitated the formation of peasant organizations (POs) in all barangays. Among the
organization’s goals is to extend sustainable agriculture practices among local
farmers by raising awareness and linking up with government and other farmer
groups.

PDI’s commitment to developing programs such as organic farming and rice

production to upgrade the knowledge and skills of farmer cooperators have resulted
in improved knowledge about sustainable agricultural practices. PDI’s pro-active
agricultural education through the Farmers’ Field School and Techno-Demo Farms
have extended practical and appropriate technical expertise to traditional farmers in
Coron. (See Table 10)

The Sustainable Agriculture Program has improved the access to inputs of the farmer
cooperators and diversified their sources of income through introduction of
alternative crops and on and off-farm activities.

Table 10
Sustainable Agriculture Program
Key Inputs and Outputs
2004 – 2007

Key Inputs Techniques Used Output

1. Transfer of updated agro-
technical methods on soil
management and use of
organic fertilizer.
2. Comprehensive training on
best Sustainable Agriculture
practices.
3. Teaching of Integrated
Pest Management tools and
Technologies.
4. Development of alternative
sources of livelihood.
5. Capability building of
farmer-partners.
1. Organization of farmer
groups.
2. Training seminars and
workshops.
3. Monitoring and
Management Committees.
4. Rice Varietal Demo Farms
and Vegetable Demo Farms
to showcase Sloping
Agricultural Land Technology
and Bio-Intensive Gardening.
5. Farmer Field School
6. Model Seaweed Nursery.
1. Reduction of pesticide use.
2. Less dependence on
commercial fertilizer with
increased use of composting.
3. Creation of alternative
sources of income: Seaweed
farming, swine raising, etc.
4. Increased profitability.
5. Environmentally positive
agricultural intervention.
6. Better collaboration
between farmers and
government agencies.

V. Local Governance and People Empowerment

a. Institutional Building

PDI pursues rural development in partnership with Peoples Organizations (POs) of

farmers, women, youth and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). It also works in alliance with
local government units and government line agencies.

PDI intervention has helped increase social capital and stimulated participation in
community development projects. Through the trainings provided, program
beneficiaries have improved their ability and confidence to deal with government
agents since they are now informed about their rights and the basic laws that
concern them.

PDI has organized 107 Peoples Organizations (POs) in Central Luzon and Palawan.
Membership in these POs total 9,689. Membership constitutes 4,339 men, 5,164
women and 186 youth. It is noteworthy that females comprise 53 percent of the
total membership, a testimony to the growing power and awareness of women of
their rights and of their role in local governance. (See Tables 11 and 12).

Table 11
PDI’s Peasant Organization (PO) Building
2004-2007
Number of Number of Number of Number of
Province Women POs Peasant POs IP POs Peoples
Per province Per province Per province Organization
Pampanga 5 1 - 6
Tarlac 5 1 - 6
Aurora 3 - 6 9
Bataan 5 - 7 12
Bulacan 3 6 - 9
Nueva Ecija 14 8 1 23
Zambales 11 13 5 29
Palawan 7 5 1 13
Total 53 34 20 107

Table 12
Gender Distribution in Peasant Organizations
2004-2007
Men Women Youth Total
4,339 5,164 186 9,689

PDI formed these People’s Organizations into three federations, NMGL (Nagkakaisang
Magsasaka ng Gitnang Luzon) for farmers, BUKAL (Bukluran ng mga Katutubo sa
Luzon) for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and PASAMAKA-L (Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng
Kababaihan – Luzon) for women.

The work of PDI with its partner-federations is focused on land tenure improvement
(LTI), consolidation of organizations under its leadership, and the formation of
alliances. Alliance work includes developing relationships with like-minded
organizations, sectoral groups and individuals with whom PDI can build networks and
form united fronts. There alliances strengthen and protect ground level initiatives
and facilitate negotiations.

Government agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Municipal and Provincial
units have a high regard for the federations and the causes that they espouse as
these agencies acknowledge the fact that organized peasantry is a force to be taken
seriously.

Consequently, the farmer beneficiaries and the federations played a significant role
in the resolution of claims under CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program)
and IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) for land tenure improvement.
 b. Participation in Local Government Bodies

PDI has established a rural network, comprised of local POs from the three sectoral
federations, with a regional level that engages flexibly and effectively with
government agencies.

These new breed of leaders across Central Luzon and Palawan have strengthened
and revitalized local development councils and committees, giving effective
representations of their communities.

As shown in Table 13, there are 290 leaders of our allied Peasant Organizations
(POs) who have become members of various local government units and its line
agencies. Their positions are a testament to the strength and effectivity of local
organizing work done by PDI and its partners.

Table 13
Local Government Representation, by Province
As of December 2007

Province Local Representatives/Officers

Zambales 8 Chieftains, 40 Councilors, 25 Brgy.
Health Workers, 47 Committee Officers, 5
Brgy. Captain, 5 Brgy. Secretary,5
Brgy.Treasurer, 9 Social Workers, 6
Daycare Workers, 42 Daycare officers, 3
Sectoral Representatives
Bataan 17 Chieftains, 2 Brgy. Health Workers
4 Councilors
Pampanga 3 Brgy. Captains, 1 Brgy. Secretary,
4 Councilors
Bulacan 4 Councilors
Palawan 8 Councilors, 6 Brgy. Health Workers, 3
barangay Capatians, 3 Chieftains, 1
Treasurer, 1 Barangay health Workers
3 Brgy. Captains, 3 Chieftains
1 Treasurer, 1 Brgy. Health Workers
Tarlac 1 Daycare President
Nueva Ecija 2 Councilors, 1 Social Workers
3 Brgy. Health Workers, 2 Committee
Officers, 1 Brgy. Secretary, 2 Daycare
worker
Aurora 2 Chieftains, 4 Councilors, 1 Brgy. Health
Workers, 3 Brgy. Captains, 1 Brgy.
Secretary

Total 290 Local Reps and Officers practicing

Local Governance
In the
field of local governance, we have 175 allied members comprised of 30 IP chieftains,
66 Councilors (a 32% increase from the previous count of 50 councilors), 14
Barangay Captains, 8 Barangay Secretaries, 6 Barangay Treasurers, 3 Municipal
sectoral representatives and 49 Committee Officers. In Local government agencies,
our allies number 114 and include 38 Barangay Health Workers, 10 Social Workers,
51 Daycare workers and 15 Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) members.
(See Table 13)

In 2006, we reported only 91 allied members in local government bodies. The rapid
expansion in government representation by members of our Peasant Organizations
(POs) is the result of PDI’s continuous investment in capacity building of these POs.

