SPSA surgical mission ends today

The Surgical Mission which was conducted by the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA) ended today. The mission was made possible through the assistance of Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and Vice Mayor Rey James Uy.


Earlier tonight, during the farewell dinner for the missionary doctors, a video which contained some details of the mission was presented. Here is that video (courtesy of Jonas Lim).

groundbreaking for balay consuelo

The Officers and Members of the Consuelo Foundation arrived in Calbayog today for a visit and updates on their various projects which were implemented through the Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF). One of the highlights of the visit was the ground-breaking ceremony for the Balay Consuelo which when finished will serve as a shelter for sexually-abused children in Calbayog and nearby municipalities.

(For more details about Consuelo Foundation, please check this link) 

Rev. Fr. Marcelo Tubac, OFM leading the prayer of blessing.

(l-r) Consuelo Foundation CEO John Matsuka,  WESADEF Executive Committee President Bella De Los Reyes, WESADEF Executive Director Emma Elardo and Consuelo Foundation Board Chair Jeffrey Watanabe.

The SOS Calbayog STEP-UP Project

Stop Trafficking and Exploitation of People Through Unlimited Potential

A Joint Effort of:
SOS Children’s Village Calbayog, Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.

August 29, 2009. STEP-UP Program Launching at the Helmut Kutin Social Hall in Brgy. Dagum. In photo are (l-r) Mr. Vicente Alan Abadesco of Visayan Forum, Carmen Punong Baraggay Amy Cabral, CSWDO Head Betty Jane Arnejo, SOS Calbayog Children's Village Director Mario Victor Baang and Fr. Dennis Espiritu.


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Stop Trafficking and Exploitation of People through Unlimited Potential (Step-UP) is a partnership project of SOS Children’s Village Calbayog and the Microsoft Philippines under its Unlimited Potential program with the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. (VFFI), a non-government organization that works for the welfare of marginalized migrants like domestic workers and trafficked women and children. The project aims to prepare, empower and reintegrate survivors of human trafficking through Information Technology training. It will also give them other options in life and opportunities for better employment. Coupled with psychosocial services and life skills training, the IT training will serve as therapy for them to regain their sense of human dignity while staying in the shelters.

Step-UP is both a preventive and a protective response to human trafficking. It provides technological skills to vulnerable youth and adults through community-based organizations around the Philippines, thereby preventing them from being exploited.

Goals of the Project, 3rd Phase Implementation:
To continue the preparation of women and youth from vulnerable populations and victims of human trafficking for the job market by providing Information Technology (IT) knowledge, life skills and micro-enterprise development trainings.

To continue the prevention of incidents of human trafficking in the areas we operate in by educating them on trafficking and by giving them IT, life skills and micro-enterprise development trainings that can give them other opportunities; and

To build the capacities of new NGO partners in the Philippines in planning and operating sustainable community-based Technology Learning Centers (CTLCs), build the same capacities of existing NGO partners that are already running CTLCs to enhance their LANs (?) and operate sustainable CTLCs, and ensure a multiplier-effect.

Goal of SOS Children’s Village Calbayog:
To provide holistic activities that will mold the youth into disciplined, smart and energetic individuals and leaders appreciative of God’s goodness.

Objective of SOS Family Strengthening Program:
We support the community to respond effectively to the situation of vulnerable children and their families.

VFFI and SOS CALBAYOG agree to work hand in hand in providing vulnerable communities and victims of human trafficking with Information Technology (I.T.)/computer skills training through Microsoft Unlimited Potential program and Life Skills training to help them get better jobs.

Criteria for Students/Trainees:

• Out-of-School Youth or anybody who is a survivor of trafficking
• At least fifteen (15) years old
• Willing to study IT and Life Skills for job employment

CURRICULUM CONTENT

Part 1. Introduction

• Module 1
  · Orientation STEP-UP Project, SOS, VFFI and Microsoft Unlimited
• Module 2
  · RA 9208
• Module 3
  · Importance of Education

Part 2. Life Skills Training

• Module 1
  · Self management and Coping
  *Personality Enhancement and Human Sexuality
• Module 2
  · Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Module 3
  · Critical Thinking and Decision Making
• Module 4
  · Action Planning

Part 3. IT Training

• Module 1
  · Computer Courses
  ü Introduction to Computer
  ü Computer Fundamentals
  ü Word Processing
  ü Spreadsheet
  ü Power Point Presentation
  ü Database
• Module 2
  · Additional Advanced Courses
  ü Digital Media
  ü Internet (World Wide Web)
  ü Photo Editing

Part 4. OJT

• On The Job Training
  ü 4 working days or 28 working hours

Part 5. Assessment

• Final Examination

Duration of Training Course
(2 months)

Class Schedule:

Monday – Saturday
8:30a.m. – 12:00 noon
1:00 - 3:30p.m.
2 sessions per week for every group

For more information call or visit:

SOS Children’s Village Calbayog
Brgy. Dagum Calbayog City
6710 Western Samar
Phone: +63 (55) 209-1170 / 533-9801
Telefax: +63 (55) 209-3798
Email: http://ph.mc769.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=calbayog@sosphilippines.org
http://www.sosphilippines.org/

more images from the ISA Investment Forum

Here are some more pictures taken during the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) Public Governance Forum which was held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on March 11 - 12, 2009. The City of Cabayog, a PGS-compliant member of the ISA participated in that event.

For some details about the event, please check this link.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento being greeted by former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao, ISA Chair and Founding Fellow. With them is ISA President Joel Valdez.

Vice President Noli De Castro with Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Vice President Noli De Castro addressing the ISA Forum.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he made his presentation.

City Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office Head Nida U. Beso making her presentation.

City Treasurer Federico Resente, Jr.

more images from the GILAS Program

Let me give you some more images taken from the GILAS Program which was held at the DepEd Conference Hall last Friday, January 23, 2009. (For some details on the program, you may check this link)

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with (r-l) Mario Deriquito, Director of Ayala Foundation Center for Social Development, City Schools Division Superintendent Edita Paculan and TTMIST President Socorro Bohol.

Dir. Deriquito with Gilas Visayas Manager Dino Rey Abellano and DILG City Director Valente Bajet.

Mayor Sarmiento with Mrs. Paculan, Dir. Deriquito and other guests during the Tele-Conference.

Mayor Sarmiento with some officials of Brgy. Mag-ubay.

For other details, you may check this link.

more images from Alay Lakad 2008

Here are some more pictures taken during alay Lakad 2008.

Images from Alay Lakad 2008

Let me give you some pictures taken during last Saturday's Alay Lakad. As announced, Alay Lakad 2008 took a different route. Instead of walking the usual venue which is the Calbayog Airport, the participants walked around the city. Participants from Oquendo and Tinambacan were ferried in by the City's School buses. The events was capped by a Mass and a short program at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. Try to spot some familiar faces among the participants.

Some members of the CKC YDT Drum corps leading the walk.

TTMIST group

Some educators from DepEd

Calbayog Chief of Police P/Supt Lito Bigoy with the PNP contingent.

The OIC (Mayor) Councilor Noel Sermense with Councilor Sonny Salurio

City Administrator Arnol Trani with Dr. Teody Fortaleza