Continuing the efforts to create environmental champions, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) and the Lasallian Mission Office (LMO) of the Science and Technology Complex (STC), hosted the Eco Leadership Camp at the Leandro V. Locsin Campus in Biñan, Laguna. Held last July 29-30, 2016 with the theme “Kabataan: Ipagtanggol at Alagaan ang Kalikasan”, almost a hundred students comprised of selected Manila and STC based NSTP students participated in the overnight camp.
After some getting to know you exercises and group cheer presentations, students were led to the One Mission Park to pitch their tents. As the day broke, they were given raw ingredients for their dinner. Each group had their own cooking spot where they started their own fire and cooked their first meal as a group. The night was not over yet when campers were led to the covered court for their initial orientation as potential environmental champions. Ms. Terteem Gail Omaña, COSCA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Development Specialist, provided an overview of disaster as a concept. She also discussed what students can do to hone their skills and be engaged in disaster reduction efforts. These concepts of preparedness were translated into practical use when Mr. Enrique Roa, COSCA volunteer, taught the campers how to make their own para-cord bracelets. Originally used for parachutes, these cords can hold heavy weights without breaking. The campers capped the night with informal socials that helped them get to know each other better. As dawn emerged, the campers were greeted by the sound of a siren that served as their wake up call. STC student athletes led the campers in a warm up exercise and a 3-kilometer run around the campus to get their blood pumped. Still sweaty and ready for more action, the groups were led to the site where they individually planted native trees in support of the school’s reforestation efforts. The campers returned to the covered court after breakfast and were welcomed by Rescue 177 headed by Mr. Randy Delos Santos. Rescue 177 gave demonstrations on basic bandage use, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rope rescue. As the demonstrations ended, the students were clustered and took turns doing the rescue exercises themselves. They also rappelled from the top of a building to experience high angle rescue management. They also tested their team's unity through the victim transport simulation. The final session consisted of a group race where they applied all the things they learned while being evaluated by the Rescue 177 staff. The camp was concluded by Mr. Lysander Rivera's talk on Ecological Conversion: Laudato Si, the Catholic Church’s teaching on the integrity of creation. He stressed the impact of human activity on climate change. He also discussed the task that is demanded from humans as stewards of God’s creation. The heart of the talk centered on the question “What kind of Earth do we want for the future?” Students responded to the message with creative presentations on how to care for Mother Earth. Lysander is a faculty member of the Theology and Religious Education Department (TRED) of DLSU. After a sumptuous boodle meal, the campers packed up and prepared for departure. They left camp with new friendships forged and new experiences that will hopefully spark an ecological revolution someday. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143
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ALS: A School of Multiple Chances "The Blessings of the Most High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth be upon us all! Honorable guests of honor, Chairman Elizan and the key officials of the local government, honorable Brothers of De La Salle University, teachers, professors, volunteers, fellow parents, guardians, students and guests, a blessed afternoon. I know all of you are wondering who this woman standing before you is. I am a proud mother of an ALS-DLSU scholar. I came and wholeheartedly accepted the invitation to speak before you because it is indeed a privilege to share our experience with ALS-DLSU, an institution whose advocacy is to provide FREE QUALITY EDUCATION. My daughter and I were very grateful for ALS-DLSU because it provided shelter and second chance for continuing secondary education for my child who had been dropped-out during her high school years. "Hindi lang second chance ang ibinigay. I enjoin everyone present here to give ALS-DLSU our warmest applause of recognition and thanksgiving. Sino po ba ang hindi mamamangha, sino ang hindi hahanga, sino ang hindi magpapasalamat ng lubos sa DLSU-COSCA? Ang dating hindi nag-aaral o hindi makapag-aral na anak, ngayon ay ganap nang graduate at isa nang La Sallian! (Who would not be amazed, who would not be very thankful for DLSU-COSCA? The child who before won't or can't