Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement

The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, abbreviated as PRRM, is a non-governmental organization and institution formed in 1952 in order to assist the poor members of society in the Philippines. As a movement, it was initiated by upper and middle class group of individuals based on the experiences gained from the rural reconstruction and development done in China during the beginning of the 1900s. After World War II, among its tasks had been the establishment of cooperatives in rural communities. It was the inspiration of the founding of the Federation of Free Farmers in 1953, as well as the birthing of organizations similar to PRRM in other countries such as Thailand, Colombia, India, and Guatemala[1] Its main office is currently based in Quezon City.,[2][3] which became possible through Dr. Yen's establishment of another related organization during the 1960s, namely the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR).[4]

Vision And Mission

The PRRM envisions a world of equity and sustainability, where society is free of ignorance, poverty, disease, and powerlessness; and where development takes place within the environment’s carrying capacity.[5]

Other than that, the PRRM also plans and implements integrated and community-based resource management.[6] The visions and missions of the PRRM aim to bring the welfare and living standards of the people of the Philippines to a significantly better level.

Values

The PRRM believes in several values.[7] Firstly, PRRM believes in justice and equity, which means that the poor should be treated with a preferential bias since they would have already been faced with much inequality in the past. PRRM also wishes to promote gender inequality and this would be shown in the projects done by PRRM.

Secondly, the PRRM believes that one key ingredient for authentic development would nonetheless be unity and peace. It is especially essential for the Philippines as it is a vibrant nation with a diversity of culture and religious beliefs. The variances and differences should be overcome so that the Filipinos can achieve their goals as one united nation, and this will eventually lead to development for the country.

The PRRM also believes that nationalism, a reflection of a common ideology, is the key to authentic development. The people of the Philippines need to truly believe in their capacity in achieving what they want. Indeed, special attention to utilizing and developing the indigenous efforts is essential in promoting self-reliance.[8]

Furthermore, PRRM believes that all development must take into consideration the protection of the environment. This will ensure that the environment will not be heavily strained on and that the future generations can continue to benefit from the Mother Earth.

With regards to culture, PRRM believes that the Filipino people have a vibrant and beautiful culture which they truly enjoy sharing with others.

Last but not least, PRRM also believes that development is for the people and by the people. Genuine people’s participation at every stage of development is the essence of community empowerment.

Goals

Among its present-day roles is the promotion of sustainable agriculture, technologies in the fishing business and farming, agroforestry, planning and implementation of managing resources in communities,[2] the fight against ignorance through education, the fight against proverty through livelihood training, the fight against diseases through health education, improvement in access to justice, restoration of cohesion and connection among and between communities, creation of livelihood, environmental stewardship, awareness of public policies,[3] and the dissemination of information to other Philippine and Asian non-governmental organizations.[2]

Future Goals

A core objective of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement is to build up the Conrado Benitez Institute for Sustainability (CBIS), which functions as the educational, research and technical troubleshooting wing of the PRRM.[9] By focusing on education for sustainability through providing educational courses which cover topics such as sustainable local economy, agriculture, coastal resource management, new and renewable energy, and gender issues, CBIS aims to inculcate sustainability into the future generation.

In addition, the PRRM intends to advocate issues related to environment and sustainable development, economic development, social development and the rights of women, children and youth, and governance and citizen’s participation.

Other long-term goals also include the creation of an organization information database and the implementation of a “report card” system. The former acts as the basis for monitoring the ongoing projects and operations and the aim is to boost the efficiency of the different operations by at least 25%.[5] While for the latter allows progress and accomplishments of ongoing projects to be recorded and reported. The PRRM aims to achieve workflow streamlining, publication exposure and quality, improved staff training and management accountability.

Historical background

In the 1900s, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement was founded and inspired by its then leader Dr. Y.C. James "Jimmy" Yen (also known as Yan Yangchu[4]), a national of China. It was brought the Philippines, specifically in Nueva Ecija and then also in Rizal province,[10] by Filipinos such as Conrado Benitez, a person connected to the University of the Philippines, with the vision to empowering and developing rural communities and the aim of providing training on self-government and on how such communities can sustain itself globally, nationally, and locally.[3]

Apart from Conrado Benitez, original members of PRRM's Board of Trustees also included Salvador Araneta, Cornelio Balmaceda, Cecilio Putong, Juan Salcedo, Jr., Asuncion A. Perez, Gil Puyat, Paul R. Parrette, and Albino Z. Sycip. Apart from Benitez, Sycip, Putong and Salcedo, Jr., PRRM's original incorporators also included Esteban E. Abada, Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr., Roland Renne, Juan Cojuangco, Oscar B. Arellano, and Jose S. Camus.[10]

In 1970, former Philippine Secretary of Health and Senator Dr. Juan Flavier, conveyed his experiences while working with and for PRRM by writing his book entitled Doctor to the Barrios.[11]

In 2009, PRRM became a partner of the Ayala Foundation USA, with the task of building potable water facilities within chosen Philippine barangays.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), NGO-initiated Coops, uwcc.wisc.edu
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), unccd.int
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, The Beggar's Hand, library.thinkquest.org
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Beginnings, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, prrm.org
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement Service Learning Paper". Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health’s Report of the Strategic Management of PRRM. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Institution Details". Institution Details: Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Values". Values: PRRM.org. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  8. ↑ Isagani, R. (1989). Developing a Fourth Generation NGO Strategy.
  9. ↑ "Future Goals". PRRM: The Next 50 Years. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Flavier, Juan M. Doctor to the Barrios, pages 1-15.
  11. ↑ DOCTOR TO THE BARRIOS Experiences with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, amazon.com
  12. ↑ The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement: AF-USA’s First Partner for the Year 2009!, Ayala Foundation USA, af-usa.org, January 26, 2009

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