Columbio Multisectoral Ecology Movement CMEM

The desire to organize happened inside the jail when 19 farmers, a priest and a lawyer were accused of robbery and were jailed, after they had opened and distributed the stocks of palay in the National Food Authority warehouse to hungry families affected by drought in 1992. They called themselves the “JAIL FAMILY”. After several weeks the case was dismissed but the “jail family” continued its organizing which gave birth to CHRISLAMB’L (Christian-Islam-B’laan Organization).

The organization gained more membership and it strengthened good relationship among the tri-people in Columbio. The organization was very active in community involvement particularly on Ecology and environmental Protections. It expanded and strengthened its membership to professional and other sectors during the time to become a strong environmental group especially when Western Mining Corporation exploration activities started in the municipality, while facing up with the recurring militarization and human rights violations.

In 1994, CHRISLAMB’L was changed to CMEM to mainstream its major advocacy work on environment. As an ecological movement, it campaigns on the protection of the environment and on the struggle against all forms environmental degradation. CMEM also included the promotion of human rights and the rights of the indigenous peoples to their ancestral domains. During the “all-out-war” in 2000, CMEM actively advocated the promotion of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogues, thereby strengthening the tri-people organization in Columbio advocating for human rights, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity, preserving cultural heritage, and working towards peace and just development.