The Panamao Development Initiatives (PDI), Inc. will actively pursue the following programs from 2002 through 2006:

For democratic processes to be enhanced and for public policies to become more responsive to the development needs of the citizens, the practice of good governance must begin at the barangay (village) level. Good barangay governance necessitates the establishment and strengthening of mechanisms and processes that allow for greater inclusiveness in decision-making and promote responsiveness of local public action.

Along this pursuit, PDI coordinates with government agencies and civil society organizations involved in good local governance efforts in the conduct of relevant training, project implementation and monitoring activities. Click on the following link for a full elaboration of PDI's concept for its Crusade for Good Barangay Governance.

In cooperation with the Education for Life Foundation (ELF), PDI will try to implement the Paaralang Bayan or folk school concept in Biliran Province. The folk school intends to provide the necessary “life-based learning” for the basic masses as compared to the formal education provided by institutional schools. The target students of the folk school are grassroots leaders. The folk school was inspired by and patterned after the “folkehojskole” in Denmark that was born out of the need to introduce a form of “popular education” that would address the peculiar needs of the basic masses.

PDI will help the barangays in the promotion of small enterprises. However, its role would be limited to facilitating and assisting the community in their planning sessions covering needs identification, capacity building, fund sourcing, and to serving as adviser during the initial stages of project implementation. PDI will not provide funds for, or directly implement, the project.

The community newspaper-cum-newsletter Tingog Panamao” (Voice of Panamao) and the Internet website “Mythical Panamao” were established by PDI to:

·        Highlight experiences, lessons and innovative policies and programs related to local governance and community participation.

·        Provide a public forum for the people to express their opinions and sentiments.

·        Bridge the gap between the information rich (government) sectors of the province and the information poor (civil society) sectors.

·        Provide an information and knowledge base for an alternative development agenda.

Local government units (LGUs) lack relevant data on the conditions of the municipalities and their barangays. Available data found in Municipal Planning and Development Offices (MPDOs) are either partial, outdated or unreliable. In this regard, PDI intends to build up a comprehensive database about all of Biliran’s households that could contribute to a clear understanding of the people’s socio-economic conditions, including their problems and concerns. This could be made possible by mobilizing the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and barangay kagawads (village councilors) to update the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN), Integrated Rapid Appraisal Program (IRAP), Rural Health Unit (RHU) and Participatory Rural Appraisal - Barangay Development Planning (PRA-BDP) survey results in every barangay. Such database would be computer-programmed in formats that would be easily accessible to local executives, planners and policy-makers.

PDI shall provide technical assistance to LGUs in the formulation of Municipal Development Plans and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs). Towards this end, PDI is completing the CLUPs for Almeria and Kawayan towns.

PDI will involve the youth and student sector in taking active roles in the promotion of ecological balance and environment-friendly lifestyle. Ecology Ministries (ECOMIN) will be organized in all barangays, high schools and colleges. PDI, in coordination with the Social Action Center (SAC) of the Diocese of Naval, will provide the youth with the necessary orientation, values and skills formation through the following activities:

·        Basic Ecology Seminar

·        Leadership and Communication Skills Training

·        Ecology Walk / Eco-tripping

·        Youth Leadership and Ecology Congress

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