UPDATE REPORT
Last March 28, 2014, a consultation meeting was held in order to find out how to sustain the forest protection in Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain after the present EGIP funded project ceases to exist. Several issues and topics have been raised during the meeting such as how to generate more income in the community, how to improve their farms and sold their outputs with enough profit, the plan to establish a rescue and rehabilitation center of wildlife species and the eco-tourism business facility. Apparently, all of these plans have been included on the Community Forest Protection and Development Plan (CFPDP) of the Carmen Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain. But, during the SWOT Analysis conducted by Mr. Jayson Ibanez, Research and Conservation Director of Philippine Eagle Foundation, it was conveyed that EGIP might be interested in supporting a rescue and rehabilitation center and the eco-tourism sustainability project with some conditions. They want to have a designated area for the proposed eco-tourism business facility where initial management would be EGIP’s responsibility until such time the community is capable to take over the management. The set-up would be “Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) “system.
Then, the Obu-Manuvu community brought-up establishing a Tribal Village as part of their CFPDP and the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Plan Project (ADSDPP). This is also to make their monitoring and foot patrolling on their AD forest easier, continue their daily living while preserving their cultural practices and traditions, and preferable to the plan on establishing an eco-tourism sites. However, it was made clear to them that the plan to establish the tribal village was beyond the capacity of EGIP and PEF though they could assist in finding financing opportunities through their networks. Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity was two of the organisation in the Philippines that involved in housing projects that was planned to be contacted. On May 24, 2014, Mr. Rene Rieta of Gawad Kalinga scheduled a meeting for a proposed tribal village of the community together with the Tribal Chieftain Datu Paulino Landim and Bae Nilda Landim of the Obu-Manuvu community in Carmen and Mr. Jayson Ibanez and Joshua Donato of Philippine Eagle Foundation. Mr Rieta showed interest of the proposed tribal village because according to them this is their first time to involve the tribal community in their mission to end poverty in the Philippines.
Gawad Kalinga (GK), which means to “give care” in Filipino, is officially known as the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement. Their goal is to end poverty by providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless and food for the hungry.
On June 14, 2013, Mr. Rene Rieta of Gawad Kalinga visited the Obu-Manuvu Community in Sitio Macatabo, Carmen, Davao City to give orientation to the community about the Gawad Kalinga and its missions. He also shared his optimism and excitement about the proposed tribal village of the community and how their partners and supporters reacted on the proposed endeavor. He was accompanied by Mr. Jayson Ibanez and Joshua Donato of Philippine Eagle Foundation and Ms. Erdee Joy Lao of EGIP Foundation. Dr. Ana Lascano, the Veterinarian of Philippine Eagle Foundation was also present during the program for a proposed rescue and rehabilitation center of animals in the area. A short program was held which was participated by the Obu-Manuvu Community, representative from Unified Obu-Manuvu Tribal Council of Elders, representative from Brgy. Council of Brgy. Carmen, EGIP and PEF. Open forum was also done after the program where the meeting participants asked questions to the guest. After lunch break, Mr. Rene Rieta and the group together with a selection of forest guards went to the vantage area near the Barangay Carmen where they can see the proposed site of the tribal village.
After the visit, Mr. Rieta was hopeful that the proposed project will push through and expressed his appreciation for his brand new partnership especially to the Obu-Manuvu community.