go to school, has now graduated and now a Lasallian!) Tiyaga at determinasyon lang ang puhunan, kaya buong sikap na nag-aral dahil sa DLSU-COSCA ALS. Hindi lang second chance ang ibinigay. It's a school of multiple chances. (Perseverance and determination are the key ingredients why they studied hard through COSCA ALS. They have not only given a second chance. They're a school of multiple chances.) To all students, I'd like to end this speech with a verse in the Bible: Jeremiah 29:11. Isang mapagpalang hapon po sa inyong lahat. (A blessed afternoon to you all.) Sa DLSU-ALS, ANIMO LA SALLE! (To DLSU ALS, Live the Lasallian Spirit!) -Emily alefanteEmily's daughter is part of the 4th Batch of COSCA ALS Passers recognized. Salamat sa mga guro, salamat sa ALS. (Thank you to our teachers, thank you for ALS.) "Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat! Binabati ko ang mga estudyanteng naririto na magsisipagtapos sa ALS ngayong taon. Isa pong karangalan sa akin ang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita sa harap ninyong lahat. Nais ko lamang pong magpasalamat sa La Salle dahil nagkaroon din kayo ng programang ALS dito mula sa DepEd dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay marami din ang mga kabataang huminto sa pag-aaral ang matutulungan ninyo. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa lahat ng kanilang mga guro na nagtiyagang magturo at gumabay sa kanila habang nag-aaral sila. Malaki ang naitulong ninyo sa kanila dahil nagkaroon sila muli ng pagkakataong makapag-aral at makapagtapos upang matupad ang kanilang mga pangarap o mithiin sa buhay. Sana ay ipagpatuloy niyo lang ang magandang gawain na inyong nasimulan. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. GOD BLESS PO!" Translation "Good afternoon to everyone. I want to greet all students here today who are graduating from ALS. It is an honor for me to be given the chance to speak in front of you all. I would just like to thank La Salle for also having an ALS Program here through DepEd [Department of Education]. Because of this [program], you have helped many young people who stopped schooling already. I would also like to thank all of their teachers for patiently teaching and guiding them while they were studying. You have helped them a lot because they were given an opportunity to study and finish schooling so they can fulfill their dreams and aspirations in life. May you continue the good work you have started. Thank you very very much to all of you. God Bless You!" -julieta gritaSi Julieta ay nanay ng isang COSCA ALS Passer na pinarangalan sa DLSU nitong Agosto 6, 2016. Ito ang kanyang pasasalamat na ibinahagi sa palatuntunan ng pagtatapos ng araw na iyon. (Julieta is the mother of one of the COSCA ALS Passers recognized last August 6, 2016. This is her thank you message shared during the graduation program during that day.) Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 To my classmates and teachers, to the students, parents, audience and all the people present here, good afternoon. Teachers, parents and fellow graduates let's give ourselves a big round of applause, Congratulations to all of us! I'd like to start with these verses, In Philippians 3:14, God says, I can do all things through Christ and in Mathew 19:26, Nothing is impossible. These verses tell my successful journey but before that, I would like to walk you through the darkest moment of my life. You will all agree, everyone experience ups and downs. I was an athlete scholar of track & field in Chiang Kai Shek College. It all started in third year. I was accused of something I didn't do. It is too personal to mention. All of my classmates were pure blooded Chinese except me. I really felt discriminated being the only brown-skinned Filipino in our class. Their eyes are on me every single moment of the day watching and judging every action that I will do and every words that I will say. I was down and lost hope because of discrimination. I lost everything that I have. I was dropped from my athletic scholarship and my parents have to pay my tuition fees. I became a total mess. I cut classes and exchanged them with online computer games. There were times that I'd discontinue going to school but my decision changed when my mother motivated me to continue 4th yr. In the same school, however, I didn't take it seriously, almost failing in all my subjects and worse, I stopped fourth grading of that school year. But God is good! He embraced me and comforted me and one day, I just found myself driven to take the second chance God had provided me through this school, Alternative Learning System School of De La Salle University. And here I am proudly standing in front of you, having this speech, sharing my story and glorifying the works of the Lord in my life. I want to thank God who stays beside me no matter what happens, to my parents who supports me and guide me in my decisions, to my classmates who belong to this successful journey and lastly our teachers who never gave up on us and became our 2nd parents. Again, thank you and congratulations to fellow graduates! -ATHENAAthena delivered this message during the ALS Graduation Rites held at De La Salle University last August 14, 2016. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 (See English translation at the bottom.) Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat! Ako ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita sa harap ninyo at maibahagi ang ilan sa mga karanasan ko noon at ngayon. Dati po, isa akong batang rebelde sa magulang. Siguro kaya ako naging rebelde ay dahil sa mga naranasan ko noong bata pa ako at dahil rin sa lumaki akong hindi kasama ang mga tunay kong mga magulang. Lumaki ako na hindi buo ang pamilya. Noong naging high school na ako ay nagsimula na akong magrebelde. Habang nag-aaral ako ay natuto akong bumarkada, mag-inom, magyosi, tumambay kung saan-saan at gumala nang gumala. Dahil doon, ay natuto na rin akong magcutting sa klase at minsan, hindi na talaga ako pumapasok sa school kahit na ang alam ni mama ay pumapasok pa rin ako at nag-aaral nang mabuti. Napabayaan ko ang aking pag-aaral at huminto na ako noong 3rd year na ako. Sa sobrang kalokohan ko ay nakatatlong 3rd year ako pero hindi pa rin ako nakatapos at laging paghinto sa pag-aaral ang nangyayari. Dala na rin ng pagrerebelde ay natuto akong lumayas at tumira sa ibang tao. Dahil dito, ay nagkaroon ako agad ng anak sa edad na disi-otso at ngayon lumalaki siyang walang kinikilalang ama. Noong nagka-anak na ako ay tumigil na rin ako sa pagre-rebelde ko at bumalik na ako ulit sa bahay kasama na ang anak ko. Last year, nagsikap ako na mag-aral ulit sa pamamagitan na ng ALS. Dito ay nagkaroon ulit ako ng mga bagong kakilala at naging barkada ngunit hindi ko pa rin naman pinabayaan ang pag-aaral ko dahil kaming lahat ay pursigido na makatapos. Ang pagiging isang estudyante ay hindi madali. Ito ay isang pagsubok lamang na kailangan natin sa buhay. Sa loob ng klase, kailangan mong malampasan ang mga pagsubok na gaya nang walang katapusang paggawa ng sanaysay, ang napakasakit sa ulo na pagcompute ng mga numbers sa Math at ang pagkabisado ng mga formula nito para lang masagot ng tama. "Ang pagiging isang estudyante ay hindi madali. Nandiyan din ang Science na kailangan mong pag-aralan ang iba't-ibang parte ng ating katawan, mga solar system at madami pang iba. Minsan, hindi mo rin talaga maalis sa isang estudyante ang maburyo sa loob ng klase kaya ang karamihan ay nakikipagdaldalan na lang sa katabi o kaya ay kung anu-anong kalokohan ang ginagawa sa upuan kahit na nagtuturo pa ang guro sa harapan. Ako? Aminado naman ako na minsan nakikisali din ako sa mga kalokohan at kaguluhan sa loob ng classroom kahit na ako pa yung presidente ng klase namin. Dati nga, sinasabihan pa kami na pinaka-magulong klase sa lahat ng mga batch. Ibang-iba daw yung batch namin dahil halos lahat ng nandito ay pasaway at nakakahiya man sabihin, pero marami na rin kaming mga naging guro dati na umiyak sa klase namin dahil nga sa pagiging magulo namin. Sa loob ng isang taon na pag-aaral dito sa ALS ay marami kaming naranasan at natutunan. Mga masayang ala-ala na hindi agad malilimutan tulad ng mga learning tour sa Lian, Batangas para sa tree planting at ang pagpunta sa TESDA. Ito ang masasabi ko ngayon na oo nga, kami yung mga pasaway at magugulo lagi sa loob ng klase dati. Pero ngayon, kami-kami pa rin naman ang magkakasama na magsisipagtapos dito sa ALS. Dahil kahit na mga pasaway kami ay napatunayan pa rin namin na kaya naming magsikap dahil may mga pangarap din naman kami sa buhay at ang pinakagusto namin ay ang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. "...oo nga, kami yung mga pasaway at magugulo lagi sa loob ng klase dati. Pero ngayon, kami-kami pa rin naman ang Nagpapasalamat ako sa tita ko kasi kahit na hindi niya ako tunay na anak ay inalagaan pa rin niya ako sa kabila ng lahat ng pinagga-gagawa ko sa buhay, palagi rin siyang nandiyan para sa akin at sinusuportahan pa rin niya ako minsan sa mga tama kong ginagawa. Ngayon, kahit na nagka-anak na ako ay tinanggap niya pa rin ako. At itong pagtatapos ko ngayon ay para sa inyong dalawa ng anak ko ma. Hindi ko man lagi itong nasasabi pero ma, sorry po sa lahat ng mga maling nagawa ko at mahal na mahal po kita. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng sakripisyo mo para sa akin. