TAO-Pilipinas

Typhoon Pedring wrecked havoc to our partner communities especially in Navotas. Immediately after the typhoon, TAO-Pilipinas conducted a damage assessment to our partner communities in Navotas. Site visits were done in the communities of  Barangay Tanza and Barangay Tangos. To view a copy of the Post-Pedring Assessment done by TAO-Pilipinas in our partner communities in Navotas, please follow this link.

We are also conducting relief operations to these Navotas communities. In light of this, we are asking for donations that we could give to our partner communities. Monetary donations can be deposited to our bank account with the following bank details:

Monetary donations will be used to buy construction materials for house repairs. You may also donate by giving food packages such as noodles, canned goods, sacks of rice; clean and usable clothes and blankets; old tarpaulins; and usable pots and pans. You can drop off your donations at our office in 27-A Matiyaga St. Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City. For further questions on how you can help our partner communities, you can email your inquiries at info@tao-pilipinas.org or tao_phil@yahoo.com

We would also like to extend our gratitude to all those who have already donated and helped in our initial relief efforts. Photos of the relief operation will be posted soon.

*Editor’s Note: a more updated version of the Post-Pedring Assessment is given in the 2nd issue of HSE Update, just follow this link to the HSE Website*

At the start of the new millennium, TAO-Pilipinas ventured into development work armed only with idealism, passion, and commitment to help the poor. A decade later, these qualities still burn but it has been tempered with experience and strengthened with the knowledge of the relevance of its existence in the field of development work and the support of its partners.

Its 10th Anniversary celebration last August 24 included a thanksgiving mass, launching of publications, forum, and the signing of the deed of sale for the Angat Relocation project. His Excellency Most Reverend Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Manila officiated the thanksgiving mass and Arch. Ning Encarnacion-Tan, TAO Board of Trustee welcomed the guests and partners. Five publications were launched: Gabay sa Pagsasanay sa Community-based Solid Waste Management; Integrating Disaster Risk Management in Site Planning and House Design in Resettlement Projects Manuscript; Polyeto ng Alternatibong Materyales at Teknolohiya Blg. 1-6; TAO Shelter Issue No. 10 Anniversary Issue; and Beyond Shelter: Architecture and Human Dignity where Arch. Arlene Christy Lusterio was a contributor on the chapter on Sustainable Communities: Avoiding Disaster in the Informal City. The forum “Aiming for Sustainable Human Settlements Development in the Time of Climate Change” had as guest speakers TAO Board of Trustees President Laura T. David, Ph.D. who presented Understanding Climate Change and its Impact on Human Settlements Development and TAO Advisory Board member and mentor Fr. Jorge Anzorena who presented Africa highlighting people’s initiatives towards sustainable housing and infrastructure development in several communities. This was followed by a lively discussion in the open forum.

The theme, reflecting the optimism and commitment to service of the organization for the poor culminated with the signing of the deed of sale for the Masagana Resettlement Project in Angat, Bulacan, a bold step for TAO-Pilipinas and its partner people’s organization MASAGANA, towards the realization of the vision of sustainable human settlements development.

The event was held at Torre Venezia Hotel in Timog and attended by around 70 people—representatives from partner NGOs (37), the private sector, academe, and professional groups (14) and TAO Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, and staff.

Below are just some of the photos from the anniversary celebration:

The YP Program is still accepting applicants for the 2011 YP Workshop entitled, Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Community Planning and Development. Deadline is extended until September 16, 2011.

The Young Professionals (YP) Workshop on Social Housing is a capability-building activity organized annually by TAO-Pilipinas to orient young design professionals about social housing, with different thematic focus every year. It targets young design professionals/students who are interested in working on issues that affect poor communities, particularly their shelter needs. It aims to develop social commitment and promote YP involvement in participatory processes with poor communities in need of technical professional services. Done in coordination with TAO’s partner NGOs and people’s organizations, the program provides venues for direct community-professional interaction. TAO has organized four cycles of the Young Professionals Workshop in Social Housing with the following themes and immersion areas: participatory community planning (Metro Manila) in 2005; community-based disaster risk management (Infanta, Quezon Province) in 2006; building sustainable communities in resettlement sites (Albay Province) in 2008; and water supply and sanitation (Metro Manila) in 2009.

The application form is available for download at this link. Filled-up application form can be emailed to yp.taopilipinas@gmail.com or fax to 441-0998. To know more about the program of activities for the 2011 YP Workshop, please visit the YP Website.

