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Volunteers Bring Psychological First Aid to Earthquake Survivors

  • Tanya Mariano
  • Blog, Disaster Response, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories

In the aftermath of disasters, one of the biggest impacts is often invisible: trauma.

Following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu, Philippines late in the evening of September 30, 2025, life has moved primarily outdoors for fear that aftershocks would topple homes and buildings.

Days later, residents affected by the destructive tremor – one group huddled under a tent, another by the roadside – gathered to tell stories. A child talked about losing a best friend, and the many plans they still had together. “I hope this is over soon,” said another, referring to the aftershocks, now numbering over 10,000. Witnessing the death of neighbors up close, some cried, others laughed nervously, perhaps as a way to cope.

Among those listening to them is Betcheba Ellorico Prochina, an educator by profession, and one of several volunteers – teachers, a social worker, and psychiatrists – who made the journey to Bogo City, Cebu from Agusan del Sur in northeastern Mindanao to provide psychological first aid (PFA) to communities affected by the quake.

A teacher’s calling: traveling miles to bring care, expecting no reward

Betcheba and the rest of the volunteers were trained in PFA in 2023 by an EU Humanitarian Aid-funded project called REACH, implemented by ACCORD, CARE, and partners.

That same year, they put their training into action when a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Sarangani in November 2023. ACCESS, another EU-funded action also led by ACCORD, CARE, and partners, sent out a call for volunteers to provide PFA to affected families.

The trip from Agusan del Sur to Sarangani was long – more than eight hours by land – and the task was emotionally demanding, but Betcheba had no second thoughts: “Volunteering is good for the heart,” she says. “We’re not psychologists, but through our simple way of delivering PFA, we were able to ease their psychological burden.”

In Cebu, trapped in traffic gridlock for hours, one song kept playing in her head: “Yes, I’m a teacher; I must brave all the roaring waves and the fury of the river and windy seas; I must climb on up the mountains and hills where children there wait for my love and care.”

What is psychological first aid?

“Before, people focused only on first aid for physical wounds and often neglected one of the most important aspects of our lives: our psychological and emotional well-being,” Betcheba explains. “Like a physical wound, if left unattended, it can worsen. For people who have experienced trauma, PFA helps them bounce back and regain a positive outlook.”

The sessions are designed to help participants process their experiences and emotions. Volunteers use games, songs, and simple activity sheets to help participants recognize and express their feelings. With gentle encouragement and non-judgmental listening, conversations begin to flow, and the weight of trauma can start to lift. Participants also learn practical tools such as breathing exercises to manage stress.

The volunteers knew their visit was only the first step, and that ongoing support would be crucial, especially for children and older persons, whose trauma might manifest in subtler ways.

Says Betcheba, “Volunteering is one way of destressing myself by destressing others. I’m glad that, if only for a short while, we helped take their minds off their worries.”

Local capacity building promotes fast, sustainable emergency response

Betcheba and the volunteers’ story is testament to the lasting impact of empowering local actors. Trained under a previous project, they consistently step up to serve other communities during new emergencies, a clear ripple of positive change extending well beyond the project’s timeline.

ACCESS is a multi-year, multi-sectoral project funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid and implemented by a consortium of 14 local and international organizations: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN), Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women).

ACCESS: Renewed Commitment to Timely, Dignified Humanitarian Aid

  • Tanya Mariano
  • Blog, Disaster Response, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

The European Union Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project is scaling up its humanitarian work in the Philippines through a two-year continuation, building on the lessons and gains from the past two years of delivering lifesaving assistance to families affected by conflict, displacement, and natural or climate-related hazards when they need it most. 

Reaching underserved, last-mile communities across the Philippines 

Since its launch in 2023, ACCESS has reached over 200,000 people with humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness support. This work will continue with ACCESS 2, which aims to reach 350,000 more people by 2027, still prioritizing the most at-risk individuals, including children, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and newly displaced families in Mindanao and other crisis-affected areas. 

