CONTRIBUTIONS OF JTS IN MINDANAO

Since 2003, 53 school buildings (total of 122 classrooms) have been built in six
provinces, 18 municipalities and more than twenty villages (see attached matrix).

Aside from schools (which also include teacher cottages and yearly provision of school
supplies and materials and even desks and boards, and uniforms for children)
agriculture development (farmer training and farm tools and working animals) and
assistance for preservation of indigenous culture were also provided. To improve
teacher competency and at the same time encourage them to do more in their
profession, teacher trainings were also given in coordination with the Department of
Education.

A special school for the differently-abled and their dormitory were also built with the
partnership of the municipal government of Talakag, Bukidnon. Like other construction
projects of JTS, the schools are built in partnership with the community and the local
department of education, who provide teachers and textbook materials for the school.
In some cases, JTS augmented the provision of textbooks. JTS provides all the schools
that had been constructed through their partnership with the community are provided
with school supplies and materials.

Damulog municipality was a special case. Under the leadership of then mayor Romeo
Tiongco, because of his strong and dedicated leadership, JTS bent its policy of focusing
on primary education alone to build a high school as well as a health center in the
municipality.

BRIEF PROJECT OVERVIEW

JTS improved its assistance work by looking at the broader community with the school
only as its point of entry. JTS attempted to incorporate total area development by
studying the other concerns of the community especially on peace building.

Below are descriptions of some of JTS projects:

1. Kagahuman, Malitbog, Bukidnon

Somewhere in the deep hinterlands of Malitbog, Bukidnon, is a small village named

Kagahuman, translated in the dialect to literally mean “place of power.” The name
“Kagahuman” is an explanation by itself. Upon reaching the peak of blue mountains
after four gasping hours of river-crossing and walking up a rugged terrain, one breathes
the cool gusts of the “wind” of power, in the midst of a village nestled on a ridge that
looks remarkably like a Shangri-la.
The village is part of a huge ancestral domain (about 42,000 hectares) being claimed by
the tribe. The area is highly denuded except for a large virgin forest upstream of the
village. Many of the villagers are still practicing the traditions, rituals and customary
laws of their ancient culture, but a number of them is already being swayed by the
arrival of several Christian religious groups.
The residents are living on subsistence farming, with corn and camote as the staple
food. A small income comes from rattan gathering and abaca fiber. Many are planting
corn, which is then being saved for hungry times. When the soil is still fertile, the
villagers cannot afford to buy their own work animals and tools to till their farms, which
are assigned by the village chief.
Kagahuman is about 90 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro, passing through the town of
Malitbog and the old tribal village of Impahanong, which means “makapasilong sa
landong” (take cover under the shed). Legend has it that there was once a huge and
thick balete-like tree. It was so big that when tribespeople passed by from a long and
tiring journey, they rested and took refuge under it.

In the 70s, Kagahuman was a well-known lair of the Communist New People’s Army. In
the 80s, the place housed several skirmishes between the government forces and the
insurgents. Leaving their homes and taking refuge with relatives at nearby villages, the
villagers declared the area abandoned (no man’s land). In the early 90s, the villagers
returned to their homes and started a new life, disallowed the entry of bad elements,
secured the place, and even armed themselves.

"... we lived a life deep into the woods, forgotten from the world. No one knew of our existence
and no one showed their interest to us. The children played with guns instead of books. But for
the first time, JTS visited our village and spoke to us about building a school for the children.
Neither my grandfather, nor my father, nor I attended school. For my children to attend school
was my, no, it was a dream of the past generations. And JTS made this dream come true. All
villagers, in order to realize this dream, carried construction supplies on their back from early
mornings and climbed over mountains and crossed over rivers. And so we made this precious
school for our children, and their children to study, to last 100 years. Our gratitude is larger than
any gratitude in the world. Even if there was a basket to hold all appreciations in the world, it will
not be able to hold our appreciation today..." - Datu Sagayna

