MANILA, July 29, 2010—A congress for persons with terminal illness was held to plan concrete actions to respond ably to current situations of the handicapped, sick, aged and dying people.

Themed “Look Carefully, Act Mercifully,” the event was convened by the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Health Care (CBCP-ECHC), the symposium was held on July 24, at the Paco Catholic School, Manila.

The symposium also provided a venue to present various experiences of the survivors of terminal illness as well as the people who care for them such as relatives, caregivers and some organizations.

Some of the resource speakers were advocates themselves, who shared about how to effectively care for these people.

Various organizations advocating for the terminally ill persons such as IETI Caregiver School; Bukas Puso at Isip – UP PGH; Hospicio De San Jose; Children of Mary; Integrated Midwife Association of the Philippines; Queen of Peace Convent; Divine Mercy Mobile Center; ICM Sisters and some advocates, came and participated in the symposium.

Fr. Luke Moortgat, Executive Secretary of ECHC, said that various congresses on their advocacies are being held by the CBCP commission to be able to help these persons considered marginalized in society.

Culminating the congress was an open forum that discussed and planned concrete actions for the improvement of the commission’s advocacies.

ECHC is tasked to create public awareness and involvement for the physically and mentally ill people and to those people concerned in helping these people. (Kate Laceda)