Panay Rural Development Center Incorporated (PRDCI)

The History of PRDCI

The PRDCI is the product of the 1993-1995 Project Term of the Philippine Peasant Institute (PPI) aimed at preparing the provincial centers, officially called Rural Development Institute (or RDI), for local autonomy.

RDI-Panay (commonly known as PPI-Panay) was among the first RDIs to acquire a legal personality. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 15,1996. Its incorporators elected the Board of Directors on May 4-6, 1996 . The BOD appointed the current Executive Director, Mr. Andres Tionko.

While PRDCI has become independent of PPI, it still maintains a "sister-NGO" relationship with PPI and other RDIs within the organizational framework of a national network - the Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc. (PhilNet-RDI, Inc.)

The Vision

PRDCI aspires for the political, economic and socio-cultural empowerment of the rural communities, especially the peasantry, through rural development and democratization (RDD). It believes that this will ultimately lead to a society where all the people benefit from economic prosperity and development founded on peace, freedom, justice and democracy.

The Mission:

As an institute committed to the attainment of rural development, PRDCI resolves to:

1. actively and directly participate in the process of rural democratization that will include the enhancement of women's role and gender fairness as well as children sensitivity;
   
   

2. provide support services to rural communities or mass movements in order to raise their capability to sustain and consolidate the process of rural democratization; and
   
   
3. vigorously work towards the establishment and/or unification of a broad coalition that will serve as a key player in rural democratization.

The Goals for 1997 to 2001

1. engage in direct organizing and area development work and rally the broadest possible support for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD)
   
   

2. develop into an independent rural development institution operating in the island of Panay;
   
   
3. establish bilateral relations with development agencies and other entities both local and foreign; and
   
   
4. develop organizational and technical capability in the delivery of its service with personnel equipped with the necessary skills and commitment:

   • deep understanding of RDD framework
     

   • higher level of confidence and competence in specialized skills
     
   • gender sensitive
     
   • children sensitive

The Services of PRDCI

1. providing assistance to rural organizations in their claim-taking initiatives to facilitate land distribution and access government support services;
   
   

2. assisting rural communities and organizations in coming up with area development plans to operationalize the alternative rural development paradigm (FARMGRID) and raising their capability in implementing and managing the area development plan;
   
   
3. facilitation of installation and development of communal irrigation systems to enhance productivity and raise income;
   
   
4. propagation of the Masipag Rice Technology (MRT) to increase income of rice farmers and promote ecologically and farmer friendly agricultural practices;
   
   
5. facilitation of livelihood projects and rural industries to generate income opportunities for the local population;
   
   
6. promotion of alternative marketing system by forming marketing federations of cooperatives in the municipal and provincial levels;
   
   
7. assisting communities and organizations in watershed rehabilitation and management;
   
   
8. promotion of gender fairness and children sensitivity

The Projects

The Suage River Watershed Rehabilitation

The PRDCI has initiated its intervention on the Suage River watershed in 16 barangays of Janiuay and Maasin in the form of land and water resource development project. This project aims to achieve sustainable utilization of these resources. Central to this program is organizing and mobilizing the communities within the project area.

The Promotion and Support of the Indigenous Peoples' (IPs) Struggle for Ancestral Domain

PRDCI facilitates the consolidation and expansion of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) organization and movement. The Center aims for the improvement in their social, political, economic and cultural well being. The IP groups of Ati and Bukidnon/Montes in Hamtic, Anini-y and Tobias Fornier in Antique are currently assisted in their struggle to regain and develop their ancestral domain.

The Rice Bowl Project

PRDCI aims to address the issue of food security and influence the rice industry development in the province through policy advocacy and the promotion of the Masipag Rice Technology. It intends to create a critical mass capable of positively steering the course of development of the rice industry for the maximum benefit of the rice farmers. The project covers 16 barangays in the towns of Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas and Mina.

For inquiries, please write or visit us at any of the following offices:

Main Office
109 Oñate St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Telephone No. (033) 508-2083
Telefax No. (033) 321-22-26
E-mail : prdci@iloilo.net

Janiuay Extension Office
162 San Julian St.
Janiuay Iloilo
Tel.No. (033) 317-13-73