July 2017
MARAWI RELIEF EFFORTS: TANGING YAMAN FOUNDATION AND
ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
From June to July 2017, Fr. Manoling Francisco helped mobilize the Tanging Yaman Foundation (TYF) and the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (SJVTS) for relief efforts in Marawi. While working as visiting professor in SJFVTS, Fr. Manoling spearheaded fundraising efforts for those affected by the tragedy, and then led in the distribution of relief goods and other materials. Among the partner entities in this effort are the Prelature of Marawi, the Diocese of Iligan, the Social Action Coordinator’s Office of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, and Tabang Marawi based in Xavier University. More than PHP 5M was raised in the fundraising drive and subsequently disbursed as goods or direct aid, with PHP 2M remaining in reserve for rehabilitation efforts. The project team was able to visit Barangay Bito Buadi Parba in Marawi itself, as well as various barangays in Balo-i, Iligan, at the outskirts of Marawi.
A special focus of the project has been the outreach to military personnel. In the months of this relief mission, Fr. Manoling and the SJVTS team were able to provide aid to the various military units deployed in the Marawi area. The team distributed care packages which included special items requested by the soldiers themselves and their field commanders: dry-fit clothing, face masks, rubber boots and slippers, insect repellent, medicines, vitamins, and the like. The team also visited Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, where about 150 soldiers wounded in action.
In the meantime, the Philippine Province relief efforts coursed through Xavier University continue, and are now focusing on providing community kitchens, toilets, water filtering systems, psycho-social interventions, and medical missions. Monetary donations are still welcome: Account Name – Xavier University; Account Number – 9331-0133-63; Bank of the Philippine Islands; Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro Branch. Kindly email finance@xu.edu.ph once your donation is deposited.
ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERITY: CENTER OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH SERVICES
One of the important interventions in the ongoing conflict in Marawi has been the provision of Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MPHSS). In this regard, the Ateneo de Davao based Center for Psychological Engagement and Research Services (COPERS) has been providing for the psychological needs of those caught in the conflict, both soldiers and civilians alike. The psychological interventions provided by COPERS include stress management, psychological first aid, case management, advocacy for culture sensitivity, and even assistance in accounting for the dead and missing. The COPERS team has also focused on the empowerment of local service providers for MPHSS needs, especially among the Maranao community.
The COPERS team has partnered with entities such as the Bishops-Ulama Conference, Balay Mindanao, the Tabang Marawi Movement, the Institute for Peace and Development Network, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, and the Regional Human Rights Commissions of the ARMM and Lanao del Sur, among others. Most recently, last August 5-6, the COPERS team provided stress debriefing sessions for soldiers wounded in action and recuperating in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro. Fr. Gaby Gonzalez, Province Assistant for Planning, joined the team.
MINDANAO-SULU TIMELINE NOW DOWNLOADABLE ONLINE
The Mindanao-Sulu Timeline produced by Fr. Albert Alejo SJ and the Catholic Education Association of the Philippine’s (CEAP) Mindanao Peace and Education History Project (featured in the June issue of this bulletin) is now online and available for download. Follow the following simple instructions:
1) Go to www.ceap.org.ph
2) At the right side of the opening page you will find a link to download the timeline.
3) Click on the link, to download the file MINDANAO-SULU.zip
4) When you unzip and extract the files, you will get: a) a tarpaulin ready, hi-resolution jpeg file of the timeline; b) a powerpoint presentation on the timeline (pdf format); and c) a teachers’ guide (also in pdf format).
NOTE: This bulletin is meant to keep our Philippine Province Jesuits and partners in mission updated regarding developments in the implementation of the Province Roadmap. Please email any news contributions from your respective apostolates to rrivera@xu.edu.ph.