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Surviving Storms: An Abaca Farmer’s Story

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Gender, Latest News & Stories

Ledesma Tañon, 59, was born into a family of abaca (Manila hemp) farmers and has been deeply involved in farming for as long as she can remember. Alongside her husband, Noe, a dedicated blacksmith, she raised ten children in their home in Brgy. Buyo, Virac, Catanduanes.

She cultivates abaca, root crops, and vegetables on a four-hectare land, ensuring a steady food supply for her family. The income from abaca farming is a crucial source of support, enabling her to cover the family’s daily needs and finance her children’s education.

On December 16, Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) made landfall in Catanduanes, devastating her farm by toppling nearly all 250 hills of abaca. She was left with only the suckers, which will require two years to mature before any fiber can be harvested. The typhoon also tore off the roof of their home and brought floodwaters that rose to at least 2 meters high. Most of their belongings were damaged, leaving them with little to salvage.

Photo: Several mature abaca plants were destroyed by the typhoon at Ledesma’s farm.

Despite everything, Ledesma remained steadfast. “Starting over is difficult, but I have to be strong for my children”, she said. She shared that this wasn’t the first time they had faced such devastation. “Our house was flooded to the rooftop when Typhoon Rolly happened in 2020. All our crops were destroyed, too”, she added.

Catanduanes is highly prone to typhoons. As the easternmost province of the Philippines, it directly faces the Pacific Ocean and is often the first to be hit by storms entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Its location makes it a frequent target for powerful typhoons, which bring heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surges, often causing flooding and landslides.

The people of Catanduanes, like Ledesma, depend largely on abaca, a crop resilient to drought but highly vulnerable to typhoon damage. In fact, Typhoon Pepito devastated around 23,000 hectares of abaca plantations on the island, which produces 27% of the Philippines’ total abaca fiber supply.

Photo: The hills turned brown after Typhoon Pepito felled most of the trees and crops in Virac.

In October 2021, CARE Philippines introduced the Women Economic Empowerment (WE Empower) Project in Catanduanes to address the impact of Typhoon Rolly on the abaca-based livelihoods of affected communities. The project focused on empowering women and young abaca farmers by providing capacity-building programs, enhancing access to essential services, and fostering an environment conducive to sustainable economic activities.

Ledesma is one of more than a thousand farmers who participated in the WEE project. She and her fellow farmers organized the Buyo-Dugi-Hicming Farmers Association. They were trained on abaca and root crop by-products, financial management, other relevant business and financial skills, climate-resilient farming techniques, and good agricultural practices. Part of their learning was also on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation.

When the news forecasted the typhoon’s landfall in Catanduanes, she immediately harvested root crops such as cassava, taro, and sweet potatoes to ensure that they could have something to eat after the deluge.

She also evacuated three sows to a safe location and ensured the processed abaca fibers were stored in a high place to protect them from flooding before leaving for safety. She also brought their meager savings which she used to buy roofing materials and had her sons repair the damage to their home. She also managed to buy some rice though this only lasted a few days.

Through the WEE Project, CARE introduced the aGAP Bangon assistance program, an innovative, market-based emergency relief initiative. The program provides immediate relief packages, including food items and seedlings, to the most vulnerable community members and farmers impacted by natural disasters like Typhoon Pepito.

Ledesma received a 25-kilo sack of rice and vegetable seedlings to supplement the supplies she saved before the typhoon. She plans to use the remaining abaca fiber she saved to weave mats and baskets for sale. Additionally, one of her sows is pregnant, and she intends to sell the piglets to raise funds for restarting her farming activities.

“It’s difficult to start but it gets easier when you have something to start on”, she shared.

#SheHealsTheWorld Stories: Cecilia

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Gender, Latest News & Stories

Cecilia, a 52-year-old married mother of four, has dedicated her life to serving her community in Barangay Tagbakan Ilaya, located in the Municipality of Catanauan.

“Since 2018, I’ve been looking after 141 households, making sure that health services reach everyone, even when resources are limited. It’s not always easy, but knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life keeps me going. I will continue to serve, not for the recognition, but because it’s what my community needs.”

She continues to serve as a volunteer, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to public health and her community’s well-being. remains steadfast in her resolve to serve her community to the best of her ability. Her volunteer work includes participation in CARE’s HEAL Hub project with the Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center – STPRC, Inc., where she continues to provide essential health services and education to the residents of her community.

