iCALLS is an action group committee of the Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), who have been conducting regular training-workshops for Instructional Managers.

Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Corazon Juliano –Soliman, who is  also the Chair of CWC, said, “ It is truly necessary to recognize the efforts and initiatives of our local leaders and partners for them to serve as the role models of different LGUs nationwide and to inspire them to unceasingly advocate the advancement of child-friendly governance”.

The winners for 2012 Presidential Award are the following:

1^st-3^rd Class Municipality Awardee: Tubigon, Bohol, Region VII

4^th-6^th Class Municipality Category: Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya, Region II

Component City Category: Tagaytay City, Cavite, Region IV A

Highly Urbanized City Category: Davao City, Region XI

Independent Component City, Region II: Santiago City, Region II

President Benigno S. Aquino, in his video-taped message, attested to the importance of passion in public service, and in strengthening collectively and in securing the welfare of the Filipino people, especially the future stewards of our country.

To reaffirm commitment to produce positive results for children, The Department of Interior and Local Government launches the Seal for Children-Friendly Local Governance, a recognition system to all LGUs. The new system of recognition is outcome-oriented assessment  based on the goals and indicators as measured in the 2^nd National Plan of Action Plan for Children and the Millennium Development Goal.

The Seal and recognition given to LGUs will ensure the progressive realization of children’s rights as provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This would mean also a better engagement of the government to various stakeholders that work for children including the people’s group, children’s groups and association, the church and national and international civil society groups.

On average the Philippines weathers 20 typhoons in a year, but that doesn’t mean that they can always be prepared to survive or recover from them, particularly those people in poorer areas where day-to-day living is already a struggle. With the next typhoon always around the corner, it is becoming more and more important to protect the most vulnerable.

This is where Pastor Cesar steps in. When three children in his neighbourhood died last year during a flood, he felt compelled to do something that would keep children safe in future disasters. Through Viva’s partner network in the Philippines, he connected to staff in other local projects to set up the Protecting Children in Disasters programme with Working Group, Bearers of Hope Ministry in the lead.

Together the group discussed strategies and established measures to ensure children’s safety in future disasters. As the leader of the programme, Pastor Cesar rallied his church to play an active part – despite the state of their finances – in moving children out of the urban slums and into an area much less vulnerable to disaster damage. They have negotiated with the Department of Agriculture for a bond to buy a piece of land where children can have a safe place to play and go to school. The congregation will now work together to build houses for each of the children and their families, and also to create a system of making goods to sell for a joint income.

But they aren’t stopping at helping only their community. Pastor Cesar and staff from projects in the network are now reaching many communities and arranging to keep children out of danger so they no longer have to fear the ferocity of terrifying typhoons, but can look forward to a more secure future.

The most recent visit of Pastor Cesar to communities ravaged by typhoon Bopha specifically in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley proved how strong churches can respond if they work together. PCMN together with its Davao-based local network of churches and organizations, Mindanao Children’s Ministries Network, distributed 500 packs of school supplies and hygiene kits to children victims of Typhoon Bopha last February 24-25, 2013. Realizing how much more work is needed to restore hope among the children, the PCMN’s working group on disaster response, Bearers of Hope Ministry, is seeking ways to appropriately respond in the near future.

What can you do?

PCMN is accepting donations towards protecting children in Mindanao typhoon ravaged areas, call 02-9613823 or email us at info@pcmn.org on ways you can help.

PCMN, in partnership with OneHope and Rhoda Ministries Network, launches the handbook Life Skills Module on Children at Risk, on November 27, 830am-10am (Launch Ceremony); 1030am-1 pm (Training Orientation), at the QC City Hall Training Hall A & B. Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will give the Opening Remarks and agencies for children’s protection like International Labor Organization-IPEC will deliver their Solidarity Messages in support of PCMN’s vision achievement of a movement of people with passion for children’s protection and development. PCMN is a Commission of Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC).

Registration for the training is P100 to cover partly cost of materials.

