How can donors respond to emergencies rapidly, effectively, and with dignity to the survivors? In the Philippines, we are used to seeing food packs containing rice, sardines, noodles, and some…

Continue ReadingCash and Vouchers as effective response to a crisis

Cash and Vouchers as effective response to a crisis

-Yet, studies have revealed that only 0.4% (as of 2017, source: https://charter4change.org) of humanitarian aid goes directly to local and national NGOs. This issue is among the commitments included in…

Continue ReadingDo you think local and national NGOs are in better position as first responders?

Do you think local and national NGOs are in better position as first responders?

Marites Magpali-Dagsaan looked back when she and her husband still earned P500 every two weeks from selling banana from their borrowed farm. That was tough for her and their three…

Continue ReadingFrom P500 every two weeks to P500 daily

From P500 every two weeks to P500 daily

--“This speaker system helped us a lot. We don’t have to go from house to house to warn the people of the incoming calamity. We use this to inform the…

Continue ReadingHow these communities achieve zero casualties during typhoon Ambo?

How these communities achieve zero casualties during typhoon Ambo?

Recent developments in the fight against COVID-19 will send abaca farmers into having a second look at their farms. The Philippine Fiber Authority (PhilFIDA) just announced that the demand for…

Continue ReadingFighting COVID-19: EcoWEB gears up for incoming abaca demand for PPE production

Fighting COVID-19: EcoWEB gears up for incoming abaca demand for PPE production

“We passed by a house where an old widow lived. She was not on our list. When she learned that we are distributing rice, she cried asking if she could…

Continue ReadingThe unlisted old widow: ECQ survival in the most remote communities

The unlisted old widow: ECQ survival in the most remote communities

Faced with the unavailability of alcohol for use in the fight against COVID-19, Save Mindanao Volunteers (SMVI), Inc from Butuan City teams up with a local company to produce ethanol…

Continue ReadingEcoWEB orders locally-produced ethyl alcohol made from nipa sap to help fight COVID-19

EcoWEB orders locally-produced ethyl alcohol made from nipa sap to help fight COVID-19

“The people have nowhere to go, except their farms,” Timuay Manda quipped. Timuay Lucenio Manda is the chief tribal chieftain of the Subanen ancestral domain in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur…

Continue ReadingQuarantine Enables IP Farmers to Expand their Farms

Quarantine Enables IP Farmers to Expand their Farms

After a Butuan City-based volunteer organization distributed self-made face shields, overwhelming calls poured in from different offices, requesting to avail free face shields for frontliners. To respond to the need…

Continue ReadingRequests for Face Shields Keep Pouring in

Requests for Face Shields Keep Pouring in