CARITAS MANILA

2002 Jesus St., Pandacan, Manila
Website: www.caritasmanila.org.ph
E-mail: caritas@impactnet.com
Tel: 564-1831 to 36
Fax: 563-9309
Exec. Director: Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

Caritas is the social services and development ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila. Its programs and services are directed towards the total human development of the marginalized people and the promotion of social justice in the light of the Catholic Church's social teachings.

Caritas views development as empowering the poor and giving priority to those no one else serves. It is concerned with addressing the present situation of disadvantaged groups such as urban poor women and children. At the same time, CM is involved in national and even global issues such as AIDS pandemic and that of the environment. The measure of its performance lies in its contribution to the improvement in the quality of life of those marginalized

Caritas' dedicated service has manifested itself in the hundreds of families who have been able to sustain their daily needs, afford education for their children, have been given opportunities for employment. Its success in helping people towards self-reliance has been an encouragement to continue its commitment to help build lives again.

Mission

To realize our vision, we, in the Social Services and Development Ministry, commit ourselves to:

• Empower the poor
• Uphold human dignity and solidarity
• Promote social justice and Christian charity; and
• Protect and care for the environment as stewards of God’s creation

Vision

The poor in the Archdiocese of Manila, journeying with Mary, Mother of the Poor, as a people of God; empowered, transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit; discerning the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel and the Social Teachings of the Church; and committing talent, time and treasure as partners in the work of establishing a more just, loving, humane and peaceful society and in the full realization of the Kingdom of God.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of History

Caritas Manila, then known as Catholic Charities, was founded on October 1953 by the late Archbishop of Manila Rufino Cardinal Santos. He conceived it to be "a social welfare program with the purpose of uplifting the spirit and soul of the unfortunate members of our community to assist them in all their needs and to bring the help of God in their miseries and distress."

Its early years were humble beginnings. Among its first programs for the poor were material aid, medical and dental assistance, scholarships, vocational training and guidance counseling.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Manila History
1953-1963

In 1954, 377 families were given weekly food rations. It increased to 521 in 1955.

On June 1, 1954 the Educational Assistance Program was launched. 38 scholarship grants were awarded to poor but deserving students.

In 1955, the Medical Assistance Program was opened for the poor. The Dental Aid component was integrated in 1957. These services were considered the most sought after programs during the decade.

473 employers sought Catholic Charities help in hiring prospective applicants. 185 persons were given jobs.

In 1956, Catholic Charities extended its medical/dental assistance with the help of 15 parish-affiliated clinics.

In the field of nursery-child care, Catholic Charities participated in milk-feeding programs for undernourished children initiated by the UNICEF.

In 1961, the Catholic Services for the Deaf was established.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Manila History
1963-1973

Critics have regarded the institution then as a dole-out agency. The late Fr. Leo Cullum, however, argued that, "For the very many, if not for most, the first step must be material assistance, to ease the hardship and suffering that come from material want, to enable the family to devote its time and efforts to become self-sustaining." Of course, Catholic Charities knew that "the best charity is that which makes help unnecessary." The works exerted by the institution in its second decade were steps toward promoting developmental projects for the poor.

In 1964, 6,916 (49,584 members) were helped regularly and 356 families (1,954 members) being aided on emergency basis.

In 1965, 24,652 patients including those served in 21 parish-affiliated clinics were given Medical/Dental Aid.

In 1966, Catholic Charities created the more systematic Home Industries and Self-Help Unit. The production of handicraft items was implemented to supplement the income of family-participants. Among them were physically-challenged individuals.

In 1967, Catholic Charities realized the need for special community projects which would serve as focal centers of coordination and forces of change in the community. Cardinal Santos then established the Manila Archdiocesan Community Project to complement the works of Catholic Charities specially in the rural areas.

On August 2, 1968, Catholic Charities responded to the needs of victims affected by the strong quake that crushed Ruby Tower into pieces.

In 1970, the Scholarship Program tapped the support of 81 schools and offered 290 scholarships.

Catholic Charities conducted extensive anti-diptheria, anti cholera and deworming operations with the cooperation of UST Domiciliary Services. The deworming operations served 27,489 patients, 85 parishes, 6 institutions and 4 schools.

The Catholic Service for the Deaf was expanded to assist the blind and the paraplegic.
In 1971, Catholic Charities assisted 2,173 families/fire victims, notably in Tondo where 1,500 were left homeless.

In 1972, two successive typhoons submerged the Greater Manila Area and 13 Central and Northern Luzon Provinces. Catholic Charities and its donors distributed P5,000 worth of food, medicine and clothing to each of the 120 parishes within the Archdiocese and P65,000 each to six diocese of Central Luzon.

A project for small fisher folk in Cardona, Rizal was implemented to uplift their economic conditions. Another livelihood project was put up in Navotas.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Manila History
1973-1983

In 1975, when His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin became the new Archbishop of Manila, Catholic Charities was renamed Caritas Manila, derived from the Latin word Caritas meaning love for human kind. Archdiocesan agencies were placed under CM to ensure better coordination and effective service and planning.