Under PDI’s continuous training, these POs are now equipped with the appropriate
skills to participate in local politics and community affairs. As a direct result,
Community leaders are gradually influencing the allocation of local resources to
economic development activities. Leaders at the community level play a supportive
and critical role in local bodies. In a span of three years, POs sourced a total of
Php25, 497,150.00 pesos from government and private funds to finance their
community’s infrastructure requirements. These funds would otherwise have been
relegated to less important projects. (See Table 14)

Table 14
Type and Value of Resources generated by POs
2004-2007
Type of Resources Value
Generated (in PHP)
Agriculture 461,250.00

Infrastructure 23,302,700.00
Small and Medium
Business Support 397,000.00
Education 1,054,200.00

Social Services
83,000.00
Capacity Building 199,000.00

Total 25,497,150.00

91 percent of the resources or Php23,302,700.00 went into infrastructure projects

such as farm-to-market roads, bridges and irrigation projects. (See Table 14)
Investments in the Education sector had the next sizeable portion with
Php1,054,200.00 or 4.13 percent.

Table 15
Resources Generated by POs
 By province, 2004-2007
Value of
Province Resources
(In PHP)
Bulacan 2,048,000.00

Zambales 9,350,550.00

Aurora 349,000.00

Tarlac 214,000.00

Palawan 1,047,000.00

Bataan 3,129,200.00

Nueva Ecija 8,309,400.00

Pampanga 1,050,000.00

Total 25,497,150.00

Having the biggest membership of organized POs, Zambales and Nueva Ecija
generated 69 percent of these resources totaling Php9,350, 550.00 and
Php8,309,400.00 respectively, (see Table 15).

c. Women Empowerment

SRDP’s gender development component has made a positive impact on gender

equality. In many areas, the leadership and gender training series have resulted in
the active participation of women in community affairs and provided opportunities for
women to hold leadership positions.

Notable improvements can be observed in the status of women in various areas.

Positive changes include:

• An increased ability of women to work from home

• Increased potential of entering into more productive and sustainable
livelihoods
• Transformation of traditional gender roles
• Improved access of rural women to land and funds
• Improved ability for sharing of experiences among women's organizations

At present there are 2 provincial level “federated” women organizations, 15 at the

municipal level and 20 at the barangay level. These federations are members of a
larger regional Women’s federation, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahang Magsasakang
Kababaihan sa Luzon or PASAMAKA-Luzon. (See Table 16)

Table 16
Organization Building-Women
 As of 2004-2007

Province Name of PO Level

Pampanga 1. Bukluran ng Samahang Kababaihan ng Provincial
Pampanga (BSK-Pampanga)
1.1. Pinagbuklod na mga Samahan ng Kababaihan
ng Angeles (PINASAKA) Municipal
1.2. Samahang Magsasakang Kababaihan ng
Magalang (SAMAKA-Magalang) Municipal
Aurora 2. Samahang Pangkababaihang Maharlika sa Municipal
Dingalan (SPMD)
Bataan 3. Nagkakaisang Samahang Kababaihan ng Municipal
Morong, Bataan (NSKMB)
3.1 Nagkakaisang kababaihan ng Morong Bataan Barangay
3.2 Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng Nosil at Nagbayto Barangay
3.3 Samahan ng mga Kababaihang Ayta sa Kinaragan
(SKAK) Barangay
3.4 Samahan ng mga Kababaihan at Katutubo ng
Matalangao Barangay
Bulacan 4. KABISIG (Women) Municipal
4.1. KABISIG (Women) Municipal
4.2. Kapatiran ng mga Kababaihan sa Kaybanban (KKK) Municipal
4.3. KABALINGAY Women's Group Municipal
Nueva
Ecija 5.1. SPKK - Gabaldon (women) Municipal
5.2. SPKK - Playan (women) Municipal

Palawan 6. Nagkakaisang mga Kababaihang Tagbanua ng Municipal

Coron (NAGKATAGCO)
Tarlac 7. SINTA - Tarlac Municipal
7.1 Sandigang Ina ng Tahanan (SINTA - Barbara) Barangay
7.2 SINTA - Mangolago Barangay
7.3 SINTA - Bangar Barangay
7.4 Kilusan ng Kababaihan para sa Kaunlaran ng
Kanayunan (K4) Barangay
7.5 SINTA - Calayaan Barangay
7.6 SINTA - Sampot Barangay
Zambales 8. Nagkakaisang Samahang Magsasaka ng Kababaihan Provincial
(NASAMAKA)
8.1. Iba Women's Society in Community Dev't. Municipal
8.2. Nagkakaisang Samahang Kananaihan ng Botolan Municipal
8.3. United Women's Association of Masinloc Municipal

d. Empowering the Youth

PDI believes that young people need education and training to prepare them to
become the farmers and community leaders of the future. Even more importantly,
they must receive support and access to resources to enable them to become active
partners in sustainable rural development.

With this in mind, PDI's rural youth development work focused on strengthening and
expanding young people's capacities, knowledge and skills through education and
organizing to enable the youth to become productive citizens of their local
communities.

From 2004 to 2007, PDI formed 11 youth organizations with 366 members at the
barangay and municipal levels. The membership is comprised of 186 young males
and 180 young females. The membership reflects the emerging awareness and
acceptance of women’s importance and critical roles in community development.
(See Table 17)

Youth leaders were trained to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become
effective leaders. PDI assigned them tasks in community organizing and linkaging so
as to empower them and strengthen their organizations.

