Work

 

Mr. Nazario Tuguinay is a member of the Tuwali tribe, a cultural minority in the Philippines. Each of the Philippine tribal communities has their own identity, language, and rich heritage. They also have a long tradition of being hardworking and independent. However, in the wake of modern agricultural technology, the tribes are facing great challenges. Young people are attracted to higher paying city jobs and the tribes themselves are beginning to disintegrate. To counteract this development Mr. Tuguinay works as an agricultural extension worker in his region. That means he brings the best and appropriate farming practices to the rural areas to enable farmers to provide for themselves and maintain their independence. He is also involved in a number of training programs for women and youth because he believes that every family member should be empowered to be economically, spiritually and socially responsible, while taking part actively in the rural development. “I am involved in rural work,” he relates, “because it is a call of duty. My heart beats happier when I am with the rural people, listening, and sharing their plights to become stable in all aspects of life.”

Sending Organization

 

The Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) works to link the needs of the small farmers and fishermen with the policymakers at the level of municipal area. Their main goal is to enable the different Agricultural and Fishery Councils and sub-committees to have a voice and become key partners in shaping the national and provincial agenda on agriculture and fishery. To achieve this aim PAFC implements projects such as the generation of funds for development from bilateral sources and helps to ensure that decisions and development projects made at local and regional level meetings are carried out.