KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO PROVINCE –The 16 partner-barangays from 6 municipalities of Cotabato held its 5th LRC Conference (1st of three LRC conferences this year) last May 4-6, 2004 at University of Southern Mindanano Hostel, USM Kabacan with the theme, “Mapadayonong Palambigitay Alang sa Kalambuan sa Komunidad” (Continuing partnership for Community Development).

These barangays that are also learning destinations, gathered for the 5th time with the objective of fleshing out their vision with a three-year timeframe through planning workshops and productive discussions. The activity whose main theme centered on the barangays collective effort in community development through people to people exchange of ideas, best practices and experiences was a success as plans and activities for the year as well as directions of the network were drawn and approved. A working committee was also organized to lead the institutionalization of the organization, planning and coordination of activities and the like. Cross-visits and learning exchanges were also scheduled while exposures to other communities outside of the network will also be explored. This continuing collaboration gives way to an evolved partnership that has enhanced the barangays’ capability to lead and learn from their experiences.

MinLand’s directly serviced communities Barangay Datu Sundungan of Pres. Roxas and Barangay Natutungan of Matalam also presented the Community Action Planning (CAP) Process and Thematic Mapping as participatory tools for development during the conference. The use of this tool has become a practice for these barangays in conducting action planning, project implementation and monitoring of barangay activities.

With the continuing threat of instability in Central Mindanao and the network’s perceived role to help in promoting peace and development, LRC network invited Prof. Salik Makakena of the USM College of Arts and Sciences to talk about “ Muslim Perspective on Peace and Development”. Prof. Makakena’s presentation was well appreciated by the participants especially the Christians, as it served as an eye-opener and allowed deeper understanding on the roots of conflict from an Islamic perspective. There was also an opportunity for the partners to explore the possibilities of accessing cheap medicines from the Health Management and Research Group (HMRG) through its Social Franchising of Medicine Program. HMRG Marketing Manager Theodore Braganza also gave inputs on the present state of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry.

LRC network partners are considered learning destinations as they possessed attributes of overcoming socio-economic adversity (especially poverty) and have adopted good practices and experiences and are willing to share and gain experiences from other communities’ learnings.

There were 5 partner-barangays from the Municipality of Pres Roxas namely: Barangays Lama-lama, Datu Sundungan, Bato-bato, Ilustre and Sagkungan; 3 from Municipality of Magpet: Barangays Mahongkog, Doles and Temporan; 3 from Municipality of Matalam: Barangays Kibudoc, Ilian and Natutungan; 3 from Municipality of M’lang: Barangays Dugong, New Esperanza and Palma Perez: 1 from Makilala: Barangay Rodero and 1 from Municipality of Kabacan: Barangay Dagupan.

During the conference network partners have started to take over tasks previously handled by MinLand. (MinLand)