Youth organizations in the provinces of Aurora and Palawan were able to solicit and
mobilize resources with their respective Local Government Units under the provisions
of the Local Government Code regarding Youth Development. These resources
included financial assistance, transportation allowances and purchase of educational
materials. Other projects undertaken for the youth organizations included training in
technical and entrepreneurial skills in agri-fisheries enterprise and forest
rehabilitation initiatives.
Table 17
Youth Organizations and Membership
As of October 2007

Members
Province Name of Youth Organization Level
M F Total
Bataan Samahan ng mga Kabataan sa Brgy. 11 6 17
Kinarangan tungo sa Kaunlaran
Nueva Samahang Pangkabataan Brgy. 10 8 18
Ecija San Joseph Youth Organization Brgy. 12 17 29
Grantees Association Brgy. 3 5 8
Palawan Samahan ng mga Kabataan ng Sitio Marupo Brgy. 16 11 27
Aurora Sangguniang Kabataan Federation Mun. 47 49 96
Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Kabataan sa
Matawe Brgy. 7 20 27
Kabataan sa Matawe, Bangon Kabataan Brgy. 14 8 22
Batch 2007 Reviewer's Organization Brgy. 17 18 35
Zambales Knowledgeable Empowered Youth Brgy. 3 10 13
LAKAS Kabataan Brgy. 46 28 74
Total 186 180 366
VI. Research and Policy Advocacy
 a. Advocacy Campaigns and Mobilizations

PDI’s advocacy and campaign work involve legislative lobbying, engaging

government agencies in dialogues to resolve land tenure issues and leading people's
campaigns on issues related to land reform and rural development.

At the national and local levels, PDI assists peasant and indigenous peoples’ in
addressing issues of land tenure, ancestral domain rights, mining and environmental
threats, coastal resource management, and people's access to basic social services.
(see Table 18)

Table 18
Campaigns and Mobilization
2004-2007

Year Number of Campaigns and Mobilizations

Participants

• Expose DAR’s scheme to “sell CARP” to raise funds

for GMA administration’s 2004 election campaign
• Camp-out in front of DAR to condemn anomalies
• Thanksgiving Mass for the ouster of DAR Secretary
Pagdanganan
2004 3,519 • Forum on Agrarian Reform held at Bahay ng Alumni
farmers in University of the Philippines
rural women • Dialogue between NMGL and DAR officials
indigenous peoples
• protest march-rally to commemorate CARP’s 16th
youth
anniversary
farm workers
• Presentation of “Hall of Shamers” to DAR officials
• Distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award
by DAR (Region 3)
• Conference with the new secretary of the
Department of Agrarian Reform Jose Mari Ponce
• Signing of a covenant for the successful
implementation of CARP with DAR
• kick-off activity to commemorate World’s Food Day
• picket-barricade set-up by NMGL at DAR Bulacan.
• march-rally to condemn “Farmland as Collateral” Bill
• dialogue at DARAB San Fernando, Pampanga
• sympathy visit to 115 detained farmers at Camp
Karingal
2005 3,071 • Protest rally on the 17th anniversary of the
farmers Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program at the DAR
rural women central office
indigenous peoples • Condemnation of President Gloria Macapagal-
youth Arroyo’s turning back on agrarian reform.
farm workers • mass action of the newly established PASAMAKA -
Luzon (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng
Magsasakang Kababaihan - Luzon)
• multisectoral mass demonstration calling for the
resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• protest march-rally to commemorate World Food
Day.
• “Silent Majority Prayer Rally” held at Quezon
 Memorial Circle
2006 1,618 • mass gathering initiated by the Catholic Bishop
farmers Conference of the Philippines to look for the truth
rural women behind the “Hello Garci Tape”
indigenous peoples • Expose the fraud committed by President Gloria
youth Macapagal-Arroyo in the May 2004 elections
farm workers • Dialogues between Aeta leaders of Zambales and
Bataan and Senator Jamby Madrigal on the problems
of indigenous peoples.
• “Oust GMA” multi-sectoral mobilization at EDSA
Shrine to protest
Proclamation 1017 declaring a “State of National
Emergency”.
• press conference denouncing the brutal assassination
of Ka Eric Cabanit.
• Protest against human rights violence especially the
killings of farmers.
• symbolic wake for Ka Eric Cabanit in front of DAR
central office.
• First march-rally to celebrate International Labor Day.
• motorcade to Plaza Miranda Liwasang Bonifacio to join
a big workers rally.
• attend ka Eric's wake in front of DAR central office
• International Fact Finding Mission (IFFM) investigates
the agrarian reform-related human rights violence
especially the killing of farmers.
• march-rally in Davao City to commemorate the 18th
anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program.
• IFFM’s concluding report was presented to the media.

• International Women’s Day and Women’s Rights

2007 847 Celebration
farmers • Indigenous People’s Forum
rural women • Public Hearing on Mining
indigenous peoples • CARP Anniversary
youth • World Food Day
farm workers

Total 9,055

PDI’s networking involves organizing and leading national and regional campaigns of
coalitions advocating land reform, food security, rural progress and sustainable
development. These allied organizations include Food First Information and Action
Network Philippines (FIAN-Phils), Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural
Development Services (PARRDS), Consortium on Electoral Reforms (CER), and EED
Task Force on Indigenous Peoples Rights (EED-TFIP).

PDI is a member of the Fair Trade Alliance, a national coalition of farmer

organizations, NGOs, academe and progressive legislators campaigning for trade and
policy issues that impact on food security and the livelihood of small-scale farmers,
women and artisan producers.

