Balay Mindanaw

May you, your family and community be blessed with joy, prosperity and peace.

Eid Mubarak!

Congrats and goodluck to partner women organizations in Lianga!

Balay Mindanaw advocates for women’s rights

OF COURSE,

We will continue to help build inclusive, resilient, empowered and peaceful communities for women of all genders, cultures, and beliefs in Mindanao, in the Philippines and in the world.

Balay Mindanaw participated in a Gender Analysis Training held on February 20–21, 2024, at Casa Pura, Quezon City. It was facilitated by the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) as the lead secretariat of the Women in Emergencies Network - WENet Philippines.

The training dubbed "(b)uilding resilience by fostering gender equality and responsive responses in times of disasters and emergencies", provided foundational knowledge on Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) for more strategic data collection and in shaping an inclusive humanitarian response.

The Women in Emergencies Network (WENet) is comprised of organizations working together towards women-led and gender responsive resilient communities claiming and defending human rights of women and other vulnerable sectors in emergencies, particularly in disasters and conflict situation.

"Ang pangutana, karon ba ang panahon nga hilabtan ang Konstitusyon nga naga-atubang sa dakong ekonomikanhong krisis ang atong nasud?"

Sa unang Vlog ni Kaloy Manlupig iyang ipasabot ang init nga hisgutanan karon nga mao ang Charter Change.

Peace Stalks Vlog on Cha Cha Kaloy Manlupig's first vlog, an explainer on the recent updates on Charter Change and why we, the public, must act.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐑𝐏-𝐍𝐃𝐅𝐏 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

We, the undersigned, reiterate our steadfast support to the resumption of the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The Oslo Joint Statement signed last November 2023, that aimed for a principled and peaceful resolution to the more than 50-years of armed conflict, is an important and critical milestone in the path towards building a just and lasting peace in the Philippines. Pursuing the GRP-NDFP peace process offers a valuable opportunity for nation-building, healing, and reconciliation needed by conflict-affected communities, particularly indigenous communities who continue to bear the brunt of this conflict, indeed, the entire nation.

We commend the various members of the government, the media, and other critical stakeholders, who persist in their support for the resumption of the peace talks, challenging the predominant narrative that only through military might can the armed conflict be resolved. We are encouraged by your leadership at a time when spaces for critical discussions on this conflict are riddled by divisive tactics and an atmosphere of distrust, fear, and uncertainty abounds. We recognize the reality that civil society organizations cannot do the work of peace alone. Addressing the root causes of the conflict requires multistakeholder collaboration and partnerships across levels of Philippine society. We need allies like you in our efforts to build peaceful communities that is grounded in the work of social justice.

As peacebuilders and peace advocates who have worked and accompanied communities in their struggle for peace and justice, we have seen the devastating impact of war and violence. We believe that the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations presents an alternative path, one where we can all contribute to building a shared future of a just, prosperous, and peaceful Philippines. Indeed, it is a golden opportunity for the two Parties to discuss, incorporate, and agree upon relevant socioeconomic and political reforms necessary to bring about and sustain a just and lasting peace in the country. However, we underscore the importance of an inclusive, participatory peace process, where the rights and needs of those most affected are considered and prioritized.

