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| Oxfam Philippines | |
|---|---|
| Name | Oxfam Philippines |
| Formation | 1990s |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | Manila, Philippines |
| Fields | Humanitarian aid, development, disaster risk reduction |
| Parent organization | Oxfam Confederation |
Oxfam Philippines is a humanitarian and development organization operating in the Philippines focused on poverty alleviation, disaster response, and social justice. It partners with international agencies, local civil society, and community groups to implement programs in rural, urban, and conflict-affected areas. The organization works alongside actors in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region to influence policy, deliver services, and coordinate emergency responses.
Oxfam Philippines traces its origins to initiatives by the Oxfam confederation during the late 20th century, engaging with communities impacted by events such as the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and typhoons like Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It expanded programming after major disasters and during periods of political transition in the Philippines that involved administrations such as those of Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte. The organization collaborated with international donors including United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and bilateral agencies like United States Agency for International Development, Department for International Development (UK), and Agence Française de Développement. Over time it aligned with regional networks including the Asian Development Bank partners, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, and non-governmental coalitions such as ActionAid, CARE International, Catholic Relief Services, and Mercy Corps.
The mission centers on reducing poverty and promoting rights for marginalized groups including indigenous peoples such as the Aeta, Lumad, and Ifugao, as well as urban informal settlers in areas like Tondo, Manila and communities in regions like Mindanao, Visayas, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Programs span disaster risk reduction, livelihoods, climate resilience, gender justice tied to movements like Eve Ensler-influenced campaigns, and agricultural initiatives involving crops such as palay and coconut in partnership with cooperatives modeled after Cooperative Development Authority frameworks. It implements cash transfer pilots similar to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-complementary initiatives, market access projects linked to supply chains with buyers in Metro Manila and export links to markets in Japan, United States, and European Union countries.
The organization functions within the Oxfam confederation governance model and reports to boards and advisory councils that include representatives from local civil society and international trustees similar to structures in organizations such as World Vision Philippines and Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Leadership has included country directors and program managers engaging with institutions like the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and liaising with agencies such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Staff coordinate with municipal and provincial offices in territories governed by entities like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and partners in regional bodies such as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre.
Funding sources combine grants from multilateral bodies such as the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, bilateral funders including Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and philanthropic foundations resembling the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation model, alongside private sector partnerships with corporations operating in sectors like Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company-style telecommunications and agribusiness firms. Partnerships include alliances with universities such as the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University for research, and collaboration with local NGOs including Philippine Red Cross, KALAYAAN, and grassroots organizations like the Kilusang Mayo Uno-aligned community groups.
Advocacy efforts engage with policy debates on land reform linked to laws like the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, mining regulations such as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and climate policy aligned with international instruments like the Paris Agreement and forums including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It conducts campaigns alongside movements represented by organizations like Amnesty International Philippines, Human Rights Watch, and labor coalitions engaging on issues involving institutions such as the International Labour Organization. The group has lobbied local legislatures and engaged stakeholders from Senate of the Philippines committees, municipal councils in cities like Davao City and provincial governments in Cebu and Sorsogon.
Regional interventions include post-disaster reconstruction after events comparable to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), conflict-sensitive programming in Bangsamoro areas affected by clashes involving groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and responses in zones impacted by clashes linked to New People's Army-related incidents. Projects have targeted livelihoods in agricultural provinces such as Laguna, Batangas, and Zamboanga del Sur and urban poverty reduction in metropolitan areas like Quezon City and Caloocan. Monitoring and evaluation have drawn on methodologies used by agencies such as International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, with impact assessments referencing indicators promoted by UNICEF and World Bank frameworks.
Critiques mirror broader debates about international NGOs operating in the Philippines, including discussions around accountability raised by groups like Transparency International, questions about localization championed by proponents including Local to Global Protection advocates, and tensions over land restitution issues involving stakeholders such as National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Controversies sometimes involve scrutiny over resource allocation similar to critiques leveled at organizations such as Oxfam (international) in other contexts, debates in media outlets including ABS-CBN, Rappler, and The Philippine Daily Inquirer, and legal or administrative inquiries involving regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines).
Category:Non-profit organizations based in the Philippines