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa lahat ng mga naging guro namin. Kahit na mga pasaway kami ay hindi niyo pa rin kami sinukuan na turuan. Maraming salamat po at sana madami pa ang mga kagaya namin na matulungan ninyo. Ngunit bago ako magtapos sa aking talumpati ay mag-iiwan ako ng isang hamon sa inyo, para sa mga estudyante na naririto ay magsipagtapos din kayo ng pag-aaral at mangarap kayo ng mataas at sikapin ninyong abutin ito. Lahat ay kaya nating magawa o maabot basta't may tiwala ka sa sarili at sa Panginoon. "Everyone deserves a second chance." Para naman sa mga magulang na nandito sana po ay lagi ninyong suportahan ang inyong mga anak sa mga bagay na gusto nilang gawin lalo na kung alam ninyong ito ay makakabuti para sa kanya. Hayaan niyo silang mag-aral at magsikap upang maabot nila ang kanilang mga pangarap. Kung nagkamali man sila ay matuto po tayong magpatawad at tanggapin ulit ang ating mga anak. May dalawa po akong kataga na iiwanan sa inyo, una "EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE" dahil lahat naman tayo nagkakamali, hindi naman kasi tayo perpekto pero kapag nabigyan ka na ulit ng pagkakataon ay huwag mo na itong sayangin, at ang pangalawang kataga ay "LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES" dahil kailangan mong matuto at huwag hayaan na ang pagkakamali mo sa buhay ang maging hadlang sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap mo. Yun lamang po, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at God bless po. ANIMO LA SALLE!!! Translation "Good afternoon to all of you! I was given the privilege to speak in front of you today and share some of my past and present experiences. I was once a a kid who rebelled against her parents. I may have become rebellious because of my experiences when I was a child. Maybe it's also because I grew up away from my real parents. I grew up in a broken family. When I reached high school, I started rebelling. At school, I learned to be with bad company, I learned to drink, smoke, hang out in many places and roam around repeatedly. Because of these, I also learned how to cut class and sometimes, I didn't go to school anymore even if my mother thought I was in school and studying hard. I neglected my studies and stopped schooling when I was in 3rd year. I was so naughty, I took 3rd Year High School thrice. Yet, I still failed to graduate and always ended up out of school. Because of my rebellion, I learned to leave home and live with other people. This instantly made me a mother at age eighteen. Now, my child is growing up without a father. I had to stop rebelling when I became a mother. I also went back home with my child. Last year, I persevered to start schooling again through ALS. Here, I got to meet new friends who became best buddies. Unlike before though, I did not neglect my studies because we were all focused on graduating. Being a student is hard. It is just a test we need in life. In class, you have to overcome many trials like the endless essay-writing, the head-aching computations in Math and the memorization of many formulas on how to get the right answer. Then there's Science where you need to study the parts of the body, the solar system and a lot more. At times, you can't blame students for being bored in class. This is the reason why many of us chat with our seatmates or do all sorts of things while the teacher is in front. Me? I admit being part of the chaos inside the class too, even if I was the class president. I remember a time, when we were called the most rowdy ALS batch of all. They told us that our batch was very different because most of us were rowdy. Truth be told, many of our teachers cried in class because of our naughtiness. We experienced and learned a lot in our one year stay in ALS. There were joyful memories like our learning tour and tree planting in Lian, Batangas and our visit to TESDA. Yes, we were the rowdy and naughty ones in class before. But now, we are still intact and together, graduating here from ALS. Though we were naughty, we have still proven that we can persevere because we also have dreams in life. And our greatest desire is to graduate. I thank my aunt because even if I was not her real daughter, she still took care of me despite everything I did in life. She was also always there to support me in the things that I did right. Now, even if I'm already a mother, she still accepted me. Mother, my graduation today is for you and for my child. I may not tell you this often, but mother, I am sorry for all the mistakes I've done. I love you very much. Thank you for all your sacrifices for me. I also thank all the teachers we've had. You did not give up on us though we were naughty. Thank you very much. May you help more people like us. Before I end my speech, I want to challenge you, my fellow graduates. Finish your studies, dream greater and do all you can to fulfill it. We can do all things, reach all things if we trust ourselves and God. For the parents here today, may you always support your children in the things they want to do especially if you know that it will be good for them. Allow them to study and persevere to reach their dreams. When