Samalahat Advocacy

25/07/2026

21/07/2026

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Samalahat Advocacy

Mountains are not mineral deposits, they are living ecosystems that sustain life.

Samalahat Advocacy strongly condemns the endorsement of the proposed nickel mining project on Sibuyan Island by the Municipal Council of San Fernando, Romblon.

As an environmental mountaineering group, we have witnessed firsthand the irreplaceable value of our mountains, not only as places of adventure, but as the source of our rivers, the refuge of countless wildlife species, and the home of communities whose lives are deeply connected to nature.

Sibuyan Island, known as the "Galapagos of Asia," is a global biodiversity treasure. Allowing destructive mining in such a fragile ecosystem puts its forests, watersheds, endemic species, and the livelihoods of future generations at risk.

Development must never come at the cost of ecological destruction. Once forests are cleared, rivers polluted, and habitats destroyed, no amount of profit can restore what has been lost.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Sibuyan who continue to defend their island, their homes, and their future. We also call on fellow mountaineers, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental organizations, and all Filipinos to speak out and protect the mountains we all cherish.

Our mountains are not commodities to be extracted. They are living landscapes that deserve protection, respect, and stewardship.

Protect Sibuyan. Protect our mountains. Protect our future.

Samalahat Advocacy
Leave No Trace. Defend Every Trail. Defend the Community

27/06/2026

Community Aid Station!

27/06/2026

Community Shelter!

27/06/2026

Community Kitchen!

27/06/2026

Mindanao Earthquake Solidarity Response!

MINDANAO SOLIDARITY ACTION UPDATE

Earthquake Response Report | As of June 23, 2026

Following the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani on June 8, thousands of families across Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City, and Davao Occidental continue to face displacement, damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and ongoing safety risks.

Over the past two weeks, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue (MADR-SAR), together with local communities, volunteers, and partner organizations, conducted rapid assessments, distributed relief supplies, established community temporary shelters and a community aid station, provided basic medical assistance, and supported families in some of the hardest-hit communities in Glan, Sarangani.

One of the most important lessons from this deployment was the importance of building strong communication on the ground and listening before acting. Rather than immediately procuring relief supplies with our limited available resources, our team first focused on establishing communication and coordination with local actors, engaging with community members, conducting rapid assessments, and understanding their most urgent needs. Through these conversations and assessments, it became clear that safe shelter was among the highest priorities, as many families were living in fishing boats, makeshift structures, roadside areas, and other unsafe locations.

Because of this, the tarpaulins we distributed became one of the most critical forms of assistance. They provided immediate protection from rain and harsh weather, helped families establish and strengthen community temporary shelters, and offered a safer and more dignified place to rest while longer-term solutions are being developed. The recent heavy rains that struck the area further demonstrated how essential shelter support remains for affected communities.

In close coordination with affected communities, local authorities, and partner organizations, the MADR-SAR Team carried out the following key response activities during the deployment:

1. Conducted hazard and risk assessments and shared findings with the Barangay Chairman of Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani to support informed decision-making.

2. Provided safety recommendations for the residents of Purok Dungon Extension, Barangay Pangyan, based on identified hazards and community needs.

3. Facilitated coordination between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region XII, the Provincial Government of Sarangani, and the community of Purok Dungon to support the identification of safer temporary shelter locations. Throughout the response, we also coordinated the findings from our initial hazard and risk assessment with local authorities and continuously shared community updates on the development of identified hazards, particularly areas showing signs that could lead to a major landslide. Based on these assessments and ongoing monitoring, we provided safety recommendations to help guide community protection and relocation decisions.

4. Supported the establishment of community temporary shelters by providing heavy-duty tarpaulins, ropes, and improvised sleeping mats.

5. Established a community aid station that provided over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and basic health services, including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar checks, and wound care for injured residents.

6. Supported the establishment of a community kitchen by providing essential cooking supplies and food resources for community-led meal preparation.

7. Distributed essential relief items, including rice, clean drinking water, sanitary napkins, soap, blankets, medicines, and other basic necessities.

8. Provided informal psychosocial support by facilitating children's games, conducting community conversations (kamustahan), and creating safe spaces where residents could share their experiences, concerns, and hopes.

9. Conducted popular education sessions on the Fundamentals of Resilience and facilitated community planning discussions to help residents identify priorities and collectively plan their ongoing response and recovery.

10. Organized a community-led clean-up drive through child-friendly games and activities, encouraging participation while helping restore shared community spaces.

11. Facilitated handwashing sessions for children to promote proper hygiene practices and help reduce the risk of communicable diseases in the displacement community.

Latest Situation Update (June 23, 2026)

As of 11:41 AM on June 23, local residents of Purok Dungon confirmed to our team that they had successfully relocated to a safer area following ongoing coordination among the community, local authorities, and humanitarian partners to reduce the risk posed by the potential landslide.

According to a subsequent update from one of our local volunteers in Barangay Pangyan, who coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office, the available family tents have already been exhausted. Additional tents are currently being requested from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region XII.

The latest figures from the Pangyan Central Evacuation Center are as follows:

- Purok Dungon – 60 displaced families (42 households)
- Purok Kiayay – 56 displaced families (50 households)

The successful relocation of families from Purok Dungon marks an important milestone in reducing immediate disaster risk. However, significant humanitarian needs remain. Many displaced families continue to rely on community temporary shelters and other temporary shelter solutions while awaiting additional shelter assistance. With available family tents already depleted and the threat of heavy rains and landslides persisting, sustained support for emergency shelter and community-led recovery remains urgently needed.

