Turn-Over Ceremony of Facility and Equipment for the 500-Hectare TICAD Marine Reserve Management

On December 4, 2020, JPIC-IDC Inc. spearheaded the blessing and turn-over ceremony of the facility and equipment for the effective management of the 500-hectare TICAD marine reserve in Bogo Bay, Cebu, at the Bantayan Resort in Tindog, Medellin.

In partnership with the Municipality of Medellin, the event was attended by Mayor Joven J. Mondigo, Jr., Vice-Mayor Alfonso Lim, BFAR 7, DENR, and other non-government and local government units. The blessing ceremony was officiated by Fr. Daniel Mata, Tindog parish priest.

A patrol boat, seaborne patrol equipment, fiber glass bancas and a guardhouse were among the facilities turned over by JPIC-IDC.

For the past three years, the project “Adaptation to Climate Change and Enhancement of Resilience of the Small-Scale Fishers from 15 Villages along Bogo Bay, Cebu, Philippines, funded by our partners – the Karl Kübel Stiftung für Kind und Familie (KKS) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, has been operating its goals in the Bogo Bay area.

The project was started in 2017 aiming to contribute to the enhancement of climate resilience of the small-scale fishers along Bogo Bay who are suffering from the effects of climate change. The project also contributes to the protection of marine resources, and at the same time, improves the economic living condition of the small-scale fishers.

It was in 2013 when Bogo Bay was struck by the super-typhoon, Haiyan, and was left with massive environmental and material damages.

Through this project, several objectives were implemented such as the rehabilitation of marine protected areas composed of barangays Tindog, Canhabagat and Don Virgilio, and the reforestation of mangroves and corals. The capacity-building of people’s organization and cooperatives, as well as LGUs and committees, and the improvement and operationalization of marine protection and management plans were also part of the key components of this project.

Today, after two years of collaboration among JPIC-IDC and its benefactors, the LGUs, NGOs and the cooperation of the fisher folks, this project has finally been realized. With the responsible committees and institutions, the sustainability of the project is guaranteed to take place.

This is only one of the many projects that JPIC-IDC plans to implement under its Coastal Management Resource program. Thanks to the continued support and assistance of our partners and benefactors!  

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Measure of Genuine Help Against Restrictions

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Measure of Genuine Help Against Restrictions

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, continuously supporting our communities is essential during these challenging times. As cities and towns ask their residents to stay home to slow the virus’ spread, many of us are grappling with how to be there for each other when we can’t be near each other. Our work at JPIC-IDC, Inc. continues without interruption.

Even in the era of social distancing, we can still connect with our neighbors and communities and offer support to those in need.

With the generosity of sponsors and benefactors, we were able to conduct more than ten waves of relief operations to all the families in our communities. Packs of rice, canned goods and other essential commodities were distributed evenly. Our hardworking staff members braved the risk in the outdoors to facilitate the distribution. They also conducted safety and hygiene protocols orientation to the families to raise awareness about the COVID-19 virus.

During each relief operation, strict protocols were implemented to ensure everyone’s safety. Each community was also able to organize their own guidelines when it comes to entry passes into the village and necessary measures upon entry such as temperature check, hand sanitization and wearing of face mask.

Up to this day, the organization works hard in continuing the relief operations for the communities. In this critical moment, our communities need us to create change in ways that are both innovative and equitable. If you would like to learn more about how we are taking direct action, and how you can get involved, please feel free to reach us today.

20th JPIC-IDC Anniversary Culmination Ceremony

20th JPIC-IDC Anniversary Culmination Ceremony

Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDC), Inc., marks the culmination of its 20th Anniversary in a special celebration held on the night of December 13, 2019. The theme of this year-long celebration is “Transforming Lives, Putting the Poor at the Forefront.”

The ceremony was held at the One Central Hotel, Cebu City. In spite of the stormy weather, all staff were present and they came at their best formal attire and elegant costumes. Some were literally transformed into ‘petits bourgeois and petites bourgeoises’. Members of the Board of Trustees, partners and guests also graced the occasion.

Equally, on this occasion, the organization has recognized its long-time partners by giving them a plaque of appreciation called ‘Pasalamat Award’ accompanied by some beautiful crafted tokens made by our beneficiaries.

Fr. Eduardo ‘Jingjong’ Rocha, SVD – Provincial Superior of the SVD Philippine Southern Province receives a ‘Pasalamat Award’ from Fr. Ernie Lagura, SVD

Recognition was also given to staff who have worked in the organization for 10 years and 5 years respectively.

While everybody was enjoying a sumptuous dinner, a group of youth choir from San Pio Village, one of the JPIC-IDC initiated communities, entertained us with contemporary Filipino songs; and a group of students also preformed some modern dances.

It was a night, like no other nights. When the lights were off, what remained was only good memories for everyone to reminisce and to tell.

