Country Profiles

CRWRC has been working in the Philippines since 1970. Last year, we worked with 27,000 people by partnering with various organizations (listed below). We are currently involved in programs focused on school and community development, justice education, small business development and income generation, and health and environment education. (For list of partners and specific programs, see below).

Fast Facts

Population: 91,077,287 (July 2007 est.)
Area Comparative: Slightly larger than Arizona
Literacy Rate: 92.6%
Life Expectancy: 70.51 years
Population below the poverty line: 40% (2001 est.)
Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $5,000 (2006 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on the Philippines.)

CRWRC Partners in the Philippines

CRWRC has ten partners in Philippines:

The Alliance of Christian Development Agencies (ACDA)
The ACDA is an alliance of 43 different community groups based out of Quezon City (just north of Manila). Last year, 7,712 community members participated in ACDA programs.

Buklod Biyayang Kristiyano Inc. (BBK)
The BBK, a Christian non-government organization based out of Laguna, deals primarily with community and small business development and environmental education. Last year, 5,050 participants were served in programs that offered teacher and school board training, as well as training in micro-finance, community health, and waste management.

Dalan sa Kalambuan (DALSAKA)
DALSAKA, located in Central Mindanao, is a Christian non-government organization focused on community development, income generation, and justice education. Last year, 670 participants were served in specific areas such as: leadership and management training for missionaries, microfinance and environment education, peace advocacy, and disaster response.

Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan at Tagumpay Inc. (KABALIKAT)
Kabalikat is a Christian non-government organization located in Quezon City (just north of Manila), which served 13,350 participants in the past year. Areas of focus include diaconal (deacon and church leader) training, health education, and income generation.

The National Coalition for Urban Transformation (NCUT)
NCUT, located just outside Manila, served 355 participants in the last year. NCUT focuses on solid waste management in metro Manila, with programs promoting environmental advocacy through education.

The National Diaconal Agency (NDA) of the CRC Philippines (CRCP)
The NDA, located just north of Manila, is facilitated by more than 250 deacons, mostly women, who conduct training for deacons and church leaders, provide justice education and income generation programs. Last year, 15,974 church and community members participated.

Evangelical Business people and Entrepreneurs for Social Transformation (EBEST)
EBEST is a partnership between CRWRC and Partners Worldwide with nine chapters throughout the Philippines. Small business development is achieved through planning workshops, mentoring, and saving. Last year there were 121 participants.

Asian School of development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS)
This school, jointly sponsored by CRWRC and Christian Reformed World Missions, is a training consortium that provides formal and informal education about development and cross-cultural issues. Through ASDECS, CRWRC teaches its “theology of transformation” as well as specific development practices to church and community leaders.

Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG)
CCGG is where the CRWRC’s justice and advocacy program is anchored. Government-related programs such as anti-corruption and electoral education, along with Biblical awareness in these areas is the key focus of this coalition.

Resource Employment and Community Horizons (REACH) Inc.
REACH, located in Quezon City, is involved in disciplining area students and graduates in community development, diaconal training, and income generation. Last year, REACH had 967 student participates.

Relief Projects

On September 28, 2006, the Luzon district of the Philippines was struck by typhoon Mileyno.  The high winds and unusually heavy rains devastated this poor area of the Philippines.  Poor farmers lost their crops, fishermen and farm labourers lost their jobs.  CRWRC provided immediate aid to those in need with immeidate food and water and temporary shelter.

CRWRC is working with a dozen organized Christian Reformed Churches in the Philippines.  They have formed an organization called the Southern Luzon Classis Disaster Response Team (SLCDRT).  Because of this partnership, CRWRC was able to quickly identify 2000 families that needed aid and provided funds to purchase emergency food, water and shelter.

CRWRC is now helping to rebuild houses for 32 families that were left homeless in one of the worst hit villages.

In December 2006, the Philippines was again hit by a super typhoon.  Typhoon Reming caused damage to areas that were still recovering from Typhoon Mileyno.  Lava and mud washed down the mountainsides causing flooding and damage to thousands of homes. 

CRWRC was immediately able to respond through their partners who distributed food relief to over 3,000 families.  320 families received clothing aid.  CRWRC also sent teams of trauma counselors to the regions to help the victims cope.

CRWRC is continuing to respond in the Philippines.  Working in partnership with the Classis Southern Luzon, we are providing food, shelter and livelihood projects in the worst hit disaster areas.

CRWRC Staff in the Philippines

CRWRC would like to introduce its Asia-Philippines team.

CRWRC Philippines/Asia
Suite A 17th Floor Strata 100 Bldg.
F. Ortgas Jr. Avenue
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Philippines
Telephone: 632-6381514 Fax: 632-6381513

EMAIL:  crwrc.pinoy@gmail.com

Joe Lamigo

Joe has worked for CRWRC since 1984. He spent five years working in Indonesdia, five years in Nigeria, and five years as team leader for the Asia region. Recently, he resigned his post as team leader to focus on work specifically related to the Philippines. He has an undergraduate degree in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines and an MA in Development Management from the Asia Institute of Management. Joe is married to Arlyn and has five children who are all married. He also has six grandchildren.

EMAIL: joetique@yahoo.com

CRWRC Staff Newsletter from the Philippines

Take time to read a staff newsletter- direct from the field!

Lamigo_April08.pdf
Lamigo_Dec07.pdf
Lamigo_Aug07.pdf
Lamigo_Dec06.pdf
Lamigo_Feb05.pdf
Lamigo_Jan05.pdf