IMPEDE, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has been in operation for 22 years since 1988. This acronym stands for Interfaith Movement for Peace, Empowerment and Development, Incorporated; and it has been working for the improvement of people's lives in the communities and for the protection of the environment.
This organization started out as a group of priests, nuns, church lay workers and other private individuals bounded by the common interest to serve the people through education, trainings, livelihood assistance and moral support. Most of these people have either died, gotten sick or migrated abroad. Only two remain with IMPEDE working as its executive director and programs coordinator, respectively. Through the years, several people have filled the support staff desks. None had the longevity that the original two people had but, nonetheless, they were able to contribute to IMPEDE's achieving its goals at the given time.
To date, IMPEDE has implemented several programs that include livestock dispersal, craft-making, marine culture, reforestation, alternative farming techniques and others. These projects have somehow helped in the uplift of the beneficiaries' lives as they were able to acquire new skills and knowledge, and alternative source of income; thus, contributing to their self-empowerment and economic stability. These programs are basically designed to benefit the destitute members of the community, the sector that needs the most help and support. But, IMPEDE also works with other sectors and agencies in the effective implementation of its projects.
IMPEDE relies on fund and logistical support from legitimate fund granters; most of these are based abroad. It has received funding from the different United Nations grants programs; from PACAP; and from other agencies and foreign governments who saw the validity of IMPEDE's proposals. Currently, the organization is receiving fund support from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature through its Ecosystems Grants Program. IUCN is funding the establishment of 6 Marine Protected Areas in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, Philippines.
On the local front, IMPEDE had partnered with a local congressional office in the accomplishment of a forest rehabilitation project in Mati, Davao Oriental back in 2006. It has also been supported by the local government unit of Mati in 2008 in its organic fertilizer production project that was implemented, still is, in various communities within Mati. At this point, IMPEDE is also in tandem with the local government units of the municipalities of San Isidro, Tarragona and Governor Generoso.
IMPEDE is basically an environmental NGO that promotes biodiversity conservation and is running a campaign on solid waste management and against extractive industries such as logging and mining. These businesses are considered two of the main culprits of environmental degradation as these are depriving earth of its natural protective structures. Trees, millions of them, are cut everyday significantly reducing the earth's forest cover. Mining operations pump volumes of toxic substances into soil and water bodies. These irresponsible acts are what IMPEDE is trying to address to somehow ensure that we can still survive a lifetime with sufficient supply of life sources; as well as to ensure that the future generation can still benefit from earth's bounties.
After 22 years, IMPEDE is still a working machinery that believes it has not yet achieved its vision of " improved quality of lives of people in an environment that is cognizant of God-given life resources for the responsible management by all generations." That is why the organization continues, and will continue, to look for efficient means to implement its outlined mission.
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