SMI is working closely with local communities, indigenous people, and local governments to identify community needs and to establish programs that empower communities to improve their social and economic wellbeing.

Some of the key issues facing communities in the Tampakan area include improving access to basic services such as health and education, increasing employment opportunities through skills training, and enhancing the commercial potential of local businesses.

Education

Historically, access to education services in the Mindanao area has been limited as students typically cannot afford learning materials for schools and colleges. Consequently, the region suffers from the highest level of illiteracy in the country.

SMI is playing an important role in driving efforts to increase access to quality education services and facilities in the project area. In 2007, our educational grant programs provided free education for more than 10,000 students across the four barangays in the project area. We also provided financial assistance for 14 teachers’ salaries for schools in our host communities and the surrounding area.

In addition, the project provided financial and technical support for the construction of class rooms at Tablu National High School. Further building and restoration works, for public schools in the project and surrounding areas, are planned for 2008.

SMI has also been instrumental in establishing a reader development program which aims to increase literacy among children in the Kiblawan, Tampakan and Columbio region. Following its launch in 2006, the Democratising Reading Among Mindanaoan Children (DReAM) project continued to expand in 2007 with additional schools joining the program and more books being distributed to key schools and reading centres in the area.

Capacity Building

To complement our education support programs, SMI established a Competence Training Centre in 2005. The Centre offers free training programs to equip local residents for employment and self-employment, through skills development and capability building for local micro-entrepreneurs. The training programs includes trade skills such as plumbing, masonry, painting, and carpentry as well as livelihood skills such as handicrafts, farming high value crops and food processing. The Centre also delivers adult literacy programs and basic governance training for local and tribal leaders.

In 2007, the Competence Training Centre ran 26 programs, in which more than 2,000 participants took part. Throughout the year we also trialled a new mode of program delivery in which the training was held in the communities themselves rather than at the Centre. Due to the positive feedback from local communities we will continue to deliver training in this way in 2008.

Our commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for local communities through skills and capacity training was recognised in September 2007, when the centre received the coveted National Kabalikat Award from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Health

Improving access to primary health care services and to clean drinking water has been identified as a priority issue by our host communities. In 2007, we worked with local governments to deliver health care programs including medical and dental outreach services, maternal and child care, immunisation, family planning, vitamin supplementation, health education and potable water testing. We also supported over 2,000 indigenous families with their long-term healthcare by enrolling them in the PhilHealth indigent program. These programs will continue in 2008 with an increased focus on improving potable water infrastructure.

Livelihood Development

SMI is committed to the development of sustainable communities, thereby avoiding sole dependence on its operations. In 2007, we contributed toward community livelihood projects that were identified and implemented by our host communities. These projects, which include corn growing for the Danlag and Folubato tribal farmers and goat rearing and vegetable growing for the tribal farmers of S’bangken in Tablu, will improve community income and increase the commercial viability of local businesses. Additional projects will come to fruition over the next the 12 months.