Speed, Accuracy, and Quality

ACCESS remains committed to speed, accuracy, and quality in humanitarian response. This means acting quickly once it is safe to do so, ensuring aid is well-targeted and relevant to needs, and upholding high technical standards. The project operates across sectors including food security, health, shelter, WASH, protection, education in emergencies, disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and humanitarian coordination. A rapid response mechanism allows teams to mobilize within 24 to 72 hours once it is safe to reach affected communities. Whether addressing sudden emergencies or chronic crises, the project is guided by the principle that no one should be left behind, especially in hard-to-reach areas. 

“ACCESS delivers immediate humanitarian assistance to families affected and displaced by disasters and crises. With the support of the European Union, this effort ensures that aid reaches the most vulnerable, especially when local resources are not sufficient and needs are greatest.”

– Arlynn Aquino, Programme Officer and Head of Philippine Antenna, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Locally Led, Inclusive, Environmentally Responsible

ACCESS 2 brings together 14 international and local humanitarian organizations, many based in Mindanao. This locally led model draws on deep community knowledge and trusted relationships to deliver faster, more relevant assistance. Activities are gender- and age-sensitive and disability-inclusive, ensuring everyone’s needs are considered and assistance is provided without discrimination. The project also integrates environmental safeguards, following ECHO’s Minimum Environmental Requirements and climate-smart practices to reduce the impact of humanitarian activities.  

“ACCESS is about working together—side by side with national and local organizations, government units, and other humanitarian actors—to make sure help gets to the people who need it most. Our partners on the ground know the realities and the needs of their communities. By combining our strengths, we can respond faster, reach farther, and support communities not just to recover, but to be ready for future crises.”

– Reiza Dejito, Country Director of ACCESS consortium lead CARE Philippines

Coordination and Advocacy 

Beyond emergency response, ACCESS 2 invests in disaster preparedness at both community and subnational levels, helping local actors anticipate and mitigate risks. The project also includes a national advocacy component, working to strengthen policies and systems that protect at-risk populations.  To ensure resources are used effectively, ACCESS 2 provides humanitarian coordination support, aligning assistance with other partners and local authorities. 

Bridging Relief, Recovery, and Peace 

ACCESS embraces a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach, linking immediate relief with long-term resilience and conflict sensitivity. This integrated strategy helps address urgent needs while supporting local systems and reducing the risks that drive recurring crises. 

Looking Ahead Together 

At its core, the new two-year continuation of ACCESS reflects a renewed commitment to communities facing the greatest challenges: those living through conflict, displacement, and natural and climate-related hazards. It builds on what has already been achieved, with a focus on delivering timely, inclusive, and principled humanitarian aid, and sustaining efforts to help people recover with dignity and prepare for future crises. By working together, we move closer to a future where communities are safer, stronger, and more resilient. 

About ACCESS 

ACCESS is multi-year, multi-sectoral humanitarian and disaster preparedness initiative funded by European Union Humanitarian Aid. It serves the most affected, underserved, difficult-to-reach communities in the Philippines, where natural hazards, conflict, recurrent displacement, and intensifying climate-related risks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. 

ACCESS 2 is implemented by a consortium of 14 local and international organizations: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN), Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women). 

Humanitarian NGOs Welcome New Philippine Imminent Disaster Law

  • Tanya Mariano
  • Advocacy, Disaster Response, Humanitarian, Latest News & Stories, Other Topic, Press Release

The landmark legislation, Republic Act No. 12287, paves the way for proactive government response, protecting people before floods, typhoons, or other hazards hit

In a historic move to save lives and protect at-risk communities, the Philippine government has passed the Imminent Disaster Bill into law, establishing a national framework for anticipatory action – measures taken before a hazard hits or before its worst impacts are felt. The law mandates that government agencies act before impacts peak: to pre-position supplies, organize preemptive evacuation, or release early cash or in-kind support.