Cecilia continues to serve as a community health volunteer, catering to patients’ needs at the health center.

Her work involves a range of activities, from conducting health education sessions to assisting in the delivery of primary health care services. Her dedication to the HEAL Hub project highlights her adaptability and willingness to embrace new initiatives aimed at improving community health. Through her volunteer work, Cecilia continues to impact positively on the lives of those in her barangay, ensuring that health services remain accessible despite the challenges she faces.

Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and selflessness. Her ability to continue serving without financial compensation showcases her deep-rooted commitment to her community’s health and well-being. Her efforts as a volunteer not only fill a critical gap in health services but also inspire others in the community.

#SheHealstheWorld Stories: Christine

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Gender, Gender, Latest News & Stories

Christine has been a dedicated Community Health Worker in her community for the past eight years, serving tirelessly since 2017. Her extensive training and accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH) underscore her proficiency and readiness to address various health needs within her assigned households.

Christine manages the health needs of 38 households, making her an integral part of the community’s health care system. Her role is multifaceted, encompassing regular weekly visits to her assigned households. During these visits, she conducts essential health activities such as weighing children to monitor their growth and development and assisting midwives with immunization and vaccination programs. Christine is also responsible for managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes within her community. She ensures that her patients receive the necessary medications monthly, and meticulously records their health status.

Despite her critical role, Christine faces significant challenges, particularly concerning resource limitations. She receives a modest annual stipend of 2,000 pesos from the provincial government and an additional 650 pesos per month from her barangay. This limited financial support underscores the financial constraints under which many CHWs operate.

For the past eight years, I’ve been making sure families get the care they need, especially when there aren’t enough resources. Even when things are tough, I believe it’s important to teach people how to take care of their health. This way, we can stay strong as a community, even when times are hard.”

When supplies of medicines run out, Christine adapts by focusing on health education, providing valuable information and guidance to her community members. Her efforts in health education are vital, as they empower households with knowledge about maintaining good health practices and managing illnesses.

Christine’s commitment to her community is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond her official duties. Her ability to adapt to resource shortages and her proactive approach to health education highlight her resourcefulness and dedication. Her continuous engagement in training programs conducted by the DOH further enhances her capabilities, ensuring that she remains updated with the latest health care practices and protocols.

Christine Jimenez’s profile exemplifies the dedication and resilience of Community Health Workers in rural areas. Her work not only addresses immediate health needs but also contributes to the long-term well-being of her community. Through her unwavering commitment and continuous efforts, Christine plays a pivotal role in fostering a healthier and more informed community.

Talaandig Tribe’s 20-Year Journey to Peace 

  • Tanya Mariano
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Peacebuilding

For twenty years, a deep rift split this indigenous community in the Philippines. What started as a territorial dispute in 2000 evolved into an intense conflict over resources, ideologies, and leadership, eventually spiraling into violence, displacement, and the loss of many lives. It also prevented the formation of a unified council needed to secure the tribe’s land rights. With climate change and environmental degradation potentially making scarce resources even scarcer, further escalation seemed almost inevitable. 

But now, two decades later, both sides are taking crucial steps toward reconciliation. 

NCIP and BRIDGE Project help clear a path to peace 

The Talaandig, the smallest indigenous group in the Philippines’ Caraga Region in Mindanao, is a dwindling tribe with fewer than 2,000 families. The conflict forced some to flee deep into the forests, limiting their access to education and basic services mostly available in the lowlands. Many of its youth also struggle to maintain their traditional way of life and cultural identity due to discrimination and limited opportunities for learning and livelihood.  

For years, the tribe tried to settle the dispute, but insufficient resources and the periodic recurrence of violence made it challenging.  

With facilitation from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and support from the European Commission-funded BRIDGE project, members of the Talaandig tribe recently gathered for a peace dialogue. The goal was to bridge the long-standing divide by openly and respectfully talking about misunderstandings and grievances, committing to preventing future conflicts, and (re)uniting in their claim over their shared ancestral domain. This included establishing clear land boundaries and facilitating the creation of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) to strengthen their legal claim. 

This landmark event opened a new chapter for the tribe. “From now on, there will be no more bloodshed,” declared one tribal chieftain. 

