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Twenty Thirteen
By Yoly Esguerra

Point of View

Number 13 gives many goose bumps and anxious feelings. Many believe that the year 2013 was an unlucky year, especially looking through the events that transpired during the last quarter of this year the Yolanda storm surge in November, the Bohol earthquake in October, and the Zamboanga stand-off in September. Not to mention the feeling of insecurity due to the continuing territorial disputes with China, fearing that a war may break-out anytime if government bungles the crisis. For a time, I shared the same feeling of despair. Thinking that the year was really disastrous I prayed that the year will end soonest to get rid of the 13. And, yet particularly after Yolanda, I also wished that November and December 2013 lasted a bit longer so we can do all the necessary emergency response for the many communities needing help. Twenty-four hours in a day seem too short as Christmas was just around the bend and I worried that Christmas will come with people not finding a reason to celebrate the coming of Christ. The good news must be made evident. Relief works and solidarity efforts seem to be our only means to keep peoples hope alive. I have to search for resources so my spirit would not bend and succumb to the belief that 2013 was an unlucky year. I have to tell myself that despite the series of events something good must have happened or is happening at that very moment. I scanned through my mind. I remembered that I have been to the park with my husband attending the Luneta Million People March against Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. I felt the euphoria like EDSA again. The spontaneous swelling of people as a sign of protest proved that many Filipinos will still stand up for truth and justice and are still concerned about the good of this country. I felt the same for the One Million Rising event. I recalled the courage of Ira, the cluster point person of Central Visayas, while the Bohol earthquake is happening, and how her deep trust in God was being articulated via text messages she sent during our exchanges. It was strange. I felt like I was in Bohol with them yet felt helpless that I can only sent words of encouragement. I felt more admiration for her and the cluster members when they quickly responded to the requirements to inform the network on their situation and to access funds from Misereor. The same regards goes to Alvin, cluster point person of ZAMBASULI and Sr. Cel of SAC Zamboanga and several of its members who until now continue to extend help to the victims of the Zamboanga crisis. I found grace when the Panay cluster took-up the challenge to conduct relief works, despite its lack of experience. The mode is to try and learn in the process. Navigating it was not easy for Georie, who is the cluster point person. Tensions seep in from time to time but the desire to serve is stronger than the little misunderstandings taking place. I acquired strength in Billy and among the members of HERO and SAMAMO, our partner peoples organizations in Manicani and Homonhon. That, despite being victims and survivors, they still manage to rise above their needs and help their communities. I drew-out inspiration from the Secretariat members who went all out to extend and perform tasks not outlined in their Terms of Reference, the Misereor team who journeyed and supported the network efforts and Baby and Sr Cres who despite age would travel with us during the solidarity mission cum rapid appraisal two days after Yolanda. Recalling all these, I told myself that 2013 is after all not as bad as it seemed to be. It is a year which demonstrated courage, commitment and compassion of people within the network. And I believe the same experience is true for many other communities and the nation in general. The peoples outrage against graft and corruption is resounding. The outpouring of charity, help and service abound wherever you go. The unlucky 13 is fading in my mind. We are good. We can be better in the future despite 2013.

The Partnership Editorial Board and Staff

Yolanda Esguerra Editor-in-Chief Oliver Castor Candy Hidalgo Primo Morillo Associate Editors George Oribiana Managing Editor Danyalyn Lazara Circulation Manager
The Partnership is published by the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. with office at Unit 204 Pacific Century Tower 1472-1476 Quezon Avenue Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines Telefax No. 9615956 Mobile No. 09228501843 pmpsecretariat@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/ philmisereor www.pmpi.org.ph

A year after:

National News

Justice for Capion Massacre victims still elusive

TWELVE months had passed since the brutal mining-related massacre that left a mother and her two sons dead in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur and, still, their relatives and allies are crying for justice. A lot of things happened is the fact that after the massacre, territories of Kiamba and Alabel Saranggani, CADC 033 after the massacre, evidences and two other incidents of killings of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, Bong testimonies that point to the proper happened; the murder of Kitari authorities who are the perpetrators Capion last January and the Freay Mal Bong Banwe, Polomolok, and of this heinous crime. However, Massacre just two months ago, other IP communities. The Blaan tribe will we cannot find any positive Castor, who visited the anti-mining development on the case and we communities around Tampakan last also have their own ritual on the conference to highlight the cannot understand what is keeping October, added. the government from acting Castor also informed issue of human rights violations decisively, Fr. Oliver Castor of the the media that the leaders and surrounding the Tampakan mining Philippine Misereor Partnership, elders of about 23 indigenous project especially the Capion case, Inc. (PMPI) said. peoples territories organized an Castor also mentioned. We fervently hope that the It could be remembered that Interterritorial Conference last the so-called Capion Massacre October 18 where they would government will listen to the voice of happened last 2012 during a raid present their agenda, including the indigenous people of Southern conducted by the 27th Infantry their call for the shutdown of the Mindanao. Mahirap na kung ang Battalion of the Philippine Army Tampakan mining operations, to the maisip nilang lahat ay karahasan and, up to now, the military is representatives of regional offices of ang isagot sa tumitinding karahasan claiming that it was a legitimate government agencies. The attendees ng minahan at ng mga ahente ng military operation. came from two major Lumad estado sa kanilang mga katutubo, What adds insult to injury tribes (Blaan and Tboli) from the he concluded. /TP PHILIPPINE MISEREOR Partnership Inc. participated with other peace and humanitarian organizations in the country to call for ceasefire extension on Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas. The appeal, which was initiated by the convenors of Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPV), asked all armed actors for a reciprocal 60-day ceasefire in typhoon-affected areas to give way to all rescue, relief, rehabilitation and recovery operations. Earlier last November, the Communist Party of the Philippines

PMPI joins CSOs call to extend ceasefire

(CPP) declared a 10-day unilateral ceasefire that expired on November 24. The appeal also demanded that all areas severely hit by Typhoon Yolanda be publicly declared as humanitarian peace zones, particularly the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Panay Island, Cebu, Palawan, Bohol and Negros Occidental. It further stipulated that all stakeholders, including the non-armed actors, be obligated to prevent all forms of violence, especially against the internallydisplaced people. /TP

PMPI launches its new website

PMPI officially launched last December 10, coinciding the International Human Rights Day, its new website. The new website, which can now be visited at www.pmpi.org.ph, replaced the old PMPI website that has been offline for several months already. The new website will provide updates on four thematic concerns, latest news within the network and downloadable resources. The new website which is in magazine format is more appropriate now for campaigns. /TP

Partners respond to two other disasters

National News

BEFORE Typhoon Yolanda struck Visayas last November, two PMPI clusters responded first to the needs of their communities after being hit by two major calamities. ZAMBASULI and Central month-long siege in the city. Meanwhile, a magnitude Visayas clusters provided relief as- sistance to their constituents at the 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol and Cebu wake of Zamboanga standoff and a last October which left hundreds of casualties and injured individuals, strong earthquake. It can be remembered that damage to properties and thousands members of Moro National Lib- of homeless or displaced families. The relief efforts were both eration Front occupied one of the barangays in Zamboanga City last facilitated by their respective cluster September and held hostages as point persons, Albert Valerio and human barriers against military at- Maria Ira Pamat, in ZAMBASULI tacks where thousands of families and Central Visayas, respectively. flee from their homes during this /TP

PMPI opens video making contest on relief works

PMPI hires two new staff for relief works

ing of PMPI for selected communities in Visayas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Asia is a staff loaned from Pilipina Ang Kilusan ng Kababaihang Pilipino (PILGLADYS MELODY IPINA Inc.), a member TWO additional staffs were al- of National Capital Region (NCR) ready on board at Secretariat of- National cluster. Meanwhile, Cortez is a fresh fice since November for the relief and rehabilitation projects of the graduate who took up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Philipnetwork. Melody Asia and Gladys pine School of Business AdminisFaith Cortez are designated as the tration (PSBA). Both of them are responsible emergency response coordinator and finance/administrative assistant for coordinating and managing all for #ProjectPagbangon, the current activities pertaining to the disaster relief and rehabilitation undertak- response efforts. /TP

ON THE OCCASION of Human Rights Day last December, PMPI introduces a competition on music video making about the current relief works undertaken by different groups and organizations. The contest is open to all groups friends, family or organization who initiated their own ways to help the victims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Using the song Sandugo, participants must use their own video footages, photographs, animations and other open-source materials which demonstrate their solidarity with affected people of calamity last November. The deadline for submission of entries is until March 10, 2014. All entries, which will be posted online, will be judged according to the following criteria: substance (40%), creativity (40%), number of views of your entry in Youtube (10%) and number of likes in Facebook (10%). Top three entries, which will be announced on Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9, win recognition tokens and P10,000 each. Sandugo, the official anthem of the network on the ongoing relief and rehabilitation initiatives, is written by renowned composer Gary Granada and sang by Chickoy Pura, Bayang Barrios, Lolita Carbon, and Cookie Chua. /TP

Groups troop to SC, Mendiola to demand stop mining, plea justice for mining casualties

