Paul Watts Daloy ng Buhay (Daluhay)

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) set through the United Nations (UN) for the year 2015 were agreed upon by 193 member states. A recent UN report on the Philippine’s

performance towards achievement of these goals, indicated that our efforts are falling short on four of the seven targets: eradication of hunger, reducing child mortality, universal primary education and improvement of maternal health.

However, we are not alone; many countries will not meet their 2015 objectives. The Biennial Ecohealth Conference held in Kunming, China from October 15 to 18, 2012 attracted over 400 participants from 62 countries to consider the future. The resultant declaration emphasized the complexity of the MDG challenge and highlighted the need to both reach beyond 2015, to future Sustainable Development Goals (STGs) and also more deeply recognize that the achievement of health is highly dependent on the creation and maintenance of healthy ecosystems.

Long-term comprehensive solutions require the engagement of a broad cross-section of stakeholders. Indigenous peoples, farmers, fishers, laborers, youth and women from the local communities, researchers, practitioners and decision makers from various institutions need to be represented. Two conference presentations by Filipino contingents from Haribon Foundation and Daluhay (Daloy ng Buhay) Inc., showcased the tight linkages between barangay health workers, fisherfolk organizations and education. Specifically those activities affiliated with Pambansang Alyansa ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda na Nangangalaga ng Karagatan at Santwaryo sa Pilipinas (Pamana), the alliance of fisherfolk MPA Managers organized by Haribon in 1998 and recognized by the International Ecohealth Association as a prototypical group of paraprofessional ecohealth practitioners. The presentations showcased the ecological and participatory approaches to conserve marine biodiversity and sustain livelihoods in the Philippines for the achievement of food security and healthier populations. In partnership with the Aurora Provincial Health Officer, one presentation had a focus on past studies in action research in Bohol Province and how they are being applied to establish more formal and potentially long-lasting relationships between MPAs and the Health sector in Aurora Province using participatory strategies. In 2011, through a grant provided by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, Pamana and Daluhay implemented an Aurora Province project on food and water security; related solid waste management and culturally inclusive approaches to entrepreneurial supplemental incomes for fisherfolk. The aforementioned presentation was of particular interest to a delegate from Bangladesh and discussions are now under way to initiate a related South-South collaboration. Bangladesh is a country that has not yet gained experience in participatory strategies.

A second presentation focused on learnings from the ecosystem approach to health as part of a proposed marine science curriculum that encompasses the needs of 10 provinces along the Northern Philippine Sea. This earth-centered complementary approach will perhaps be referred to as the health approach to ecology. Together, Pamana, Haribon and Daluhay recently initiated related fisherfolk-based initiatives through a three-year Usaid partnership.

The emerging challenges of climate change, unprecedented disasters and diseases, diminishing natural resources , overpopulation and economic slump requires transdisciplinary, cross-cultural, cross-sectoral both vertical and horizontal collaborations. The complexities and uncertainties of nature must be acknowledged to ensure that we bequeath a resilient mother earth to our children’s children. Ecohealth 2012 moved the world and Philippines in that direction, pa unti-unti, we are making a difference—together.