Flow of Life - Nurturing the Planet, Empowering Communities

Daluhay Daloy ng Buhay Inc. (Daluhay) is a non-government organization (NGO) that works on nature, culture, and society in the Philippines. The name Daluhay comes from the Filipino phrase Daloy ng Buhay, which translated to English means Flow of Life.

Flow of Life captures the interconnectedness of ecosystems and communities, reflecting Daluhay's holistic approach to environmental and social well-being. It reflects the organization’s vision of protecting and restoring water and biodiversity resources from the mountain rainforest to the ocean, Ridge-to-Reef, through a lens of international exchange and Action Research on Coastal Resource Management (CRM)1, in part to mitigate chronic fisherfolk maternal and child malnutrition across different ecosystems. Including participation in the development of the ten-year action plan of the Satoyama-Initiative (satoyama-initiative.org), Daluhay adopts a practical approach that balances social needs and environmental health. This strategy supports societal well-being and the resilience of local and traditional communities by incorporating diverse, adaptable technologies 2,3.

Internationally, the Daluhay program has been recognized and subsequently endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development under the title of: Action 15.4 Bioregional Resilience – Professional CRM Planning. Through this platform, Daluhay aims to form partnerships to further its CRM institutionalization goals in the Philippines and initiating parallel efforts on Hudson Bay and the Canadian Arctic.

Daluhay was founded in 2005 by Drs. Marivic G. Pajaro and Paul D. Watts, sharing a passion for supporting the attainment of a sustainable planet earth through participatory and inclusive approaches to the development of socio-ecological systems that both mitigate climate change and support artisanal adaptation. Daluhay’s foundational focus was on the need for sustainable development education that meets the goal of uplifting marginalized communities, the fisherfolk and Indigenous peoples from the central Sierra Madre in northeast Philippines and across the North Philippine Sea marine bioregion4. The organization is rooted in volunteer-based actions across the Philippines and focused on the Canadian Arctic, involving research on the relationship between local cultures and their natural environments, as well as community development efforts by the founders that extend back into the previous millennium5,6,7.

In 2010, Daluhay became registered as an NGO to address a global gap in ethnoecology and expanded its scope to include topics that include biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, and capacity building with a primary focus across the Sierra Madre Mountains and the North Philippine Sea Bioregion. Initial efforts focused on obtaining international recognition for fisherfolk Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers as paraprofessional ecohealth practitioners8 and aligning ecohealth with Christian ethics9.

In 2015, Daluhay initiated strategic development of training systems through the Philippine Techncial Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), subsequently getting national prioritization for the development of CRM programs using a Philippine nation-building process through social artistry, known locally as Siningbayan (English translation – nation building) developed by the Bagong Lumad Artists Federation (BLAFI) and applied with small-scale fisherfolk and Indigenous Peoples10. Subsequently, the technical professionalization process for CRM-Siningbayan Training Regulations for the management of coastal resources incorporating local cultural approaches was endorsed through the Philippine Association of Marine Scientists11.

Daluhay uses an ethnoecology approach that puts biodiversity conservation and restoration at the center of nature, society, and culture. The organizational perspective is that people are part of the ecosystems they live in and depend upon, and that their knowledge, values, practices, and institutions are shaped by their interactions with their environment. In terms of progressive cognition, Daluhay seeks to understand and respect the local ecological knowledge and cultural diversity of the communities, as well as the enhancement of their capacities to manage their food systems and empowerment to manage their natural resources sustainably.

Daluhay incorporates a community-based approach that involves the participation and collaboration of various stakeholders in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating their programmatic projects and practical research cycles that aim to create social change (Action Research). The organization recognizes that the communities that directly rely on natural resources are essential partners in environmental conservation and protection.