Kagahuman, and the sitio proper of Impahanong, are tribal homes to over a hundred
households of Higaonons (the dominant ethnic group in Northern Mindanao). As an
indigenous people (lumad), it is headed by a tribal chief, known locally as Datu. He is
Salvador Sagayna or Datu Mansaysayan, who prefers to call his tribe Amosignon,
named after an ancient big river. A former rebel, and fondly called “Commander” by
many of his followers, he decided to align his people with the New People’s Army. They
rose in the armed hierarchy and gained high respect from other leaders, owing to the
Datu’s sincere commitment and dedication to his people. Under a new political
atmosphere in the late 80s and with government efforts of reconciliation, Datu
Mansaysayan, together with his people, decided to lay down arms and embrace peace
as the new road to development.
2. Marundug & Matampay, Munai, Lanao del Norte

Munai is one of the old Maranao towns already in existence in the early 1900s. During
the Spanish colonization, this area, as well as the rest of Lanao, was not
conquered. The disparity of the treatment between Christian and non-Christian areas
continues until now. Development projects accorded to its neighboring Christian areas
are seldom, if at all present, in this part of Mindanao. One of the problems to be
addressed in this area is the accessibility of education for the children in far-flung
barangays.

Matampay

JTS first visited barangay Matampay in 2006 after a Muslim development organization
suggested it. During the first visit of Mr. Lee (Representative of JTS Philippines), he
was shown the Madrasah (school for Muslim Religion and Arabic language) which was
destroyed in a bombing incident. Mr. Lee suggested that JTS should support the
renovation of the Madrasah if it is to be converted into a public school where a regular
Philippine curriculum will be taught.

The community, at first, rejected his proposal because the Madrasah was funded by
Arab Emirates. After that, another big storm blew up the roof of the building such that
they could not hold classes there anymore.

The community then decided to convert the Madrasah into a public school and
requested JTS to renovate the building. They held a community meeting and made a
resolution to volunteer their labor. The JTS made a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
with the Matampay Community after the school project was approved in November
2006.

In 2007, in partnership with the Madrasah in the barangay, JTS helped reconstruct the
barangay’s four-room school. It shall cater to a regular primary school curriculum
during weekdays and to teach Arabic classes on weekends.

While the Sultanate, religious leaders, and the Madaris (school board) agreed to provide
the necessary labor, JTS supplied the materials. The Barangay LGU committed to
oversee the coordination of the activities to ensure a smooth implementation, while the
Municipal LGU gave technical assistance.

Marundug Daycare

To provide early education to children who are too young for Grade 1, JTS supported
the construction of a day care center in Marundug to prepare the children for primary
schooling. The one-room day care centre, through the leadership of another Sultan,
was constructed by the community with the material support from JTS. This centre
serves as a model for future preparatory schools in other communities.

Despite his old age, the Sultan was very supportive and active in providing the
opportunity for the children to get educated at a day care center in his village where
there was no school prior to the project. He persuaded the Municipal LGU to lend the
bulldozer to level the lot for the school which the JTS will support. It was the first time
for JTS to get a really strong support from the community leader.

All parties agreed for JTS to provide the materials, the community for the voluntary
labor, and the LGU for the technical assistance to the construction workers who built
the school. Construction began in April 2007 and it was completed in early August of
the same year.

3. Hall of Peace cum Youth Center, Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon

JTS has been supporting the effort of the communities and the tribes to preserve the
indigenous peoples' tradition in Mindanao. The construction of a two-storey Hall of
Peace (10x20m, 400 sq.m.) for such a purpose along with the education for the next
generation began in 2007. The hall shall also provide a venue for the peace
conferences of leaders, the exhibition of their handicrafts, pictures and their
instruments. In addition, it can be the concert hall for the cultural exchange of music
and dance among the indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

4. Kalasuyan, Capihan, Libona, Bukidnon

Most of JTS project sites are so remote that it is quite difficult to deliver the
construction materials such as cement, sand and gravel, and others from the road to
the community.