From 1975 to 1983, Caritas pursued a pointed and in-depth initiative in carrying out services for the poor. The dignity and self-sufficiency of the less fortunate were of paramount concern.

For Caritas, this was the kind of love manifested in its endeavors, the kind of love the poor deserves.

In 1975, at the height of the Communist take-over in Vietnam, the exodus of numerous Vietnamese became unprecedented. The situation gave birth toi the Center for Assistance to Displaced Persons. CADP acted on 979 cases of so called boat people, Vietnamese who were entering the country without authorixation and another 228 cases of vietnamese women and children of Filipinos.

Also in 1975, 24 parishes developed vocational courses for the poor, 2,980 graduates were placed out or given jobs.

A housing project was worked out on a 4.5 hectare land at Barangay Dilain, Antipolo for the handicapped. They were given skills that enabled them within the limits of their capabilities to make a living.

Typhoon Didang caused floods that lasted for 11 days. The damage exceeded that of the property loss incurred during the 1972 typhoons. The number of individuals assisted was 281,518.

In 1977, the Morning Glory Program was established. The program was designed to rehabilitate young girls and women who were engaged in prostitution or had been victims of sexual exploitation.

In 1979, the Madonna Special School for Developmentally - Handicapped Children and Slow Learners, the first Catholic School for special children was inaugurated. In the early 80's CM utilized a more in-depth approach in the area of community development through the Building of Christian Communities Program which aimed to develop self-reliance among Christian communities in the parishes within the Archdiocese of Manila.

In 1983, the MGP introduced two new components: Sagip Moral Program and Marian Residence. Sagip Moral is a preventive program that seeks to minimize the number of street children while Marian Residence is a residential rehabilitation center for street children with special problems.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Manila History
1986-2000

In its fourth decade of existence, poverty in the country had become massive that it rendered the task of helping build the lives of the poor an endless but rewarding struggle. Caritas introduced significant changes in its operations as a response to the call of the times.

In 1986, under the management of Msgr. Francisco G. Tantoco Jr. CM instituted reforms to make it more responsive to the needs and challenges of the late 80s and 90s.

The Balik Probinsiya Program, which was designed to support squatter families in their decision to go back to the provinces through tangible assistance and incentives, was introduced. This was initially launched in Samar, Leyte and Negros.

The need for creating income generating opportunities for the poor and unemployed was answered through the Livelihood Enterprise Assistance for Development (LEAD).

Two other special programs were established, the Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DAPRP) and Prison Apostolate Program (PAP).

Operation of Commodities Marketing Program began. Low-priced basic goods were made available for organized community groups.

In 1987, the Madonna Special School was integrated with the Caritas Medical Pedagogical Institute which was established to address the psycho-social and educational needs of trainable and educable retarded children of the poor.

In 1988, operation of two drop-in centers for street children was started.

In 1989, major operational changes took place. The most significant result of the thorough review and evaluation of Caritas Manila's performance was the framing-up of the first three-year development plan for the Archdiocese of Manila.

Caritas Manila now focused on socio-development activities that would wholistically draw out the poor's capabilities and responsibilities. This stemmed from the belief that "self-reliance cannot be achieved through social-services alone."

The institution's centerpiece program, the Integrated Community Development Program, was carried out in depressed urban areas through the efforts of its District Development Teams (DDTs), parish leaders and local government officials. Residents of each target site were organized and armed with special skills and knowledge to foster unity toward overcoming key problems that beset their communities. The ultimate goal was to bring about long term changes in their lives.

MGP's Bukid Kabataan was inaugurated. It is a more structured residential rehabilitation center for male street children who wish to continue their studies.rehabilitation center for male street children who wish to continue their studies.

The Reach the Poor Campaign was launched. This sought to solicit financial support from individuals and corporations to fund and sustain Caritas Manila's projects.

In 1990, 28 urban poor sites were targeted under the ICDP. District Development Teams organized core groups in 13 areas. These groups underwent training on leadership skills and spiritual formation.

Caritas was able to supply commodities to different parishes and communities amounting to P1.269M Four trade fairs, featuring products of 92 small entrepreneurs were sold. Total gross was P.5M.

CM Outreach distributed relief to four dioceses hardest hit by the July 16 killer quake. Financial donations received by CM were consequently allocated for 12 rehabilitation projects such as construction of houses, clearing of damaged agricultural land, etc.

In 1991, together with the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Health, Caritas held the National AIDS Orientation attended by representatives from 24 dioceses and 16 church-based groups.

CM Outreach also responded to the call for assistance of the Central Luzon provinces which sustained serious blows from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The funds raised totaled P6,620,860. This was immediately earmarked for rehabilitation. Working in coordination with the Diocesan Social Action Centers, projects range from housing repair and construction, to livelihood, farm and river clearing and scholarship.