“We can’t ignore the hurt this conflict has caused our families and the damage it’s done to our relationships, but I truly believe that, by starting this dialogue today, we can begin to heal,” said another tribal leader. 

The peace dialogue 

While the dialogue itself took place within a day, most participants spent one day traveling to the venue and another day returning home. For some, because they lived in such remote, “last mile” areas, the journey to the venue involved two days of walking barefoot. Yet, for something that had been out of reach for two decades and for which they spent years preparing, it seemed a reasonable price to pay.

The event began with a traditional Talaandig ceremony invoking peace and unity, led by the tribe’s elders. Two datus, or tribal chieftains, from the conflicting parties presented their perspectives, detailing the origins and consequences of the territorial dispute. Elders, women, and youth from both sides shared insights and recounted their genealogy, the conflict’s history, and its impact on their community. 

The group that remained in the original settlement in the lowlands spoke of their community’s milestones, including having two college graduates who are now teachers, and said they hoped these could serve as an inspiration to others and a testament to what the Talaandig can achieve given the opportunity. 

Mediators also played a key role, helping pave the way for a peace agreement by using the appropriate mediation processes. Mediators included the Municipal Tribal Chieftain Datu Raul Minglana, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Luis Bae Ederlina Precioso, NCIP Regional Director Ordonio P. Rocero, and NCIP Lawyer Atty. Fritzie Lynne Sumando. BRIDGE project staff, and personnel from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, served as secretariat and witnesses to the dialogue. 

The DepEd teachers also conducted a learner mapping to assess the educational needs of the community, especially in alternative learning systems. 

The peace dialogue was a critical first step for the Talaandig Tribe to claim their ancestral domain. | Photo: CARE Philippines

Talaandig women’s voices 

Women were instrumental in the peace process by documenting the dialogue and providing significant information to complete the tribe’s history. They also lent the discussion a nurturing and caring lens, helping participants see possible ways to heal past wounds. The event underscored the importance of inclusive participation, involving women in reconciliation and decision-making.  

Resolution and future steps 

To close the dialogue, the datus exchanged metal bracelets to symbolize their commitment to peace. They reached a tentative agreement on land boundaries and the establishment of the CADT, and all parties pledged to maintain the peace and prevent future conflicts. They also agreed to support each other’s aspirations for a dignified life by educating their children and ensuring equitable access to their ancestral land’s resources. 

From humanitarian response to peacebuilding 

The dialogue partially illustrates what working within the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus looks like, and how humanitarian and peacebuilding initiatives can build upon each other’s gains. In Mindanao, ACCORD, CARE, and partners implement two projects intentionally designed to complement each other: ACCESS, which addresses urgent humanitarian needs, and BRIDGE, which focuses on peacebuilding. 

Months before the dialogue, a group from the tribe – who had been experiencing chronic violence, threats, and harassment for years – was given food, shelter, WASH (water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion), health, and civil registration assistance by the EU Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project.  Seeing an opportunity to ask for help and give his people a better future, the group’s leader sought the project’s help in organizing a discussion with the other Talaandig groups. Through BRIDGE, the team from ACCORD supported NCIP in setting up the much-needed talk. 

With the NCIP’s partnership with BRIDGE, initial aid from ACCESS, and the Talaandig Tribe’s commitment to peace, cultural preservation, and self-determination, this decades-long conflict may finally be coming to a close. 

— 

ACCESS is a multi-year, multi-sectoral project funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and implemented by consortium members ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, and Save the Children Philippines. 

The “Civil Society, Women and Youth Promoting Culture of Peace in Mindanao” (BRIDGE) Project is funded by the European Commission and implemented by ACCORD Incorporated, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, and Oxfam Pilipinas

Rapid gender analysis shows the gendered impact of El Nino in Kalinga and Negros Oriental

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Gender, Gender, Latest News & Stories

by Josephine C. Kusain and Mary Therese L. Norbe

Photo: Farm fields lay barren due to lack of rainfall and water in Brgy. Santor, Rizal, Kalinga. (Josephine C. Kusain)

The rapid gender analysis (RGA) conducted by CARE Philippines and its partners, Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (CorDIS RDS) and Citizen’s Disaster Response Center (CDRC), in response to the 2024 El Niño event in the Philippines, highlighted significant impacts on the agricultural and fishing communities in Kalinga and Negros Oriental. The drought, which affected 59 out of 82 provinces across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, led to severe agricultural losses and food shortages, disproportionately impacting men, women, girls, and boys in these regions. 

