Philippine Children’s Ministries Network

Samar Pastors Assess Program Performance and Plans for the Next 6 Months

A meeting among 21 pastors representing 3 local networks in Samar island was held last October 14-16, 2009 to assess the last two quarters of accomplishments of planned activities and also look forward to priorities for the next six months. This meeting was facilitated by Pine Gutierrez and Gerald Tampico. The Samar networks are association of local churches that bound together to fight against human trafficking. There are three local networks in Samar, namely: Northern Samar Children’s Ministries Network, Western Samar Children’s Ministries Network and Eastern Samar Child’s Rights Advocate Network.

Forthcoming 2010, the 3 networks earmarked their activities that revolve around implementation of Alternative Learning System, two computer technology centers currently in operation each in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and in Calbayog City, Western Samar. The local network in Western Samar is intensifying projects that will sustain the cost of coordinating local network processes such as the tricycle project in Calbayog City and a rice store in Northern Samar.

The networks slowly become more adept in coordinating activities for children at risk, them becoming more engaged in groups that respond to issues of children at risk. Western Samar Children’s Ministries Network is actively participating in the Provincial Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking, an agency that coordinates and provides policies and guidelines to reduce human trafficking. Other agencies the networks will want to engage in 2010 are as follows: local government units such as municipal and city social welfare, PESO office, TESDA, ad Department of Education.

One remarkable event that happened during the 3 day activity was the realization of many of those attending, on the importance of continuing to work on the achievement of the goals of each network, some pastors even crying publicly having felt their lack in performance. Over-all, the 3-day activity enhanced the relationship among local networks in Samar, heightened the involvement of each one, and increased communication in and among the member churches.