© Fr. Romeo Q. Cagatin, SVD

DASIG MINDANAO – RELIEF OPERATION TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

DASIG MINDANAO – RELIEF OPERATION TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

A series of strong earthquakes with aftershocks rattled Mindanao in October 2019. The first major earthquake was felt on October 16, 2019 with a magnitude of 6.3 and an epicenter in Tulunan, Cotabato Province. Two weeks after, another strong earthquake struck the same area, this time with a stronger magnitude of 6.6. There were lots of affected areas in the provinces of Cotabato (Tulunan, Makilala, Kidapawan and Malungon) and Davao del Sur (Digos, Magsaysay and Davao City). Help came pouring in for the affected families, as donations from different Local Government Units, business sectors, Non-Government Organizations and generous families all over the country.

To extend their service and care to the affected people in the town of Makilala, Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDC) Inc. conducted an emergency relief mission last November 9, 2019. This relief initiative was made possible in collaboration with the Society of the Divine Word Philippine South (SVD-PHS), Verbo San Carlos Foundation, Inc. (VSCFI). The team distributed hygiene kits (toothbrush, body soap, bar & powder detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, sanitary napkin, pail, basin, face towel, bath towel and nail clipper), sleeping kits (blanket, mosquito net and sleeping mat) and water container with cover.

The team coordinated with the Local Government Unit of Makilala to ensure the prioritization of those evacuees that haven’t received sleeping and hygiene kits from previous relief missions. The relief mission of JPIC-IDC Inc. was focused in MIST Camp Site and Greene Academy evacuation centers with a total combined population of 400 families. The rest of the 104 sleeping and hygiene kits were distributed to the affected families coming from different barangays of Makilala (Poblacion, Sto. Nino, Nuevida, Bato, Buenavida and Garsika) by the family members of Bro. Errol Torres SVD. A total of 504 families were reached out. The evacuees and the Local Government Unit of Makilala expressed their heartfelt gratitude and thanked JPIC-IDC, Inc., SVD-PHS, VSCFI that made the relief mission possible.

3-Day Exposure Trip in the Red Light districts in Cebu

3-Day Exposure Trip in the Red Light districts in Cebu

JPIC-IDC, Inc. conducted a 3-Day Exposure Trip in the Red Light Districts in Cebu for 33 school based ATIP advocates on October 25-27, 2019. The learning exposure was participated by Schools Division Superintendent, Division Program Development Officers, Division Guidance Coordinators, Secondary School Principals, Guidance Counsellor, and teacher advocates from 12 partner secondary schools from tri-division; Surigao City, Siargao and Surigao del Norte Division.

The learning exposure and outreach activities in the red light districts and visit in the aftercare facility of the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) in Cebu allowed participants to experience and acquire learning outside the four walls of the classroom. The learning exposure and outreach activities in the identified hotspots and or red light areas in Cebu (1) educated participants on the struggles and challenges faced by the victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE); (2) informed them on the various contributing factors for these victims to engage in this illegal activities, dynamics and profiles of victims, and the emerging trends of CSE; and (3) aspired to inspire participants to take part in promoting child protection and helping in minimizing the prevalence of child sexual abuses and exploitation especially in their respective locality.

The visit in the aftercare facility also allowed participants to (1) listen to the success stories of those rescued victims and their aspiration of having a better life in the future; (2) see the relevance of having a good and reliable support group or groups to ensure sustainability of the current initiatives on promoting anti-trafficking in persons; and (3) realize that it is about time to stand for those victims of sexual abuses and exploitation.

3-Day Theatre Arts Workshop

3-Day Theatre Arts Workshop

JPIC-IDC, Inc. conducted a Three-Day Theatre Arts Workshop for the 41 selected school-based Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) advocates on August 24-26, 2019. There were 24 students, 12 teachers and 5 Program Development Officers from the tri-Divisions of Surigao City, Siargao and Surigao del Norte. The participating schools were from selected secondary public high schools namely Caraga Regional Science High School, Mat-i National High School, Taft National High School, Surigao City National High School, Surigao Norte National High School, Claver National High School, Taganito National High School, Dapa National High School, Del Carmen National High School, General Luna National High School, Sta. Fe National High School and Socorro National High School.

Theatre is a methodology/approach to capture the audience’s interest and at the same time educate them on the issue of the various forms of sexual abuses and exploitation especially on women and children in our society. Through theatre, the audience can easily comprehend since the messages are explicitly illustrated through actions, voice projection and other forms of visual effects that are relatable and aspiring to encourage its audience to take part in the call to action to end trafficking in persons especially for sexual purposes. JPIC-IDC, Inc. through its KKS-Cinemobile 4 Project believes that theatre will entertain, educate and empower its audience.

As a result of this activity, participants learned the basics of theatre in the context of promoting the advocacy to their respective locality; improved skills and talent in performing arts; encouraged to take part in the advocacy through either re-echo learning to their respective schools and or their family members. And the teacher representatives will lobby to their respective schools the formation of a formal club/association of school-based ATIP advocates

© Flo Galeos – Advocacy Officer, Cinemobile 4