MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (Excerpt from the Publication)
The year 2009 is a challenging year for Mahintana, as some of its projects come to its completion. Worth noting is our ACT FOR PEACE partnership for technical assistance; the MICADEV-Area Focus Approach (AFA) Phase-Out and the Enhanced Community Investment For Trees & Environment (ECITE) I & II. The latter two (2) projects had been implemented by Mahintana in the past years in partnership with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) - Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), who had been our long time partner in 1994, when Mahintana started its environmental conservation
activities along the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) and the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS). Their long years of support to these communities have left a positive influence over the communities' commitment to improving their economic
productivity in the context of environmental conservation, regeneration and protection.
However, the challenges posed before us in 2009 were also balanced with some opportunities which came in towards the end of the year, where new partnerships had been forged for the implementation of the HealthGov Project in South Cotabato through the support of the USAIDResearch Triangle Inc. (RTI). Further, other opportunities also came in during the fi nal months of 2009, when a series of exploratory meetings were made with various partners from USAIDsupported contractors forthe implementation of
new projects in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani.
Over the years, Mahintana had always been identifi ed as the local NGO partner in the areas where it operates. Indeed, we can say that Mahintana remains to exist for its purpose of helping communities help themselves.
As we continue to make signifi cant progress, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the generous support of our stakeholders, the leadership of our offi cers and the passion for community development work of our staff. All of you have contributed much in bringing into reality this year's well-deserved accomplishments.
