A Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) meeting was held on March 7, 2022 at the Sangguniang Bayan Hall, Municipal Building, Alfonso, Cavite. It was the first meeting after 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic with the occasional strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) declared since March 2020. The agenda covered the following:
Presentation of LCPC plan for Children for 2022
Updates on Activities for Children (Survival, Development, Protection and Participation)
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC)/LCPC Functionality Assessment to conduct this March 2022
During the meeting Gina Vedan of DSWD relayed her gratitude to AWH for the donation of the double deck bed and bed foams for the Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL). The CICL children are being taught skills such as sewing and welding among others while their cases are ongoing in the Court.
The Academy of World Healing Foundation (AWH), working hands-in-hands with Rotary International Multinational Manila (RIMM), conducted Christmas giving events over a two day span on December 28 and 29, 2021, for indigent families in 4 barangays (villages) in Alfonso, Cavite, having purchased vitally needed food supplies at a cost of P165,000.
In addition, two (2) large Balikbayan boxes filled with good quality used clothing donated by AWH ‘s Japanese guests before the pandemic were also distributed to Barangay Kaysuyo and Barangay Pajo to the most in need.
RIMM conducted “Responsible Parenthood” events during the Christmas giving events as part of its family planning programs.
We herewith gratefully acknowledge the support of our funding member Dr. Miki Kanaji, who personally donated P60,000 for the events.
There were more than 332 indigent families registered in the master lists of the 4 barangays that attended the 2-days event. More than 637 bags of rice and assorted canned products (corned beef, pork meatloaf, beef meatloaf, sausage and tuna) were distributed to the indigent families.
Each family with more than 8 children received as much as 6 bags of rice. They said rice is an important food supply to have in the house even without the canned goods. Rice is the primary staple food in the Philippines.
In addition there were 4 minors under the “Children In Conflict with the Law” (CICL) program who also received sacks of rice and assorted canned goods. These minors are under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and with our assistance, are looking to better themselves.
Indigent communities in “Squatter camps” such as Usting 1, Usting 2, C-5 in Barangay Luksuhin Ibaba and Camp Hope in Barangay Sicat are supported by RIMM and AWH not only during the yearly Christmas giving activities but also year-round. The young children of the 4 camps again joyfully participated in several children Christmas party games hosted by Honorary RIMM Member Jun Baurile who distributed P20 bills along with stuffed toys donated by past president Betty Vicedo of RIMM. Their parents mainly sell “balot” (a steamed fertilized duck egg and “taho” (a classic sweet snack in the Philippines made with silken tofu, sago or tapioca pearls, and a simple brown sugar syrup) as their primary source of income. The families of these 4 camps migrated from the Samar province in the Visayas to look for better opportunities for their families.
As being done every year, our financial support was funded to a charity organization, Home for the 100th Sheep (an indigent community in Dasmarinas, Cavite consists of former street families in Manila relocated) run by a dedicating couple, Kaloi and Edna for their X’mas event. This year, AWH member Dr. Kanaji provided additional fund donation to support them further with their daily needs after the holiday season.
On December 10th, 2021, 108 children from Malaking-Bahay, Paliparan III, SaMada, Paliparan III and Sta. Cruz -1 were served with spaghetti, fried chicken and drinks. 18 volunteer mothers cooked the meal.
Kaloi and Edna responded to us : We will utilize the rest of the fund on our usual children’s daily feeding from Monday to Friday all year round and normally we serve special feeding on Fridays. Thank you! May the LORD our GOD bless each of you at Academy of World Healing Foundation. A Blessed Merry Christmas and a Joyous Prosperous New Year!
The women and children of Camp Hope (nearby indigent squatter camp) came to the AWH site on December 6, 2021 to pick up chunks of firewood which will be used for cooking soybeans to make “taho” (tofu) to be sold outside. It is their mean of livelihood. They joyfully carried the large chunks of firewood into the tricycle. Others hand-carried their pieces of firewood back to their camp nearby.
Update on March 14, 2022
AWH made another donation of firewood to the residents of Camp Hope on March 14, 2022. The firewood will be utilized to make “taho”. They said their sales on “taho” are getting better as compared to 2 years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Firewood bundles are always appreciated by them as livelihood means.
As a member of the the Local Council for Protection of Children (LCPC), Academy of World Healing Foundation (AWH) represented by Raymund Balicha attended the annual National Children’s Month celebration on November 29, 2021 at the covered basketball court in front of the Alfonso municipal hall. The theme was “New normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”. (Translation: “Unity under the New Normal. We must uphold the rights of every child!”.) Alfonso LCPC invited selected local indigent children with their mothers for the gift giving of hygiene kits and Jollibee meals at the venue site.
Mayor Randy Salamat also awarded the barangays who met the criteria as the most “Child Friendly Barangay and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Responsiveness”. The other following activities were also awarded:
Educational assistance for selected indigent children with disabilities
Kid Tiktok Dance Challenge, Draw and Tell, Poster Making and Slogan Contest
Since mas gathering of children under the pandemic is not allowed, LCPC members later distributed hygiene kits and Jollibee meals separately for the following barangays:
On December 15, 2020, AWH distributed 17 sacks filled with 272 pieces of brown coconuts and homegrown ube yams to the three nearby indigent camps (Usting 1, 2 and Camp Hope). The indigent settlers said that they will utilize the coconut milk to make popular Filipino rice desserts and other meals this coming Christmas and New Year season. They said that the cost of coconut milk increases during the holiday season due to high demand and this provision was highly appreciated.