“This is a turning point for the Philippines: from reacting after a disaster to protecting people before it strikes. The real test is in implementation, and we stand ready to work with government and communities to make anticipatory action a reality nationwide,” says Reiza Dejito, Country Director of CARE Philippines, the organization leading the European Union Humanitarian Aid-funded ACCESS Project, which implements anticipatory action initiatives.

“With this new law, the government can now officially lead anticipatory actions and utilize state resources to save lives and protect livelihoods. The era of waiting for the most vulnerable to experience the full brunt of a disaster before help arrives is, we hope, coming to an end,” says Lot Felizco, Executive Director of Oxfam Pilipinas, an ACCESS consortium member.

Centering Community Voices

People most affected by typhoons, floods, and other hazards are now covered by a clear legal mandate for early action. Civil society organizations, including ACCESS members, helped ensure the law is grounded in the realities of communities frequently affected by disasters, amplifying local voices to inform policy and keeping the law steadfast to its core purpose: to save lives, protect livelihoods, uphold dignity, and adhere to the ‘do no harm’ principle.

“For the longest time, our communities have been on the frontlines of climate change, waiting for the next storm to take everything from them. This law gives us hope and a fighting chance. It is a testament to what is possible when we work together towards a common goal of resilience,” says Esteban Masagca, Executive Director of People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN).

Adds Sindhy Obias, Executive Director of Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD), “More than anticipating disasters, the law recognizes the strength and wisdom of Filipino communities who have long been the first responders. This legal foundation strengthens our collaboration with government, partners, and communities so that preparedness is a guaranteed right for every family at risk.”

‘No One Left Behind’

The law helps broaden support for women, girls, older adults, people with disabilities, and others who often face barriers to aid.

“Disasters affect girls differently and disproportionately,” says Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas. “The new law enables earlier action to protect girls and meet their specific needs before disasters strike, helping ensure that every child—especially every girl—is safe, empowered, and resilient in the face of typhoons and other emergencies,” she adds.

Says Melanie Ruiz, Country Manager of Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, “Through this new law, we continue to promote inclusive anticipatory action, enabling meaningful participation of people with disabilities, older adults, women, children, and other marginalized groups in disaster preparedness, to ensure no one is left behind.”

Enabling Proactive Measures

The new law provides a clear legal framework for government agencies at all levels to:

  • Pre-position goods and supplies in areas forecasted to be hit by a hazard
  • Implement pre-emptive evacuations to ensure citizen safety
  • Distribute cash or aid assistance to families so they can meet basic needs without resorting to negative coping strategies
  • Secure assets and livelihoods, such as boats, livestock, and equipment, minimizing economic loss

This proactive approach protects development gains and breaks the cycle of poverty exacerbated by repeated disasters. “This legislation is a milestone that reinforces ongoing efforts to integrate early action, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction into both humanitarian and development programs,” says Suresanathan Murugesu, Country Director of Action Against Hunger Philippines.

Proven Anticipatory Action Activations

Since 2023, ACCESS has been delivering anticipatory action support to the most at-risk, difficult-to-reach communities in Mindanao and across the country, covering hazards such as floods and typhoons, as well as conflict. This meant communities had access to essentials such as food and water, could safeguard personal belongings and livelihood tools, and move to safety before impact.

Consortium advocacy has also strengthened local adoption: In 10 barangays in Basilan and Sulu, barangay councils passed resolutions adopting anticipatory action and rapid response mechanisms introduced under ACCESS through Save the Children Philippines, Nagdilaab Foundation, and Notre Dame of Jolo College. Communities designed the plans to reflect local risks and realities and tested them through a simulation drill, advancing more inclusive, child-sensitive disaster response and preparedness.