In Kalinga, communities reliant on rice, corn, and vegetable farming faced immense difficulties in maintaining their fields and gardens. Similarly, in Negros Oriental, sugarcane farmers and fishing communities struggled with reduced productivity due to the harsh weather conditions. Both regions reported increased pest infestations, dried rice fields, and significant productivity reduction and crop losses, leading to severe food shortages and malnutrition, particularly among children. Women in Kalinga adjusted by waking early to work in the fields, while in Negros Oriental, coastal households altered fishing schedules to cope with the intense heat. The shortened fishing windows and fish moving deeper for cooler waters reduced catch potential, further straining coastal livelihoods and incomes.  

Photo: The heat cause rice fields to crack and prevented the rice to grow in Kalinga. @CorDis RDS

Water scarcity emerged as a critical issue in both regions, with Kalinga experiencing rotational water sources and frequent interruptions, allowing households access to water for only 3 to 4 hours daily. In Negros Oriental, even coastal communities faced diminished water flow from community tanks and deep wells. The lack of water affected both household and agricultural use, exacerbating the already dire situation for the communities. Farmers in Kalinga faced high gasoline costs to operate water pumps, while those in Negros Oriental contended with reduced water availability, further complicating their agricultural activities. In both Kalinga and Negros Oriental, coping with the heat during El Niño involved seeking shade, timing water collection, and utilizing different containers for water storage. 

Photo: No water flows from an open faucet in Brgy. Santor, Rizal, Kalinga @Josephine C. Kusain/CARE

Health issues were widespread, with Kalinga reporting increased cases of coughs, diarrhea, hypertension, and joint pain among adults, while children and girls faced additional challenges such as urinary tract infections and chickenpox. The elderly and persons with disabilities faced barriers in accessing healthcare, with only basic medicines available and specialized treatments limited. Despite these challenges, communities demonstrated resilience by upholding traditional practices like bayanihan, supporting each other, and arranging prayer meetings for sick elders. Both men and women turned to traditional herbal medicine for minor health issues when modern healthcare was inaccessible.

Both men and women sought alternative employment opportunities to bolster their finances, with women in Kalinga diversifying their income by selling snacks, snails, and taro or providing domestic services, while men often sought work in urban areas. Mutual support through interest-free loans among neighbors or borrowing money to meet various needs helped families navigate the crisis.  

In terms of safety and protection, the Barangay Local Government Units in Kalinga implemented curfews, store closures, and a liquor ban to address alcohol-related issues. Despite these measures, an incident of rape involving minors prompted intervention from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, resulting in in-house schooling due to bullying concerns. Women also highlighted heightened online exposure due to shortened school hours. Girls indicated no specific safety concerns, relying on the Barangay Council and cultural practices rooted in ancestral lands to ensure community safety. In Negros Oriental, children avoided working in sugarcane fields due to the extreme heat. 

The RGA underscored the urgent need for immediate food aid, including staples like rice and nutritional supplements, to address malnutrition and hunger. Emergency livelihood assistance and cash-for-work programs are essential to help families meet their immediate needs. Additionally, distributing hygiene kits and ensuring emergency water supplies are crucial for addressing water and sanitation challenges.  

Photo: The rice grains are completely dried and will not mature because of the drought in Kalinga. @CorDis RDS

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts of the government, non-government organizations, and international agencies to address this crisis. “We need to increase the coping capacities of these communities by providing immediate life-saving relief and implementing long-term sustainable recovery plans to mitigate the impact of future climatic events.”  

CARE Philippines, with its extensive experience in emergency response and long-term recovery efforts, advocates for a comprehensive approach to resilience-building. This includes livelihood diversification, skills training, sustainable agriculture practices, improved water infrastructure and sanitation facilities, and strengthened community health services to handle critical health issues.

Building Back Safer After Super Typhoon Egay

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Disaster Response, Featured Stories, Gender, Latest News & Stories, Shelter

In a northern Philippine province, a woman and her community’s story of coming together and rebuilding safer houses

When Super Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) struck the Philippines in July 2023, its rapid intensification took many by surprise. It dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in two days, damaged some 56,000 houses, and affected three million people. 

