Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia that consists of over 7,600 islands. It is home to a diverse population of approximately 115 million people with about 10-20% of the population coming from indigenous peoples who have a rich cultural relationship with the environment.
We Effect has been operating as a country programme in the Philippines since 2010, implementing a rights-based approach to development and cooperative promotion to advance sustainable rural development, adequate housing and habitat, and gender equality.
Working directly with 13 partner organizations and over 113 member-based organizations in the Philippines, We Effect is committed to transforming the lives of at least 50,000 Filipino families in impoverished rural and urban communities. By bolstering cooperatives of women and men living in poverty, We Effect focuses on membership-based democracy, long-term economic planning, social responsibility, and transparency. These efforts aim to foster cooperative development, empower communities, enhance food security, promote gender equality, and build resilience against climate-related and socio-economic challenges.
Photo by Kisha Beringuela
Photo by: Kisha Beringuela
Despite its rich natural resources and vibrant culture, the country faces significant socio-economic challenges. The poverty index remains high, with more than10% of the population living below the national poverty line. Food insecurity and malnutrition are critical issues, particularly in rural areas, where many families struggle to access adequate nutrition. Housing shortages are a persistent problem, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and frequent natural disasters, resulting in a substantial housing backlog. In 2023, the World Risk Index placed the Philippines as the most disaster-prone country in the world based on its exposure and vulnerability to natural disasters. Located in the Pacific typhoon belt and Ring of Fire, the Philippines is home to 24 active volcanoes, and experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year and 20 earthquakes a day.
The Philippine Programme has completed “Working TOGETHER” – working towards Gender Equality, Transformative Housing, and Empowerment of the Ruralfolk aimed at establishing a strong movement of member-based organizations working together towards the fulfillment of basic human rights for women empowerment, sustainable rural development, and adequate housing. From 2018-2022, the Working TOGETHR Programme has strengthened 151 MBOs (2 national unions, 113 cooperatives, 36 associations) with combined membership of 102,771 rights holders — 63,965 or 62% of which are women.
The Philippine Programme of We Effect for 2023-2027 called GROW TOGETHER (Growing Resilient Organizations Working towards gender equality, transformative housing, and empowerment of the Ruralfolk) aims to build stronger and gender-transformative social movements among civil society partners working together in advancing their rights and, among its set of goals, targets rights holders (family farmers, indigenous peoples, informal settler families, workers in the informal economy, internally-displaced persons, women, youth, and children) to have more equitable access to and control of financial resources, land, housing, and other productive assets.
Under the GROW TOGETHER Programme, We Effect is embarking on two projects awarded by the European Union called “DEFEND”, or Tanggol Katutubo sa Lupaing Ninuno (Defend Indigenous Peoples in their Ancestral Domain), and “DISCERN”, or Developing and Strengthening CSO Capacities for Empowered Representation.
Results in the Philippines:
- In 2023, We Effect in the Philippines has directly supported more than 14,000 rural poor rightsholders, encompassing farmers, fisherfolks, and indigenous people. Notably, more than 8,400 of these beneficiaries are women. This initiative underscores We Effect’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and empowering marginalized Filipino communities through capacity development activities and trainings.
- In 2023, We Effect in the Philippines and its dedicated partners have been instrumental in advancing cooperative development by strengthening 114 registered Member-Based Organizations. This comprises 71 cooperatives and 44 associations/non-cooperatives. The total membership now stands at an impressive 50,092 members, with a significant 73% (36,783 members) being women.
- In 2023, We Effect in the Philippines through its partners, has conducted more than 80 capacity-building trainings for farmers and fisherfolk communities. This effort aims to promote sustainable rural development, agroecology, and cooperative development, thereby empowering these communities in rural provinces and continually supporting cooperatives.
- In 2023, We Effect in the Philippines as part of our commitment to uphold gender equality within member-based organizations, have achieved notable progress in governance. Out of a total of 791 board positions, 521 board seats are currently held by women, constituting 66% of the leadership. This accomplishment underscores our steadfast dedication to fostering gender inclusivity and empowering women to assume significant roles in the decision-making processes of these organizations.
Visit Conchita from the Philippines in our video
Meet Conchita Calzado, environmental activist from the Philippines
The Philippine government wants to build a dam in the middle of the rainforest, using funding from China. The local population and biological diversity have not been taken into account. As a result of the dam construction project, indigenous leader Conchita is living under the threat of death.
Read our story
"We ate only porridge everyday"
Over 50 years, Placida Odencio and her husband Isidro have transformed an area of wilderness on the outskirts of Philippine capital Manila into a farm that supports them, their children and grandchildren. They have had to work hard, and at times have not had enough to eat.
