Marawi Leaders Undergo Legal Literacy Training by Concern-We Effect Project

On February 23-25, 2022, CONCERN Inc. with the support of We Effect has organized a 3-day Legal Literacy Training of Trainers, entitled “Emphasizing Local Participation and Empowerment in Securing our Right over our Domain”. This further capacitated the IDP leaders and representatives of the Reclaiming Marawi Movement (RMM) on understanding their rights to land, housing and property, as well as their right to just compensation and reparation. The activity gathered 19 participants; 7 men and 12 women from the transitional shelters of Boganga, Rorog-Agus, Sagonsongan in Marawi City and Bakwit Village I in Matunggao.

Ms. Ica Fernandez, a registered spatial planner that specializes on land issues facilitated an Individual Mapping Exercise with the participants through a participatory mapping method to extract experiences and legal issues relevant to land, housing and property.

She emphasized the importance of the spatial orientation of people in their environment. In that spatial orientation is not just limited to space and place. Not just about legal territory, or mappable physical space, but even more so on the relationships and use, as well as the values, customs, culture, and history of people who identify with the place.

She also then discussed the framework of IDP rights, focusing on the International standards provided by the United Nations, i.e., Housing, Land, and Property Rights (HLP) lens. She gave a primer on understanding “adequate housing”, which then the IDP participants identifies their transitional shelters as “slum” and does not follow the standards of an “adequate shelter” .

She also lectured on the unpacking of the multiple legal frameworks in the Bangsamoro. She gave emphasis on the root cause of land conflict issues from histories of colonial experience, marginalization through land dispossession, historical injustice, and contemporary impacts.

Atty. Buboy Mendoza, legal officer of BALAOD Mindanaw discussed the existing Philippine national laws and policies pertaining to land. He shared a clear explanation on land classifications in the Philippines; lands that are publicly-owned by the government and can be privatized; or that are considered as alienable and disposable (A&D); also the existing rules on easement zones; which are some of the particular issues that IDPs of RMM are concerned of as they were displaced from lands some of which were located in the lakeside or considered to be no-build zone.

Atty. Mendoza, together with BALAOD Mindanaw, expressed their commitment in helping the IDPs document their cases on land disputes and file claims over their land to further take legal actions.

He also provided an input on land registration, transfer of lands, expropriation of property, the IPRA law and the right to return to ancestral domain.

Some specific issues were raised by the participants, i.e., on land without titles, lands that are now built with public infrastructures, understanding the situation of recognized ‘reclaimed areas’ inside the Most Affected Area (MAA) of Marawi City, etc.

Atty. Virginia Lacsa Suarez, labor lawyer and Chairperson of women’s federation Kaisa Ka shared her inputs on the Right of the IDPs to just compensation and reparation. She briefly discussed the salient points of the 2420 Senate Bill or the Marawi Compensation Bill. She put emphasis on the moral, psychological and emotional impact that must also be taken into account, more than the structural damages that is to be compensated. The government must be held accountable for the lives loss during the siege and for the continuing struggle of the people who are still displaced for almost five years now.

The participants of the activity are set to roll-out the training to the different transitional shelters. This is to further help drumbeat the IDP campaign both at the local and national level bringing specific issues on the rights to land, housing and property; and to influence the recognition of a more just compensation that will serve justice to the moral, psychological and emotional impact to the resident IDPs from the effects of war in Marawi.

CONCERN Inc., with the support of We Effect, continuously supports the political empowerment of the IDPs of Marawi, in partnership with Reclaiming Marawi Movement through the “Capability Assistance for People’s Initiatives at Transformative Actions and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience to Disasters” or CAPITAL in CCARD Project.

CONCERN-VDRN Deliver Relief from PRMSU and GERC to Bohol

On Feb. 17-19, 2022, CONCERN Inc. in partnership with the Visayas Disaster Risk-Reduction Network,Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) conducted a series of relief delivery operation in Brgy. Balintawak, Brgy. San Isidro and island Brgy. of Cataban, Talibon, Bohol. Over 200 households with totally damaged houses were given food packs, hygiene kits and bottled drinking water. Delivery of in-kind donations from Pampanga to Tagbilaran City was made possible by 2GO express delivery.

We would like to thank President Ramon Magsaysay State University Extension Office, Gender Equality Resource Center (GERC, Inc.) and many individuals and organizations who responded to our call for donations. We also appreciate the volunteers who tirelessly gave their time and energy.