they commit mistakes, may we learn to forgive and accept our children again. I want to leave two things to you all. First, "Everyone deserves a second chance," because we all make mistakes. That's because we are not perfect. And when you're given another chance, don't waste it. My second one is, "Learn from your Mistakes." We need to learn from our mistakes and not allow our mistakes to hinder us from reaching our dreams. That would be all. Thank you very much and God bless! ANIMO LA SALLE!!! (Live the Lasallian Spirit!) -jesterJester is one of the COSCA ALS Passers recognized during graduation ceremonies for Batch 4 held at De La Salle University last August 14, 2016. She is one of the best performing learners in the group. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Graduation rites were held at De La Salle University last August 4, 2016 for the nineteen (19) COSCA ALS Learners who passed the Department of Education's High School Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET). Awarded with their respective medals and high school diplomas are the following learners:
Also recognized during the program are the following individuals and organizations with significant contributions to the program:
Dream More
Mr. Leo Tadena, Development Specialist of COSCA's Lasallian Accessible, Relevant and Alternative Learning (L-ARAL), went onstage next to provide a brief history about ALS and the graduating learners. He noted the significant roles played by two Lasallian Brothers in improving the educational situation in the country - Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC who started ALS as the Non-Formal Education Program (NFE) of DepEd and Br. Armin Luistro FSC who institutionalized the K-12 educational reform program. Mr. Tadena reiterated that ALS should not be looked down upon as a program for school leavers only. "ALS is also an educational program taken by celebrities and TV personalities too," he said. With rising costs of education, ALS may even play a bigger role in helping needy children complete primary and secondary schooling. Second Chances After all the medals and certificates were awarded, Jester, one of the best performers in class, touched everyone present with her story of rising up from failure. She recalls how her rebellion against her family led her to smoke, drink and neglect her studies. It has even made her a mother at such a young age. She is very much thankful though for the second chance that ALS gave her. She challenged her batch mates to dream big and persevere: "Para sa mga estudyante na naririto, magsipagtapos din kayo ng pag-aaral at mangarap kayo ng mataas at sikapin ninyong abutin ito. Lahat ay kaya nating magawa o maabot basta't may tiwala ka sa sarili at sa Panginoon." Click here for FULL TEXT of her Message and Challenge to the Graduates. Click here for ALS Parents' Message of Thanks. Brgy. 704 Captain, Virginia Elizan also told graduates not to allow any obstacle to stand the way of their aspirations in life. As a fellow graduate of ALS (earlier called NFE), she remembered how she overcame all the difficulties of completing ALS while serving as a barangay official in 1997. To avail of the non-formal education program then, she had to form a foundation and gather forty-two other students like herself to enroll. She eventually finished high school and pursued Public Administration in College. Her secret to success: "Pag nangarap ka at sinamahan mo ng sipag at tiyaga, may kahihinatnan ang iyong pinaghirapan." Remember St. La Salle's Teachings
The DLSU-ALS is managed by the Center for Social Concern and Action as integral part of its University Community Engagement and Development Program (UCEDP) headed by Joseph Rosal. UCEDP is the lead unit of COSCA which is implementing direct Community Engagements as one of the strategic directions of the university and implements the localization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Photos courtesy of Enrique Roa and UMAP FB Page. The Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), Culture and Arts Office (CAO), Campus Sustainability Office (CSO) and the External Relations and Internationalization Office (ERIO) hosted participants of the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific's (UMAP) Discovery Camp 2016 at De La Salle University from July 31 - August 2, 2016. Students from various universities in Asia and the Pacific took part in the DLSU leg of the camp which focused on Building Environmental and Cultural Awareness towards Climate Resiliency. During the first day at DLSU, Norby Salonga, COSCA Development Specialist, presented the objectives and framework for the conference. He also facilitated and synthesized the workshop focusing on how ASEAN youth can influence others to become more environmentally aware and resilient amidst all natural and human-made