At the International level, the Executive Director of PDI is a Board member and
Officer of FIAN International, an international coalition of NGOs and social
movements actively campaigning for food security and food sovereignty.
 a. Linkage work with Government Agencies

PDI has achieved strong connections with government agencies. This alliance was
achieved through years of coordinating and facilitating land tenure issues. PDI has
worked consistently for peasant and Indigenous Peoples (IP) rights within the legal
framework of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) and IPRA
(Indigenous People’s Rights Act). It also relies on constructive partnership and
dialogue with government agencies to facilitate resolution of issues. PDI has signed
Memorandums of Agreement and cooperation with the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR), the Department of Education (DepEd), the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Local government units in PDI’s service areas.

b. Usaping Bayan

USAPING BAYAN (People’s Concern)

has evolved into an eight-paged news
gazette from a two-paged newsletter.
This quarterly monthly publication in
Filipino gives peasants a better
understanding of the important events
that affect their everyday lives.
USAPING BAYAN raises the level of
PDI’s critique of the government extends to
political consciousness and awareness editorial cartoons shown here tackling the
of the peasants. issue of corruption in the Philippine Military.

c. Research

There is a pressing need for a socially and culturally responsible approach to

research that goes beyond providing information and embraces a more holistic
viewpoint by supporting meaningful use and encouraging community participation in
its development and design.

PDI believes that people should make the decisions that shape their futures. PDI also
believes that “participatory research” can be a valuable tool to assist communities in
searching for the knowledge that they need to make choices and devise strategies
that will give them the future they envision.

For the past four years, PDI has released several occasional papers that focused on
local communities and the rural poor. PDI’s participatory research empowers these
communities to express, share, gather, disseminate and analyze information for their
self-defined development purposes.
Round Table Discussions
Role of Economic Support Services
Perspective in Agrarian Reform and Local Governance

Occasional papers released

Opportunities and Risks in Samar: Partnership Arrangements

This policy paper tackles the opportunities and risks in the
agrarian/agricultural sector. The paper analyzes poverty and income in
Samar and other areas pinpointed for enterprise development.

Governing Change and Development: The Cooperative Bias

This paper analyzes the institutional and organizational infrastructure
that shapes the redistributive reform in commercial farms in the
Philippines and argues that these have perpetuated bias towards
collective action strategies in the control and management of
plantations transferred to beneficiaries in the agrarian reform program.

Resettled Igorots in Borac, Laur

This report highlights how great efforts initiated at the local level can
create enormous pressure on the government and achieve people-led
developmental resettlement.

Tribal Governance among the Aetas in Zambales

This paper tries to provide context and gives perspectives on how the
Aetas handle conflicts and problems among the local people’s
organizations, between them and the government, and among
themselves.

Role of Indigenous Women in Aeta Communities

This paper highlights the importance of the role of Aeta women in their
communities as they prove themselves to be receptive to education,
community endeavors, as well as income-generating activities.

Alternative Learning System and Non-Formal Education for Indigenous

Peoples
This paper examines the progress made by indigenous peoples who go
through NFE. PDI’s non-formal education program incorporates
cultural components. From experience, effective NFE modules require
understanding and knowledge of the culture of the specific IP group
and their needs.

PDI Non-Formal Education Program

The paper is an evaluation of the NFE program, an assessment of its
relevance, effectiveness and impact as a learning exercise. The date
collected came from document reviews, key informants interviews and
focused group discussions in Zambales and Palawan.

Comparative Analysis of Food Security of the Philippines and Thailand

 This paper discusses the historical moorings and the milestones
reached by women in this millennia and the problems they face today,
ranging from effects of globalization to gender issues.

Rural Women’s Access to Productive Resources

This paper discusses the historical moorings and the milestones
reached by women in these millennia and the problems they face
today, ranging from effects of globalization to gender issues.

Analysis of Peasant Women Leadership

This is an analysis of the leadership potentials and strength of women
leaders in Central Luzon based on a series of trainings conducted over
the past years.

Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Gitnang Luzon - NMGL Leader Analysis

This paper centers on the strength and weaknesses, including
opportunities and risks confronted by the NMGL as an organization and
the potential of the PO leaders in development work.

Aetas’ Right to Education

This paper deals with the indigenous “paaralang bayan” in Zambales
as the displaced communities from the 1991 Mount Pintaubo Eruption
were trying to secure their livelihood and political participation in the
resettlement areas and agrarian reform lands.

Non Formal Education Manuals and Modules

PDI, in its effort to help the indigenous communities, made and
published NFE manuals and modules for the indigenous peoples
written in Filipino and translate into their own language.

Good Local Governance

This paper discusses what good governance is in general and good
local governance in particular. The last part of the paper discusses the
Philippine experience in decentralization towards the establishment of
good local governance.

Micro-Enterprise for the Poor

This paper defines what are the micro-enterprise, as differentiated
from small and medium enterprises, the role of women in micro-
enterprise development, the importance of micro-financing, micro-
enterprise development in the Philippines.

Electoral Reforms in the Philippines

This paper traces the history of Philippines politics, the election
process and how elections are manipulated by the powerful political
dynasties in the provinces based on economic power.

Philippine Situationer
This paper provides a socio-economic and political condition of the
Philippines.
VII. Developing Human Resources through Education

PDI has been helping the rural poor people to overcome poverty by strengthening
their capacity to influence the institutions that affect their lives. The emphasis of
PDI’s strategy on developing human resources is to empower the rural poor to take
charge of their lives.

a. Training

PDI has identified critical areas that need urgent attention if farmers are to
participate in development programs as equal partners with government agents. PDI
focused on strengthening people’s organizations in the aspects of leadership and
values formation, advocacy & negotiations, and management of information. PDI
provided trainings ranging from project management, financial management, gender
sensitization to record keeping. PDI has transferred appropriate technologies and
extension services to farmers (See Table 19) to equip them with the skills needed to
plan and organize village-level activities.

