Contexte: poverty in rural areas
In the Philippines, populations live primarily off agriculture, despite the industrialisation and development of the relatively important tertiary sector. The economy shows a strong yearly growth (7% en 2007), but is dominated by large family groups and vast disparities between regions and citizens persist. 50% of active rurals are employed in the agricultural sector, mostly food agriculture or hourly wagework on large-scale plantations. Living conditions are precarious, difficulty of access to education and medical care and child labour: the active agrarian populations are today among the poorest members of society.

Land is the central issue. Years of colonial occupation has led to the expatriation and oppression of native peoples. The birth of the elite land owners and the implementation of a semi-feudal system in the lowlands was maximized. The minimal impact of the agrarian reform act of 1988 (after those of 1963 and 1972), as well as erosion of the environment increased the stress on natural resources (land, water…).
Today countless philippino peasants do not own land and work land for owners who claim 30 to 90% of their yields.

PhilNet-RDI is an activist network
Created in 1996, regrouping several organizations strewn across the three Phillipino islands (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao), PhilNet-RDI rallies together the rural populations most at risk and most oppressed (women, natives…)
It’s actions are led by:

• Encouragement of organic agriculture, through the coordination of processing and marketing of these goods.
• Endorsement of rural economic initiatives
• Activities promoting the equitable redistribution of land and natural resources, and improved access to micro-credits for peasants.
• Activities supporting the peaceful resolution of conflict and inter-community dialoguing, notably on the island of Mindanao, plagued by confrontations between Christian, Muslim and native communities faced with an absence of management regarding distribution of resources equitably and cooperatively to benefit all.
• Negotiation with public powers to include them in activities that back the claims of peasants for public engagement towards progress.

Examples of actions led by Philnet-RDI:

• Acquisition of land for hundreds of peasants thanks to efforts deployed in favour of agrarian reform and access to micro-credit, in Visayas and Mindanao.
• The processing and marketing of various organic agricultural produce (rice, fruit, palm oil…) in the regions of Leyte and IloIlo.
• Development of peasant cooperatives in the Luzon.
• Backing of initiatives in fish and cattle farming.

Birth of a Partnership: Frères des Hommes and PhilNet-RDI on Mindanao
In 2004, PhilNet-RDI engaged itself in the peaceful resolution of conflict and the reinstatement of inter-community dialoguing on the island of Mindanao where disputes over land ownership had created heavy clashes between Christians, Muslims and Natives. This project, in line with our mission of local economic development, was backed by Frères des Hommes.
Actions aligning apprenticeship and the leading of activities dealing with conflict resolution and negotiation were put in place during the time of the project (seminars, debates, intercultural exchanges…). Also, backing of potential local economic powers (peasant cooperatives, women’s associations…) was made possible through training on new agricultural techniques, the creation of a savings and credit system, etc.

Though it is true that the civil society cannot alone resolve the troubles incurred by ancestral conflicts without a massive engagement by public powers, it is no less true that today, 4 years later, the results of the venture undertaken by the partnership PhilNet-Frères des Hommes are highly satisfactory. A sense of tranquillity is once again present amongst the peasants of Mapating and Buenoflores, who today unite their efforts to create economic growth in their regions. We applaud the peasant cooperatives who participated in professional training sessions in 2004 and who have developed production and marketing of palm oil. As well the women’s associations have become undeniable assets to the local economy. The micro-credit opportunities put in place have made it possible to restore agricultural activity among the most destitute.