During the 2024 El Niño in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), SUPREME BARMM, another EU Humanitarian Aid-supported initiative led by Oxfam Pilipinas, activated the country’s first anticipatory action for drought. Communities in the Special Geographic Areas (SGAs) received critical cash, in-kind, and information assistance before the drought peaked, helping to reduce its impact. The project also activated anticipatory action ahead of severe floods in Cotabato City between 2020 and 2023.

A Call for Collective Action

While the passage of the law is a win, its rollout will require close collaboration between government, civil society, and communities in hazard-prone areas. ACCESS consortium members are committed to ensuring that efforts remain grounded in the lived realities of those most affected.

About ACCESS

ACCESS is multi-year, multi-sectoral humanitarian and disaster preparedness initiative funded by European Union Humanitarian Aid. It serves the most affected, underserved, difficult-to-reach communities in the Philippines, where natural hazards, conflict, recurrent displacement, and intensifying climate-related risks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. Since 2023, the project has helped more than 200,000 people.

ACCESS is implemented by a consortium of 14 local and international organizations: ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Integrated Mindanaons Association for Natives (IMAN), Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Oxfam Pilipinas, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PDRRN), Plan International Pilipinas, Save the Children Philippines, United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), and United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women).

For media inquiries, please contact:

Tanya Mariano

Communications Specialist – Humanitarian, Disaster Resilience, and Peacebuilding Unit

CARE Philippines

tanya.mariano@care.org

Living on the Edge: Rebuilding Life Where the Sea Took Everything

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Disaster Response, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories

Charmine Rudolfo and Jay Vallestin, both 25, live with their two children in San Antonio, Panganiban, Catanduanes. For six years, they have built a life near the sea. Jay fishes for shrimp and crabs, while Charmine takes care of their children and home.

Living close to the sea has its costs, especially when storms and typhoons strike. When Typhoon Pepito hit, strong winds and rising waves destroyed everything. Their home, made of plywood and thatched nipa leaves, was swept away. “We lost everything to the sea,” Charmine said.

For a month, the family stayed in an unused space in their village leader’s house. They relied on government food support for their daily survival. Jay would go out to sea for hours, hoping to catch enough to feed the family and earn a little income. Sometimes, he would return with nothing. The uncertainty of each day weighed heavily on them.

Photo: Jay shows the juvenile crabs he caught that were packed and ready to be sold to mud crab growers.

Their children still feel scared when it rains heavily. The sound of strong winds or pounding rain brings back memories of the typhoon. As parents, Charmine and Jay find this heartbreaking. They want their children to feel safe again.

Determined to rebuild, they borrowed money to buy lumber and hire a carpenter. Though the interest was high, they took the loan because they had no other option. However, the funds were still not enough. They used scrap GI sheets for walls and gathered sand and pebbles from the shore to create a temporary floor.

When CARE, through the UNCERF-funded emergency response, arrived in their community, they assessed the damages and the needs of the most affected people. Charmine and Jay’s family qualified for shelter repair kits and multi-purpose cash assistance. These resources gave them the support they needed to begin rebuilding their home with dignity and hope.

With the materials and cash assistance, they began rebuilding together. Jay helped the carpenter after fishing trips, and Charmine hauled sand and gravel.

“We worked together to save on labor costs,” Charmine said.

Today, their house is still a work in progress. The walls need to be completed with plywood and properly braced. The floor remains unfinished, but they plan to buy cement to make it sturdier and safer for their children. The kitchen also still needs to be built, so Charmine can once again cook meals in a space of her own. The roof also needs to be reinforced to withstand strong winds. With the rainy season usually beginning in June, they are doing their best to prepare and protect their family.

Photo: Jay readies the crab traps in preparation for another fishing trip while Charmine cleans the catch for selling.

“It is small, but we have big dreams,” Jay said. “We are working hard so we can make it stronger and one day move to a safer place.”

A Favorite Meal After the Storm

  • Mary Therese Norbe
  • Featured Stories, Food & Nutrition, Latest News & Stories

For Liezel, 33, and her husband, Mark Anthony, 35, life in their village in Pandan, Catanduanes, was built on hard work. As a cook at a nearby resort and a construction worker, they earned a decent income together, enough to provide for their two children.

