FIAN mourns death of Filipino right to food defender Milo Tanchuling

Heidelberg/Quezon City, December 3, 2013 – “Milo”, or Martin Hilarion Tanchuling, played an important role in the infancy years of FIAN Philippines and guided the organization in building its role as one of the leading organizations for the promotion and defense of people’s right to food in this country. Milo shared ideas, expertise and commitment with FIAN, and also served the marginalized sectors, particularly farmers and poor peasants.

As the head of the Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc. (PhilNet-RDI), Milo was elected and appointed Vice President for three years (2002 – 2005) of FIAN Philippines Board of Directors during the second General Assembly in September 2002. Even after this term as Vice President ended, Milo remained an active member of FIAN Philippines by joining important events and campaigns.

Milo was later elected a member of FIAN’s International Executive Committee (IEC) in 2004, and served as an ordinary member until 2006. During these years, Milo contributed to the drafting of FIAN International’s Strategic Plan (2007 – 2010) and was dedicated toward the organizational development of FIAN International. As the only member of the IEC from Asia, Milo was always able to relate FIAN’s internal discussion on programs to concrete cases in the Philippines.

Paalam Milo. Maraming salamat sa iyong mga naibahagi.
(Farewell Milo. Thank you for your contributions.)