Anti-Mining Campaign

SEVERAL anti-mining groups marched last September 12 towards the Supreme Court and Mendiola to denounce mining in the country by asserting to the High Court magistrates that certain provisions of the Mining Act of 1995 are unconstitutionality and urging President Benigno Aquino III to review the current mining policies of his administration. These groups also demanded staunch opposition of mining in sustainable development, then, they to the government that justice must their locality or their relatives. must first be stewards of protecting be served to the casualties of mining- For a period of two years, human lives and their rights. related violence and emphasized that 2011 to 2012, there were 18 victims Earlier that week, series of the recent environmental tragedies attributed to mining activities. Of rallies were also held in front of Sofand human rights violations within this number, 7 were recorded in itel Hotel where this years mining the mining site are sufficient proofs 2011; while 11 were reported in conference was conducted and in to put a halt on mining in the 2012. For 2013 alone, there were the House of Representatives. Philippines. already four casualties; but notably The said demonstrations Against the backdrop of the victims were residing within the were part of a weeklong series of aceconomic progress the mining similar area, Castor stressed. tivities against mining in the councompanies bannered lies a persistent He took note that the recent try, which was held annually parreality that the mining history is killings of a tribal leader and his alleled to the International Mining painted by bloodsheds and human son last August 2013 were mining- Conference facilitated by the Chamrights violations, said Fr. Oliver related because the said leader ber of Mines of the Philippines. /TP Castor, project officer of Philippine opposed the proposed mining code; while Rene Pamplona, advoMisereor Partnership Inc (PMPI), project in their area. a faith-based network of 300 Castor concluded, The cacy officer of Social Action Center organizations. death tolls relative to mining are clear of Marbel, presented their struggle Castor also recalled that indications that mining companies on the enactment of the said code in most victims of these mining- value more their profit than human South Cotabato. Environmental rules were related incidences were either lives. If these companies seek for also explored. Representative Terry Ridon tackled the Writ of Kalikasan; TO STRENGTHEN the coordina- cepts of new environmental rules in while lawyer Ryan Quan of the Atetion between the focal organiza- the country and the Ruggie frame- neo Human Rights Center talked about the Ruggie framework. tions, the pilot sites of struggles work. A legal clinic, facilitated Two discussions were inte- (SOS), and the network stakehold- by Atty. Ipat Luna of Tanggol Kaers, the anti-mining campaign grated to engage the participants to (AMC) unit of PMPI held its sec- pursue local environmental policy likasan, was conducted and used the ond SOS Conference for 2013 last change, aside from building their mining issues in Homonhon as a anti-mining constituents. Rodne lens in looking the legal issues. /TP September 18 to 20. Local campaign plans of all The conference focused Galicha, a former Alyansa Tigil pilot SOS and national campaign on the importance of local policy Mina organizer, shared the experichange advocacy within the areas of ence of Romblon in their struggle plan were presented during the conthe SOS and understanding the con- to craft a provincial environmental ference. /TP

PMPI-AMC unit conducts SOS confab

6
A lesson after Yolanda:

Thematic Concerns

Formation of DQRT is a need

THE recent destruction brought about by Typhoon Yolanda in the Eastern Visayas not only revealed how vulnerable the Philippines to disasters, but it also presented the most disheartening fact that there was this obvious absence of governments effective mechanism for response to this type and magnitude of disaster. What happened in Tacloban where all the governments line agencies were affected, hence, had no capacity to respond, service utilities were cut, and major thoroughfares were destroyed could happen anytime again and anywhere in the country as we face extreme and undeniable impact of climate change. As number of studies including the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report identified human-induced activities as the major contributor to climate Proposed DQRT Process Flow change, increasing number rescue partners in need. Team memand magnitude of weather distur- with increasing magnitude. The establishment of the di- bers will undergo extensive training bances is perceived to happen in the saster quick response team (DQRT) on preparedness and response who future. Given this scenario, more within the clusters is hoped to pro- will in turn train their partner comTacloban and Guiuan-like disaster vide the members a mechanism of munities for the same coordinated The DQRT is expected to may take place one after the other as coordination in time of disasters. action. we note that the Philippines is being The DQRT shall provide direction organize themselves into sub-teams visited by typhoons at an average of for the relief efforts. It shall facili- that will focus of the following: pre19 typhoons per year. Such chaos is tate support and access to resources paredness, prevention, and mitigaunimaginable and incomprehensi- from national and local government tion; response; and rehabilitation organizations within and outside and recovery. ble. The Secretariat and The Philippine Misereor the region. CC-DRRtask force members will To operationalize the DQRT, Partnership Inc. (PMPI), with its huge network of partner organiza- it shall be composed of volunteers comprise the technical support for tions all over the country, recog- from partner organizations who are the cluster DQRT including linknized the need to prepare its mem- able and willing to share their ex- ages to national and international bers in responding to calamities pertise, time, and their lives even to agencies for further support. /TP