Kalasuyan is not an exception so JTS introduced the soil brick to the community. It is
the first time for such a school design here in Mindanao. At the beginning of the
project, the community could not imagine how to make the room with soil bricks, and in
fact did not believe it could be done.

The community was hesitant to do it until a Korean Volunteer showed examples of how
to make soil bricks and explained with the photos of soil brick-houses from Korea and
abroad.

During the 7th youth camp in Kalasuyan held last Jan 10 - 22, 2008, Korean students,
Filipino youth and community representatives made the soil bricks and piled them to
make the wall of the classrooms. It is a good model of 'joining together' in terms of
technology as well as human relations.
With the experience of making a building of soil bricks, some Filipinos plan to build their
own houses with soil bricks. Someday, this kind of house can spread in various parts in
Mindanao.

5. Big Banisilon, Tangkal, Lanao del Norte

Ethnic: Maranao Muslim
House hold: 200 & population: 1,000
No. of student: 181
Period: Feb ~ June, 2008
Project: Building 3 Classroom (concrete), 181 pcs of school bag and 181 pcs of umbrella
& raincoat

In Barangay Big Banisilon (Tangkal), JTS decided to support the efforts to finish a
three-room building. The barangay is strategically located in the southern area of the
municipality being proximate to four barangays aside from having a big local
population.

6. Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte

Ethnic: Maranao Muslim
Household: 186 & population: 1,000
No. of Students: 62
Period: May, 2008 ~ June , 2010
Project : 3 Classroom (concrete), 62 pcs of schoolbag, 62 pcs of Umbrella

Barangay Tamparan (Munai) was selected by JTS due to the absence of any structure
in the area except for the Madrasah (Arabic school). JTS agreed with the community
leaders to help construct a new building for the Madrasah with the commitment to
integrate the government basic education in the local system.

7. Mikasili, Tangkulan, Damulog, Bukidnon

Ethnic : Manobo
House hold: 53 & Population : 283
No. of student: 71
Period :Jan ~ Dec, 2008
Project : 2 Classrooms, water system with 2 pcs of stainless tank and water pipe, school
supplies and 71 pcs of schoolbag

The JTS gave weight to its heritage value being the home of the traditional epic of two
brothers who were the forefathers of the Maranaos and Maguindanaoans, and the
Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities. According to their narrative, the two
brothers decided to part ways when one decided to embrace Islam. Both promised to
keep their brotherhood connected no matter what.

8. Sarawagon, Omonay, Damulog, Bukidnon

Ethnic: Manobo, Magindanao Muslim, Christian
Household : 48 & Population : 230
No. of student: 109
Period: Sep ~ Dec 2008
Project: 2 Classroom, School supplies, 109 pcs of schoolbag

Sitio Sarawagon is unique as it is where Christians, Muslims and the forbearers of IPs
lived. The construction of the school will strengthen the fiber of their unity.

9. Balud, Tangkulan, Damulog, Bukidnon

Ethnic: Manobo and Maguindanao Muslim
Household: 200 & Population: about 1000
No. students: 120
Period: Oct ~ Dec , 2008
Project: 2 classrooms (semi-concrete), 3 rooms of toilet, school supplies, 120 pcs of
schoolbag.

Sitio Balud is dominated by a liberation group fighting the government. The building of
a school will open their children to a new peace horizon.
The construction of the Balud primary school also paves the way to peace among the
IPs and Muslims with the participation of Christians led by the local government.

In Damulog, the support of the DepEd was demonstrated by the prompt provision of
teachers through the strong representation of the local government (LGU) under the
leadership of Mayor Romeo Tiongco who at the same time facilitated the provision of
food for work to volunteers to accelerate the construction.

The experience of Balud

While there were still conflicts between government forces and the MILF in Lanao Del
Norte in August, 2008, Commander Taunting had declared Balud to be a ‘war-free zone’
and signed a MOA together with Damulog Mayor Tiongco. In addition, the LGU and
local leaders of Balud sought ways to support education, health and agricultural
development.
Consequently, more communities were able to return and settle back in their village.
Based on their struggle to build peace and their desire to support their children’s
education, JTS approved the project of a school building in Balud in Oct, 2008.
During the construction, around 80 to100 persons a day from the community helped,
with the leadership of Commander Taunting.
In fact, the women and children also hauled lumbers and some hollow blocks with
carabaos. “It is natural to work voluntarily knowing that we are building our school
with our own hands,” they said.

