PHILSSA members gathered once again for its annual General Assembly (GA) held last June 20-21, 2019 at the Walter Hogan Hall in Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Ms. Rosemarie Johnson-Herrera, former Chairperson of PHILSSA welcomed the participants with her opening message. She thanked the network members in their untiring commitment to the network’s vision, mission, and goals. She also recognized the trust and support of the partners, donors and the communities to PHILSSA. Even if she has already retired from full-time NGO work, she shared that she will continue to be involved in advocacy work.  She emphasized that poverty-engendered problems compounded by social justice issues remain to be the challenges faced in development work. She ended her message with a challenge to everyone to never get tired of working for social justice in our country.

Learning Sessions were organized as part of the GA. There was a Learning Session on Financial Sustainability for CSOs held on the first day. Dodo Macasaet of Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI) and Wilma Guinto of Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) talked about the support and opportunities their organizations are giving for social enterprises. Resource speakers from the government were also invited to share engagement opportunities.  Forester Jinia Yaneza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) presented about the enhanced and expanded National Greening Program of DENR. She discussed the legal basis, development components and opportunities for CSOs, particularly for community organizations. Another speaker was Commissioner Noel Antonio Gaelan of the Climate Change Commission. He tackled the People’s Survival Fund including the criteria, documentary requirements and process for accessing the fund.  The last topic for the session was about Fundraising for CSOs that was given by Ms. Pinky Medina of the Ventures for Fundraising. Ms. Medina presented fundraising myths and tips and different strategies for fundraising that the network members can try to adopt.

On the second day of the GA, the Learning Session was about the Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) Movement 2030.  Dr. Milton Amayun of the International Care Ministries gave an overview of the ZEP, discussing its values, mission, principles, and structure. Annafriami Martin of PBSP discussed the Poverty Probability Index (PPI) Tool used by ZEP while Ms. Gina Estipona of the Associations of Foundation explained the Family and Community Visioning (FCV) Module. The PPI is a country-specific poverty measurement tool which determines the probability that a household is living below the poverty line. The FCV, on the other hand, engages the community in visioning and planning.  Benedict Balderrama, the lead convenor of the Housing and Shelter Cluster also shared about the cluster’s activities and plans.

The last part of the GA was the business meeting where network matters and resolutions were discussed.  Reports of the Chairperson and Treasurer were presented and approved by the body. Outstanding member awards were given to seventeen members who have diligently complied with the annual requirement for members.

The meeting was adjourned after the election of the new set of Board of Trustees.