Miriam Bisares, 31, lost her home and almost all possessions. She lives with her husband and three children in a barangay (village) by a river in Abra, one of the worst-hit provinces. Running to safety that day was not easy. Her two older kids, ages 14 and 12, were ill with chicken pox and had to be carried. The flood submerged the paths to higher ground, so they had to cut a way through a thick tangle of grass and shrubs.

Today, her community remembers it as a difficult time, but alongside memories of the trials are ones of coming together and rebuilding. And despite the challenges, women like Miriam demonstrated capable leadership, playing a crucial part in helping her community learn how to become more resilient by building safer homes, with support from the European Union Humanitarian Aid and the ACCESS Project.

In the 14 years Miriam’s family had lived in Barangay Sao-atan in Bangued, Abra Province, they hadn’t experienced flooding as destructive as Super Typhoon Egay.

Their old shack—made of light materials and located a few meters away from the edge of a river cliff—was swept away completely. 

Recovery was hard. She occasionally finds work in sales as a “push girl” and “promodiser;” her husband is a merchandiser at a food manufacturing company but is not yet a regular employee.

That Barangay Sao-atan lies next to a river is both a blessing and a burden: on the one hand, residents get to plant crops on its fertile banks; on the other, it makes the village flood-prone.

The river also serves as a source of water for household use. During the rainy season, however, the water becomes murky and unusable. During dry spells, the river contracts, and residents have to climb down and up the steep river cliff while balancing one or two buckets.

At around 10 A.M., the water rose quickly. Amidst heavy rain and howling winds, Miriam’s family left their house and sought temporary shelter in this hut, which sits on slightly higher ground, further away from the river. 

By 6 P.M., the water was at their feet again. With a big knife, they slashed a path through the bushes to escape.

Months after the typhoon, damaged plastic “durabox” cabinets, scrubbed clean of mud and left to dry out in the sun, still litter the village.

Miriam’s family lost almost everything. Fortunately, her eldest had the presence of mind to save important documents, such as birth certificates, and even her parents’ high school diplomas.

When the floodwaters receded, cleanup—a collective community endeavor—commenced. Miriam and her family stayed with a relative for one month. Thanks to another relative, who owned an unproductive lot in an elevated part of the village and who let Miriam and other neighbors rebuild their houses on it, those affected by the flood were able to start anew in a safer location.

Through the ACCESS Project, Miriam and other residents severely affected by the typhoon received shelter assistance through repair kits and training sessions on how to build back safer. The project encouraged the community to work together to rebuild each other’s homes.

It also formed a shelter roving team, a group of community members that ensured houses were repaired or rebuilt properly. As part of the team, Miriam became well-versed in Building Back Safer (BBS) principles. She can explain why having strong bracing, interlocking joints, anchored posts, and other BBS techniques are key to building safer homes.

Miriam and her family moved into their new house a month before Christmas. 

Malaki ang pagbabago. Safe at komportable kami dito. Hindi na kami nangangamba na maaabutan ng tubig kung sakaling may bagyo (It’s a huge difference. We’re safe and comfortable here. We don’t worry about the water reaching us in the event of a typhoon).”

– Miriam (Bangued, Abra)

The project also provided water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance by building a water system and holding hygiene promotion activities. There are shaded benches near the water system where women sometimes congregate, working on chores together, or just staying for a chat.

“Sabi ng mga matatanda, himala daw na may tubig na kami dito. Dati na kasing problema yan (The elders say it’s a miracle we now have water here. That was always a problem),” says Miriam. 

These days, Miriam and her husband are focused on taking care of the children. He cooks for them before leaving for work; she walks them to and from school.

Asked what aspirations she has for the family, she says, “Pangarap ko na mapatapos silang tatlo sa pag-aaral para maganda ang kinabukasan nila (I hope we can support the three of them so they can finish school and have a better future.”


ACCESS gave shelter assistance to some 1,650 individuals and repaired 530 houses across the provinces of Abra and Cagayan. The project is funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations and implemented by ACCORD Inc., Action Against Hunger Philippines, Humanity and Inclusion Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, and CARE Philippines.

