Arrived and Settled In

May 12, 2008

Here we are sitting down together after a busy day to compose our first blog entry.
We arrived safe and sound in Manila on Thursday, and on Friday we had our orientation to the neighbourhood with M, one of the CHD health workers. M was a professor at the University of the Philippines, but after suffering a debilitating illness and benefiting from acupuncture, was one of those trained by CHD to become an acupuncturist. M now refers to herself as a ‘professor of the masses’ and dedicates her time to serving the people via CHD. So, after a short lesson in acupressure points for pain, we set off to the SM (super mall) to obtain some necessary home items such as a pot for boiling water and cooking.

M took us to an upscale grocery store in the SM mall; it seems like there was an assumption that as Canadians we would want to shop in the supermarket but the prices were very high. Since we are paying $610 for rent (!!), we are really trying to keep our food costs down. The next day we rode the MRT (light rail) to the large wet market which was both more interesting and affordable; we got mango and an incredible juicy amazing pineapple and a number of vegetables which were new to us, which Aiyanas made into a stew for dinner that night.

Sunday we wandered far and wide, through an urban poor neighbourhood and down to the Aquino Park and wildlife rehabilitation centre, which was fun for everyone, especially the kids. On our way home we passed through another market and ate some delicious barbequed fish and meat, and enjoyed looking about the stalls.

Today we had our orientation to the national situation and the activities of the Council for Health and Development (CHD) and the Community Based Health Programs (CHBP); we learned that there are now 60 CHBPs in 70 of the 78 provinces, and gained an overview of the organizational processes of building an effective CHBP. Aiyanas and I were struck by this concept in the CHD / CHBP orientation today, that CHD and the CHBPs struggle to attain the “opportunity to develop potential and creativity thru democratic and participatory processes” in the communities that they organize. It was inspiring how clear it is that communities stand to gain immediately and concretely through the work of the CHBP. The CHBP project is a crystal clear example of dual power: direct community engagement in the provision of an alternative health system completely integrated with political education and mass mobilization in the broader movement for social change. We have talked recently at the Organizing Centre about developing communities of resistance, and having this kind of an optimistic view of what our communities stand to gain by being organized is a good place to start.

We had the opportunity to learn more about our time in Negros and talk to one of the core CHBP leaders. It looks like I might have the chance to work for a short time ‘volunteering’ in midwifery in one of the local hospitals friendly to the CHBP and the People’s Organization (this is so great) and will most certainly be conducting trainings on maternity care with the CHWs (community health workers); boy am I glad I brought my equipment! Aiyanas has been asked to document the human rights situation regarding the growing militarization and resource extraction led by Canadian mining and gas corporations.

The political and economic situation in Negros is intense. There is currently at big push for mining in the area in keeping with President Arroyo’s economic policy of encouraging foreign direct investment and allowing unlimited repatriation of profits (in other words plunder of resources and communities in exchange for short term economic benefits). Canadian mining corporations are also playing a major role in Negros, an added reason for us to look into what is really happening on the ground. There is also major offshore oil exploration happening in the area, which has already impacted fish stocks and the livelihood of fisher folk, and again there is a Canadian corporate connection. The other big economic story in Negros also has to do with peak oil and rising energy prices. The GMA regime, like many other countries has mandated that 5% of total annual gasoline volume should be made up of bioethanol. The policy is justified in the name of fighting climate change and achieving energy independence. Here, bioethanol is derived from sugar so the policy is a boon to plantation owners in Negros, the most important sugar growing region in the Philippines. Not only will more land be turned over to producing this cash crop, it is actually undermining the extremely limited land reform measures of the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) as the big landowners repossess farms which had been in the hands of small (and heavily indebted) farmers.

All these economic developments in Negros have made it a top priority in terms of militarization as the AFP seeks to quell any dissent. It looks like there will be lots of opportunities for us to learn from and support peoples struggles against development aggression and plunder, and we look forward to sharing more about the role of Canadian corporations.

In the mean time, we are all settling into Manila life. The kids are doing well considering the huge life style changes we have undergone. We like to think they are attending the school of life, as are we.

Tomorrow we have our orientation to the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) and the current campaigns of the health sector, followed by an afternoon for me in the CHD acupuncture clinic. I am nervous about getting started, but am slowly digesting my handbook on acupuncture. At least for a while I observe, in any case.

Now we are so exhausted we can hardly keep our eyes open! Sophia commented that as soon as she lies down and closes her eyes she is out cold until the sun rises in the morning, and she loves it, because at home she has some difficulties falling asleep. Goodnight, everyone!