Indigenous Peoples’ Desk

The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines has set up an IP (Indigenous People) DESK

The vision – mission approved during the 2011 AMRSP IP National Assembly

 

Vision:

“Religious women, men and lay partners journeying with the indigenous peoples, as they pursue their self-determination in reclaiming their cultural identity, ancestral domain, and spirituality, and together experiencing the Reign of God.”

Mission:

“To be supportive companions to one another as we, indigenous peoples mission partners, join the indigenous peoples in their continuing struggle.”

 

Orientation Course on IP Ministry

In the first two AMRSP IP Workers’ National Assemblies, participants identified the need for an orientation course on IP ministry as urgent. They expressed that more often that not, religious are sent to work in IP communities without adequate preparation and orientation.

In response, the AMRSP IP Desk officers designed a course which was rolled out this year. Taking note of the financial limitations raised by group, the course was rolled out in two venues, one in Mindanao and in Luzon, to reduce travel expenses. The Desk was also able to seek financial support from Assisi Development Foundation, Inc to augment the registration fee of participants.  

The Luzon roll-out was attended by 21 participants coming from 8 congregations and was held on May 16-26, 2011 the convent of the Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) in Quezon City.

The Mindanao roll-out was attended by 20 participants from 8 congregations and 1 diocese and was held on July 11-21, 2011 at the Benedictine Retreat House in Davao City.

Both roll-outs were well appreciated by participants.

 

The new set of officers of the AMRSP IP Desk are the following:

  • Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, SPC (Luzon) – Coordinator
  • Sr. Adora Molina, SSpS (Luzon) – Treasurer
  • Sr. Helen Libo-on, RSM (Mindanao) – Auditor
  • Br. Joseph Villarin, CMF (Mindanao) – Secretary
  • Sr. Marivic Destacamento (Visayas) –
  • Lay reps (two slots) : vacant
  • The group also agreed on the next assembly:

              Venue of Assembly                :        Bontoc (Teng – ab)

              Date of 2012 Assembly          :        Sept 10 – 14, 2012

                                                                          Sept. 10 – arrival

                                                                          Sept. 11 -13 – assembly proper

                                                                          Sept. 14 departure

 

 

SCANNING OF INITIATIVES/STRENGTHS OF CONGREGATIONS IN THE IP MINISTRY

Based on the discussions, the initiatives/strengths of the congregations involved in IP Ministry are the following:

  •         Formation
    •        In preparation for the IP Ministry within the congregation
    •        For IP youth
    •         Networking and coordination
      •        Within the church structure
      •        With other groups (NGOs, LGUs, GOs, etc)
    •         Research and coordination
    •         Advocacy
      •        For issues and concerns to be lobbied
      •        Among IPs and non-IPs
    •         Resource mobilization
    •         Support to community self-governance

 

Below are the specific initiatives/strengths of congregations:

FORMATION SSpS –with IP youth in IP Ed Program MJ-formation of candidates, -2-3 yrs immersion with communities (supervision and framework, before theology or ordination)

SVD- novitiate, 2 months immersion with community; inter-congregational encounter with other congregations re IPs

MA – postulancy, 5 mos? with IPs/Muslims in the community; 

CCV (Pigkawayan, Cotabato) – before 1st profession, 3 mos immersion; formation of IP youth in education program (elem and HS);  

RNDM – formation of youth in dorms, part of education program;

FAS-

SFIC – for Ayta youth (includes prayer time)

MSM – community in IP community

MA –formation of community leaders

MIC- exposure of sisters in IP areas (before final vows), novices

MSLT- formation for scholars and parents

FMA- youth (leaders), recollection, retreat, parents (catechist)

 

 NETWORKING AND COORDINATIONSIHM- coordination of rehab initiatives in the diocese, vicariate in CordilleraRNDM – with LGUs, NGOs, to access basic services like water

FMA- with LGUs

FAS – NCIP, ECIP,  AMRSP

MIC –NCIP, line agencies, PANLIPI,

SSpS-

SCSA- Ayala Fdn, NCIP,

CCV – Assisi Fdn

FMA – NGOs, govt,

 

+ benefactors

 
RESEARCH AND COOORDINATION CMF-research on culture and traditions SX (Fr Archie, JPICC board) – mining and IPs;

SJ- research in Mindanao 

 

 

 ADVOCACY CCV- para-legal trng for sisters, anti-mining advocacy (w Assisi)AMP-Anti-mining, environment

FAS- with ECIP (for IP Ed and legal matters); PANLIPI, etc) anti-mining

SFIC – interaction of IP youth with non-IPs in schools

 
RESOURCE MOBILIZATIONCord-aidAssisi

Misereor

Chinese community

—-

 Tap into government resources (LGU, DepEd, DOH, TESDA, DTI, DSWD, DA, DENR -MGB,  NCIP)

 

 SUPORT TO COMMUNITIES (skills for empowerment of IPs)AMP (brookes pt) -organizing of communities AMP- processing CADTRSM – women

SJ- trng of IPs (capacity bldg)

 

 

The priority concerns/involvement of congregations are the following:

  •         Ancestral domain
  •         Para – legal
  •         Organizing
  •         Health
  •         Livelihood
  •         Education
  •         Evangelization
  •         IP Spirituality/Culture
  •         Below is the clustering of congregations based on involvement:
ANCESTRAL DOMAINAMP – processing CADTFAS – CADT processing

SFIC - CADT processing

MIC - CADT processing

SSpS – CADT processing

CCV – CADT processing

SPC – CADT processing

 

 PARA – LEGALFASMIC

SSpS

SPC (FOLPMI)
ORGANIZINGRNDM – of youth, women, etcFMA – with women

AMP –

FAS –

RSM – women, comm.. Leaders

FMM – customary laws

MSLT – Ati in Antique; survey of communities;

CCV – sustainable agri

SPC – youth, women, election for community   

           Leaders.

