The Allah Valley Development Foundation,Inc.(AVDFI) presented to the General Assembly of APF Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia November 18th-19th , 2011

1. ALLAH VALLEY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. Block 11 Lot 2, Villanueva, Surallah, South Cotabato, Philippines Tele / fax (083) 238 3418, e-mail address: avdfi.surallah@gmail.com The Allah Valley Development Foundation, Inc. (AVDFI) is a home-grown organization formed as a non-profit corporation in February 20, 1989

2. AVDFI is s based in Surallah, South Cotabato, Philippines. It’s area of operation includes four provinces in the Southern Mindanao region: namely Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and Maguindanao (ARMM).

3. AVDFI was organized by the people with the different background and experiences in rural development from the academe, church workers group, business sector, government service and NGO workers. AVDFI has a 5-member governing board headed by the president, Mr. Isidro Suedad

4. AVDFI’s Role in Rural Development As development worker in rural development – shall assist in organizing and strengthening the internal capacity of the community organizations; As service provider – shall provide/facilitate start-up fund for the community’s social economic enterprise;

5. As training services provider – shall facilitate/conduct capability and capacity building of the organization and the general membership of the community organizations; AVDFI’s Role in Rural Development As facilitator – shall facilitate link/ dialogue with the government and the civic society.

6. One of AVDFI’s social development projects is among the indigenous peoples in Lake Sebu. Balangon-based farming system that includes coffee & rubber as major crop components

7. Cooperative formation of balangon producers Soging Balangon Producers Cooperative (SOBARPO Coop) was organized in Lake Sebu in July 2011. Started in 2004, the aim then was to cultivate wild balangon as a livelihood option. From eight households at the onset, Palo Siete is now a village of 38 households with 46 balangon growers… and still more are settling… Then… Now

8. From 159 growers in 2009, the number increased to 177 in 2010. And now the figures sum up to a total of 537 balangon growers. 34% of this figure is already earning income from their standing balangon mats.

9. Growing Balangon then and now… showed changes in the IPs behavior… and improved the community’s ecological landscape… Gender Equality Complete households Going to meetings

10. THANK YOU! SALAMAT PO!