Job title: Country Manager, Philippines

Salary: PHP 1, 730, 445 – 1, 960, 054 per annum

Fixed term contract for one year

Based: Manila, Philippines

Closing date: 5:00pm, 16 August 2011 (Manila Time)

More than half the world lives in poverty. Christian Aid has a vision – an end to poverty – and we believe that vision can become a reality. We are striving to bring lasting change to the lives of the poorest communities. We work wherever there is great need, helping people to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. If you’re passionate about positive change across the world, then this job might be for you.

Already working in international development with another charity or NGO – possibly as a manager or within a team in a similar area – you’ll see this as an excellent opportunity to take a step up. But whatever your background, you’ll be keenly aware of the issues affecting the country and the region, and will have proven you’re a strong team leader. As you’ll be working with a diverse range of people both within Christian Aid and from outside organisations, you’ll need to be a confident negotiator and articulate communicator. English language is essential for this post with fluency in Tagalog or other major Filipino languages is desirable.

You will need to be able to lead and manage change, lead advocacy efforts, build strong networks and relationships and resolve conflict. You will have at least one or more of the following sectoral experience: social development, women’s development, community development, livelihoods, rights-based approaches, emergency response, Disaster Risk Reduction, climate change. You will need experience of gender mainstreaming/social exclusion and of policy development and strategic planning.

Please show your suitability for this post by giving answers to the following questions: using the guideline notes in the application form may help you formulate your answers.

Creativity and Innovation

It is often surprising how effective it can be to look at something in a new or unconventional way. Tell us about a time when looking at a problem from a unique or unconventional angle helped you to come up with a solution?

Strategic Thinking

Please tell us about a situation where you had to develop a policy or proposal on a strategic issue when key elements affecting the policy or proposal were still evolving.

Decision Making

Tell me about a time when you decided on a course of action even though you knew it would only please some of your staff but disappoint or upset the rest.

Initiative

Tell me about a time when you saw and acted on an opportunity to improve a process, or address a current problem.

We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation. So you can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

To apply for this post, please download an application pack at www.christianaid.org.uk/jobs and e-mail your completed International application form to manilarecruitment@christian-aid.org quoting the reference number below. You can also download the Christian Aid Role Profile at this link to know more about this job opening.

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Job reference: PHIL/2011/03

Closing date for applications: 5:00pm, 16 August 2011 (Manila Time)

Interview date: between 25 and 31 August 2011

We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

THE YP WORKSHOP FOR THIS YEAR was officially launched with a roundtable discussion with the academe. Heads and representatives of architecture, engineering and planning colleges in Metro Manila were invited to a roundtable discussion on July 22, 2011 at Max’s Restaurant in Quezon City Circle.

The event was attended by Dean Ted Inocencio of PUP-CAFA; Dean Victor Macam of UE(Caloocan)-CE; Dr. Phares Parayno of Miriam College-DE; EnP. Carmeli Chaves of UP-SURP; Engr. Ariel Morales of UE(Manila)-CE; Arch. Antonio De Vera of FEU-IARFA; and Engr. Aquilino Rolusta of CCP-CE. Representatives of student organizations were also present — Mharren Castro of UP-Task Force Arki; Gerome Hipolito of UP-GE Club; Aldo Mayoralgo UP-Asaphil; and Melanie Ramis of UE ACES-PICE.

TAO’s Education and Training Program team gave presentations to brief the guests on the program and application requirements for the 2011 YP Workshop on Social Housing. Arch. Geraldine Matabang presented an overview of TAO’s organizational profile and selected projects while Engr. Rosalyn Veneracion discussed the YP Workshop objectives, theme, and program. Argean Guiaya presented the socio-economic profiles of community areas where participants to the YP Workshop will immerse in. These included communities in Tanza and Tangos in Navotas City, Talayan in Quezon City, and Kasiglahan Village I in Rodriguez, Rizal.

An open forum followed the presentations. Guests sought some clarifications on the workshop program and articulated their concerns such as the sponsorship consideration and the safety and security of workshop participants especially during immersion activities. The threats of eviction and possibility of relocation of the community immersion areas, many of which are informal settlements, were also discussed. Community leader-organizers of Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Ms. Luz Domingo of Talayan and Ms. Vangie Serrano of KV1, were also on hand to provide some information on their area’s peace and order situation, coordination with the barangay authorities, and the readiness of host families with whom the workshop participants will stay with during the immersion period.

At the end of the discussion, video presentations of previous YP workshops were shown and application forms and posters were distributed. TAO Executive Director Arlene Lusterio gave the closing remarks to conclude the event.