In December of 1991, deadly flash floods swept over Ormoc, Leyte leaving thousands dead and more without food, shelter and livelihood. CM allocated P2M for the purchase of 1.6 hectares of land for the resettlement of 350 families. Through CM, Martha's vineyard gave P117,000 to the Ormoc Community Credit Cooperative to revive the income generating activities of 433 vendors.

Also in 1991, CM inaugurated the Youth Renewal Center in General Trias Cavite in its desire to alleviate drug dependency.1992 marked the end of CM's first three year development plan. CM phased out its intervention in 10 target sites under the Integrated Community Development Program. These communities are now moving on with their projects like multi-purpose cooperatives, community-based health programs and others.

The Urban Poor Desk was established to addressed the problem of increasing cases of demolition and to provide support (advocacy, legal assistance, mediation) in times of land and housing disputes.

The Prison Apostolate Program advocated against the restoration of the death penalty and continued to press for jail reforms through service consciousness seminars and rhe submission of manifestos calling attention the prison inmates' deprived situations.

The Archdiocesan AIDS Information, Education and Communication Campaign was launched. This serves as the Church's contribution to address the growing impact of the virus and prevent its spread.

In 1993, CM participated in the Catholic Relief Services-Caritas International's program of assistance in Somalia as a response to Pope John Paul II's appeal for help.

District decentralization was included as a major strategy in the 1993-1995 three-year cycle to make CM's services to the poor more accessible. Each ecclesiastical district priest assembly chose 1 parish and one priest or lay leader to serve as district center and district coordinator.

In 1994, the Home for Older Persons was established to provide temporary shelter and medical assistance for the elderly. In 1998, the residents were referred to other agencies because the Home closed in October of that year.

1995 was the end of the 1993-1995 cycle ICCDP. Highlights of the three-year program included included electrification of Antipolo Extension to make piping of potable water o Paho possible. CM Social Workers also assisted the voluntary ressettlement of residents of Matang Tubig. Other activities included workshops on credit management and women's concerns, zero waste management orientations and the construction of a multi-purpose center in Ibayo Calzada.

In 1996, the Pinagsama-samang Lakas ng Pabahay at Hanap-buhay, Inc or Pabuhay was established. Pabuhay is a coalition of CM-assisted communities with land and housing concerns. Pabuhay was able to acquire a 1.4 hectares of land in Noveleta, Cavite htrough bridge financing. It also linked up with the Foundation for Development of the Urban Poor (FDUP) for land and housing development.

The Environmental Concerns Program was established in 1997 to contribute to the raising of parish awareness on environmental issues. To gain access to information relevant to parishes, CM through the ECP maintained its membership in the Lingkod Tao Kalikasan, one of the networks comprising the civil society counterpart of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development. CM also became one of the Clean and Green Foundation's partners in implementing the "Cleanest and Greenest Barangay along the Pasig, San Juan and Marikina Rivers Contest." In 1999, CM advocated for the passage of the Clean Air Act as part of its advocacy program.

Street families were also given help through scholarship.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Manila History
2000-2001

In 2000, the year of the Great Jubilee, CARITAS conducted the Social Justice Jubilee Summit in July 8-9 that served as a venue for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila to articulate their social concerns and formulate social actions that would help make social justice a reality.Ten social issues affecting the urban poor were identified. These were addressed by coming up with resolutions for execution within 2 years after the Summit.

CARITAS also initiated the Strengthening of the Social Services and Development Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila, committing its resources to facilitate the consolidation and enhancement of the Church's efforts to improve the lives of the urban poor. This was CARITAS response to the Jubilee vision of conversion of persons and renewal of communities in Christ.

In 2001, CARITAS implemented the Parish and District and Empowerment (PADE), Program, Caritas Manila's centerpiece program. The PADE's mission and goal is to empower the social services and development ministries of the six ecclesiastical districts of the Archdiocese of Manila for them to be able to manage and sustain programs which their communities need or improve on if necessary. Caritas will develop dedicated, God-fearing and skilled volunteers among lay people in the parishes to do volunteer tasks from clerical and errand work to technical and project management. The whole process is founded on the concept of Basic Ecclesial Communities and servant-leadership and the social teachings of the Catholic Church. The six ecclesiastical district centers will house the programs for the districts' beneficiaries. These are the crisis response, emergency relief and the health program. The district centers will likewise serve as the convergence point for information exchange and occasionally, venue for training and orientation.

In October 2001, the CARITAS Social Movement was launched involving all individuals, organizations and programs within the Social Service and Development Ministry (SSDM) in the Archdiocese of Manila. It seeks to:

• Cultivate the necessary interplay between charism and institution in the delivery of the Church's social services and development programs;
• Be the symbol of the Church's solidarity with the poor.

CARITAS established a broad outline of the CREED, CODE and CULT that will guide the CARITAS Social Movement.

CARITAS Social Movement Specific Initiatives