They were able to complete the school building in just 45 days while other communities
took several months to do it.

10. Canaan, Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur (or Upper Tigaason, Talakag,
Bukidnon)
Note: geographically claimed to be part of Lanao del Sur but politically part of Talakag

 Ethnic : Christian and lumad

 Population : about 2,000
 No. of Children: 282
 Construction period : June 2009 ~ Mar 2010
 Building: Extension of 2 classrooms for 5 & 6 Grade
 Support from LGU of Talakag: Trucking
 Community – Carpenters, Labor & Hauling of materials (7km) and Food for work

Through the leadership of Sonny Boy ( former MILF combatant) and Alice (a Christian
pastor), a couple who served as JTS contact persons, the extension of two classrooms
for Grades 5 & 6 in Canaan was a success. They were able to mobilize the people to
provide labor by hauling the materials from Tigaason where the truck can reach.

The delivery of construction materials such as cement, steel bar, roof sheet and nails
was done with the support of Talakag LGU by providing the truck to transport the
materials. It took two days to complete the hauling of materials from the hardware in
CDO to Tigaason, Talakag which is 7 kms away from Canaan.

Due to the road condition the truck can only reach Upper Tigaason so the community
members hauled the cement and steel bars with horses while women carried 3 or 4 pcs
of the thin steel bars, and even grandfathers and grandmothers hauled 1 or 2 pcs of
roof sheet carrying it on their heads.

In January, the 10th International Youth Peace Camp was hosted by Canaan. Korean
participants together with Filipino youth were impressed of the leadership shown by
Alice and Sonny Boy in organizing the people, where each member helps each other
during the camp.
Moreover, in March 2009, the Canaan Elementary School was proud to present its first
batch of graduate students. The hardwork and dedication of the parents, teachers and
students paid off in seeing that students were able to have an education and graduated
from elementary level.

11. Munai Pindulonan, Munai, Lanao del Norte

 Ethnic: Maranao Muslim
 Household : 318
 No. of Children : 420
 Construction period: June 2009
 Building: additional 2 classrooms (concrete) in the existing elementary school
because of overcrowding
 Support of LGU of Munai : Trucking and Food for work from Barangay
 Support from Community : hauling of materials (5kms on the hill) and labor

12. Pagumpong, Omonay, Damulog, Bukidnon

 Ethnic: Maguindanao Muslim
 Household : 112
 No. of Children : 85
 Construction period : March 19 ~ December 6, 2009
 Building & support: 2 classrooms, 3 rooms of toilet, water tank & water pipe,
school supplies, 85 pcs of schoolbag
 No. of volunteers to help construct the building : 141
 Support from LGU of Damulog : food for work, carpenters, trucking
 Support from Community : hauling of materials (5km on the hill) and labor

Pagumpong is located alongside the Mulita River, a Muslim village headed by Kagawad
Abas. Kagawad Abas served as JTS contact person. During the construction, the
community has to haul sand and gravel from the river.
The project in Damulog was even more significant because of the active involvement of
the Damulog LGU through the Municipal Mayor Romeo Tiongco. Mayor Tiongco together
with his staff provided food for work to the communities, and also designated a point-
person to look after the construction.

The majority of the community speak in Maguindanao dialect and understand little
Bisaya. Jessie Suarez, the point-person for the construction has to communicate through
Kagawad Abas and he translates it in the vernacular. In that way, Kagawad Abas along
with his members learned how to build the school and organize the community.

