"IPAMINGWA" ADVOCACY...

OBJECTIVE OF THE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

The advocacy campaign entitled “SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PEOPLE! RESIST MINING IN MT. ABO!” is a response to the need to increase and heighten participation of students, professionals and the religious sector in the struggle of grassroots people to defend the environment and people against plunder, exploitation and destruction of our natural resources. It seeks to do this through:

1. Imparting of a deep consciousness and the galvanization of a strong sympathetic public opinion in defense of the environment and people (particularly indigenous Aytas) into a very powerful lobby to protect the environment and advance the people’s just and democratic interests and well-being;
2. Establishment of various forms of concrete solidarity linkages between the democratic sectors in and outside the region;
3. Formation of Pampanga based support networks, organizations and groups where appropriate;
4. Mobilize volunteers, rural exposurists, practicumers and other experts in support to various liberating initiatives of the Aytas; and
5. Generate and mobilize material, financial and other technical support for the campaign.

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN CONCEPT

This advocacy project is a multi-component campaign project in the Central Luzon region particularly in the province of Pampanga where the presumed affected Ayta communities are located. The project will seek participation of (1) school-based organizations; (2) willing churches and their institutions, programs and/or religious groups; (3) business groups; (4) professional sector; and (5) other civic organizations and environmentally concerned individuals.

The campaign aims to reach out to the broadest possible section of the citizenry in Pampanga including the moderate and the least socially aware elements. Linkages with interested groups/parties will be formed to harness and mobilize resources in the implementation of various campaign activities. The groups and other formations representing Aytas from affected communities will provide the content of the education-information activities such as photos, personal testimonies, resource-speakers and the likes. The communities will accommodate exposurists, practicumers, and other types of volunteers to further deepen and concretize the understanding of the absolute realities in the affected communities.
The activities of the campaigns shall be:

1. EDUCATION-INFORMATION
In Various Forms/Character such as:
a. Photo exhibits
b. Conference, Symposia/fora, discussion groups, study circles, alternative classes
c. Film showing
d. Art Festival (e.g. Poster-Making)
e. Literary Festival
f. Others

2. NETWORKING & ALLIANCE BUILDING
a. Formation of a broad network/alliance that will be the main machinery for the advocacy campaign
b. Formation of a volunteer group for community development work

3. RESEARCH & PUBLICATION
a. Environmental Investigative Mission (comprehensive research and assessment/analysis on environmental impact and socio-economic impact of the proposed mining in Mt. Abo
b. Socio-Economic Impact Assessment in the lives of the aytas in San Marcelino, Zambales of Dizon Mines Mining

4. RESOURCE GENERATION
(material, financial, others)
- Conduct of resource generation activities to sustain the advocacy campaign

5. ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
a. Tree Planting and Nursery Building
b. Mountain Trekking
c. Others

IMPLEMENTATION & MANAGEMENT SCHEME

As early as March 2011, preparations for the campaign already started through coordination with some target partners for the advocacy campaign. This campaign concept was, in fact, drafted based on the results of several talks/consultations with the following groups:

1. Pagkakaisa ng mga Katutubong Ayta sa Kamias
2. Indigenous Peoples Apostolate Holy Family Academy
3. UCCP San Jose Gumi, Sta. Cruz, Lubao Parish
4. Center for Environmental and Development Studies (CEDS), Incorporated

A broad network will be convened, members of the above groups and also by other target groups in Pampanga (and even from nearby provinces) that will join and adhere with the Basis of Unity of the alliance for advocacy campaign. Representatives of the above four groups together with other potential partners shall later assemble as a steering committee once the network is successfully called together.

Sponsorship of activities and/or partnerships will be entreated from central and college councils, regional organizations of students from Central Luzon, fraternities/sororities and varsity organizations, academic organizations, artist/theater/literary groups, teachers associations, non-academic personnel associations, social sciences and social work departments, religious groups and other civic groups.

Likewise, coordination will be done with various Dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches and its member church organizations especially their mandated youth organizations. The purpose is to generate active participation at the level of the parish or local church.

After the steering committee of the network is called together, formation of a secretariat shall follow to ensure implementation of plans and activities in this campaign from coordination and mobilization, primarily of Pampanga-based partners/organizations to facilitation and coordination of various activities with partners.