❤️ Special Thanks and Credits

This mission was made possible through the collective efforts of the MADR-SAR Team, Community Through Colors (CTC), Sail Relief Team (SRT), Mutual Aid Disaster Relief (USA), local volunteers, community leaders, and our partner organizations, including Blue Earth Defense Global, Samalahat Advocacy, PeaceBuilders Community Inc. (PBCI), Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), AIRLINK, READ Philippines, HIRAYA Project, Delta Fire Equipment, and Signal Station OPC.

We also extend our gratitude to the Provincial Government of Sarangani, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, local government units, and all community volunteers who worked tirelessly to support affected families.

Most importantly, we thank the people of Pangyan, Burias, and the other earthquake-affected communities who welcomed us, worked alongside us, and demonstrated extraordinary resilience, solidarity, and mutual aid throughout this response.

⚠️ We are still raising funds to support ongoing relief operations, community temporary shelters, emergency shelter assistance, and community-led recovery efforts for affected families across Mindanao.

Together, we prove that communities are not helpless victims—they are active agents of resilience, recovery, and mutual aid.

Mabuhay ang kultura ng bahaginan at kapwa-tulungan!
Long live the culture of sharing, solidarity, and mutual aid.

17/06/2026

Let's support the community of Sarangani and JAS of Davao Occ.

11/05/2026

Community Pantry Initiative
May 10–11, 2026
Locations: Pueblocillo, Brgy. Langkaan 1, and University Hills Estate, Sampaloc IV, Dasmariñas, Cavite

As we celebrated Mother’s Day, we were once again able to organize a community pantry and community kitchen in the community of Pueblocillo.

Through the help of our friend Rafael Cardino, we were able to secure rescued vegetables from the Cordillera region, including cabbage, sayote, potatoes, and broccoli. Rafael contacted us last Saturday to inform us about the difficult situation faced by farmers in the Cordillera. Despite the risks and expenses, many farmers transported their vegetables to Metro Manila in the hope that their products could still be sold at a price that would allow them to earn at least a small income.
At that time, our remaining funds were only around ₱3,100. Rafael took the initiative to contribute an additional ₱1,000 and personally covered the delivery expenses from Quezon City to Dasmariñas, Cavite.

During the community pantry in Pueblocillo, Nanay Nitz, a senior resident in the neighborhood, also took the initiative to contribute ₱500. She suggested that the money be used to buy additional ingredients for pancit, including chicken and carrots. Together with volunteer Ate Jing, she helped prepare and cook the food while also assisting in organizing the pantry. By around 3:00 PM, Nanay Nitz and the volunteers were able to share pancit with members of the community.

From both community pantry activities, it is estimated that around 40 families were able to receive food and vegetables through the initiative.

This experience showed how initiative, cooperation, and collective care can create meaningful support within communities. It became a living example that the culture of sharing remains alive, and that people continue to act based on what they can contribute, no matter how small. We only need to observe more deeply and recognize the many forms of solidarity already existing within our communities, and continue normalizing this ancient yet still powerful culture of mutual aid and care.

From Pueblocillo to University Hills Estate

On the second day, we still had remaining supplies, and we decided to bring them to University Hills Estate in Brgy. Sampaloc IV.

This initiative became possible through Karen, a local community member who reached out to us and expressed her hope that a similar pantry could also be organized in their community.

When we coordinated with her, she immediately started mobilizing volunteers and organizing within the neighborhood.
The community itself provided the coordination, tables, and local support, while residents informed one another about the pantry. As people received goods from the pantry, it was noticeable that many only took enough for what they needed for a single meal. This simple act reflected the community’s care and consideration for one another.

The pantry was mainly organized and managed by mothers from the community, including Ate Terre, a local community leader.

Overall, our experience throughout these two days of activity was one of the most meaningful and inspiring community initiatives we have witnessed.

We also want to express our deep appreciation to all of our partners and supporters throughout this initiative:

READ PH
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief - Search and Rescue
All local networks, volunteers, and community members who became part of this effort

We sincerely hope that this initiative can continue and be sustained. We understand that building a culture of solidarity is not something achieved overnight. However, we also know that the culture of sharing and care already exists within communities—we simply need to continue practicing and normalizing it.

A community pantry is not only a space for distributing resources; it is also a tool for survival, solidarity, and social change.

26/04/2026

Community Pantry – Week 3 | April 26, 2026
Our 3rd week and 3rd round of Community

Pantry in Pueblocillo, Brgy. Langkaan 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite successfully shared simple but meaningful food packs with our neighbors — including garlic, onions, and 33 packs of mixed pakbet and chopsuey vegetables.

For many below-minimum-wage earners, these basic ingredients are already a big help, especially while prices of commodities remain high. The smiles and gratitude from the community remind us why this initiative matters.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our long-time advocacy partner READ Ph, our local network from Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – Search and Rescue and Blue Earth Defense Philippines, and our dedicated local volunteers who helped procure, set up, and spread the word.

We will continue this initiative for as long as we can — promoting a culture of sharing, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual aid, especially in times of crisis.

If you would like to support this initiative, you may contact us through our page.