Tambuli is the traditional
carabao horn used by old-time Filipino village
chiefs to summon villagers to discuss and decide
on vital community matters. The project name is
also the Filipino acronym for "Voice of the Small
Community for the Development of the Underprivileged
The Project:
TAMBULI* is a development
communication project aimed at enabling the
ordinary Filipino to take better advantage of
the many opportunities available for development.
The project will use various forms of media
(newspapers, radio and the like) to inform the
people about these opportunities. It operated
in the Philippines with the financial assistance
of the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA) and
administered by UNESCO.
Location:
It was tried out in six areas in the Philippines
from September 1991 to December 1994. The areas
were chosen because of their economic backwardness
and isolation due to geography and culture.
They were:
-
Basco,
Batanes
-
Laurel,
Batangas
-
Banga,
Aklan
-
Ibajay,
Aklan
-
Olutanga
Island, Zamboanga del Sur
-
Partido
districts (5 towns), Camarines Sur
Implementation:
The project called for the development of an
integrated media system consisting of low-powered
AM radio stations. If necessary, newsletters
and other "do-able" media forms will also be
utilized. Examples are debates and public discussion.
All of these must be within the means and capability
of the selected communities.
Management:
A group of government and non-government institutions
headed the project. These are: 1) ENECSO National
Commission, 2) UP Institute of Development and
Communication, 4) Philippine Foundation of Rural
Broadcasters, and 5) Philippine Press Institute.
Their heads formed the Project Management Team.
Also on hand was the Senior Advisory Panel - composed
of media and communication experts - which decide
on major policies.
A five-man staff provided full-time work. From
time to time, other staff were taken in to serve
as consultants, trainors and specialists in various
fields.
Community Media
Existing media systems in the community formed
important parts of the Tambuli project. Of these,
radio was the most important. At first, two experimental
media centers were organized. Based on their experience,
valuable lessons were learned and adopted to implement
the entire project, most especially in organizing
and operating the Tambuli radio network
Media Center
The media council organized in each community
played a major role. The community media center
managed by the media council was composed of key
community leaders and was shared in by the key
community members. In fact, the entire community
participated in management, operation and control
of the center. The media council and center made
the Tambuli radio station possible.
Project Impact
There was a very noticeable increase of economic
and socio-cultural activities in the six communities
covered by the project. The people in the community
became more aware and involved in community work.
They had more appetite for information and participated
more often in socio-economic activities.
Impact of Radio Work
The project was assessed in 1994 by
Dr. Delia Barcelona, Dean of the UP College of
Mass Communication. According to Dr. Barcelona,
the following are indicators of the success of
Tambuli's community radio: 1. There was a higher
level of volunteerism in the community. 2. More
people supported the project. 3. Issues and problems
were acted upon sooner. 4. Local officials become
more responsive to local problems and issues.
5. There was wider information on new and better
agricultural products and services. 6. More people
listened to Tambuli radio.
Summing Up DANIDA
UNESCO and the Philippine government also reviewed
the project in 1994. It concluded that: "… the
more important development aspect of the project
(Tambuli) has been its direct contribution to
the empowerment of the people, self-confidence,
and awareness and appreciation of culture.
Source:
TAMBULI, Volume 1 No.4, July 1998
|
