In March, 2014, with Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RACRJ). Samdhana start up support to the rebuilding of lives of affected Indigenous Tagbanua communities in Coron, Palawan, Philippines, beyond the emergency relief phase in the aftermath of the worst typhoon disaster to hit the Philippines.

The support will be provided in the form of small grants to the target communities in the barangays of Tara and Bulalacao in Coron municipality, and Panlaitan and Buluang-Calauit in Busuanga municipality. The projects under the small grants are activities that will create opportunities for growing their endeavour through a medium-term timeframe, and can create the building blocks for enhancing the resilience of the community.

RACRJ supported communities include Calauit Island Ancestral Domain in Barangay Buluang and Panlaitan-San Isidro Ancestral Domain both in the Municipality of Busuanga; Barangay Bulalacao and Tara in the Municipality of Coron and Sitio Bulukbulukan, Brgy. Osmena in the Municipality of Culion.

Balik Calauit Movement has started implementing its project entitled “PAGBANGON AT PAGHAHANDA TUNGO SA MATATAG AT MAUNLAD NA PAMAYANAN” (Recovery and Preparedness toward a Strong and Developed Community), through the sub-grant mechanism of Samdhana. The Php 440,000 (around $10,000) worth project include acquisition of farm implements and fishing gear, construction of communal payao (fish sanctuary) and mangrove rehabilitation and craft enterprise development among women and youth. They are due to report its first phase of implementation by October before the next tranche of funds will be released.

Brgy. Tara, being a largely-populated island barangay, accessible by four hours boat ride, is being supported by both AJWS and RACRJ to be able to cover sufficiently the number of families needing assistance. One project being considered in Brgy. Tara is to establish a traditional salt-making industry.

Bulukbulukan seaweed farmers recently earned income after seaweed seedlings (about 12 tons) distributed to Coron Island and Bulalacao was purchased from them. Two families even started to rebuild a better house structure out of their proceeds from the seaweed sales. Distribution of seaweed farming materials, fish nets and piglets are almost done also in Brgy. Bulalacao, Coron Island. Fourteen (14) seaweed farmers received farming materials, another twelve (12) received fishnets and accessories while nineteen (19) households are now raising piglets either for fattening or for reproduction. Ten (10) more households are due to received piglets for raising.

Panlaitan - San Isidro Cultural Minorites Development Association or PASICMIDA is about to finalize its proposal for a community store/ cooperative - buying and selling of basic products necessary for livelihood activities such as fuel, rice and other basic commodities. Members of PASICMIDA consider this a helpful and strategic enterprise, since many of their members have very high expenses in securing these basic commodities. In this way, PASICMIDA is able to provide reasonably priced items, and at the same time, being able to benefit from the local trading.