The handbook consists of two volumes- the Teachers’ Manual and
the Students’ Handbook. The units found in this handbook purpose to empower children by providing them added skills to protect themselves as valued creation of God and access their environment for services and protection. The manual/handbook centers on 5 important environment of the child, namely:

1. the child himself-his/her uniqueness and giftedness;
2. family to belong and protect them;
3. community where he/she lives;
4. children’s rights and responsibilities, and role of society;
5. God as a loving Protector.

This handbook is for primary use by those who work with children at risk specifically those aiming to prevent occurrence and protect children already in situation of risk.

As we have limited slots for the training, please pre-register to this event. Call at 9613823, look for Vilma Awa-ao or email us at info@pcmn.org

PCMN’s transfer to a new office location at 62 Molave St., Project 3, Quezon City, provides a strategic location for PCMN members and partners to meet and converge. This also brings PCMN’s office under one roof with the offices of Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, in which PCMN is a commission for children, and others such as Alliance of Christian Development Agencies (ACDA), Micah Challenge Philippines, Christian Convergence for Good Governance, PhilRads, Philippine Mission Agencies, and National Youth Commission.

As a new vision is in place- A Movement of People with Passion for Children’s Protection and Development, PCMN is gearing to become a network that moves together towards realizing God’s Intention for Children.

The Walk for Freedom has for its theme-Filipinos Unit e Against Human Trafficking which was organized by Visayan Forum, Walk Free and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which aimed to gather 10,000 people taking a stand against human trafficking and exploitation, The multi-sectoral organizations are represented by academic institutions, faith-based groups, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, civil society and business groups.

Visayan Forum President Cecile Oebanda says “ This walk sets in motion a national social movement that will challenge the prevailing sense of apathy and helplessness with the belief that together modern slavery can be eliminated within this lifetime”. Among others the call to action calls on the Senate to fast track the ratification of ILO Convention 189 which protects the dignity of all domestic workers locally and overseas, support the proposed amendments to Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons’ Law, and in gathering advocates to free and empower victims.

Volunteers taught topics on Hair Care, Oral Care, Proper Hand Washing, and Nutrition. The children were very participative and enjoys the 20 minute- lecture for each topic discussed. Storytelling was mainly used to perk the interest of the children. Parents too attended the Health Fair.

To cap the affair, hygiene kits containing bath soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, talcum powder, nail cutter, hair comb and a bottle of alcohol were distributed. The evacuation camp President and the Social Welfare Officer in charge of the campsite expressed appreciation of the activity held at their site.

Written by Flor Basilan of Food for the Hungry Philippines for PCMN

On May 15, 2012, 50 family heads gathered together to attend the orientation on the policies of IEDCON on the house repair kit project. Pastor Rene Salazar, IEDCON Housing Committee Chair, 3 days earlier, went around with PCMN representative Bearers of Hope Convener, Pastor Cesar Lubrico and they visited all house repair applicants for validation of needs versus requests.

Pastor Rene said, “It is fortunate that PCMN’s help zeroed in on the house owners whose houses are partially damaged. There is a big gap in funding help. Government and NGOs focused on those houses which are totally washed out, relocating the families to either tent cities or newly finished houses, while PCMN’s help focused on those who were not helped, as the houses of the participants are still standing, but are sorely needing repairs”.

All housing participants are clustered into three (3) zones so that distribution of materials is facilitated. Each zone is headed by a Pastor, who is in-charge of the release of construction materials through a local hardware and a lumberyard.

The church leaders organized themselves in such a fashion like one organization, in which some are functioning as admin staff such as filling-out Purchase Orders, asking beneficiaries to sign Memorandum of Understanding, some are in-charge in monitoring and validation, some in prayers, others in mobilization.

I see a dynamic body of believers working together as one, united in prayers and action.

PCMN next trip in Iligan will focus on a training on children in crisis fro church workers because there are identified orphans (both parents died during typhoon Sendong)who are in need of psycho-social support and material helps.