Moreover, Daluhay is a catalyst for harmonized designs, coordinating with different actors, such as local government units, government agencies, academic institutions, other NGOs, donors, media, and private sectors to achieve its goals. For example, through the United Nations Development Program, SGP (Small Grants Program). Daluhay engages through an interactive Action Research and learning cycle approach that combines scientific research with social process to address real-world problems locally and deliver positive change. Organizational research that targets the needs and interests of the communities it works with, as well as generating new knowledge that can contribute to environmental sustainability. The research design of Daluhay also provides tools policy and curriculum inputs for advocacy, education, communication, policy influence, broader social engagement and change towards sustainability.

Daluhay works on three pillars: Nature, Culture, and Society.

The nature pillar is the foundation for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity from Ridge-to-Reef and covers aspects, such as rainforestation, wildlife protection, habitat management, ecotourism development, environmental education, and advocacy. Engaging Philippine Indigenous culture, Daluhay has conducted many forest assessments in Aurora province, with the initial work in the Municipality of San Luis with the Dumagat tribe resulting in a long-term program for socio-ecological management of the indigenous SBKL’N ancestral lands. The ongoing recommendation, policy and intervention development with the community has expanded both conservation and management.

Daluhay’s focus on ridge to reef action on biodiversity conservation for sustainability is innanchored in the oceans and the need for a new paradigm of marine conservation and restoration. Based in Aurora Province, Daluhay has facilitated the development of a province-wide Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, has begun the process of initiating curriculum for skills-based CRM-Siningbayan under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and has facilitated direct action on coastal reef restoration.

Daluhay has also identified the need for broad collaboration across the 10 provinces of the North Philippine Sea (NPS) regarding the shared pelagic fish stock, critical for the food security of an estimated 10 million people. Through the cohosting of several NPS forums, discussions with all of the provincial government and their lead academic institutions, Daluhay forged consensus on the development of comprehensive and adaptive coastal resource management programs across the region13. These initial steps were followed by an in-depth cultural assessment of fisherfolk across the NPS to characterize fisherfolk interest and potential participation in collaborative development of diverse technologies through TESDA14 and as previously mentioned developed a conceptual outline for the professionalization of CRM-Siningbayan.

The culture pillar anchors the goal to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of the Indigenous communities globally while concentrating on Aurora Province, Philippines with groups such as the Agta-Dumagat, Casiguran Agta, Ilongot-Bugkalot, and Remontado-Dumagat. Daluhay has documented their traditional knowledge systems, practices, beliefs, rituals, languages, arts, crafts, music, dances, and stories. Daluhay has also supported their cultural expressions through festivals, exhibitions, workshops, and publications.

The society pillar of operations aims to support and empower communities by providing livelihood opportunities, education, health services, and organizational development. Daluhay has facilitated the formation and strengthening of community-based organizations, such as the Casiguran Agta Development Association (CADA), the Baler Bay Fisherfolk Association (BBFA), and the Aurora Indigenous Peoples Federation (AIPF). Daluhay has also provided trainings and assistance on sustainable livelihoods, such as organic farming, eco-friendly fishing, bamboo handicrafts, and ecotourism. Daluhay has implemented projects on health promotion, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and gender equality.

The engagement of society in sustainability challenges is the primary global challenge of the Anthropocene Era. Indigenous People, artisanal fisherfolks and farmers, all have a direct vested interest in sustainability, however the bulk of society lives in urban settings often completely separated from the ecological source of their existence and survival. Parallel to this socio-ecological disconnect, interest in the nature-based conservation of iconic species extending across the globe provides the potential for expanding communities of common interest and setting common goals for our common future and sustainability. Combining the passion for nature to human food security considerations can contribute to building broader consensus on sustainability. In the Dumagat Ancestral Domain forests of Aurora Province the Indigenous People are keenly aware that the protection of the traditional livelihoods and Ancestral Domain are uniquely connected to the future of the rarest and largest of eagles, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) as well as the almost equally as rare, Philippine Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) and the Philippine Honey Buzzard (Pernis steerei). Daluhay facilitates the forming of these common goals, actively supporting discussions that led to the Dumagat efforts being showcased in the Washington Post15.