Through the support and donations, we have been able to touch the lives of many displaced families and communities who are still reeling from the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette.

Let us continue to give hope as they rebuild their lives, homes and communities.

CECI Supports CONCERN-VDRN Typhoon Odette Relief in Bohol

As part of our continuing mandate to provide relief assistance to communities affected by calamities, CONCERN, Inc. in partnership with Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) with the support of Canadian Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) conducted Relief Delivery Operations in the island barangays of Maomawan and Malingin, Bien Unido, Bohol last Feb. 6, 2022.

Food packs and hygiene kits were given to 250 households mostly fisherfolks and senior citizens. Our sincere gratitude to the local volunteers of VDRN, Inc. for the packing and distribution of relief goods in the area.

Bohol province is one of the badly hit provinces in Visayas by Typhoon RAI (locally known as Typhoon Odette).

As part of our continuing mandate to provide relief assistance to communities affected by calamities, CONCERN, Inc. in partnership with Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) with the support of Canadian Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) conducted Relief Delivery Operations in the island barangays of Maomawan and Malingin, Bien Unido, Bohol last Feb. 6, 2022.

Food packs and hygiene kits were given to 250 households mostly fisherfolks and senior citizens. Our sincere gratitude to the local volunteers of VDRN, Inc. for the packing and distribution of relief goods in the area.

CONCERN and PEF Conduct Relief Delivery Ops in Cebu

On January 15, 2022, thru the support of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and thru the hard work of CONCERN Inc. partners in Cebu: the Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) and Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, we were able to serve 304 families in Sitios: Naba, Puntod 2, and Lawis of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, Philippines who were affected by Typhoon Odette.

Call for Donations: Typhoon Odette Victims in Cebu and Bohol

Let’s help provide relief for the victims of Typhoon Odette in Cebu and Bohol!
Your monetary support will be used by affected communities in Cebu and Bohol to purchase their immediate needs.


You may course your donations to:


𝙈𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙠
Center for Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development Inc.
𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 ＃： ００７－２９６－５１０４９－８
𝘿𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 ＃： ２９６－２－２９６０１０８６－８
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM
Branch: MacArthur Highway, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines


𝙂𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙝： ０９９５０６１９８４７


Kindly send the transaction slip via Messenger or email info@concerninc.org specifying the purpose, so we may verify and acknowledge receipt of your donation.


We are counting on your support. Thank you!


Donations will be managed by the Visayas Disaster Response Network, a collective of professionals, individuals and CSOs who respond to the needs of the most vulnerable communities affected by disasters and;


the Center of Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development, a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1986 to address and support the needs of disaster victims and communities at risk, registered with SEC and DSWD.

[FIL] Gabay sa Pag-iwas sa COVID-19

Paano nga ba kumakalat ang virus? Anu-ano ang mga sintomas? Ano ang magagawa natin para maprotektahan mula sa sakit? At bakit kailangang magpabakuna? Mag-review tayo tungkol sa COVID-19!

Ang primer na ito na hatid ng Concern, sa tulong ng We Effect Philippines. Bahagi ito ng ating kampanya para sa pagpapalakas ng kaalaman at kapasidad bilang tugon sa pandemya.

CONCERN and We Effect Engage Meranaw Youth in IDP Rights Training

As we celebrate the International Youth Day, we applaud the efforts being made to pursue the interest of the youth all over the world. But, let us not forget to remember also the struggle of the youth in its fight for peace, freedom, justice and inclusive governance for all, especially the young IDPs.

These are the youth who tirelessly assert its call for a safe and dignified return, demands truth, justice and accountability, and push for the narratives of the vulnerable and displaced people no matter how challenging the task to claim and defend what is rightfully theirs as a Meranaw people.

CONCERN, Inc. with the support of We Effect and in partnership with the Reclaiming Marawi Movement is currently implementing a project which hopes to strengthen the capacity of young Meranaw IDPs who are still living in the temporary and transitional shelters, more than 4 years have passed after the Marawi siege. The project aims to empower the young Meranaw IDPs on the importance of their participation in rights claiming.

Through the series of community based discussions focused on educating the youth on the IDP Rights, Basic DRR-CCA, skills enhancement through Leadership, Public Speaking and Para-Legal Trainings, the young Meranaw IDPs today believes in collective leadership and the significance of their voices in molding a gender-sensitive, secure, disaster resilient communities that will better serve their interest as a youth.

