The Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation, Inc. (PnPCFI) has initiated its annual General Assembly on October 1, 2019 held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, United Nations Avenue, Paco, Manila with the theme “15 Years of Engaging the Filipino in Caring for the Poor.”
The event started with a Eucharistic celebration led by the Pondo ng Pinoy Chairman, His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D. and participated by thirty-three (33) representatives of member-dioceses including the Board of Trustees (BOT) members.
The General Assembly is an annual event for the member Dioceses of Pondo ng Pinoy. This is an avenue for the members to share their stories and updates on their respective areas most specifically about the education, promotions, collections, distribution of the collected crumbs, and program administration. Also, to discuss on how to improve the Foundation’s services and to address their concerns for the betterment of the foundation.
According to the new Executive Director of Pondo ng Pinoy, Ms. Morena Cosare, the General Assembly is usually a discussion of programs such as the supported and funded projects and achieving the goals of the foundation.
“The General Assembly is also a recognition of the sustained commitment and participation of the member Dioceses, parishes, schools to the vision of Pondo ng Pinoy and sharing of Pondo ng Pinoy funded projects, strategies that may apply in Pondo and potential risk,” Cosare added.
Highlights of the Program
Cardinal Tagle presented his Chairman’s Report.He introduced the National Management Office’s new Human Resource structure and the new staff -from the new Executive Director to other units such as follows:
From HR/Admin. Unit Ms. Cherryll Manuel with Ms. Sherryln V. Alviz and Mr. Romer Abedoza. The Finance Unit is consisting of Ms. Monaliza R. Borre and Elmira Joyce R. De Castro; from the Programs Unit -Joanne O. Chua, Yen Ocampo, Maria Vitoria Abear-Marzan, Carmela Anne Nequinto and Bebot R. Sabangan Jr.
The Foundation has invited some of the beneficiaries to share their stories. Some of them were Ms. Emelia Sapitula, Crumbs Contributor form Baseco, Tondo Manila who shared her story about collecting the crumbs and Fr. Noel Conopio, Pondo ng Pinoy Priest Coordinator of the Diocese of San Pablo.
“I am a street sweeper. Whenever I sweep the road and find 25 cents, I save it. Before, when I did not know yet about Pondo ng Pinoy, it all goes to Puregold for my soap and other home necessities. Now, my grandchild would always tell me that he will save it and put it in a bottle to help those who are sick,” Sapitula said.
“We were already here when Pondo ng Pinoy started. Our project, Batang Patio, has been a model to promote the program. It all started when our parish priest in St. John the Baptist, Liliw, went to the patio after the mass. He saw some kids playing and talked to them. They came from the less privileged families. When asked why they do not go to school, it is because they do not have the resources. He always gave them food and wondered why the Church does not have programs for them. It began with an informal dialogue and friendship with these kids and was challenged to create a program,” Fr. Canopio added.
Ms. Borre, employee of Pondo ng Pinoy since 2007 has shared her personal experiences. She has shared the successes, hardships, strengths, inspirations, weaknesses of the Foundation and their humble beginnings.
The last part of the event was the Awarding of Certificates of Recognition followed by a Board of Trustee meeting. (Bebot Sabangan, PnPCFI News)
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