Table 19
PDI Capacity Building Trainings
2004-2007

Year TITLE OF TRAININGS Date No. of

Conducted Pax
2004 BAGUIO CITY
1. Strategies for Organized & Unified Women
Holistic Educational Assessment of Rural July 5-9 20
Training
2. NMGL’s Self –Assessment and Spiral Dynamics August 9-13 26
3. Team Learning & System Thinking- Women
4. NMGL’s Team Learning & System Thinking Sept. 8-10 25
5. Self-Valuing of Central Luzon Youth
6. Facilitators Training Workshop-Women Sept. 20-23 19

Oct. 25-26 31
Nov. 9-12 15

TARLAC
7. Reproductive Health/Womens Rights Jan. 18 23
8. Gender Sensitivity Training March 15 25
9. Basic leadership Training May 8 30
10. Gender and Development Nov.12 22

AURORA
11. Self-Valuing Training Sept. 29 32

NUEVA ECIJA
12. Candle Making Training May 28
13. Paper Making Training April 25
14. LTI Orientation June 70
15. Simple Bookkeeping Training August 22

ZAMBALES
 16. Leadership Training & Basic Community May 30
Organizing – LAKAS Youth
17. Leadership Taining & Basic Community May 30
Organizing – LAKAS Women
18. Leadership Training & Basic Community June 25
Organizing – Samahang Kababaihan ng
Masikap

PALAWAN
19. Literacy Facilitators Training Workshop- batch June 1-2 40
1
20. Literacy Facilitators Training Workshop- batch Dec. 11-12 8
2

PAMPANGA
21. Leadership Training-SAMAKAT July 12
22. Leadership Training- SLWA Sept. 14
23. Leadership Training-SPKM Nov. 19
24. Leadership Training- SAMAKA-Ayala Dec. 15

2005 TAGAYTAY CITY

1. Pangarap at Adhikain ng Magiting na Pinuno March 14-16 31
ng Gitnang Luzon
2. Leading thru Core Values May 16-19 25
3. Pagtatala tungo sa Kaunlaran Sept. 13-16 28
4. Self-Valuing Seminar on IP Oct. 28-31 25
5. Patungo sa Tagumpay Nov. 8-10 25

TARLAC
6. Conflict Management Feb. 9 32
7. Gender Sensitivity Training May 16 35
8. Financial Management Training Oct. 20 29
9. Basic Orientation Seminar March 26 17

BATAAN
10. IP Leadership Training I July 18 24
11. Basic Orientation Seminar June 4 23
12. LTI Orientation March 17 25
13. Para-legal Training Nov. 3 22
14. Organizational Management Seminar June 8 16

PALAWAN
15. Basic Literacy Training for Para-teachers April 15
16. Orientation on IPRA Sept. 20 35
17. IPRA Orientation/Seminar May 14/May 5 35
18. Self-Valuing Seminar March 9 15
19. Gender Sensitivity/ Women’s Right Seminar March 10 19
20. Livelihood Orientation Seminar March 18 17
21. Basic leadership Training March 12 7
22. Seaweeds Farming & Nursery Management March 16-18, 84
Feb. 19 & March
13
23. Local Governance Orientation Seminar March 14 8

NUEVA ECIJA
24. Orientation on Pineapple Production May 15
25. Leadership Training October 20
26. Self-Valuing Training June 25 17
 27. Low External Sustainable Agriculture Seminar Jan. 16 36

QUEZON CITY
28. Self-Valuing Seminar – 2nd liner leaders Nov 8-10 25

AURORA
29. IP leadership Training II Sept. 15 20
30. Handicraft Training Nov. 11-13 25
31. Para-Teachers Training May 15
32. Basic Orientation Seminar May 7 16

ZAMBALES
33. Orientation on the IPRA Law Sept 22-24 28
34. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- SKMM March 26 23
35. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- LAKAS-Youth March 27 30
36. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- LAKAS- Women March 28 19
37. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- NSKV- C
38. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- SAMATT- K2 March 29 18
39. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- SKA March 30 17
40. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- KEY March 31 20
41. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- NASAMAKA Nov. 28-30 24
42. Self-Valuing Echo Seminar- UWAM April 6 20
43. LTI Orientation April 6 24
44. IPRA Orientation/Seminar Feb. 26. 21
45. Basic Community Organizing Seminar Feb. 16 21
46. Basic Leadership Training May 7 32
47. Agro-Forest Project Seminar April 9 17
April 30 15
PAMPANGA
48. Womens Right and Gender Sensitivity- February 12
SAMAKA
49. Womens Right and Gender Sensitivity- SLWA April 14
50. Womens Right and Gender Sensitivity- SPKM
51. Womens Right and Gender Sensitivity- Ayala June 20
52. Paralegal on Agrarian – LTI- SAMAKAT
53. Paralegal on Agrarian – LTI- SLWA August 15
54. Paralegal on Agrarian – LTI- SPKM
55. LTI Orientation June 12
56. IPRA Orientation/Seminar October 17
57. Gender Sensitivity/Women’s Right Seminar December 18
Nov. 27 17
April 2 18
Feb. 9 21
BULACAN
58. LTI Orientation June 10 15
59. Para-legal Training March 18 18
60. Pineapple Production Seminar January 15 36

2006 QUEZON CITY

1. Livelihood Skills Training June 25
2. Huwarang Pinuno, Huwarang PO Sept. 24-27 43
3. Huwarang Kaisipan, Epektibong Pamumuno Nov. 14-16 32

BATAAN
4. Virgin Coconut Oil Jan. 15-16 20
5. Self-Valuing Training- Limay June 17 35
6. SALT Training March 11 25
7. Pineapple & Sweet Potato Production Training August 6 30
 PAMPANGA
8. Self-Valuing Training- SAMAKA July 18
9. Self-Valuing Training- SLWA August 22
10. Self-Valuing Training- SPKM September 15

CORON & BUSUANGA PALAWAN

11. Seaweeds Training- Buenavista, Coron August 26-27 25
12. Seaweeds Training- Busuanga, Coron August 24-25 25
13. Seaweeds Training- Turda, Coron May 31-June 1 20
14. Seaweeds Training- Marupo, Coron June 16-17 30
15. Rice Production Training- Buenavista May 29-30 25
16. Rice Production Training- Turda Nov. 3-4 28
17. Rice Production Training- Marupo May 5-6 18
18. Vegetable Gardening - Borac June 5-6 25
19. Vegetable Gardening – Marupo June 7-8 15
20. Vegetable Gardening –Lajala July 11-13 15
21. Swine Production Training – Borac July 8 8
22. Swine Production Training –Turda July 6 10
23. Swine Production Training – Marupo July 5 10
24. Farmer Field School- Brgy. Borac Coron, May-Oct. 26
25. Entrepreneurship Training May 18-20 25
26. PCRA- Participatory Coast Resource Aug. 22-24 30
27. Literacy Facilitators Training Workshop- batch March 12-14 12
1
28. Literacy Facilitators Training Workshop- batch June 22-23 9
2
29. Literacy Facilitators Training Workshop on ALS Nov. 14-17 43
current trends and innovation