The Wave of Women-Managed Enterprises after Typhoon Rai: Shimalyn’s Story

It was lunchtime and Shimalyn Flores, 48, rushed to display the last tray of food she cooked to sell at her carenderia or roadside food stall in San Isidro, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Soon, people will eat or buy food for their lunch. Some of them are those who tour the island and find themselves hungry along the highway.

She noted that small businesses like hers have sprouted now that tourism has become vibrant again since the onslaught of Typhoon Rai (Odette) in 2021. When the typhoon hit, most of the small businesses were destroyed. She used to cook hamburgers and viands that she peddled in different areas of the town. The typhoon damaged all her cooking equipment which made it even more difficult to start cooking and selling again.

As the sole breadwinner for her child and elderly parents, she was at a loss as to how to provide for her family. They relied on the relief goods and assistance given by the government and non-government humanitarian organizations to survive daily.

When the relief operations ended, she loaned from a financial service provider and invested in a small pushcart which she filled with rice-based delicacies, shaved ice dessert, burgers, viand, and other street food. She sold these around town in areas where foot traffic is heavy. She had to make sure that all her goods were sold so that she could pay her loan and provide for her family’s needs. Some days are good, and some days are bad for business, hence, she dreaded the times when her income was not enough to pay even the loan’s interest.

When CARE Philippines came and presented the WAVES (Women Adding Value to the Economy in Siargao) project to her community, Shimalyn was one of the participants who were selected to receive livelihood support from the project. Along with other small women entrepreneurs, she was trained by technical experts from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Surigao del Norte on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. She then received the project’s 15,000-peso cash grant for her livelihood recovery after the training.

I became confident again to take the risks of improving my business because of what I learned on business and finance management and because I have the capital to use,” she shared.

She bought cooking equipment and ingredients and rented a space where she would sell her goods. She also included some groceries to diversify her products. She shared that having a rented space made selling easier for her than before when she went from one community to another carrying her goods.

I have increased my income. I am also paying up my loan. And I was able to provide better for my family,” she added.

CARE Philippines works with 1,175 women and men entrepreneurs in Santa Monica, Burgos, San Isidro, Pilar, Del Carmen and Dapa municipalities in Siargao in recovering and sustaining their livelihood and increasing their resiliency through the WAVES project supported by the Tijori Foundation.

The Wave of Women-Led Enterprises after Typhoon Rai: Madel’s Story

It’s a busy day as tourists swarm the line of stalls at the popular Maasin River in Barangay Maasin, Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Madel Elimanco, 39, stands at the front of her shop and invites tourists to check the various goods she sells. She has souvenir items such as shirts, bags, shell ornaments, accessories made of coconuts, and delicacies that are sought after by people who flock to the island.

She still gets overwhelmed whenever she earns more than she expects on a day of selling. She remembered how difficult it was for her and her husband to get back on their feet when Typhoon Rai (Odette) struck in 2021. Their stall where they used to sell hot cakes, processed foods, and coconut shell souvenirs was swept away by the strong winds. After the onslaught, her husband who was a tour guide and surfing instructor struggled to find income when all tourists had gone, and the island was left in ruins.

As much as Madel wanted to recover their assets and start selling again, they had no capital to use. She wanted to find a job so that they could survive the daily challenge of putting food on the table and taking care of their children’s needs.

“It was hard for me to find another job because I’m used to running a small business. I wasn’t confident to do something that I don’t have the right skills for”, she said. 

CARE Philippines through Project WAVES (Women Adding Value to the Economy in Siargao) identified Madel as one of the women entrepreneurs to be engaged as a project participant who will lead their livelihood recovery. She participated in a series of livelihood and financial literacy training and was supported to recover her assets and improve and diversify her products through financial assistance.

“Before, I only sell a few items. Now, I have more products displayed and sold in my souvenir shop”, she shared.

CAREPh, DOST-PCAARRD forged partnership to support smallholder farmers 

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

CARE Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) signed an MOU to provide a holistic package of farming solutions to smallholder vegetable farmers in Mabitac, Famy, Sta. Maria, and Pangil, Laguna province on February 12.  

This will be made possible through the Asenso sa Good Agriculture Package (aGAP) Social Enterprise project being implemented in the said municipalities where vegetables are the prime commodity. Small-scale farmers in these areas have costly and or unreliable access to farming inputs, technology, and markets for their produce. Moreover, they suffer from losses caused by natural hazards such as drought, flooding, and typhoons.  

