Both in-house evaluation and independent studies commissioned by UNICEF, the donor agency, confirmed the effectiveness of the Ilaw ng Buhay approach to community development as field-tested in several cities and municipalities in the Philippines from 1978 to 1982. The innovative features, as compared to the conventional extension-type approach, are as follows:
Thus the idea for establishing the Ilaw International Center (IIC) was born. As part of UNICEF's support to the concept, we were sent to take up some short courses at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and at the Project Planning Center at the University of Bradford in Yorkshire, England.
Our brief stay in these institutions gave us the opportunity to research further on how to bring about an institution that would replace eventually the Crazy Co. in the propagation of the innovative approach to community development.
We were about to enroll at the University of Swansea in late 1982 to take up a Master's degree course when Atty. Ramon P. Binamira summoned us back to the Philippines to head the team that would establish the center in Tagbilaran City in Bohol. Among the team members handpicked for the mission were Dr. Pomie Buot, a medical doctor who used to head the Project Compassion team in Misamis Occidental; Rogelio Alegado, a former teacher from Digos, Davao who was recruited as local development trainer and eventually joined the regular staff; Eleno Laga, seasoned community development worker and head of the team in Guindulman, Bohol; Ver Lumacang, Project Compassion head of Tagbilaran City; and Ben Benitez, veteran trainer from the Tagbilaran team.
The others from the Crazy Co. would come for a visit of two to three weeks from Manila to reenforce the team: the deputies of Atty. Binamira, Bitoy Ramos, Pio Almodiel and Ben Garcia; Admin Officer Oco Orozco; Training Officer Ike Tolentino and Information Officer Bimboy Penaranda. Later, members from teams outside Manila, would also come for assignments at the IIC : Raul Tiosayco and Sims Leal from Iloilo; Gem Legarta from Misamis Occidental; Fred Leano from the Ilocos.
A research staff was formed headed by Tonette Zablan from University of San Carlos. Other young people came to join the staff: Arecio Inting, marine biologist; researchers Cheche Pandy, Leila Manding, Weng Prado, Victor Dequito, trainers Melia Dalagan, the Solera couple Yolly Arboladura was designated as librarian but also assisted in administration and training.
Chris D'Silva, a Bangladeshi, served as volunteer driver-mechanic in those early days. More staff were hired as the IIC expanded its facilities to include a mess hall which doubled up as a restaurant at night and a dormitory for participants which also admitted guests to raise much-needed revenues for the center.
How the IIC was built from concept to reality could be an interesting read and source of valuable lessons, too.
More on this in the next blog.
- the use of the neighborhood group, as against the sectoral grouping e.g. fisherfolks, farmers, women, youth, etc., makes possible the broad-based identification of community needs;
- interviewing "reference families" from among the poorest in the community and visiting public markets, as well as doing consultation work with local leaders, adds relevance to pre-packaged core messages during training;
- use of emotional appeal and religious symbolism ensures acceptance of messages by the target audience;
- deployment of senior development workers in field teams makes possible the success of the jawbone approach or facilitating social preparation work with communities and households (lower jaw) and local government units (upper jaw); and
- child-based concerns as entry points for community diagnosis and program content neutralizes opposition from groups which have issues against the government.
Thus the idea for establishing the Ilaw International Center (IIC) was born. As part of UNICEF's support to the concept, we were sent to take up some short courses at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and at the Project Planning Center at the University of Bradford in Yorkshire, England.
Our brief stay in these institutions gave us the opportunity to research further on how to bring about an institution that would replace eventually the Crazy Co. in the propagation of the innovative approach to community development.
We were about to enroll at the University of Swansea in late 1982 to take up a Master's degree course when Atty. Ramon P. Binamira summoned us back to the Philippines to head the team that would establish the center in Tagbilaran City in Bohol. Among the team members handpicked for the mission were Dr. Pomie Buot, a medical doctor who used to head the Project Compassion team in Misamis Occidental; Rogelio Alegado, a former teacher from Digos, Davao who was recruited as local development trainer and eventually joined the regular staff; Eleno Laga, seasoned community development worker and head of the team in Guindulman, Bohol; Ver Lumacang, Project Compassion head of Tagbilaran City; and Ben Benitez, veteran trainer from the Tagbilaran team.
The others from the Crazy Co. would come for a visit of two to three weeks from Manila to reenforce the team: the deputies of Atty. Binamira, Bitoy Ramos, Pio Almodiel and Ben Garcia; Admin Officer Oco Orozco; Training Officer Ike Tolentino and Information Officer Bimboy Penaranda. Later, members from teams outside Manila, would also come for assignments at the IIC : Raul Tiosayco and Sims Leal from Iloilo; Gem Legarta from Misamis Occidental; Fred Leano from the Ilocos.
A research staff was formed headed by Tonette Zablan from University of San Carlos. Other young people came to join the staff: Arecio Inting, marine biologist; researchers Cheche Pandy, Leila Manding, Weng Prado, Victor Dequito, trainers Melia Dalagan, the Solera couple Yolly Arboladura was designated as librarian but also assisted in administration and training.
Chris D'Silva, a Bangladeshi, served as volunteer driver-mechanic in those early days. More staff were hired as the IIC expanded its facilities to include a mess hall which doubled up as a restaurant at night and a dormitory for participants which also admitted guests to raise much-needed revenues for the center.
How the IIC was built from concept to reality could be an interesting read and source of valuable lessons, too.
More on this in the next blog.
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