ZAMBALES
30. Gender Training – LAKAS Youth Feb. 12 30
31. Gender Training – LAKAS men & Women ( Feb. 13 32
Couples)
32. Gender Training – SKKM/NSKB Feb. 14 24
33. Violence Against Women & Children- March 32
SKKM/NSKB
34. Violence Against Women & Children- March 24
NASAMAKA and PASAMA- Zambales
35. Violence Against Women & Children- SAMATT- March 15
K2
36. Violence Against Women & Children- SAMATT March 36
& SAMATT K1
37. Advocacy on Local Governance for NASAMAKA April 26
& PASAMA- Zambales
38. Local Governance (Orientation of Local Code October 24 36
1991)
39. Leadership Training – 2nd liners October 20 23
40. Leadership & Organizational Management Sept. 26 24

b. Non-Formal Education
PDI implements a Non-Formal Education (NFE) Program for out-of-school youth and
illiterate adults of the Aeta, Dumagat and Tagbanua tribes. The program is carried
out in coordination with the local government units and the District Office of the
Department of Education (DepEd) under its Alternative Learning System (ALS)
Program.

With NFE, PDI supports the desire of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) for an alternative form
of education catering to their needs, designed in their own terms and taught at their
own pace. These parameters are crucial for the integration of the IPs into
mainstream society without compromising their integrity, culture and social
practices. PDI undertakes the challenge of establishing a Non-Formal Education
Program for IPs that focus on the following:

1. Adoption of teaching modules to attain basic skills in literacy and numeracy.

2. Development of livelihood skills to prepare students to become productive
adults.
3. Application of equivalence certifications by the Department of Education to
recognize / accredit the accomplishments of NFE students.

Partners

The NFE Program offers basic learning competencies that are parallel to the formal
school curricula. The program is handled by parateachers who are trained by the
Department of Education and PDI. At present, the Program employs 16
parateachers.

Before the start of each program, PDI executes a Memorandum of Agreement with
the Department of Education (DepEd) to establish the roles and responsibilities of
both parties. In general, PDI as lead agency is responsible for the execution of the
project. The DepEd provides a Coordinator who is responsible for supervising and
monitoring the parateachers and for curriculum development. Meetings are frequent
between the two parties to refine and calibrate the program so as to be responsive
to the local situation and to the needs of the IP learners.

The NFE Program was initiated in 2003 with support from EED of Germany. Other
foundations which gave support over the years were the Ecumenical Scholarship
Program of Germany and the Sunny Sevilla Scholarship Foundation. At present, SKF
Philippines, a private corporation, supports the NFE Program.

Table 20
Non-Formal Education Program
Number of Learners 2004 – 2007

Province Ethnic 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total

Group
Aurora Dumagat 112 124 70 306
Bataan Aeta 124 35 16 15 190
Palawan Tagbanua 184 231 349 230 994
Zambales Aeta 60 35 48 224 367
Total 368 413 537 539 1,857
Over the last four years, 1,857 learners have undergone the PDI Non-Formal
Education Program (See Table 20). The biggest number of students came from the
Tagbanua tribe in Palawan. The NFE project is very successful in Palawan because of
the active support of the town Mayor and the Barangay Captains. NFE in Aurora
started only in 2005 but has been attracting many learners from the Dumagats.
Many classes in Aurora are held not inside classrooms but under the trees. The area
is mountainous and very poor and was severely damaged by floods in 2006.

Of the total 1,318 learners from 2004-2006, 969 or 73 percent graduated from their
levels (See Table 21). There is no data as yet for 2007 because graduation will still
be in March 2008.Bataan produced the most number of graduates compared to
learners who attended NFE with an 89% success rate. Palawan graduated the most
number of learners (500) in the last three years and had a success rate of 65
percent (graduate-learner ratio).

Table 21
Non-Formal Education Program
Graduates 2005 – 2006

Province 2004 2005 2006 Total

Aurora 91 92 183
Bataan 124 35 11 170
Palawan 137 135 228 500
Zambales 48 31 37 116
Total 309 292 368 969

Lessons / Insights

With NFE, Indigenous Peoples are afforded the flexibility to conduct classes at the
place and time suited to their seasonal activities and daily duties. The lives of IPs are
centered around their livelihood activities. NFE allows them to schedule time for
lessons around this priority. Planting and harvesting seasons in an IP village require
all able-bodied people to work in the fields and NFE takes this reality into account
when preparing school schedules.

Poverty is still the most important factor affecting continuity of attendance in NFE.
Note that many learners in Palawan do not graduate from their NFE level. Many of
these learners are Tagbanua fisher folk. When the fishes move from one area of the
sea to another, the fishermen follows the fish and bring with them their wives and
children. Although NFE schedules take into account seasonal farming activities, it
cannot accommodate the more volatile fishing patterns.

IP elders have come to realize that education is necessary for their survival in the
modern world. This is a lesson that the Aetas learned from being forced to live with
lowlanders in resettlement camps after they were forced down from the mountains
by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Although many older IPs are illiterate, they are
encouraging their children to get as much education as possible.

To be relevant, instruction for NFE must be learner-centered and fully participatory.

In 2007, PDI parateachers developed literacy modules for teaching Aetas. The
modules are written in Sambal, the ancient language of the Aetas, and is notable for
its integration of Aeta culture and values in the teaching of literacy and basic
arithmetic. The modules have been commended by the Department of Education for
their adherence to and preservation of Aeta culture.
 c. College Scholarship Program

The College Scholarship Program started in 1995 to support collegiate and

technical education. It is funded by private foundations and individuals with the
Angping Development Foundation for Education (ADFE) as its major sponsor.

Scholars are selected in PDI’s areas of operation (See Table 22). The selection
criteria emphasizes the student’s mental aptitude and his potential for community
leadership.