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐑𝐏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐃𝐅𝐏 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐬𝐥𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫, 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲:
Alliance of Tri-People for the Advancement of Human Rights (ALTARH)
Alternative Center for Health and Development, Inc. (ACHDI)
Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao (AMKP)
Antonio G. M. La Viña, Director | The Klima Center of Manila Observatory
Balay Mindanaw (BMFI)
Cesar Padilla, Singer/Songwriter | Himig-Piglas
Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, Professor (Full) | Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
forumZFD
Fr. Edgar Bonette B. Clar, DCT, Director | Social Action Commission, Diocese of Tandag
Fr. Raymond Ambray, Director | Integral Ecology Ministry, Diocese of Tandag
GZO Peace Institute
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Jeremy Simons, PhD | Te Ngāpara Centre for Restorative Practice, Victoria University of Wel-lington, New Zealand
Jordi Urgell, School for a Culture of Peace
Jun Aparece, MindaComm
Kalimudan Sa Ranao Foundation Incorporated
Kapamagogopa Inc.
Konsyensya Dabaw
Lumad Husay Mindanaw (LHM)
Manuel P. Quibod, Dean-College of Law | Ateneo de Davao University
Marc Batac, Civic Futures - Philippines
Media Educators of Mindanao (MEM)
Mindanao Histories and Studies Advocacy Group (MHS AG)
Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI)
MindanawanOne Network
Pakigdait Inc.
PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI)
Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP)
Pilgrims for Peace
Samal Island Muslim Communities Development Center, Inc. (SIMCDC)
Sulong PEACE
United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc. - Ranao
Working Group on Enabling Cooperation (WGEC)

Statement of Support for the Resumption of the GRP-NDFP Peace Negotiation | forumZFD We, the undersigned, reiterate our steadfast support to the resumption of the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The Oslo Joint Statement signed last November 2023, that aimed for a pr...

Balay Mindanaw extends its deepest condolences to Ma’am Juday’s loved ones. Despite her challenges, she persevered in championing the rights and welfare of media practitioners in the region. We will forever treasure her efforts in advancing the practice of conflict-sensitive journalism and peace-building in Caraga. She played a crucial role in the media aspect of the country’s localization of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).

We will always remember Ma’am Juday as a strong, principled, and ever-energetic journalist. Her character as a journalist was forged by fire in a region battered by natural disasters and armed conflict.

She will be dearly missed. May she rest in power.

Thank you for the productive year that is 2023!
Looking forward to another year of our journey together towards equity, development, resilience and peace.
Padayon!

BARMM’s Ebrahim calls for support for women in peacebuilding COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 13 December)—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim called on the

Helping MSU students get home

Hakim was at his dorm, near the gymnasium inside the Mindanao State University Marawi Campus when the explosion that killed four and wounded many others happened.

The morning of December 3, a friend came and told him the news but it took a while for him to come to his senses. He then checked the other rooms and other cottages to see if his friends were one of those who attended the mass but they were all there.

The news also reached his family, friends and Balay Mindanaw colleagues whose immediate response were to get him out. However, Hakim refused. He assured them that he was safe and that he decided to remain in the dormitory to be with friends who feared that they too could be targets of another attack.

“At 11:30 a.m., my Meranao dorm mates who lived within Lanao del Sur went home, while I accompanied some of my Christian dorm mates and friends to the MSU Admin as they were told that free transportation from different LGUs would fetch them, coordinated by students and other personnel. I was expecting a few students, but there were a lot, from 42 to 200, and the list reached a thousand plus.”

Hakim, students led by the student government, staff rom the university and other volunteers helped as much as they could, fetching and bringing food to the dorms, arranging transportation, and making sure the students feel safe until the early morning of December 4.

Hakim couldn’t bear to take a break and couldn’t even eat, he was trying to contain his emotions so he can be of help. Hakim felt that he "failed" not just in protecting the lives of those who were targeted by the recent explosion but being "insufficient" as a peacebuilder.

Amidst the chaos, Hakim has been asking himself the question "bakit ba ito nangyari? (why did this happen?)". He allowed this question about the deeper issues of the violence linger but he had no doubts that his presence during that crucial moment is one thing he could offer.

Hakim is a survivor of the Marawi Siege and has been a volunteer of Balay Mindanaw since he was a college freshman. He is part of a young generation of peacebuilders who help analyze and address violent conflicts not just in Marawi City and the province of the Lanao Del Sur, but the island of Mindanao.

Balay Mindanaw Statement on the Resumption of the GRP-CPP/NPA/NDF Peace Talks

Balay Mindanaw welcomes with renewed hope the resumption of the GRP-CPP/NPA/NDF Peace Process.

