LAGAWE, IFUGAO– Four hardworking, dedicated and pioneering individuals, who constitute the “lean and mean” staff of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Ifugao Chapter, continue to provide the public noteworthy projects and well-meaning services.
This time around, the undermanned PRC-Ifugao Chapter conducted a Child Protection Orientation at the Gazebo Restaurant in Lagawe.
Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Cherry Mae Barrio, Maureen Balallo, Pinky Banayan and Ryan Amayna made full use of their time at the nearly whole-day activity by interacting with 21 participants. The orientation’s participants came from four public elementary and high schools in Ifugao. They learned everything there is to know about issues and concerns on child protection in the present-day scenario.
Australian Red Cross delegate Mahfuja Sultana and PRC Child Protection Officer Aries Burgonio were on hand in empowering the participants to actively and meaningfully take part in the activity.
Ms. Sultana enlightened the participants on the rights of children as provided for by national and international laws. Sultana, a Bangladesh national, said there are more reasons to appreciate and love the PRC’s programs on children in the near and long-term periods. “It all starts with understanding the vision, objectives and strategies of the Red Cross,” she said.
On the other hand, Burgonio experimented and developed learning modules on risk management and other major concerns of the PRC. He employs innovative and creative styles to arouse the interest of the participants. Conversely, everyone played his or her part to the fullest.
There were “healthy exchanges” of views and opinions on plight of school children, most especially in underserved communities.
Key issues and concerns of children on the Department of Education (DepEd) front were also tackled.
“We are glad that the facilitators and participants, who were tasked to evaluate, assess ad determine the information at hand, and guide learning institutions as to what should further be done in order to have a strong program for the protection of children,” Barrio said.
“Ultimately, the principal’s or teacher’s goal is to prevent the recurrence of child abuse cases,” she added.
And to help the country prepare against child abusers and the like, Balallo said similar activities were also held in Mountain Province, Quirino and La Union.
This project, also backed by the Australian Red Cross, also involved representatives of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).
It is deemed crucial in meeting the challenges of educators at a time of changes in attitudes and behavior of the young.
The conduct of the orientation was in line with the broader thrust of Ms. Barrio and her staff to reach out to youngsters of diverse backgrounds.
All these and more, plus interactive games of the participants and facilitators, gave meaning to the linkages among the mentors and the PRC-Ifugao Chapter stalwarts.
For instance, participants from Ponghal Elementary School (situated in a far-flung village of Lagawe) worked together to lay the foundation of camaraderie in the education sector.
The participants of the other three schools also promoted the spirit of solidarity among themselves.
Contacted for comment, PRC-Ifugao Chapter board director Godfrey Dominong said the activity is “most helpful in ensuring that Ifugao’s children have active, healthy and productive lives.”
“Are we ready to safeguard the well-being of children that we advocate?” he queried.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Dominong in pointing out the vitality of protecting the youth, said the task is not easy in most instances explaining that “it may be an uphill battle but given all parameters, Ifugao is still in a position to become a model in the years to come.”
“Hail to our teachers! Cheers to the PRC-Ifugao Chapter for supporting this cause!” he quipped.
“The Philippine Red Cross is not always solely being lauded for its blood-letting projects.” With this, Dominong underscored just how a child protection program “should serve as an inspiration on a vital activity as this can be related to the task of nation-building.”
The other board directors who shared Dominong’s sentiments are Mary Ann Bahiwag, Charles Balachawe, Eugene Balitang, Joseph Bulayungan, Carmelita Buyuccan, Mario Indopia, Noli Maguiwe, Robert Mangyao and Letty Ngipol.
The highly-successful project on child protection also comes ahead of other initiatives planned by the PRC-Ifugao Chapter.
It is widely supposed that the PRC-Ifugao Chapter shall gain the support of the public and private sectors.
The PRC-Ifugao Chapter’s full-blown activities are now given ample attention by the provincial government and are seen to improve the living conditions of countless highland villages in the province.
Prioritized were comfort rooms and facilities on sanitation. School heads made a budget. The PRC-Ifugao Chapter took it from there.
“I’m impressed by the fact that the PRC-Ifugao Chapter’s project is backed by a well thought through implementation plan,” Elberto Banatao said. He is the principal of Malalupa Elementary School in Alfonso Lista town.
Myrna Tangid, principal of Galunugan Elementary School in Aguinaldo, also attended the activity.
The likes of Cherry Mae Barrio, Maureen Balallo, Pinky Bayawan and Ryan Awayna joined the roster of the PRC-Ifugao Chapter just recently and their group made sure the office would sustain its excellence heading into the future. Undoubtedly, they are individuals who manifest an inspiring passion to make a difference in the lives of the people.
They are among the most inspired personnel in this part of the province.
The PRC-Ifugao Chapter has a very energetic workforce. They really endeavor hard, especially in the conduct of vital projects as this one.
Ifugao appealed to them because they’re true-blooded public servants at heart.
The PRC-Ifugao Chapter decided to integrate a forward-looking approach on child protection. It is focused on their needs and wants.
The feedback that ZigZag Weekly got from the participants and organizers was that the activity was pretty successful albeit the fact that resources and time were limited.
It was a success and thrives to these day.
It had more ups than downs!
All social problems brought forth by the failure to protect children are ultimately to be absorbed by Ifugao and its people.
It is a goal that in spite of the difficult times, the PRC-Ifugao Chapter has taken the lead in addressing the matter without let-up. This is an important mission the PRC-Ifugao Chapter is tasked to continue.
The challenge here is how to sustain the gains registered at the orientation while facing the difficulties of having to cover an area of 11 towns nestled on mountainous terrains with limited personnel and logistics.
Ambulance alone is a major problem of the office. Bureaucratic red tape and insensitivity in the officialdom are stumbling blocks in acquiring one. It can’t wait for forever to have one.
It practically operates on a shoe-string budget. Funds are essential for projects such as a thermometer for each barangay, hygienic wash demonstration and the formation of responder teams in the barangays to go into high gear.
While the Red Cross is generally known for its blood program, there are other major services at hand, thus the need for public support to the PRC-Ifugao Chapter. These are Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Health Services, Social Services and the Volunteer Service through the Red Cross Youth.
The PRC-Ifugao Chapter’s faithfulness to its mission and vision shows it is indeed a proponent of human development, especially to the less privileged Filipinos. The actions taken by the office were perceived as commendable as this caused elation and satisfaction when PRC chair and chief executive officer Sen. Richard Gordon evaluated its 2017 performance.** By Anthony A. Araos
