The Province Link Persons of WJPIC from the different communities gathered September 27 – 28, 2018 at St. Bridget School, Quezon City for the regular Annual Meeting for updating and planning to synchronize efforts of the Province to address issues related to Women, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (WJPIC). A sharing of the National Situation in the Philippines was done highlighting the socio–political issues that affect the people, especially the poor, to include specifically the indigenous youth from Mindanao who suffer because of continuous militarization in their area. This was graphically shared by two students from Cotabato in Mindanao who represented their indigenous community in coordination with Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS, the National Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

Sr. Juanito Dano, RGS also shared her experiences in response to the challenging issues of extra judicial killings (EJKs) in her mission area in Tahanan, San Andres Bukid, Manila. She also showed the documentary video made in coordination with the GMA News (a local TV network in the Philippines) about this prevailing issue.

A biblico-theological reflection was facilitated by Fr. Oliver Castor, CSsR to end the first day by evoking the participants on how to “act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God” bearing in mind the glaring issues and in the country now where injustices and lack of respect for humanity are the new narratives that are normally experienced throughout the Philippines.

The second day was devoted to plan actions to synchronize efforts for better coordination and strong delivery of message on the six priority issues of the congregation. A presentation of the position papers on priority issues was made by Ms. Grace Mallorca–Bernabe, Advocacy Officer of SMEIDFI. This sharing made easier for the Link Persons to concretize responses that are suited to various settings, including the schools. Suggested steps for contextualization of actions are in the areas of: capacity development, knowledge management (including monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and alliance building, program formulation, implementation, and resource mobilization. Possible concrete actions were identified per areas.

In general, the Link Persons agreed on the following as focus for this year:

Conduct advocacy/information dissemination, aggressive networking, dialogue on life, peace and justice

Integrate priority issues (trafficking, prostitution, migration, economic justice, integral ecology and girl – child) in the school curriculum

Replicate responses on EJKs

Communal Planting

Facilitate programs and services for families

Enhance ecumenical, inter faith spirituality as way of life

Document baseline information and research on issues

You may find the outcome of the meeting by accessing Strategies for Localization document in the Resources page.

Contributed by Ministry Team. Responsible for this article is Sr. Anya Borbon, RGS (anyaborbon@gmail.com)