The trainings also provided them an avenue to develop their full potential as responsible leaders and recognize the need to fight for their right to accessible, quality and affordable education for all.

The current situation in the country presents an opportunity for everyone most especially the youth to take part in advocating for a genuine social transformation and continue the discourse on matters of justice, human dignity and peace.

Photos are compilation from the series of community-based activities in the different temporary and transitional shelters.

CONCERN Conducts Online GICBDRRM Training

CONCERN, in partnership with WE Effect, concluded its five-day online training on Gender-Integrated Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (GICBDRRM) on October 28, via ZOOM.


We thank our attendees – staff and community leaders from WE Effect’s partner organizations – PATAMABA, IPCSED and San Dionisio Credit Cooperative (through Trias) for accepting the challenges of online learning with us.


The five-day online training aimed at building the capacity of the organizations by leveling off on the concepts of disasters, climate change and gender; and by discussing Participatory Risk Assessment, disaster preparedness, early warning and policies.


We recognize the limitations of the online means of learning in building the capacities of our partners, but we cannot let this pandemic freeze our drive to promote GICBDRRM. The online training is our first step at adapting to the new normal.

The training is part of the Capability Assistance for People’s Initiatives at Transformative Actions and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience to Disasters (CAPITAL in CCARD) Project funded by WE Effect and implemented by CONCERN.

CONCERN Facilitates Conflict Management Training in Marawi

CONCERN Inc. is currently implementing a short-term project in partnership with Reclaiming Marawi Movement with the support of UNDP Bangkok and NPeace to strengthen the participation, inclusion and access of Meranao women in post-conflict Marawi. The main goal of the initiative is to enhance the capacity of IDP women in Marawi as mediators at the grassroots level for the promotion of social cohesion, prevention of conflict and violent extremism and enabling meaningful inclusion, especially in rehabilitation planning in the newly formed government.

Women in temporary shelters are confronted with multitude of difficulties but they are capable of playing significant roles in their personal development and in the development of their community. They are capable of articulating their own definition and understanding of development in protecting women and in preventing the violation of their rights as women and IDP’s. As they always say, “LAABAN LANG!”

CONCERN Inc. extends its heartfelt gratitude to MSU-IIT Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) through Ma’am Yasmira P. Moner and Ma’am Settie Sahara D. Mutia for facilitating the two-day Conflict Management Training with the women in the different communities of Marawi City. It was a memorable 2-day activity filled with shared laughters, tears and above all, friendship and love for humanity.

Credits to Proleta Nuñeza Gomez for the write-up and photos.

499 Earthquake-Hit Families Receive Relief Packs

During the crisis of Mindanao Earthquake, CONCERN sent out an appeal for partners and funding agencies to help in the relief efforts aimed at affected communities in Mindanao. Peace Equity Access for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Foundation Inc. and individual donors heeded this call, with relief activities focused on affected residents.

Brgy Kanapolo evacuation in the Municipality of Magsaysay – one of the hardest-hit municipality in Davao Del Sur and is 7 – kilometer away from the accredited evacuation center by the municipality, received less responses and in dire need of food for survival.

On November 22-24, 2019, CONCERN and PMBDRN facilitated the purchasing and repacking in Davao City. Repacking was participated by students from Sta Ana National High School, University of Southeastern Philippines USEP, and Holy Cross of Davao College, who are active network members.

The actual delivery distribution was successfully held last November 27, 2019. The beneficiaries arrived and organized themselves according to Purok. The project served 499 families or 1,664 individuals.

The beneficiaries were very happy and grateful to have received the pack. They were surprised by the content of the standard food pack. According to the beneficiaries the packs are “kumpleto at marami” (complete and plenty). The hygiene kit pack was highly appreciated especially by women.

Aside from its direct assistance to the affected community, the relief operation has also increased the capacity of the partner network, the People Based-Mindanao Disaster Risk Reduction Network (PBMDRN). While it was a challenging process as it is their first time to directly involve in the relief delivery operation, it has taught them an efficient approach in identifying areas and beneficiaries and in the organizing systems of repacking and distribution.

CONCERN expresses its utmost appreciation and gratitude to PEACE Foundation and individual donors for their support to Brgy Kanapolo! We also thank our partner, PBMDRN and volunteers from Sta Ana National High School, University of Southeastern Philippines USEP, and Holy Cross of Davao College for making this Relief Delivery Operation possible.