Table 22
PDI College Scholarship Grantees
2004 - 2007

Program Area 2004 2005 2006 2007

Nueva Ecija 11 17 8 5
Zambales 18 22 13 6
Palawan 7 11 2 1
Bulacan 4 7 7 3
Tarlac 1 1 1 -
Bataan - 3 3 1
Pampanga - 3 3 2
Subtotal 41 64 37 18

In March 2007, PDI graduated 17 Scholars. This brings the total number of
graduated scholars to 94 (See Table 23). This also means that 94 families now have
a college-educated child who can help with the household finances through earnings
from entrepreneurial activities or employment.

Table 23
College Scholarship Graduates
2000-2007

YEAR MALES FEMALES TOTAL

2000 3 2 5
2001 6 5 11
2002 1 3 4
2003 4 8 12
2004 3 12 15
2005 2 12 14
2006 6 10 16
2007 6 11 17
Total 31 63 94

Unfortunately, not all Scholars finish their college education. Failure to meet
academic standards, teen-age pregnancies, personal problems and lack of
counterpart funds are some of the reasons for dropping out of college.
 It is interesting to note that twice the number of females graduated compared to
males (See Table 23). This highlights the high regard for girl-children among
peasants and Indigenous Peoples as the girls are given the same opportunities
for higher education as boys and have even performed better (at least in this
sample) at this challenge.

As of October 2007, PDI supports 18 scholars, 11 of whom are females while 7

are males. (See Table 24). We expect 8 of these scholars to graduate by April
2008.

Table 24
PDI College Scholars
As of October 31, 2007

Name of Scholar Year Course School

Bataan
1. Kamille Adraneda 4th BS Nursing DLS-STI
Bulacan
2. Joseph Alvin Santos 3rd BS Nursing UP Manila
3. Ma. Cristina Aquino 3rd BSBA (Accountancy) UP Diliman
4. Juan Paolo Carillo 2nd Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant DTI
Management
Nueva Ecija
5.Jean Michelle Paeste 3rd BSBA Management NE-UST
6.Ronie Ambog 3rd BS in Agriculture (Agro-Forestry) NE-UST
7.Kathleen Nabong 4th BSBA Management NE-UST
8.Renan Mediana 4th BS in Agriculture (Agro-Forestry) NE-UST
9.Rizza Mae Mariano 3rd BSBA Management NE-UST
Palawan
10. Guillermo Lizardo 3rd BS Entrepreneurship PSU
Pampanga
11. Lourdes Fatima Sula 3rd BS Biology PAC
12. Raymond M. Gomez 3rd AB English PAC
Zambales
13. Nova Jugatan 4th BS Education (Home Technology) RMTU
14. Carol Doyanan 4th BS Education (Home Technology) RMTU
15. Caren Domulot 4th BS Education (Home Technology) RMTU
16. Micah Devillena 4th BS Elementary Education RMTU
17. Leo Mark Fallorina 3rd BSBA Hotel & Restaurant RMTU
Management
18. Jinky Cristobal 3rd BS Computer Engineering RMTU

Legend: Schools:

1. NE-UST - Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

2. RMTU - Ramon Magsaysay Technological University
3. PSU - Palawan State University
4. DLS-STI - Delos Santos – STI, School of Nursing
5. UP Diliman - University of the Philippines - Diliman
6. UP Manila - University of the Philippines – Manila
7. DTI - Dumlao Technological
IX. Conclusion

Project Objective:
PDI is dedicated in facilitating agrarian reform and rural development
implementation through democratic and effective participation in governance and
partnership with people’s organizations of peasant, indigenous peoples, women,
youth and other non-governmental organizations and reform-oriented government
officials.

Transcending the objectives of providing land and alternative livelihood to peasants,

PDI is also committed to the upliftment of the Filipino people as an active participant
in the civil society movement through trainings of sectoral groups at the grassroots
level.

PDI believes that Land Tenure Improvement is more effective if complemented with
community organizing of farmers and their democratic participation in governance.
Conscientized and organized peasants and indigenous peoples along socio-economic
and political levels prepare them for their role as active participants engage in
decision-making and able to express their rights in local governance.

Facilitating factors:

1. The exchange of experience through networks of civil society organizations,

the marriage of theory and practice by using analytical research and
participatory monitoring in action planning promote appropriate tools and
strategies in dealing with the government.
2. Key ingredients to the success at the local level include the promotion of
social capital through genuine organizing, a committed community leadership
and the active participation of community members.

Constraining Factors:

1. A weak government unwilling to address legal and institutional bottlenecks

in land tenure improvement.
2. A government that only lips service to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program evidently shown in the continuing backlog of LTI accomplishment.
3. The poor understanding of the IPRA law created tension and confusion
among the national and local government agencies, the private sector and
the general population.
4. Rapid urbanization erodes the security of agricultural lands that have been
subject to land speculations for commercial and housing purposes by big
capitalists and their political bosses.
5. Government ineptness led to the emergence of informal markets and illegal
land transactions.

Lessons learned:

1. Strong advocacy in land access policies and programs must be ensured to

promote agricultural development and to protect the vulnerable groups in
Philippine society.
2. The Philippines needs a strong leader who has the political will to implement
and sustain the gains of agrarian reform.
3. Push for policy change in government that will reconcile the legal and policy
issues on land rights between the Local Government Code (LGC), the IPRA
(Indigenous Peoples’ Right Acts) and the CARP.
 4. Development agenda and support service initiatives must be done in
ancestral land areas of the IP’s.
5. Ensure the Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their ancestral lands and the work
towards entitlement.
6. Addressing access to land is a critical step towards addressing the problem
of hunger and poverty.

Gains of SRDP:

The Sustainable Rural Development Program concretizes PDI’s strategy of creating

positive and sustainable impact on land reform and rural development at the
barangay, municipal and provincial levels.

It is through the SRDP that PDI pursued meaningful land reform implementation
along with Peasant Organization (PO) formations at the grassroots level while
working with allied networks and coalitions for favorable policy environment at the
national level.

PDI’s basic approach of active people’s participation and involvement through

organizing work and engagement at the national level with the executive and
legislative branches has proven to be practical and doable.

