Stories | CODE-NGO

CODE-NGO: Government Regulation of CSOs Must be Appropriate, Proportionate and Not Burdensome

by CODE-NGO | Oct 7, 2015 | Stories

CODE-NGO has called on government to review its policies on regulating and accrediting civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure that these are appropriate to the purpose of the regulation and proportionate to the size and nature of the concerned CSOs.

In its position paper submitted recently to the Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), CODE-NGO emphasized that if the purpose of regulation is for CSOs to exist or to participate in local and national governance processes, then the requirements should be very light and the process very easy. This is in recognition of the right of all citizens to organize and the right of citizens and CSOs to participate in decision-making at all levels; rights which are recognized in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. On the other hand, if the purpose of regulation/accreditation is for CSOs to receive public funds, then accountability demands that the requirements and the process should be stricter.

‘Wanted: Appropriate Home and Livelihood’

by CODE-NGO | Oct 6, 2015 | Features, Stories

For Jaime Evangelista, chairman of Ugnayan ng mga Samahan ng Mamamayan at Mangingisda ng Rizal (UGMMARIZ), proper housing and livelihood projects are the keys of improvement for the neighborhood in Cardona, Rizal.

Its project, “Fisherfolk Settlement”, seeks support from other organizations like Habitat for Humanity in order to provide proper housing for community members.

Most of their members live around Laguna Lake which causes danger to their everyday lives. Since their houses are around the lake, they are prone to flood especially when it’s rainy season. According to the villagers, they experienced riding a banca because the water level rises quickly. They also walked through the high water level to be able to find something to eat. Despite these dangers, people continue to live around the lakeshore because they lack the funds to live in or own a decent home.

Coping with Yolanda’s aftermath

by CODE-NGO | Oct 6, 2015 | Features, Stories

For the people living in the community in Brgy. Look, Cardona Rizal, the cash assistance given by the Christian Aid Philippines helps in restoring their lives after the destruction of typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

According to the data gathered by the Official Gazette, almost 6201 people died, 27665 injured and 1785 people are still missing after typhoon Yolanda had its landfall in the Philippines. In Rizal province, 50 families in 2 barangays were affected and it is listed that there are no evacuees and evacuation center. Power outage was also experienced in Cardona.

Parents as partners

by CODE-NGO | Oct 4, 2015 | Features, Stories

Unless their parents work in the academe, kids are likely away from them when in school. But that doesn’t mean they can’t show love for one another while apart. At Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc., parents are called to be involved in their child’s schooling.

Nena Avelino, a former scavenger on Smokey Mountain, is a mother to five children. One of her two sons, Andoy, was an ERDA scholar. Before his family learned of the non-government organization (NGO), Andoy used to help his mother look for scraps when she would go around the landfill. “Nung nakapasok na siya sa ERDA SaBaNa [Sanayan ng mga Batang Nanambakan, the NGO’s development center in Tondo, Manila], hindi na siya sumasama sa akin [When he got to enter ERDA SaBaNa, he would not go with me anymore],” said Ms. Avelino. She explained that ERDA urges kids to forgo scavenging and instead focus on their studies.

Helping children learn

by CODE-NGO | Oct 3, 2015 | Features, Stories

On September 19, 2014, Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc. marked its 40th anniversary. It was also the 100th birthday of the group’s founder, Fr. Pierre Tritz. For these two occasions, ERDA does not want to limit its plans within the non-government organization (NGO). Rather, anyone interested may look for ways to help them out.

With just around 40 employees nationwide, ERDA welcomes volunteers who would like to join their work, Joana Ramos, technical assistant at ERDA, said. Volunteers may be of any age, ethnicity, or religion.

Success through studies

by CODE-NGO | Oct 2, 2015 | Features, Stories

At the mere mention of kids, Fr. Pierre Tritz’s eyes brightened as he smiled from ear to ear. “My work is to help children and the poor who have no money to get an education,” said the 99-year-old Jesuit who has led Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc. for almost four decades.

Though born in France, Fr. Tritz has spent most of his life elsewhere. He served as a missionary in China from 1936 to 1948 until political conflict began to rise in the country. Fr. Tritz was then sent to the Philippines in 1950. Over the years, he fell in love with the country and chose to stay. In 1974, he founded ERDA as a response to an article on dropout rates in local public schools. Both fading and recent-looking photos of him with friends—from different age brackets and social classes—cover his desk at the non-government organization (NGO). Today, ERDA focuses on (1) educational assistance, (2) child, family, and community assistance, and (3) child protection.