Similarly in the Canadian Arctic, the polar bear and the Inuit people have a direct dependence upon the marine ecosystem as a foundation for their food security16. Further, again similar to the Philippines there is a need for the development of reflexive marine education, which is theoretically required according to international law15. The development of food system restoration of a globally significant Indigenous meeting place is directly linked to the restoration of the local bird, seal and polar bear population16. The decline of the polar bear in western Hudson Bay has been targeted by Daluhay for the further development of linkages between those concerned about the future this iconic species and the Inuit people also dependent upon the marine environment. The parallel concerns of maternal food security linked to environment in the Philippines17 and the Arctic16 also require action.

Daluhay’s action on maternal and child food security has focused on the situation in the Philippines where fisherfolk communities are well documented as suffering from chronic and acute malnutrition. Daluhay developed an approach to developing Maternal Marine Protected Areas where there is a double-goal focus of specifically providing food for pregnant and lactating mothers as well as supporting a more robust ecosystem. This initiative was subsequently showcased by the World Health Organization through their Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health.

At this point, limiting action to Aurora Province, Daluhay has also worked in partnership with Aurora Health and the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) to develop reflexive services down to the isolated fisherfolk communities at the barangay level^[1]. In addition, Daluhay is initiating pilot projects in each of the weight municipalities to develop reflexive ecohealth restoration in partnership with local Peoples’ Organizations^[2].

Further steps on this approach have included facilitating development of designated terrestrial maternal protected areas for fisherfolk communities and further in-depth consideration of local food-systems.

Daluhay is a democratic and participatory organisation that consists of a general assembly of members, a board of directors, an executive director, a management team, and a staff of various professionals, volunteers, and partners. They are responsible for the strategic direction, policies, finances, operations, administration, and human resources of Daluhay.

Daluhay’s funding comes from various sources, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, memberships, fees, sales, investments, and loans. Some of the funding agencies or partners that supported them include:

• Foundation for the Philippine Environment
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Korea Safety Health Environment Foundation
• Rainforest Trust
• Forest Foundation Philippines
• Philippine ICCA Project
• UNDP-SGP 5
• USAID
• Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
• Canadian New Frontiers in Research Fund

Daluhay has been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development with the goal of supporting funding partnership development to institutionalize the Coastal Resource Management and social-artistry program, CRM Siningbayan, and promote parallel programming in the Canadian Arctic.

Support to Daluhay can be provided through donations, volunteering, partnerships, or advocacy. In Canada tax deductible donations can be made through KBF Canada (Myriad Canada), Give2Asia in the USA, and through similar partnerships under development in Europe.

Daluhay’s work is relevant to environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social development in the Philippines and beyond. The organization tackles some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, poverty, inequality, conflict, and health. Daluhay also meets some of the most urgent needs and aspirations of the communities it works with, such as rights recognition, livelihood improvement, capacity enhancement, empowerment participation, and well-being attainment.

Daluhay’s work is also aligned with various local, national, and international frameworks and agendas that guide its work, such as the Philippine Development Plan, the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the Philippine Climate Change Action Plan, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, the Fisheries Code, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Daluhay’s work has been recognized by various awards, honors, and commendations that acknowledge its achievements and impacts. Some of these include:

• United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development; endorsement for Decade Action 15.4 – Bioregional Resilience: Professional Coastal Resource Management Planning
• Government of Canada New Frontiers in Research Fund Award for: Philippine-Canadian GIS Technology Community-based Capacity Development
• Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan (Hero for Nature Award) from Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines in 2019
• Outstanding NGO Partner Award from Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Aurora in 2018
• Outstanding NGO Partner Award from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region III in 2017
• Certificate of Appreciation from Aurora State College of Technology in 2016

Daluhay is headquartered in Baler, Aurora province, Philippines. You can reach them through their website https://daluhay.org/ or their linkedin page.