MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Excerpt from the Publication)
For the past 39 years, Mahintana has worked conscientiously with partner organizations, local government units, line government agencies, donors, and private sectors as it continues to uphold and strengthen its commitment to build resiliency and sustain development in the communities.
There had been a share of challenges in the year 2016, but the foundation took it as leeway for growth and development. We have made significant achievements, which included the completion period of two of the projects: the Revenue Enhancement by Strengthening & Optimising the Utilisation of Resources and CSO Engagement in Local Governance (RESOURCEGov) co-funded by the European Commission, and the Silway River Watershed Areas Rainforestation and Preservation (SRWARP) funded by Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (PTFCF), both implemented successfully with achievements over and above targets. Most notable is the adoption of android based open-source applications such as Open Data Kit (ODK), Qlik, and Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) used for mapping, data management, and analysis of the eight assisted municipalities covered by the
RESOURCEGov project. These user-friendly technologies were also popularized and replicated by other development organizations
nationwide, particularly ODK, proven to be an effective tool in gathering and synchronizing data.
We also sustained our partnership with the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) and launched the Scale-up Reduced
Pollution through Vegetation and Rehabilitation (Scale-up RePAIR) phase II project to continue our thrust on environmental protection, conservation, and regeneration. Another indication of our success is the effective implementation of the Ridge-to-Reef program, which gained additional support from 17 business groups and other private and public entities. We have sponsored the 8th Palo Para sa Bantay Gubat at Kalikasan Golf Tournament as a fund-raising event, where the gross proceeds from sponsorships and registration fees will be used for the R2R project. All our interventions for this program were successful
with the support of our donors and partners, namely: Dole Philippines, Inc., RAUCH, FPE, PTFCF, RD Group of Companies, cooperatives, as well as the Municipal and Local Government units; for that, we are most thankful.
We were also inspired to extend help to less fortunate Persons with Disabilities (PWDs by distributing a total of 600 wheelchairs to identified beneficiaries, hospitals, and health centers throughout the SoCCSKSarGen region during the 5th Wheelchair Turnover Caravan. Another significant milestone is our engagement on Social Entrepreneurship with the continued operations of eight Health Plus pharmacy outlets (3 in South Cotabato, 4 in Sarangani, and 1 in General Santos City)
serving 74,478 patients for 2016, and a total of 311,165 patients since 2007.
All of our successes were built on the strong relationships we have with our active partners and donors. I am also thankful for
the exemplary leadership provided by the Board of Trustees, and the passion, hard work, and unfailing commitment of the staff of the foundation.
As we move forward in 2017 and beyond, I am proud of what we have accomplished for the past year, and looking forward to what
lies ahead in the succeeding years. Mahintana will remain attuned to its vision and mission, and we will continue to deliver excellent services to the communities, and expand our development initiatives for us to further our reach to more beneficiaries.
