Relief and rehabilitation work of the Council continues

To the Sisters and Brothers at Faith United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas, thru Rev. Jerico Pagdilao, Pastor:

Greetings from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines! 

Today, who would be a living letter from you to us but Mrs. Edarlena Villaruel along with her doctor-daughter.

We were delighted to welcome them to NCCP. We got another surprise when she presented a check for the continuing relief and rehabilitation work of the NCCP. Thank you ever so much.

The act of solidarity shown by many people around the world continue to enable us to be channels of God's comfort in trying times. It might be a source of constructive pride for us all that through all these help, the NCCP by far gives the weightiest relief pack to the most vulnerable - a total of 33 kilos of grain and other foodstuff as well as blankets and mosquito nets (the latter two to selected recipients like those with infants, the elderly and soon-to-be-mothers.) at a given time.

On they day Sister Edarlena visited, our relief team just got back from Botolan, Zambales where there is a fairly large UMC community. They delivered some 227 packs. Some of you may recall that in Botolan last year, the earth was rent asunder as the grave and tombs at the cemetery opened up as a result of the floods. Yes, we are still very much sustaining our relief and rehab work.

We are also looking forward to the visit of Cal-Pac next month.

May God prosper your good works.

-- 

Padi REX RB REYES, JR.

General Secretary

January 27, 2010

Vacation Church School 2010

Schedule of the VCS trainors' training:

Mindanao:
February 2-5, 2010
Visayas:
February 9-12, 2010
NCR and South Luzon:
February 16-19, 2010
North Luzon:
February 23-26, 2010

For inquiries: Call (02) 926-9760 and look for Ms. Febie Domingo-Castro

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Multisectoral rally for a genuine agrarian reform

January 22, 2010 - the NCCP along with other church related organizations joined thousands of farmers from all over the country in a rally for a genuine agrarian reform program.  The rally started at the Department of Agrarian Reform Office along the Quezon City Memorial Circle and culminated in Mendiola.

The video below was taken after the march began along Quezon City Memorial Circle.  This contains six minutes worth of people from all over the country marching.  Six minutes worth of people protesting against the current agrarian reform program.  That for this author says a lot.

Relief Operation in Talim Island - December 23, 2009

Barangay Navotas is one of the communities in Talim Island affected when the waters of Laguna Lake rose more than three meters due to the heavy rains of 2009.  Three months later, water levels are back to normal and people have started rebuilding their lives.

Workers and volunteers loading the banca with food packs from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Damage to property along the coast.

Unloading the food packs.  PAMALAKAYA, the local organization of local fishers, was NCCP's partner in making sure that the operation run smoothly.

Recipients waiting outside the Barangay Hall.

Calling out the names of the recipients.  Two representative per family will be allowed inside...

...one will sign the receive form...

...the other will carry the food packs... with a smile.

Passing of Bishop Benjamin Lasegan

TO: MEMBER CHURCHES, ASSOCIATES AND FRIENDS OF THE NCCP

We have been informed of the passing away of Bishop Benjamin Lasegan, head of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines. The remains lie in state at the Baguio Funeral Homes, Baguio City. Burial is set on Monday, January 4.

Of your charity, thank God for the life and work of Bishop Lasegan and pray for God 's Holy comfort upon his bereaved family as they meet the days ahead.

Messages may be course through the General Secretary who is currently in Baguio City and will be there for the funeral. His email is as follows: padirex@gmail.com

Padi REX RB REYES, JR.

General Secretary

Phone +632 929 3745

Fax +632 926 7076

Mobile +63 926 7048249