Direct intervention enriched the knowledge gained by rural communities which are
now practicing advocacy and follow-up work based on grassroots realities.

In three years, PDI, through SRDP, contributed to the following: increased capacity
issues, formation of viable organizations engaged in Agrarian reform and rural
development work, reinforcement of networks and coalitions at the local and national
levels, increased consciousness on gender and other biases, improved resource
utilization through Sustainable Agriculture for land reform beneficiaries, increased
transparency and accountability of local officials through a politicized community and
increased democratic participation in local governance.

Doing rural development work through SRDP has been a challenge for PDI because
of the heightening tensions of government and landowners versus farmers and
Indigenous Peoples. But throughout the Program, PDI has been guided by its
development perspectives anchored on promoting access to land and resources, its
commitment to social justice, its grassroots bias and its gender-fair advocacies.

One crucial commitment remains unchanged over the years: PDI continues to uphold
the struggle for meaningful asset redistribution and greater empowerment of rural
communities for their rights.
 PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Carlito Domulot points to NCIP representatives An Aeta woman from Floridablanca points an old
the IP self delineated perimeter markings. landmark within their ancestral domain.

An Aeta community leader from Pampanga points IP leaders from Central Luzon and Palawan consult
to a huge boulder which is sacred to them with NCIP official during a forum.

Danilo Salonga, an Aeta Leader from Bataan Aeta community leaders from delineates their
voices out his concerns during a dialogue with ancestral boundaries in their land claim.
government officers.
 Sustaining Agrarian Reform

Ka Amado Higante, president of the NMGL PDI Exec. Dir. Ria Teves hands out land titles together
(a regional peasant federation) participates in a with DAR officials to farmers in Nueva Ecija
discussion regarding land reform

NMGL farmer leaders spearhead a press conference to PDI facilitates awarding of CLOAs together with local
counter the government’s anti-land reform policies. DAR officials to farmers in Laur, Nueva Ecija

NMGL farmer leaders together with PDI staff hold LTI Local elected government officials grace CLOA awarding
clinics regarding contentious landholdings. ceremonies in Bulacan.
 Engaging the Government

Central Luzon Farmers were able to facilitate land IP leaders with PDI Exec. Dir. Ria Teves consult with Senator
transfers under the DAR Sec. Rene Villa’s term. Jamby Madrigal regarding their IP Rights concerns.

Farmer leaders negotiate with police officers during a protest

NMGL farmers talks to then controversial DAR Sec. Obet
rally against the government’s anti-farmer policies. Pagdanganan regarding rampant land conversions in the
region.

NMGL farmer leaders talks to then newly appointed DAR NCIP Region 3 Director Long Sunggod answers questions
Sec. Chelly Ponce regarding Pagdanganan’s many posed by the BUKAL leadership, an IP federation in
midnight decisions. Luzon.
 Sustainable Agriculture

PDI staff in Palawan gives instructions on sound Women farmer practitioners of Sustainable
farming and fishing methods to fisherfolks and Agriculture checks on the vegetable garden plots.
farmers in Coron.

PO members participate in the Rapid Compost Making. PDI demonstrates how to make use of rice hulls usually
They used indigenous materials such as rice straws, discarded by farmers. The rice hulls are carbonized to be
earth and animal manure. used as soil fertilizer.

Sustainable Agriculture practitioners prepare the plastic PDI staff conducts farmer filed schools to farmers in
mulching for their vegetable plots. Farmers planted Palawan. New farming techniques are taught and shared
various kinds of vegetables. to traditional farmers.
 Women Empowerment

Reaping the fruits of her struggle, a woman farmer carrying

her child receives her land title. A classis example of the Women leaders are now able to
recognition of women’s right to own land. assert their rights and position in society.

Ka Loida Rivera, a women farmer leader from Pampanga, PDI Exec. Dir. Ria Teves, leads other PDI staff in a rally in
leads a protest rally advocating for peasants rights. Makati calling for reforms within the government.

Ka Baby Valdez, a women leader from Tarlac, voices out herKa Paula Patoc, a women farmer leader from Nueva Ecija,
objection against the farmland as collateral bill. speaks women’s problems, issues and concerns.
 Institutional Building, Trainings

A woman learner looks on a practical Indigenous and oriental health practices were taught to
demonstration during a basic health training. women learners in a health training. In rural areas, women
carry on the responsibility of keeping the family healthy.

Trainings conducted by PDI always involves Farmers and IPs participate in a Citizen and Voters
workshop to make the activities more participatory Education Training.
and responsive.

PDI trainings always include women participants Lowland farmers and IPs participate in a mango
from rural areas. Women participation is production training conducted jointly by PDI and
encourage in all development initiatives the Department of Agriculture.
 Advocacy Campaigns, Mass Mobilizations, Rallies

PDI and NMGL join other advocacy groups in protest actions pushing for
peasant rights such as right to own land, right to food and even the right to
life. On the right, young farmers perform a dance portraying rural poverty.

PDI’s Mon Ayco performs a heartful song as peasant families hold photographs of their
loved ones allegedly killed by the military and hired mercenaries of landlords. On the
right, farmers rest after a long walk from Quezon City to Manila.

20 years after CARP’s Passage and after spending 100 billion pesos, 1.3 million hectares of land are
still left to be distributed, leaving thousands of landless peasants. The slow grinding of the agrarian
justice wheel, force farmers to go to the streets and voice out their collective plight.
 Non Formal Education Program, College Scholarship Program

PDI Exec. Dir. Ria Teves gives words of wisdom and instructions to PDI College
Scholarship Grantees. Scholarship grantees have to meet certain requirements in order
for them to retain and continue with the education.

PDI’s Education Program provide opportunities for the youth may it be Formal or Non Formal
Education. Both programs have been very successful in its thrust to provide quality education
and hope to poor rural youth.

PDI’s Non Formal Education is implemented in coordination with the Department of Education and
is implemented in Bataan, Zambales, Palawan and Aurora. Indigenous Peoples such as ther Aetas,
Dumagats and the Tagbanuas are the primary beneficiaries of the NFE program.