| Panginabuhian in Bendum, towards socio-economic self-reliance |
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| Tuesday, 12 July 2011 | |
 The Panginabuhian or Bendum Livelihod Center (BLC) was constructed in 2009 to build the future capacity of the indigenous Pulangiyen people and migrant families in the area.
The Panginabuhian emerged out of the expressed need of the community to help them enhance and further develop their livelihood initiatives and options. It is understood that the community has a responsibility to ensure that the center is managed through their local tribal committees and that the various opportunities identified and offered are workable options that they will maximize.
Through the BLC, the community capacities in income and trade, women's skills and communication, and their cultural skills and knowledge are strengthened. Building sustainable livelihood activities are intended to assist current and future generations to break the poverty cycle. Women will have a physical and social venue to develop their skills and to work together to make decisions, while providing a safe physical space to communicate. The center will also enable the Pulangiyen community to retain and pass on to the next generations their cultural traditions.
And through the Livelihood Committee, the Panginabuhian is also closely linked to the curriculum of the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center where traditional handicrafts and practices are also taught to the children. The BLC provides a proper venue to pass on traditional skills in terms of metal work, weaving, and bead making to the children. With the Livelihood Committee taking charge of the BLC, there is a group that takes full charge of the BLC's operations and maintenance. With support from Jesuit Missions Office-Dublin and Misean Cara, this effort by ESSC intends to broaden and improve livelihood options for the Pulangiyen and other communities in the Upper Pulangi. ESSC is one of the few organizations that work in this area in northern Mindanao to identify and respond to the needs of the poor, particularly indigenous communities. Breaking the poverty cycle within the community requires a commitment from stakeholders and the identification of the development bottlenecks and realistic solutions. ESSC and the community of Bendum are committed and have identified a realistic solution. Click here to view the final report of Panginabuhian: Bendum Livelihood Center |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 July 2011 ) |
The Panginabuhian as a structure is only another stage in the community's continuing journey towards socio-economic self-reliance. The structure has been carefully designed to last using concrete and steel.