Friday, October 9, 2009

2009 IMUS GAWAD PARANGAL RECOGNIZES A-STAR FOUNDATION, INC.





The 2009 Imus Gawad Parangal recognized A-Star Foundation, Inc. for its unwavering and unconditional service to the indigent families in Imus. Hon. Manny Maliksi, Imus Municipal Mayor; Hon. Mandy Ilano, Imus Vice-Mayor together with the Municipal Councilors awarded to A-Star Foundation, Inc. the GEN. FLAVIANO YENGKO AWARD on October 7, 2009 at Imus Covered Court in celebration of the 234th founding anniversary of Imus. The plaque and medallion was received by Mrs. Stella R. Acedera, CEO of A-Star Foundation, Inc. assisted by Mr. Juriel T. Fabito, Volunteer-Community Development Worker of the foundation.


BACKGROUND:

A-Star Foundation, Inc. started its local operation in Imus in 1999. Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW , its Social Worker then, coordinated with the local government of Imus to adopt five communities where their programs and services will be implemented.

Mayor Jaro, the Municipal Mayor that time granted the request of A-Star Foundation, Inc. to adopt Villa Fatima in Bucandala IV, Bicol Region in Pag-asa 3, Riverside in Tanzang Luma VI, Sitio Pulo in Anabu 2C, and Toclong 2B.

Five programs and services were introduced by A-Star Foundation, Inc. to the communities which include Family and Life Services, Livelihood Services, Environment Advocacy and Protection, Primary Health Care Services and Other Support Services (FLEPO).

The Family and Life Services are composed of spiritual and values formation programs, lenten recollection, seminars such as effective parenting, anti-drug campaigns, leadership skills training, pro-life advocacy, gift-giving and youth animation.

Livelihood services are composed of livelihood skills training for unskilled women/mothers and out-of-school youth; tapping of resources for the provision of capital to start a small business; and monitoring of livelihood programs in five depressed communities.
Environment Advocacy and Protection Services include clean and green projects, tree-planting, and waste management.

Primary Health Care Services include medical, optical and dental services; dog vaccination; operation circumcision; assistance to persons with disability and senior citizens; and referral of medical cases to government hospitals, PCSO and other government agencies.

Other Support Services include coordination meetings with various NGOs, POs, government agencies for joint-projects collaborations; assistance to walk-in clients; and attendance to seminars on social welfare and development.

For ten years, A-Star Foundation. Inc. has been a partner of Imus local government in delivering services to indigent individuals, families and groups. Their existence for ten years is a remarkable record for an NGO in Imus, which reflects genuine partnership of NGOs and the local government.

To-date A-Star Foundation, Inc. serves not only the initial five communities but majority of indigent communities within the Municipality. Thousands of Imusenos have been served and will be served by A-Star Foundation, Inc. as it continues to renew its commitment to deliver FLEPO to the people of Imus.
(photos by: Mr. Juriel T. Fabito)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

EPIC FLOOD: A CALL FOR COMPASSION

THE pictures we see in the newspapers and television screen in these days, after the epic flood brought about by devastating tropical storm “Ondoy” have many stories to tell which are beyond words. Many of the victims of super typhoon Ondoy has a scary experience to narrate.

While we keep in our imagination the pictures that invite our deepest sympathy, and even listen in our hearts to their desperate cries for help, the victims agonizing and angry complaints at the slowness or absence of response from Disaster Preparedness Program, let us see in this situation a call to everyone for compassion. If there were no graft and corruption in our government, our government would be more prepared to respond to such crisis.

Typhoon Ondoy’s destructive path may be the worst flood in more than half a century. Through the ravages of nature in the past, the Filipino sense of compassion, which we also call “bayanihan,” has been called forth. The pictures we have seen in the past few days are pictures of Filipinos responding to the call for compassion, of people willing to “suffer with,” people with the spirit of “bayanihan.”

We pray against typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities. But when they do occur, the heroism of the Filipino comes out. We salute, for example, to that 18-year old teen-ager, Muelmar Magallanes, who lost his life after saving more than a dozen neighbors, the last of whom was a six-month old baby.

This one heroic example is an inspiration of our appeal with the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action. The CBCP NASSA has been mobilized to help with its limited resources the victims of the flood. Relief goods have started to be gathered and distributed to the flood-affected provinces around Metro Manila. Caritas Manila has started to respond to the flood victims in Metro Manila. Compassion is drawing many Filipinos to unite with their unfortunate brothers and sisters. Social Action Centers of other Dioceses may join the campaign by sending to CBCP NASSA whatever they may collect. Profound gratitude to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and the US Bishops’ Conference – Catholic Relief Services. They were among the first to respond.

Other Institutions like the RED CROSS, have also started to respond to the call for compassion, as we have seen in GMA network and ABS-CBN network in the spirit respectively of “KAPUSO” and “KAPAMILYA.”

We bend our knees in prayer for salvation against natural calamities, but when they do come, we are not so helpless as not to respond with heroism. We have said it before and we say it again “In the Church, no one is so poor as to have nothing to give, and no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive.” We are humbled by the crises that come to us. We pray to God and appeal for our neighbor.

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro
CBCP President
September 29, 2009

CDAO ACCEPTS DONATIONS IN KIND FOR THE VICTIMS OF "ONDOY" IN IMUS

The Community Development Assistance Office (CDAO) of Imus, Cavite is accepting donations in kind intended for the victims of typhoon Ondoy in Imus, Cavite.


Address:

Community Development Assistance Office (CDAO)
5/F Imus Municipal Hall
Imus, Cavite

Contact Person:

Ms. Tina H. Viegan, RSW
CDAO Head/Consultant

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Congratulations, Franco Nerona!

The Community Development Assistance Office (CDAO) congratulates Franco Nerona (PYAP-Imus Chapter Officer), awarded as the Most Outstanding Youth Leader in Region 4 in the recently concluded Youth Congress in Lipa City, Batangas.

PYAP Imus Chapter is under the direct supervision of CDAO with the following advisers:

1) Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW


2) Mr. Juriel Fabito


3) Mr. Elmer Demco


4) Bro. Bal Ronato, O.Carm