Their stable life was turned upside down when Typhoon Pepito struck. The storm’s powerful winds tore the roof and walls from their house. With their home destroyed, the family had to stay with Liezel’s sister for over a month.

The typhoon took more than just their home; it took their jobs. It damaged the resort where Liezel worked and halted all construction projects in the area. With no income, the family relied on government food aid to survive. After a month, the resort reopened, but with only Liezel working, the family struggled to afford enough food. Her husband was not able to get back to work until February.

“It was difficult because this was the first time we experienced a typhoon that destroyed our house and stripped our savings,” Liezel said.

The experience also left a lasting impact on her children. “Every time it rains hard, they get scared,” she shared.

In March, CARE and its partner TABI, with support from the Gates Foundation, came to their village with food, kitchen items, and sleeping materials. This support which included 75 kilos of rice and other food items, like chicken, was essential to keep going.

Photo: A family waits for a boat to carry their food, kitchen items and sleeping materials to their village. The food could last a family of five for 2-3 months while they recover their livelihood.

“I saw how my children were smiling from ear to ear, especially when I fried the chicken. It was their favorite meal, even before the typhoon,” she said.

With enough food to last their small family for the next three months, Liezel felt a sense of relief she hadn’t felt in months.

“As a cook, I always worry about my children’s food,” she said. “And I was so happy that they got to eat well again.”

This support provided the stability her family needed to get back on their feet.

#SheHealstheWorld Stories: Christine

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

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.

ACCESS gets ₱76 million from EU for Mindanao flood aid

  • Tanya Mariano
  • Disaster Response, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release

The funding will help bring food, clean water, sanitation facilities, and protection assistance to the hardest-hit, least-served, most remote communities 

Manila, Philippines, 19 August 2024 – The ACCESS consortium – made up of five international and nine local organizations implementing the ACCESS Project – has secured ₱76 million (€1.2 million) in funding from the European Union (EU) to deliver timely, appropriate, life-saving aid to communities in Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and del Sur, and Sultan Kudarat who were affected by the July 2024 flooding and landslides.  

Said Ansherina Talavera, Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Coordinator of consortium lead CARE Philippines: “As humanitarian workers, we’re committed to addressing human suffering wherever it is found, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable. This funding from the European Union helps us support the hardest-hit communities, who are not only dealing with the aftermath of floods and landslides but are also facing the ongoing challenges of conflict and climate change.” 

Existing organizational presence enabled quick response 

The consortium had been on the ground when floods and landslides hit the region, allowing it to immediately assess the situation, identify urgent needs, and deliver initial relief. This established presence in Mindanao and across the Philippines is made possible by the ACCESS-initiated Equitable Partnership Alliance – a non-formal network of local, national, and international non-government organizations committed to delivering quality humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding programs in the country. 

The funding will help ACCESS provide food assistance, clean water, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion, and essential services protecting the rights and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of affected families. As with all its emergency response efforts, the consortium will target the hardest hit, least served, difficult-to-reach areas, prioritizing low-income households for whom recovery may be challenging, and including older persons, pregnant and lactating women, persons with disability, female-headed households, and households from indigenous groups. 

From El Nino to floods and landslides 

The massive flooding and landslides – the result of the interaction of multiple, successive weather systems, including the southwest monsoon – came just as families were recovering from the impacts of El Nino. Many had also been grappling with the protracted, decades-long conflict across Mindanao.  

Urgent needs

Among affected and displaced individuals, the consortium found high levels of food insecurity; significant losses in incomes and livelihood assets; poor water supply, sanitation, and hygiene conditions; extensive damages to belongings and the loss of important civil documents; heightened risks of sexual violence and exploitation against women and children; and a need for mental health and psychosocial support. 

