MAFI Board of Trustees manage to govern the foundation well, and have kept it going amidst concerns on financial sustainability that arose starting 2017. The years 2018 and 2019 were the periods of program and strategic review of the foundation’s directions and the implementation of the necessary changes, the creation and strengthening of the Executive Committee, the sub-Board committees on Education, Community and Environment, and Tribal Welfare, and most importantly, the turn-over of responsibilities from the outgoing BOT members to the incoming trustees. The year 2019 was also significant because of the change of Executive Directors – from the retirement of the incumbent to the assumption of the new replacement.
Retirement of Longest-Serving BOT Member and Incoming DOE Representative
2018 witnessed the retirement of the foundation’s treasurer, Engr. Manuel O. Llaneza, BOT representative from the Department of Energy (DOE). Meaningfully, Mr. Llaneza was the longest-serving BOT member of MAFI since its pioneering years. He had served as the Regional Executive Director of DOE in Region XI, and had sat in MAFI Board from 1998 until his retirement in 2018, serving a total of 20 years. Because of his unwavering commitment and dedication in serving the Manobo-Tagabawa tribes, he was bestowed in April 17 thedistin distinction of honorary datu, named “Datu Kumuyot,” which means “fund safekeeper”.
The replacement of DOE representative to the Board was Engr. Nilo J. Geroche who started his term in June 2019. He assumed his post as Regional Executive Director of DOE Mindanao in early 2019.
Engr. Manuel O. Llaneza
Retired BOT Treasurer
Engr. Nilo J. Geroche
Member
New Representative from Host Barangay Ilomavis
Inherent to MAFI’s governance system for local representation to its Board is the seat for the host Barangay Ilomavis, whose representative is assigned on a rotation basis (based on the three-year term of the barangay chairman). Former Barangay Chairman Jenn T. Policarpio ended his term in 2018, and was succeeded by the current Barangay Chairman Datu Jimmy A. Mantawil.
Brgy. Chairman Datu Jimmy A. Mantawil
Member
Also, as part of information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns on MAFI’s work for the tribes, three (3) tribal leaders coming from the three (3) municipalities of the AOR sit as observers during Board meetings.
Other Outgoing BOT Members and New Members in 2018-2019
Other members of the Board whose terms of office ended in 2018 and 2019 include the following: Noel S. Baynosa, Secretary representing the Province of Cotabato*; Edgar S. Paalan,* Vice President of MAFI representing Kidapawan City Environment Natural Resource Office (CENRO); and, Maria Nancy P. Ibuna, Member representing EDC-CSR, Mt. Apo Geothermal Project.
In 2019, assuming their membership as new representatives to the MAFI Board are the following: Gov. Nancy A. Catamco, Secretary, representing the Provincial Government of Cotabato; she is officially represented by Atty. Ermelo N. Libre and former Executive Director of MAFI; Councilor Lauro Taynan, Vice President representing the City Government of Kidapawan.
Hold-over and continuing board officers and members are the following: Atty. Allan V. Barcena, Chairman representing EDC; Engr. Martin V. Daza, President representing EDC; Datu Tungko M. Saikol of DENR XII; Joemil S. Montebon of Kasilak Foundation as NGO representative; and, Datu Camilo B. Icdang representing the CTCCDI.
Turn-over of Responsibilities in the Executive Office: Former Executive Director and Current Executive Director of MAFI
Datu Samuel M. Asicam
Sr. Former Executive Director
Datu Samuel M. Asicam, Sr., an Obo Manobo, retired from MAFI at the end of January 2019 at the age of 70. He had faithfully served as its Executive Director since 2013 and has been actively helping MAFI stakeholders in various capacities since 1992. In recognition of his contribution, he was engaged as consultant for the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) project of the foundation until the end of December 2019. Datu Sam is a highly respected tribal leader in the tribal communities within the Mt. Apo Natural Park and the nearby provinces outside MAFI’s AOR for his knowledge in customary laws and skills in tribal conflict management.
Armando C. Pacudan
Current Executive Director
In a turn-over ceremony, Mr. Armando C. Pacudan, an Iliganon by birth but a Caminguingnon by descent, assumed the Executive Director position on February 1, 2019. Mr. Pacudan has more than 30 years of NGO work in various organizations and capacities in Mindanao and other parts of the country including work for the indigenous peoples. Earning some graduate studies in Social Development and Development Management, he has been trained on organizational development and management, strategic planning, research, grant proposal development, appraisal and grant management, monitoring and evaluation, environmental advocacy and planning, and technical writing, among others.
