Time flies indeed, because it’s as if it was only too recent when we formed Balay Mindanaw. Now we’re 16! All those years we’ve continually embraced our slogan: Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw … sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan.
BMFI technically began its peacebuilding work in Surigao del Sur last quarter of 2010. Kuya Kaloy himself together with other BMFI elders primarily did the preliminary visits, reconnecting with some old friends, meeting local leaders, facilitating consultations, and contact building with various local groups. After which was the unfolding of partnership engagements in the municipalities of Cagwait and Lianga.
When Typhoon Sendong swept many houses and killed many lives in Cagayan de Oro, Balay Mindanaw immediately sprang into action in the relief and rehabilitation efforts, even if some of its very own people were victims themselves.
Realizing that among the very first to respond to the call were the Balay Mindanaw colleagues who were themselves “victims”, it deliberately adopted the slogan: “We refuse to be victims. We choose to be resources”. The disaster turned “opportunity” for Balay Mindanaw to seriously craft its disaster program.
Building on the gains and anchored on the continuing effort of promoting transparent accountable governance, Balay Mindanaw took the challenge in implementing a pilot project particularly focused on local fiscal management.