MANILA, January 9, 2010—Despite the worldwide economic downturn, “kind-hearted” individuals increased and supported the National Secretariat for Social action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its efforts to address millions of Filipinos affected by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” last year.
NASSA Executive Secretary Sr. Rosanne Mallillin, SPC, said the media has significantly helped their appeals sent to partners here and abroad.
“When local dioceses could not address their logistical requirements, we appeal to Social Action directors across the country as we appeal to our partners abroad through Caritas Internationalis,” Sr. Rosanne told CBCPNews.
Good News
She added their relief efforts were “oversubscribed” by some 54%, exceeding expected response from the Philippines and their partners abroad.
She said the extensive media coverage which ran for more than two weeks helped raise awareness among their partners and the Filipino communities abroad.
“The television footages kept our appeal alive,” she further said.
Filipinos in Dubai, Kuwait, Hong Kong, the United States of America helped by sending cash and assorted clothes.
Sr. Rosanne said the Philippine government also helped by establishing its own “one-stop shop” in partnership with the Bureau of Customs to facilitate the release of donated goods from abroad.
“The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Dubai helped along with Filipinos in Kuwait through Fr. Ben Barrameda who sent almost a million pesos in addition to balikbayan boxes from the Filipino community there,” she further said.
As of January this year, relief goods are still being sent to far-flung areas including Benguet.
As far as the response from the Social Action directors across the country is concerned, Sr. Rosanne said even the smallest and poorest prelature, the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan has sent contribution to Ondoy and Pepeng victims.
She described the response as “very encouraging” as the Archdiocese of Iloilo, Diocese of Bacolod and the Bicol-based dioceses have provided cash and relief goods.
Transparency
All the donations received by NASSA are acknowledged with official receipts and acknowledgment letters.
“The first set of visitors came from Canada last December and they saw the contents of our sacks out for distribution,” Sr. Rosanne said.
She added she brought the Canadians to Pampanga, to Mount Arayat for them to see the extent of damages of the previous landslide which brought untold miseries to some 300 families awaiting relocation.
However, there have been instances when the ugly head of politics shows up every now and then as in Arayat town where the affected residents cannot be relocated yet due to the coming elections national and local elections.
“They have closed the Mt. Arayat national park and we learned of five potential relocation sites which seem unacceptable to the residents who earn their livelihood through kaingin and charcoal-making which destroys the environment,” she added.
NASSA and its partners will no longer look and pay for relocation sites as in previous experience. They will only provide some 20-25 square meter house because they no longer have the money to fund lot purchases.
“We believe it is the responsibility of the local government unit to provide the land for relocation and we’ll provide the construction materials,” Sr. Rosanne said.
She added they will never release construction materials for residents who will rebuild their homes in flood or landslide-prone areas.
Starting All-Over Again
This year will be a challenging year for NASSA as eight of its personnel have opted to resign effective January 1.
“I am sorry we lost eight of our personnel (which is almost half of our staff),” she said. She added they will try to reorganize the staff and come up with a leaner, more focused on special programs personnel.
Asked of the possible reasons for one of the biggest resignations to ever hit a CBCP commission, Sr. Rosanne said “people wanted to probably move on or may have outgrown NASSA.”
“We’re starting all-over again but one thing is certain, as I’ve always said ‘nobody’s indispensable,’” she concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)
