De La Salle Lipa, Philippines

Embracing Our Shared Humanity: Championing our indigenous adopted community (Mangyan Tribe)

Embarking on a steep trail and terrain to partake in the lives and culture of ‘Mangyans’, a cultural group of indigenous people on the island of Mindoro, Philippines, is understanding the essence of humanity, justice, and equity among all sectors of the society. It is a way of the school to share in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which includes the rights and well-being of the indigenous people.

De La Salle Lipa, through its Community Involvement Office (DLSL-CIO) spearheaded the engagement with the Mangyans through an establishment of the Hanunuo Mangyan Livelihood & Consumers Cooperative (HAMALICON) at Sitio Bailan and Sitio Umabang of Brgy. Benli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. The 110 members and other households gained access to basic goods and necessities and provided partial employment to its members.

For educational development, the PAMANA KA (Paaralang Mangyan na Angkop sa Kulturang Aalagaan) – DLSL IPEd Partnership was organized. It is an educational teacher-mentoring partnership program for the public elementary school teachers that harness two-sided opportunity, the quality and culture-based education and employment for the Mangyan students and teachers respectively.

Presently, thirteen (13) PAMANA ka teachers are being mentored by 11 DLSL volunteer teachers for Science, Mathematics, Social Science, English and Computer subjects.

What the Judges Thought

The judges thought this was an excellent project that connects and supports staff, students and local indigenous people. Clear aims, outputs, and links to the SDGs evidenced a high and beneficial level of impact. 

What it Means to Win

“Sustainability is a long-term approach. It is the attitudes that we have from the very beginning. If we are all committed to sustainability, begin with the end in mind, and plan for that. The International Green Gown Award is the standard for a long-term approach and solution to sustainability and that, along with many others who have been recognized with this award, we are cognizant that we are part of this greater world, and, our mission is not apart from the rest of the world, from the rest of humanity, from the rest of the planet.”

Br. Dante Jose R. Amisola FSC, DLSL President 

Top 3 Learnings

1. The IPs safeguards our environment, natural resources, and the culture that we are all rooted.
2. We should see the ‘strong’ in our community and not the wrong to become sustainable.
3. We need constant cooperation, communication, and collaboration to make each one of us a champion.