Said Talavera, “ACCESS is focused on providing urgent aid and helping families rebuild their lives with resilience and dignity.” 

Photos: © ACCORD Inc., Action Against Hunger Philippines, Save the Children Philippines, Humanity & Inclusion Philippines | 2024

About ACCESS 

ACCESS (Assisting the Most Vulnerable Communities and Schools Affected by Complex Emergencies in Accessing Quality and Timely Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness Services) is a multi-year, multi-sectoral project funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). The ACCESS Mindanao flood emergency response will be implemented by consortium members ACCORD, Action Against Hunger Philippines, CARE Philippines, Community Organizers Multiversity, Humanity & Inclusion Philippines, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress, and Save the Children Philippines, together with Oxfam Pilipinas and United Youth of the Philippines-Women. 

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

Women and children bear the brunt of El Nino in Kalinga and Negros Oriental

  • CARE Philippines
  • Blog, Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Women and Girls, Women and Girls

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 humanitarian assessment (RHA) 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 RHA 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.

Mainstreaming Peace Education in Caraga

  • CARE Philippines
  • Featured Stories, Latest News & Stories, Press Release, Uncategorized, Women and Girls

Agusan del Sur and Norte, March 2024 — The BRIDGE Project capped off the month of March—National Women’s Month—with workshops to help educators integrate peace education and peace-promoting values in their learning curriculum, conducted in collaboration with Common Reference Educators Workshop (CREW) and the Department of Education.

Held on March 21, 2024, in Agusan del Sur and on March 22, 2024, in Agusan del Norte, the activities gathered a total of 103 primary and secondary school teachers, teaching personnel, and administrators. 

Not just about conflict

A key takeaway is that peace “is not just talking about conflict or the absence of war,” as one female educator and workshop participant describes it. “It also talks about gender, the environment, health, and values. Peace is about accepting our diversities,” she says.  

Photo: ACCORD

The role of women educators

The BRIDGE Project believes that women educators and women’s civil society organizations (CSOs), along with youth CSOs and national government agencies like the Department of Education, play important roles in peace education and can lead the process of promoting a culture of peace. This entails enabling the meaningful participation of women and girls in peace education activities in school, which must be designed to empower them.

Gender and peace also need to be contextualized in learning tools, especially those highlighting indigenous communities’ peace-promoting practices.

Photo: ACCORD

Advocates of peace

“As duty bearers, we have the responsibility to nurture young people, our students,” says a participant.

Another one echoes this sentiment, saying, “We teachers are advocates of peace. We need to cultivate empathy in our students. [Because] most of the learners are very vulnerable and prone to negative coping mechanisms, we should be there to support [them].”

Addressing educators’ challenges

The workshops were designed to address four specific issues that educators typically face when trying to mainstream peace education:

  1. Messaging: how to discuss the subjects of peace, rights, and citizenship in a comprehensive and comprehensible way
  2. Adaptability: how to introduce these topics into the present curriculum of all levels in a non-ladderized, flexible platform
  3. Acceptability: how to integrate these into a framework or one common reference that various audiences will find helpful and fair
  4. Sustainability: how to sustain peace, rights, and citizenship education

It covered these in three sessions, including one on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and another on peace and diversity.

Photo: ACCORD

A holistic approach to peace education 

Apart from being informative and engaging, participants appreciated the breadth of the workshop topics. Says one participant, “At first, I thought we would be talking about the social injustices. But our discussion went beyond that. [We talked about how] health issues, persons with disabilities, cultural diversities, and environmental concerns are part of peace. Peace Education is a holistic approach. This training [can guide us on] the topics we can use in our lessons.”

Investing in women

In succeeding activities, BRIDGE will further highlight how gender is an important component of peace education, and how empowering women is central to promoting a culture of peace.

As the 2024 International Women’s Day theme reiterates, “If we invest in women, we accelerate progress.”

Photo: ACCORD
Photo: ACCORD
Photo: ACCORD

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.

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