16 Barangays in Central Mindanao to Converge for a Leader-to-Leader Exchange

Kidapawan City -- The Learning Resource Communities (LRC) Network, comprising of 16 barangays in six municipalities of Central Mindanao, ushers another fruitful year of learning exchanges and good camaraderie among them through the 7th LRC Conference-a venue where barangay officials gather, identify needs, exchange ideas and plan activities for the development of the LRC Network, their own barangays and themselves as leaders-to be held on March 8-10, 2005 at Barangay Palma Perez, M'lang.

The 7th LRC Conference will be different from all other conferences conducted before in that it will be hosted by one of its partner barangays, Barangay Palma Perez, M'lang. Previous conferences were held elsewhere at the comfort of hotels/hostels. This better alternative was thought of to bring about more participation with less cost. This time, more people primarily among the residents of Palma Perez would appreciate the importance and value of their participation in LRC activities-building social cohesion.

Barangay Palma Perez is anticipating the event with exuberance as host to the first ever LRC Network Conference to be held in a barangay. The event shall also be income generating for the barangay because they will have to prepare the food and some households shall accommodate forty-five expected participants. This is unlike other conferences that are commonly held in hotels or training centers.

The Learning Resource Communities Network is composed of the following barangays: Brgy. Bato-Bato of Pres. Roxas, Brgy. Dagupan of Kabacan, Brgy. Datu Sundungan of Pres. Roxas, Brgy. Doles of Magpet, Brgy. Dugong of M'lang, Brgy. Ilian of Matalam, Brgy. Ilustre of Pres. Roxas, Brgy. Kibudoc of Matalam, Brgy. Lama-Lama of Pres. Roxas, Brgy. Mahongkog of Magpet, Brgy. Natutungan of Matalam, Brgy. New Esperanza of M'lang, Brgy. Palma Perez of M'lang, Brgy. Rodero of Makilala, Brgy. Sagkungan of Pres. Roxas and Brgy. Temporan of Magpet.

The LRC Network envisions an institutionalized and development-oriented network to enhance the leadership skills for the empowerment of its members, enabling them to effectively serve and promote peace to its constituents towards a sustainable and productive organization and contribute to the pursuit of re-building Mindanao . Its mission is to establish and strengthen the LRC Network and provide venues for capability building to its members thereby promoting better service and be recognized as a responsive organization.

Current programs and activities include learning exchanges through cross visits among the network partners and showcasing of "BIDA Projects" or best practices per barangay; replication of community-led best practices that work on the ground (e.g. Thematic Mapping (TM), Community Action Planning, Good Governance, Food Security, Sustainable Agricultural Practices, etc.); capability building through trainings, seminars, exposure trips and conferences; and continuing leader to leader exchange.

The LRC Network works hand in hand with Mindanao Land Foundation, Inc. (MinLand) as its partner. MinLand provides technical assistance to the network in all its activities such as this one. Giving oneself to others and the promotion and recognition of bayanihan are among the social values that the network members espouse and adhere to. ( MinLand/jmo)