Finally, the voices of the people longing for just and lasting peace have been heard.

We view this development as positive step towards the transformation of this armed conflict by addressing the deep-rooted socio-economic and political grievances.

We recognize and understand the possible challenges this renewed talks could face.

We call on the negotiators from both sides to remain steadfast as they navigate the difficult road to peace.

Balay Mindanaw offers to continue our work of helping create safe spaces for community peace dialogues for the people to come together in order to contribute meaningfully to the negotiations by putting forward their respective peace agenda.

We call on the public and all the stakeholders to give this process a chance to succeed.

We call on everyone to give peace another chance.

Charlito “Kaloy” Manlupig
President
Balay Mindanaw

28 November 2023

Our human resource staff attended a workshop by the Arise Foundation, wherein they learned case management on dealing with cases of humantrafficking or modern slavery (such as making referrals, working with relevant authorities, filing affidavits, forensic evidence, etc). The workshop also included providing psycho-social and staff wellness support.

This training held, November 10 - 11, 2023 at the Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City was made possible by the Ateneo Migration Center(AMC), Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center (APILA), and the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC).

PANATANG MAKABATA

The members of the Balay Mindanaw Women and Children Protection Committee
led our own launching program for the National Cihldren’s Month with a “Panatag
Makabata”, a pledge for the protection and advancement in all our endeavors.

The Department of Interior and Local Goverment (DILG) in a post in its website traces back the celebration "(p)ursuant to Republic Act No. 10661, the National Children’s Month (NCM) or also known as the “Buwan ng mga Bata” in the Philippines is annually celebrated every November to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on 20 November 1989.

"It seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness and to sustain the promotion and protection of children’s right."

Balay Mindanaw in partnership with World Vision and the Cotabato City government held a workshop today to update the city’s 10-year Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan.

Balay Mindanaw and Relief International held a Lessons Learned Workshop from the recently concluded WERESOLVE Project.

WERESOLVE’s (Women Engaged in Responsive Solutions to Conflicts and Violence in Mindanao) primary goal is to contribute to the stabilization of Conflict-Prone Areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the Philippines through enhancing the role of women in conflict management and peacebuilding.

One highlight of the project is the affirmation of the pivotal roles of empowered women in resolving community conflicts through .

STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ESCALATION IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
October 10, 2023

We, in Balay Mindanaw, express our grave concern over the escalation of violence in Palestine and Israel.

We express our alarm over the direct effects of the conflict on the lives of countless civilians and combatants on both sides. As of posting, there are thousands of fatalities and injuries as the attacks mounted in the past days.

A humanitarian crisis is also looming, and we call for global support to help ease the suffering of the civilians affected by the conflict.

We join the calls worldwide for de-escalation on both sides of the conflict. We urge world leaders to help enable dialogue and not add fuel to the fire.

In the age of social media, where unverified information can quickly spread, we appeal to the public to be more mindful before sharing posts online.

We stand for the people of Palestine and Israel and join everyone in praying for a safer and more peaceful world. # # #

Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc

Balay Mindanaw has officially expressed its commitment to Cotabato City Government, led by Mayor Bruce "BM" Matabalao, in its efforts for an Integrated Solid Waste Management Program. This collaboration is supported by World Vision.

Salamat Galing Pook!

Congratulations to our longtime peace partner and friend, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido for being appointed as the 66th Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Sir Roy is a faculty member of our Operation Peace Course (OPKors!), a practical course on peacebuilding which Balay Mindanaw offers for our partners in the security sector, local governments and community partners. Sir Roy is our "go to" as he is always open to give his time to help build more peacebuilders in the armed forces through peace education. He readily accepted our request even at the height of the pandemic ,and, despite his busy schedule as the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he still gave time to teach during 110th batch of OPKors last June 2023.

Daghang Salamat, Sir Roy!
Kitakits ug Padayon!

Photos:
J.Comiling/C.Baconga/balaymindanaw.org