Through this project, JTS learned that the LGU’s involvement is quite important in terms
of mobilizing the local community. In addition, it becomes the model of the transmission
of organizing skill and the volunteerism of JTS.
13.Buluan, Sarawagon, Damulog, Bukidnon
 Ethnic: Maguindanao Muslim
 No. of Household : 82
 No. of Student: 179
 Construction period : May 19 ~ December 7, 2009
 Building & support: 2 classrooms, 2 rooms of toilet , school supplies,
85 pcs of schoolbag
 Support from LGU of Damulog : food for work, carpenters, trucking
 Support from Community : hauling of materials and labor

Buluan, marked as an area where rebels reside in the 1970s, thereby less government
service such as education and health serviced had reached the community. No one dares
to go to the area.

In December 2008, Damulog Mayor Romeo Tiongco visited the area as part of his LGU
Peace program. Through the partnership of JTS and Damulog LGU, the school project in
Buluan was started. Damulog LGU provided food for work and point-person while JTS
provided all the construction materials.

In Buluan, youth members were the primary workers during the construction; women
and children also helped haul soil and tampered it to make a solid ground for the school
flooring.
The community has helped in building the school.

14. Kidama, Angga-an, Damulog, Bukidnon

 Ethnic: Maguindanao Muslim , Manobo

 No. of Household : 81
 No. of Student: 65
 Construction period : October 7 ~ December 7, 2009
 Building & support: 2 classrooms, 2 rooms of toilet , school supplies,
65 pcs of schoolbag
 Support from LGU of Damulog : food for work, carpenters, trucking
 Support from Community : hauling of materials (4km of trail) and labor

Kidama is a Muslim community led by an Ustadj (Muslim Teacher), a place that has
experienced war between military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In
2003, the military raided the area and left 167 households displaced. The villagers were
forced to evacuate and find refuge with relatives in other villages.

In the years 2005 and 2006, the community has slowly returned to Kidama. At present
there are 81 households but the community is still struggling to get back with their lives
after the war since many of their livestock were lost.
The nearest public school is 5 kms away and a small river has to be crossed before
reaching the school. This makes it even more difficult for pupils in grades 1 and 2 (6 ~7
ages). Although 10 to 11 year-old children were enrolled in grade 1, less than half of
them continue to go to school.

The strong leadership of Ustadj showed the power of organizing and cooperation in the
community, which made them achieve the construction of the school building in 40
days. It was record-breaking among all other JTS projects.

Through the school project, the LGU and Muslim inhabitants were able to work side-by-
side in achieving a meaningful work and it also became a bridge for mutual
understanding.

15. Others

 JTS Center - Farm Development Training and Resource Center

 Area - 3.3ha
 Building – 12m x 24 m, 3story
 Construction Period – June 2009 ~ Mar 2010
 The purpose of the building
1) Introduce systematic farm technology and trainings; skills development with
farm equipment, and promote the farm productivity in Mindanao.
2) Introduce Innovative Training Programs such as New Village Movement
involving the concept of self-help.

 Peace camp

The camp is a community work done in the village at the same time a cultural
interaction among Koreans and Filipinos. An annual camp has been conducted
since 2005.

 Tapuk : An Annual Leaders Conference

TAPUK is an abbreviation of Tagbo aron Pagpalahutay sa Kalamboan Ug Kalinaw

sa Katawhan sa Mindanao. It is an annual leaders’ conference initiated by JTS
Mindanao. An event where all key persons and leaders of JTS supported areas
gathers to share their experiences and learn new skills.

In 2009, JTS concluded Tapuk 3 held at Magis Training Center in Cagayan de

Oro with a theme “Sharpening Leadership Skills Towards Peace and
Development in Mindanao.”
Attachment

SCHOOL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (2003-2016)

