PATAMABA
(National Network of Informal Workers in the Philippines)
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OUR WORK
We have 23 chapters all over the Philippines.
L U Z O N
CAR REGION BAGUIO
REGION 1 PANGASINAN
LA UNION
REGION 2 CAGAYAN
ISABELA
REGION 3 BULACAN
BATAAN
ZAMBALES
TARLAC
REGION 4A LAGUNA
RIZAL
NCR QUEZON CITY
CALOOCAN CITY
REGION 5 CAMARINES SUR
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V I S A Y A S
REGION 6 ILO-ILO
ILO-ILO CITY
ANTIQUE
ROXAS
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
REGION 7 CEBU
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M I N D A N A O
REGION 11 DAVAO CITY
DAVAO DE ORO
ARMM REGION MAGUINDANAO
The union supports its members in developing their own enterprises, participating in local politics, pursuing training and accessing social services. Currently, 98 percent of PATAMABA's members are women, while more than half of them are home-based workers. Other affiliated groups include vendors, small transport operators, construction workers and service workers. They are organised in 12 regions, 34 provinces and 276 local chapters throughout the Philippines.
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Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Mission
Vision
Programs
We aim to
advance the rights of workers (poor, women, and youth) in the informal economy. We believe that when people align around shared political, social, economic, or environmental values, as well as take collective action, the thinking and behaviour of millions of people around the world can truly change
We envision
the conscious and active empowerment of workers (poor, women, and youth) in the informal economy in building a free, equal, and prosperous society.
PATAMABA’s programs
promote capacity building and organizing to empower its members that are commonly in the informal sectors. Through this, the leaders of the organization underwent training and seminars to be equipped in achieving goals and strengthening the organization.
Human Development Services
Skills training and skills upgrading
We provide basic training on the production of non-perishable items to home-based workers across our chapters to help them diversify their income sources and strengthen their livelihood skills. In addition, we offer training on food processing and organic farming methods, equipping participants with practical, sustainable techniques that support both household food security and small-scale enterprise development.
Financial literacy and bookkeeping
Our initiatives focus on equipping home-based workers with practical knowledge and skills to manage their income, savings, and expenses more effectively. This is achieved through targeted training sessions that strengthen their financial decision-making and economic resilience, including guidance on product costing to ensure they price their goods appropriately and earn fair, sustainable income from their work.
Capacity Building and Participatory Research
We work directly with community members to identify their needs, gather and analyze local data, and strengthen their skills to take informed action. Activities may include training sessions, area-based surveys of members, and data collection focused on youth and unemployed populations.
Workers' and working children rights under the law
Our work focuses on increasing community understanding of the risks, root causes, and prevention of child labor, especially within informal work and rural settings. This is supported through awareness campaigns and training sessions that discuss legislation on violence against women and children (VAWC), as well as integrates guidance on gender inclusion and reproductive health to address the broader social factors affecting children and families.
Gender-awareness, health, and reproductive rights
Our efforts focus on supporting predominantly female home-based workers by increasing their understanding of gender disparities within the informal economy and promoting their overall well-being. Activities include conducting training sessions and initiatives like the Purple Market to raise awareness, build confidence, and strengthen advocacy for women’s rights and foster inclusive community participation in their daily lives.
Facilitation Linkages between government and civil society actors
Our work involves creating spaces for meaningful exchange, collaboration, and problem-solving between community groups and public institutions. These efforts help strengthen advocacy, improve coordination, and ensure that the concerns of marginalized workers are heard in policy and program discussions.