Three clusters to conduct FAB consultations

Thematic Concerns

TO BE ABLE to contribute on the process of crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), three PMPI clusters in Mindanao located within the Bangsamoro geographic jurisdiction will conduct public consultations to orient the constituents about the basics of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) roadmap. Likewise, many of them ex The activity, which will be MCSOPP, which formalized participated by DOPIM, ZAMBA- the participation of civil society or- pressed apprehension on the imSULI and KIDMACO clusters, also ganizations (CSOs) in conducting pending changes that the new Banghopes to gather information on the public consultations from the draft- samoro government will bring in concerns of the public on FAB that ing of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) the socio-economic and political landscape of their communities. might be useful to the Bangsam- to its enactment. orientations oro Transition Commission (BTC) The public consultations Thirty-five and the Mindanao Civil Society Organizations Platform for Peace (MCSOPP) in finalizing the BBL. Specifically, it aims to understand the Moro struggles for self-determination, generate peoples definition of the Bangsamoro autonomy, and aim to generate inputs, proposal, are proposed to be conducted in create mechanism for stakeholders and recommendations from constit- these three clusters simultaneous to work together to promote trans- uents on the details of the FAB An- to the conduct of MCSOPP and the parency, inclusiveness and active nexes that will be operationalized by BTC of the public consultations and participation through area consul- the BBL. validation of the consultation results tations with the end in view of gen- In meetings of Task Force [See Table for the details of PMPI public erating massive public support and on Peace, it has been reported that consultation]. These will not intend to ownership of the Bangsamoro gov- results of focus group discussions cover all the issues and concerns on ernment. (FGDs) on women and other vul- FAB, rather it will provide a venue Previously, PMPI, represent- nerable groups conducted by part- for learning and understanding and ed by Fr. Albert Mendez (DOPIM), ner organizations revealed that a its implication to the people. The said activity is projectparticipated last October 17 on the significant number of members of signing of memorandum of under- their partner communities do not ed to commence in February until standing (MOU) between the BTC know about the FAB roadmap and March 2014 and the DOPIM cluster will act as the coordinator. /TP and the 120-member organization the content of the annexes.

#ProjectPagbangon:

PMPI partners lend help to Yolanda survivors

THE ONSLAUGHT of Typhoon Yolanda last November, which left unimaginable damage to lives and properties of communities in Visayas, uphold a network ready to offer its helping hand to the typhoon survivors. Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), partners in Panay and Eastern Visayas clusters, and Misereor band together and led the network to give assistance to the communities affected by the wrath of a super typhoon. #ProjectPagbangon, the disaster response initiative of PMPI, provided relief goods to 10,848 families in 83 barangays in four provinces of Panay and 1,927 families in 12 barangays of Homonhon and Manicani Islands in Eastern Samar. These goods contained food items, such as five kilos of rice, canned sardines, one-half kilo of sugar, one-fourth kilo of salt and monggo beans, cooking oil and distilled water, and non-food items, such as detergent bar soap and sanitary napkin. Relief distribution operations in Panay were conducted between November 18 to December 21; while in Eastern Samar, it was done from December 6 to 7. Aside from the relief distribution in Samar, PMPI installed ra-

Cover Story

dio communication equipment and two sets of solar panels in Manicani and Homonhon Islands with the assistance of radio group, REACT. A medical mission and a psycho-social session in two barangays of Homonhon were simultaneously conducted by the Franciscan Health Care Crossing Borders, a partner from Northern Samar. Previously, two solidarity missions, with the primary tasks to check on the situation of partners, find out who among the members are still able to help undertake disaster response, conduct an initial rapid assessment of target areas, and help the re-grouping of affected clusters, were created days after Typhoon Yolanda struck in Visayas. T The first team was composed of PMPI Anti-Mining Cam-

paign (AMC) unit, Fr. Oliver Castor and Primo Morillo, went to Eastern Samar. The second team which included Yoly Esguerra, PMPI national coordinator, Candy Hidalgo, PMPI project officer, Sr. Crescencia Lucero, co-convenor for Luzon, Elmar Noe and Brigitte Manderlatz, Philippine desk officers of Misereor proceeded to Iloilo to meet the Panay-based partners Meanwhile, a follow-up visit in Tacloban and Samar was also conducted after the solidariy mission. The team was composed of Esguerra and Noe and they were accompanied by Samar-based partners Fr. Dondon Irinco and Fr. Cesar Aculan. /TP
About the Cover
A resident of Barangay Cudionan, San Dionisio, Iloilo happily receives a relief pack from the relief operations of PMPI partners in Panay.