 Teachers’ Conference

I partnership with the Department of Education, a biennial gathering among

teachers in JTS-supported areas had been done since 2011 to enhance teacher
competencies and inspire them to continue to commit to the task of student
learning and formation in the remote areas to which they have been assigned.
 SCHOOL No. of
YEAR PROVINCE MUNICIPALITY
NAME Classrooms
1 2003 BUKIDNON TALAKAG SPED 3
2 2003 BUKIDNON TALAKAG KIBULAG 3
3 2003 BUKIDNON MALITBOG KAGAHUMAN 2
4 2003 BUKIDNON BAUNGON KALANGANAN 2
MISAMIS
5 2003 MAGSAYSAY SAN ISIDRO 2
ORIENTAL
SPED DORMITORY
6 2004 BUKIDNON TALAKAG (for special 2
children)
7 2004 BUKIDNON TALAKAG OVERLOOKING 4
8 2004 BUKIDNON TALAKAG TIGAASON 1
GUIMBA(PKK)
9 2004 LANAO DEL SUR MARAWI CITY 1
DAYCARE
MALIMONO(OKK)
10 2004 LANAO DEL SUR MARAWI CITY 1
DAYCARE
CROSSING(SKP)
11 2004 LANAO DEL SUR MARAWI CITY 1
DAYCARE
DIBAROSAN
12 2004 LANAO DEL SUR BALINDONG 1
DAYCARE
13 2004 BUKIDNON TALAKAG CANAAN 6
14 2005 BUKIDNON LIBONA ALAWON 3
15 2005 LANAO DEL SUR PIAGAPO BANCO 3
BUALAN A
16 2005 LANAO DEL SUR BALINDONG 1
DAYCARE
BUALAN B
17 2005 LANAO DEL SUR BALINDONG 1
DAYCARE
18 2006 BUKIDNON TALAKAG SAN MATEO 3
19 2006 BUKIDNON LIBONA MANTABOO 4
20 2006 BUKIDNON LANTAPAN MAMPALANAY 1
21 2006 BUKIDNON MANOLO FORTICH BAGALANGIT 2
22 2006 LANAO DEL SUR WAO PENDULONAN 3
23 2006 LANAO DEL SUR WAO BAGUA INGUD 2
24 2006 LANAO DEL SUR BALINDONG BARRIT DAYCARE 1
25 2006 BUKIDNON LANTAPAN PEACE CENTER 0
26 2007 BUKIDNON LIBONA KALASUYAN 2
CULTURAL
27 2007 BUKIDNON LANTAPAN 0
CENTER
LANAO DEL
28 2007 MUNAI MATAMPAY 4
NORTE
LANAO DEL MARUNDUG
29 2007 MUNAI 1
NORTE DAYCARE
30 2008 BUKIDNON DAMULOG MIKASILI 2
31 2008 BUKIDNON DAMULOG SARAWAGON 2
32 2008 BUKIDNON DAMULOG BALUD 2
LANAO DEL
33 2008 TANGKAL BIGBANISILON 3
NORTE
LANAO DEL
34 2008 MUNAI TAMPARAN 3
NORTE
35 2009 BUKIDNON DAMULOG PAGUMPONG 2
36 2009 BUKIDNON DAMULOG KIDAMA 2
37 2009 BUKIDNON DAMULOG BULUAN 2
38 2009 LANAO DEL SUR MUNAI PINDULONAN 2
39 2011 BUKIDNON DAMULOG BASAG 2
40 2011 BUKIDNON DAMULOG KITAS 2
41 2011 BUKIDNON DAMULOG BALA 2
42 2011 AGUSAN DEL SUR LORETO KILANGKOG 2
43 2011 AGUSAN DEL SUR LORETO LIBOSONGAN 1
44 2011 AGUSAN DEL SUR LORETO MOLI 2
45 2012 BUKIDNON DAMULOG INLABO 2
46 2012 BUKIDNON DAMULOG TAPUNAN 2
47 2013 BUKIDNON DAMULOG KILAOLAO 2
48 2013 BUKIDNON DAMULOG APOLAN 2
49 2011 BUKIDNON DAMULOG MAKAPARI 10
50 2015 BUKIDNON MANOLO FORTICH KIHANAY 3
51 2015 BUKIDNON MANOLO FORTICH CONSOLACION 2
52 2016 BUKIDNON SUMILAO SPED 4
53 2016 MAGUINDANAO SIMUAY 4
122
6 provinces
18 municipalities
53 school buildings
122 classrooms