Reiza S. Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director emphasized the importance of collaborating with the DOST-PCAARRD in increasing farmers’ resilience by accessing necessary resources through the latter’s Agri-Aqua Business Hub.  

It’s an alliance that promises to harness the best of science, technology, and community spirit to break down barriers, open doors to opportunities, and pave the way for a new generation of entrepreneurs in agriculture and aquaculture,” she said.  

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

The Agri-Aqua Business Hub is DOST-PCAARRD’s new platform for technology promotion, transfer, and commercialization that offers a diverse range of services. In this project, these are innovative, client-focused, and sustainable agricultural support services that would improve the livelihood of more than 2,000 smallholder farmers in Laguna.  

Working together, we can offer personalized advice, training, and support that is more closely aligned with farmers’ individual circumstances and goals,” shared Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director.  

Photo: DOST-PCAARRD

aGAP SE is a social enterprise project that offers a range of solutions such as seed, fertilizer, farm tools, and equipment while providing education, financial connection, and market facilitation to smallholder farmers through collaboration and partnership with local government units, government line agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders.  

It is supported by the Tijori Foundation, a long-time partner of CARE Philippines in humanitarian and development initiatives.  

Disparities in Diabetes: Applying intersectionality to understand diabetes

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Gender, Gender, Healthy Mothers & Children, Other Topic, Uncategorized

Written by: Juin Ancha (CARE Philippines)

November 14 — World Diabetes Day. Various health organizations and groups all over the country urge the Filipino community to take active measures to prevent this life-threatening illness. However, simple lifestyle and dietary changes may not be enough to comprehensively address diabetes, especially within the context of vulnerable populations. Pervasive gender norms and roles are also factors that influence the health and well-being outcomes of Filipino women and men. As we commemorate World Diabetes Day, we encourage the public to use an intersectional lens to understand diabetes.

Diabetes at a glance

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic, and the Philippines is not exempt. According to the International Diabetes Federation, of the 64 million adults in the country, 4 million have diabetes. However, even with these high numbers, there could be more undocumented cases, specifically in low-income, rural, and armed-conflict-affected areas. Lack of health facilities in far-flung communities, lack of access to diabetes information, and lack of access to basic services continue to be major factors that prevent people, including the elderly, children, women, and men, from seeking timely health check-ups and routine monitoring. Socioeconomic constraints do not help either, and only contribute to a general reluctance among poor families to seek medical intervention.

Early detection of diabetes is hard when you are poor and internally displaced. In Lanao del Sur, many people did not know that they were diabetic until they saw CARE Philippines NCD-LOVE. NCD-LOVE was a three-year pilot project designed to introduce innovative approaches to address health issues, specifically non-communicable diseases, diabetes included. From providing technical assistance and capacity buildings to partner government stakeholders, augmenting NCD service delivery in project sites, and ensuring its sustainability through transition plans, the NCD-LOVE indeed provided strong advocacy on health and well-being. In 2023 alone, the project reached 15 municipalities in Lanao del Sur and served 7,031 patients, of which 67% were women.

Using intersectionality as lens to understanding diabetes

Lived experiences of diabetes can be best understood through an intersectional lens that considers the social identities of ordinary Filipinos. Due to deep-seated culture and gender norms, various gender biases have affected not only our behavior towards health but also our understanding of health. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of studies on NCD, diabetes included, have been undertaken on men, and women have been less diagnosed at early stages. As a result, even health interventions have placed women at the periphery of diabetes attention.

“No words could express how CARE helped us and made us happy, especially here in our community,” – shared Alma (not her real name), 58 years old, a woman with diabetes from Boganga Transitory site. That is why the NCD-LOVE project purposefully targeted not only low-income households in conflict-afflicted areas but, more importantly, women.

“We deeply appreciate the invaluable support from CARE and Abbott, which has been instrumental in propelling this NCD-LOVE program forward. Our steadfast commitment to prioritizing health and well-being remains resolute. As we look ahead, our focus remains steadfast on ensuring the sustainability of our NCD-LOVE program, guaranteeing that the progress achieved endures for the long term,” stated IPHO II.

Unlocking one of the key solutions, applying intersectionality in analyzing diabetes, opens discussions beyond the medical model of this life-threatening, non-communicable disease.

The NCD-LOVE project was funded by Abbott and the Abbott Fund.

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