BBC-Lipa & Archdiocese of Lipa Promise to Include Families of AFP’s enlisted men in programs

 

 

(March 12,2009) –  The Bishop-Businessmen’s Conference -Lipa Chapter (BBC-Lipa) has agreed to include the families of retired AFP enlisted men in their livelihood programs, through the existing projects of Pondong Batangan and the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese.  This was the assurance given by no less than the Archbishop of Lipa, Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, as chair of BBC-Lipa in its regular meeting held at his residence last March 12.  BBC-National Executive Director, Ms. Belle Beluan, made the appeal to the local BBC chapter as she annoucned that the BBC-National has adopted this as part of their project for the families of retired enlisted personnel of the AFP.

The members of the Board decided however to create a program designed to “re-orient the retiring personnel and their families into their entrance to civilian life” as the first step to address this situation.  ”Psychologically they are not prepared for this sudden shift from a military environment to a civilian environment,” observed Fr. Manny Guazon,  Executive Director of Pondong Batangan Foundation, Inc. and a member of the BBC-Lipa Board of Directors.  

“Most of the retired enlisted men end up as tricycle drivers or jobless,” observed Lt. Marvin Batay-an, PAF,  who attended the meeting on behalf of the AFP.  He was assured that the military personnel, including their retiring civilian employees,  would be included and considered for the livelihood projects of Pondong Batangan and the Social Action Center.  Pondong Batangan has launched several vocational and technical trainings in coordination with TESDA and other NGOs in the various vicariates of the archdiocese.  The Social Action Center has Villa San Jose, site of the archdiocesan housing project for the poor, as its pilot test in their sustainable agriculture venture.  The housing beneficiaries in Villa San Jose are the participants in this developmental projects.  

Aside from the Archbishop,  those who attended the Board meeting were Dr. Vic Arguelles of the University of Batangas, Atty. Rumel Muria (secretary), Mr. Willie Bleza, executive director; Ms. Emmy Castillo, Fr. Manny Guzon, Fr. Clarence Patag, Fr. Nonie Dolor and ex-Ambassador Macario Laurel, BBC-Lipa President.