hazards in the region. On the succeeding day, participants visited COSCA's Talim Bay Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) Project in Lian, Batangas to get a firsthand look at how it has successfully helped the community transition from destructive fishing practices to their present culture of marine protection and care. They also got a taste of the community's cuisine during the solidarity lunch they had with officers and members of the Fisherfolk Associaiton. The Talim Bay Coastal Resource Management Program (CBCRM) is part of the Lasallian Environmental Sustainability and Governance Component (L-EnviSage) of COSCA's SDG Localization Project. To know more about how you can be part of this project, you may contact Terteen Gail Omana, L-EnviSage Development Specialist at [email protected]. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 All photos courtesy of Nelca Villarin. Last August 1, 2016, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) joined representatives from Luzon-based La Salle Schools in reflecting on the pastoral letter issued by DLSP President, Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC, against the culture of death. A total of fourteen (14) individuals from De La Salle University attended the event organized by DLSP's Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC). The DLSU contingent was composed of members and officers from the USG, POLISCY and Ley La Salle, as well as staff members from the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission (OVPLM), the Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation, and Empowerment (SLIFE) and COSCA. The program opened with a prayer lead by Mr. Mel Oribe of DLSU-STC and a welcome remark from Ms. Grace Lazo, the incoming director of DLSP's Lasallian Mission Services (LMS). During his talk, Atty. Chito Gascon, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights, thanked De La Salle Philippines for its pastoral letter that paved the way for other organizations to speak out against Extra Judicial Killings (EJK). He further emphasized the need to respect the dignity and human rights of all. His talk was followed by Br. Jimenez's sharing on the salient points of the pastoral letter that he issued. He further clarified that the statement does not only reflect his personal views on the matter, but that it also voices out the sentiments of the Brothers in the community he is part of. In response to Br. Jimenez's call, Karl Yuan of Ley La Salle and Matthew Ang of the USG Legislative Assembly (LA) read their respective organization's statement of support to the pastoral letter. The reflection session ended with suggested activities that the schools may consider to strengthen the advocacy on life and human rights. For information on how you can join this advocacy, you may contact LJPC National Coordinator Mr. Gladstone Cuarteros at [email protected] or Mr. Sofronio Lingatong Jr., manager of COSCA's Lasallian Formation and Action Program (LSFA) at [email protected]. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 The Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) participated in the River Council Management Action Planning Workshop organized by the DENR Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) at the Grand Ballroom Timberland Sports and Nature Club San Mateo, Rizal July 27-28, 2016. Various River Councils around Metro Manila presented their plans on how to conserve and rehabilitate key bodies of water within their communities. COSCA coordinators and representatives from DENR-EMB, DPWH-NCR, DOH, MMDA and the Manila City Government worked together in formulating strategies to reduce pollution at the Estero De Maytubig and Estero Fort San Antonio De Abad - water systems flowing through the communities around De La Salle University. The plans made during the workshop will be implemented by the inter-agency council formally organized last June 28, 2016. The rehabilitation effort is part of the Lasallian Environmental Sustainability and Governance Component (L-EnviSage) of COSCA's SDG Localization Project in District V, Manila. To know more about how you can be part of this project, you may contact Terteen Gail Omana, L-EnviSage Development Specialist at [email protected]. You may also reach us through: Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Sa tuwing sasapit ang SONA ng ating mga naging pangulo, malimit nating napapakinggan sa telebisyon, radyo at maging sa internet ang mga kuro-kuro at opinyon ng maraming mga eksperto. Bagama't kinikilala natin ang halaga at malaking tulong na nai-aambag ng mga pagsusuri ng mga dalubhasa sa maraming larangan, mahalaga ring marinig ang boses ng mga kabataan at ng iba't-ibang samahang kumakawatan sa mga sektor na nasa laylayan ng ating lipunan. Upang simulan ang adhikaing ito, bumunot kami ng ilan sa aming mga katuwang na samahan at hiningi ang kanilang maikling opinyon sa naging SONA ni Pangulong Duterte. Amin na ring kinapanayam ang mga volunteer na kasama naming nanood ng SONA ng Pangulo. Narito ang ilan sa kanilang mga naging tugon. Disclaimer: " Ang nakaraang SONA ng ating kasalukuyang presidente na si Rodrigo Duterte ay maaaring maging panimula sa tunay na pagbabago na kaliangan ng ating bansa. Una, ang pagbawas ng pursyento ng Tax ng mga manggagawa na kumikita lamang ng pang average. Pangalawa, ang pagdagdag ng kagamitan at programa para sa pang-agrikultura, ang pagsugpo ng korapsyon at kriminalidad sa bansa. Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga pinangako nito na sana ay matupad sa kanyang termino bilang pangulo. Tunay din na nakuha ng bagong pangulo ang tiwala ng buong sambayanan dahil na rin sa kanyang pusong makabansa at bilang isang buhay na solusyon sa mga problema na kinakaharap ng ating bansa." Jerome Manalo, St. Anthony De Padua Parish "Medyo inconsistent and wala siyang tiwala sa data na nasa script. Ayaw niya paniwalaan yung nasa script kasi parang hindi reliable yung statistics." Don Mac, COSCA Volunteer "Mahusay at nakakahanga ang mga binitiwang pangako ng pagbabago ni Pres. Duterte. Tunay na tinalakay niya ang katotohanan na nararanasan ng mga Pilipino sa kasalukuyan. Kapaki-pakinabang ang mga pangako niya na pro-poor at clean and good government...droga, FOI, fisherfolks, lumad, mining, women, illegal settlers, train, traffic, runway, taxes, hotline na 888, lahat ng ito ay dalangin natin na matupad at magkaisa ang bawat Pilipino." Lisa Arnaldo Program Coordinator, Teresa Charities for the Elderly Program Inc. "I was amazed at how Duterte delivered his speech in which he skip the prepared script and utter an honest opinion. I can see his wisdom and passion on what he is saying to address the issues presented in our country. He also talked about his initial accomplishments in a statistical way in which there are a lot of people that are being arrested and willingly surrendered for rehabilitation." Kyle, COSCA Volunteer "Maganda at nagkakaroon ng pag-asa na may pagbabago at pag-unlad pa ang Pilipinas. Sana maipatupad niya." Maricar Malate, President Kababaihang Yumayabong, tungo sa Kagalingan (KAYUMANGGI), Quezon City "Sometimes he goes with the script, sometimes does not. I see some inconsistencies from what he said now and what he said before during the campaign period." Luis, COSCA Volunteer "Ang SONA ni DU30 ay nagpapahiwatig ng pag-asa sa ating bansa. Lalo na po yung pagbibigay halaga sa mga dukha o mahihirap." Michael Bauyon, Pangulo Samahan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Binubusan (SMMB), Lian, Batangas "Totoo yung nangyayari at dapat gawin ng gobyerno." Anselmo Astilla, President Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC), Lian, Batangas "Ang masasabi ko lang po sa SONA ni DU30 ay napakaganda. Sana ay magawa. Lalung-lalo na ang umaasa sa Pantawid Pamilya. Sa facilities ng PINAS ang fast net, fast LRT, kasi tayo lang bulok na LRT. TAGAL PILA. Ang laban sa droga pag-igtingin. Sa lahat ng plano tuparin at pagbutihin para umasenso ang PINAS." Analyn Solis, President Bukluran ng mga Migranteng Manggagawa at Kapamilya sa Brgy. 28, Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City Bitin ba ang mga nakasulat na saloobin sa naging SONA ni Pangulong Duterte? Halika't pahabain natin ang diskusyon. Ipadala ang iyong pananaw sa: Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Last July 21, 2016, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) and the University Student Government's Office of the Vice President for External Affairs (USG-OVPEA) organized a talk on "The Role of Children and Youth in Helping Build a Peaceful Society." Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, Founder of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, related her own "peacetale" - the narrative that prepared her and hardened her commitment for peace. She also shared the journey of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement and the many ways by which Lasallians may contribute to peace-building in their own spheres of influence. She emphasized that "Without a counter-narrative or a long-term strategic program to guide conflict-affected people, they will eventually become a problem of the Filipino society - they will either joing gangs, violent or terrorist groups, because they feel that they have a group who will defend them." She encouraged Lasallians to start peace-building by doing random acts of kindness for others. After all, "Every act of kindness is an act of peace," she said. The talk is part of #DLSULetsMOVE, a volunteerism week aimed at increasing awareness on social issues concerning education, poverty, peace, justice, and human rights. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 |