KBPK Launches Year 5
Reps. from the MLGUs of South Cotabato, Dole Philippines, Inc., Mahintana Foundation, Inc., partner-Cooperatives, and Civic Organizations during the KBPK Year V Provincial Launch
220 participants representing the MLGUs of South Cotabato, Dole Philippines, Inc., partner-Cooperatives, Civic Organizations, and beneficiaries took part in the Provincial Launch of Kapit Bisig Para sa Kabataan (KBPK) Year V, last May 19, 2011 at Brgy. Cannery Nursery, Asuncion, Polomolok, South Cotabato. The project aims to develop a community with well-nourished children, where interventions will focus on 3 identified sustainability mechanisms namely: Health Education of mothers through the conduct of “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon;” Backyard Gardening focused on establishing home and community-based food production; and identification of Livelihood project.
Calling ‘Shit’ a ‘Shit:’ A Promising Radical Approach to Rural Sanitation
“Kinsa sa inyo ang naay kasilyas?, Asa ba kamo naga-tae diri?, and Pila ka sako ang inyong tae diri kada tuig?” (Who among you has toilet?, Where do you shit?, and How many sacks of shit do you produce in a year?)
When you hear a person ask the first two questions, you will probably think he/she wants to use a toilet to relieve himself/herself; while hearing the third question is somewhat unusual and might cause shock, laughter or outrage. However, these questions form part of the new sanitation approach called Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) pioneered by Dr. Kamal Kar, an independent development consultant from India.
Kar developed this approach during his evaluation of a traditional water and sanitation program in Bangladesh in 1999. The approach had spread to Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific. CLTS is now reportedly used in over 40 countries, although so far on a limited scale.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) adopted the CLTS approach under its National Sustainable Sanitation Program (NSSP) through DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0021 dated June 25, 2010. In support to this program, the Mahintana Foundation, Inc. (MFI) through the European Union (EU)-supported Health and Economic Alternative (HEAL) Project, in coordination with the Provincial Health Office of Sarangani, conducted a 4-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on CLTS last 10-13 May 2011 at IML Ecopark, Barangay Lumasal, Maasim, Sarangani Province.
South-Eastern Philippines HEAL-PIT Gets CLTS-Trained
HEAL-PIT and Barangay Council participants of CLTS Training
A total of 19 members of the South-Eastern Philippines HEAL-PIT, joined by 10 Barangay Council members, participated in the Trainers’ Training on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in May 10-14, 2011 at the IML Ecopark, Maasim, Sarangani Province. The training-workshop, conducted by Engr. Ruben Pelones, Sanitary Engineer of the Provincial Health Office of Sarangani, aims to orient and train the participants on CLTS as a new approach on sanitation that addresses open defecation (OD). The approach uses systematic triggering, focused on igniting a change in sanitation behavior rather than constructing toilets, hinged on the premise that shock, disgust, and shame will make people act to address OD.
European Union visits South-Eastern Philippines Health and Economic Alternatives Project
Started in February 2009, the South-Eastern Philippines Health and Economic Alternatives (HEAL) Project aims to uplift the socio-economic condition of marginalized households in 15 upland and boundary barangays of nine (9) municipalities in the three (3) provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat. The 3-year project, funded by the European Union (EU) at €779,227, is implemented by Mahintana in partnership with five (5) other organizations namely, Allah Valley Development Foundation, Inc. (AVDFI), Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc. (MDFI), OND-Hesed Foundation, Inc., Sta. Cruz Mission School, Inc. (SCMSI), and Tribal Leaders Development Foundation, Inc. (TLDFI).
Barangay Justice for Peace Project Spearheads Barangay Upper Sepaka Peace Event
The Barangay Justice for Peace (BJP) Project is a 2-year project initiated in year 2009, funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF). Mahintana was tapped by GRF, in close coordination with South Cotabato’s Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Legal Office, to implement the project in the province, covering 10 municipalities and one (1) city. The project aims to promote community peace in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and non-ARMM communities by integrating community-based alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in local level planning and implementation, mobilizing and training a total of 3,000 peace advocates or who are popularly known as Barangay Justice Advocates (BJA).
Mahintana brings books to Barangay Ned
Initiated in year 2000, the Adopt-a-School Project aims to enhance the pupils’ academic performance among Dole Philippines, Inc.’s six (6) adopted public elementary schools. To achieve this objective, the project has distributed supplemental textbooks/reading and reference materials; conducted Teachers’ Training and monitoring and evaluation in partnership with Dole Philippines School; and provided infrastructure support. The project forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), implemented in partnership with Mahintana, the Rotary Club International, and READ Philippines (formerly MOVE ON Philippines).
HEAL Project conducts Year-End Review and Planning Workshop
Under the South-Eastern Philippines Health and Economic Alternatives (HEAL) Project funded by the European Union (EU), Mahintana Foundation, Inc. (MFI), together with its five (5) implementing partners namely, Allah Valley Development Foundation, Inc. (AVDFI), Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc. (MDFI), OND-Hesed Foundation, Inc., Sta. Cruz Mission School, Inc. (SCMSI), and Tribal Leaders Development Foundation, Inc. (TLDFI), conducted a 2-day Year-End Review and Planning Workshop at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City last 26-27 January 2011. A total of 32 participants took part in the activities, comprising of Project Coordinators, Project Officers, Bookkeepers, and seven (7) Municipal/City Health Officers (MHO)/(CHO), who were invited from the partners’ respective Rural Health Units (RHU) to provide feedback, insights, and recommendations in the improvement of project performance.
Mahintana trains members of BAWASA and the barangay council
Mahintana Foundation, Inc. (MFI), conducted a 2-day Project Management and Facilities Repair & Maintenance Training for Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA) last January 30-31, 2011 at the Sun City Suites, General Santos City. A total of 25 beneficiaries from Barangays Sumbakil, Datal Bob, and Landan participated in the activity, comprising of BAWASA’s Board of Directors and Chairmen as well as Council members of the said barangays. The water system project, funded by the Lutheran World Relief (LWR), aims to establish and increase the three (3) barangays’ access to potable water. The training, on the other hand, seeks to educate beneficiaries on the basics of the water system including its design, construction, operation, repair and maintenance, and management.
Dole Philippines, Inc. helps PWDs through 2nd ‘Alay Gabay’ Invitational Golf Tournament
In December 4-5, 2010, Dole Philippines, Inc., in partnership with Mahintana Foundation, Inc., held its 2nd ‘Alay Gabay para sa Maginhawang Buhay’ Invitational Golf Tournament at Kalsangi Golf Course, Kalsangi, Polomolok, South Cotabato. The event, dubbed as “Dole Philippines, Inc. Annual Business Partners’ Invitational Golf Tournament,” was participated by the business partners of the company. The tournament aimed to continue to deliver services to the most neglected sector of the community, the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), by raising funds in support to the wheelchair project. Read the rest of this entry »
BJP project conducts BJA Special Course Certification Program
The Barangay Justice for Peace (BJP) Project is a 2-year project, funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF), initiated in year 2009. GRF tapped Mahintana, in close coordination with South Cotabato’s Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Legal Office, to implement the project in the province, covering 10 municipalities and one (1) city. The project aims to promote community peace in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and non-ARMM communities by integrating community-based alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in local level planning and implementation, mobilizing and training a total of 3,000 peace advocates or who are popularly known as Barangay Justice Advocates (BJA). Read the rest of this entry »