Update on January 14, 2021
AWH delivered sacks of brown coconuts and bananas to Usting 1 & 2 in Alfonso. The indigent residents said they enjoy the tasty coconut milk which is added to their rice and vegetables meals. AWH harvested another bunch of bananas and decided to share them to the 2 camps. The children also enjoyed the bread we brought.
Update on January 29, 2021
Several chunks of logs were picked up by 3 residents from nearby indigent camp who are selling taho (tofu) for their livelihood. The firewood will be used to cook taho as their primary source of income to sustain the needs of their families.
Update on March 5, 2021
AWH assisted the taho (tofu) vendors in Camp Hope with firewoods. The pieces of logs they picked up on March 5, 2021 are perfectly dried firewood logs were picked up to cook soybeans for taho making. It was much appreciated especially during the Covid-10 pandemic.
Update on May 14, 2021
Three residents of Camp Hope (nearby indigent settlers) visited again and picked up bundles of large firewood. The firewood will be used for cooking soybean to make taho (tofu). In this pandemic they use firewood even for cooking their meals since the LPG gas cost has soared. Their activities for work were limited when the strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status was declared last month and made no income.
Because of the community quarantine restrictions in pandemic time, AWH funded Home for the 100th Sheep foundation by wire remittance this year. On December 4, 2020, a Christmas feeding program for its indigent pupils was held in the migrated squatter area. Pasta and fried chicken were cooked by 33 volunteers and the total of 191 children were served.
Kaloi and Edna were very grateful for the continued support of AWH even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On 11 November 2020, Typhoon Vamco/Ulysses struck Luzon bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
According to the Office of Civil Defense officials, more than 151,600 families, composed of 583,493 individuals, were also affected by Typhoon Ulysses in the Cagayan Valley region, leaving more than 2,200 families in evacuation centers.
The typhoon likewise left millions of damages in the region’s agriculture and infrastructure.
Based on initial reports from the Department of Agriculture, the typhoon left 73.788 million peso damages in the region’s agriculture sector. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported damage of P44.955 million in infrastructure.
In the morning of December 6, 2020, Gina of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare Development) Alfonso picked up P20,000 Cagayan relief fund designated as a part of quarterly donations that have been made by AWH at its headquarters before heading to Cagayan Province in North Luzon.
The fund was planned to provide cash assistance of P500 each to the affected families in Cagayan whose homes were devastated from the recent Typhoon Ulysses causing massive flooding in the province.
Joining Gina on the long trip were Jun of Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM)and a honorary member of Rotary Club of Multinational Manila, Alfonso Municipal Engineer Tibayan, Municipal Councilor Carol and other municipal personnels.
The relief mission to Cagayan was organized by the Office of Mayor Randy, DSWD and other private donors from Alfonso. Among many items for distribution included food and school supplies, hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats etc.
The DSWD team went to an impoverished Brgy. Amulong Ligsa Salona in Cagayan wherein 40 families were given P500 cash assistance from AWH.
The Municipality of Alfonso donated 750 bags of rice, assorted canned goods, hygiene kits, 100 pieces of blankets and sleeping mats (banig) to the local government of the Province of Cagayan.
On November 27, 2020, AWH as a member of LCPC (Local Council for Protection of Children) participated in the annual National Children’s Month celebration that was held at Municipality of Alfonso, Cavite under the theme “Let us work together to protect the rights of each child during the Covid-19 pandemic!“.
Mayor Randy graced the occasion and thanked AWH for its financial contributions for the children of Alfonso over the years.
The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Alfonso donated slippers and hygiene kits.
The Kiwanis Club of Alfonso donated school supplies.
The policemen of Alfonso distributed washable face masks to the children.
Since many of the school children could not physically attend the event in this pandemic time, their parents later picked up the items at the schools.
AWH’s neighbor indigent village “Camp Hope” visited AWH and received bundles of firewood for cooking Taho (Tofu), which is their livelihood in selling them.
AWH also shared ‘Rambutan’ fruits that are in harvesting season and eggplants from its garden with the people in Camp Hope and the other two indigent villages.
Update on October 16, 2020
Continued indigent support for Camp Hope residents with provision of firewood bundles.
Update on November 5, 2020
Firewood to cook taho (tofu) is essential for their livelihood. Camp Hope residents received another bundles donated by AWH.
Update on November 14, 2020
Another contribution of firewood logs to Camp Hope residents.
Update on November 26, 2020
Another donation of firewoods to taho (tofu) vendors in the nearby indigent squatter Camp Hope.
AWH also shared ube ginataan for their children made from our homegrown ube yams.
Update on December 12, 2020
It requires constant support in donation of firewoods especially in Pandemic time.
Update on December 28, 2020
Another donation of firewood bundles to the taho vendors from Camp Hope.