 HEALTHSPC – barefoot doctors, hospital for the poor (Parañaque ), referral, hairlip, cataract; DSWD – financial support thru NGOs and FDNs, Continuoous Cash Transfer; Medical MissionsCMF – referral for health needs

RNDM – provisionof medicines, referral, training of volunteers

FAS – medical support for IPs

MSM – provided hospitalization

MIC – Medical Missions

SSpS – Herbal Soap Outlets

SCSA – medicines, referral

CCV – alternative health, AKAP (IP)

 
LIVELIHOODOMI – livelihoodSIHM – organic farming

RNDM – bead making

FMA – support for poultry, seed, banka

SPC (Palawan) – support for fishing livelihood

        (Gala, Subic) – Diversified Hog Raising(Poultry,  

                             Piggery, Goat, Carabao Dispersal.),

                             Fish pond, Organic Farming, Tie –

                             Dye Cloth, Herbal Medicines

 

FAS – fishing, farming, food for work, marketing (honey),

SFIC – food processing (ampalaya cookies, pulvoron, etc),basahan –making

RSM – herbal plants processing; animal dispersal; bead-weaving

MSM – sustainable agri;

MIC – marketing of products

SSps – marketing of IP products

SCSA – dress-making, etc

SJ – coffee production, processing, marketing

 EDUCATIONSSpS – IP ED in TarlacCMF – education program, includes documentation of culture and tradition

RNDM – among youth

AMP – adult and youth

SPC – Scholarships -  High School & College    

           Education Program – Daycare, Kinder &

                                               Elementary ( Aeta

                                               Resettlement Area)

            AIS  Sessions with Adults and Youth

FMA – education support for youth (dorm, scholarship), formation of youth, outreach to IPs of institutional ed

FAS – scholarship, dorm for IPs; non-formal school for IPs in community (towards IP Ed)

SFIC – dorm and support for Ayta youth in Subic, Zambales for elem; support for High School and College; Satellite Schools; adult literacy during summer

RSM – daycare program

MSM – equivalent to Elementary

MA – equivalent to Elementary; dorm support ; support for High School and College

OMI – Scholarship?

FMM – IP Ed System, curriculum and module making, learning materials’

MSLT – scholarship (supplies) for Ati

SCSA – with DepEd; cholarship

CCV – scholarship

SJ - Bendum
EVANGELIZATIONFMAMIC –parish – based; formation of lay leaders

SCSA

SJ – IP parish

SPC – training of lumad towards priesthood,  

           catechism in school and adults

 

  
 IP SPIRITUALITY / CULTURECMF (Basilan) – cultural festival of BadjaosRNDM – sessions on Manobo spirituality with youth

 

 

 OTHERSCMF, RNDM – processing of papers (birth certificates, etc)FMA – feeding program

SPC – leadership sessions with leaders, Election of Council Members

MA- parish work

 

SUGGESTED GOALS  OF IP DESK – AMRSP

 Formation

  •         To provide a formation program at different levels  (Basic Orientation Seminar; Ongoing Formation for those involved in IPA; Retreat)

 Networking & Coordination

  •         To write/communicate to AMRSP the sentiments of IP mission partners
  •         Disseminate information on the IP Mission Partners’ VMG to new IP mission partners and to the AMRSP
  •         Link websites
  •         Coordinate with ECIP, NCCP, other ecumenical groups, NCIP and other agencies/organizations
  •         Network with IP organizations,  support organizations, civil society and other institutions

 Research & Documentation

  •         To research on and provide basic information on all IPs in the Philippines to IP mission partners
  •         To research and disseminate findings on IP culture and spirituality, and the history of the encounter of the Church and the IPs in the      Philippines
  •         To regularly provide information to IP mission partners such as directory of members and resource institutions and IP updates 
  •         To create a website and e-group and update  regularly
  •         To create a Research and Documentation Committee

 Advocacy

  •         To organize within the Secretariat in six months a mechanism (e.g., Advocacy Committee) to:
    •        study and bring issues affecting the IPs  (e.g., CADT, IPRA) to the awareness of government media through the AMRSP
    •        engage in internal advocacy, bringing IP issues in dialogue with Church leaders, formators and other religious institutions
    •        mobilise legal and other support for IP issues and advocacies.
    •        network with organizations providing legal assistance

 Resource Mobilization

  •         To engage funding agencies and NGOs, and, on a critical collaboration basis, LGUs and government agencies to finance needs of IP mission partners
  •         To raise funds for trainings, fora, research, documentation and other services of the IP Mission Partners
  •         To engage resource person among members for different trainings and workshops

 Support to Communities

  •         To enable the IP mission partners to be more discerning in their journey with IPs
  •         To equip the IP mission partners with skills for empowerment of the IPs and other support groups