Our begginings
Brief History
The Tri-Peoples’ Organization Against Disasters Foundation, Incorporated in Cotabato City began in 1989 when a network of NGOs and POs converged in Cotabato City to discuss about the alarming conditions of populations in disaster-stricken communities. A small center was then put up to respond to the demands of the incessant occurrence of natural and human-made disasters in Central Mindanao.
The unwavering commitment of the center to serve the disaster survivors in many vulnerable communities of the tri-peoples (Katawhang Lumad/IP, Bangsamoro/Muslims and Katawhang Migrante/Christian Settlers) and the developing spirit of networking in the field of disaster management among partner NGOs, POs and communities led to the formal birthing of TRIPOD as an institution. In July 1995, it was registered at the Security and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) under S.E.C. Registration No. DNO95-000358.
The decades-long armed conflicts in Mindanao are viewed by TRIPOD as the most recurring and devastating disasters in these island/s that continuously brought sufferings and life regression of its peoples. Hence, in doing disaster management work, TRIPOD closely links disasters to poverty, social and climate injustice, development aggressions, etc. Thus, it is seen active in the many different fields - human rights, environment, gender equality, peace and other advocacy.
Vision, mission, goals
TRIPOD envisions....
“A society where the Katawhang Lumad, Bangsamoro and Katawhang Migrante live in peace, solidarity and sustainable development where there is respect to cultural diversities; where resources are distributed justly and equitably; where women and children enjoy their rights; and where the Philippine government is sensitive to the peoples’ need.”
MISSION STATEMENT
Mindful of existing realities of tri-people in Mindanao, it is our mission to work with poor and vulnerable communities in implementing programs for effective and efficient disaster management with the tri-people of Mindanao using community-based, gender-sensitive, child-friendly and sustainable approaches.
GOALS and OBJECTIVES
The over-all Goal of TRIPOD is to empowerment of peoples in disaster-stricken and disaster-prone communities to do progressive and sustainable community based disaster management works and development initiatives geared towards attaining peaceful and genuinely developed communities.
Specifically, TRIPOD aims to attain the following objectives:
• Enhance the disaster-preparedness and mitigation capacities of disaster stricken/prone communities through effective planning, organization and coordination of different sectors in the communities.
• Provide emergency response to areas affected by natural and man-made calamities together with non-vulnerable sectors of society.
• To implement progressive, gender-sensitive, child-rights-based, and community-based disaster management and development programs in rehabilitating disaster-stricken communities using appropriate technologies and sustainable development framework.
• Advocate for IDP rights and welfare as well as peace in Mindanao through intensive lobbying and networking.
• Become a competent and self-reliant organization working for disaster management, development and peace.
The Tri-People General Assembly
As its name indicates, TRIPOD is an organization composed of representatives of people’s organizations, network NGOs, church-based formations and civil society organizations, human rights activists and peace advocates from the different communities of the Katawhang Lumad (Indigenous Peoples), Bangsamoro (Muslims) and Katawhang Migrante (Migrant Settlers) in Mindanao. With around 48 members they composed the General Assembly from which the seven (7) members Board of Trustees are elected.