KEVIN McMAHON makes an inspiring visit to The Philippines

Recently, I visited The Philippines on behalf of CIAD (the CGI’s Commission for International Aid and Development of SVDP globally), to see firsthand how they have benefitted from emergency assistance provided by the Society in response to damage caused by this year’s typhoon onslaught.

I was able, at the same time, to get a sense of how assistance from the Society in Australia through Twinning, Projects and the Assist A Student Program was helping in the everyday work with less privileged communities.

The source of many migrants in Australia, the Philippines has a population of over 116 million, scattered over many islands. The population is 80 per cent Catholic, most of whom are very poor. Typhoons regularly impact on many coastal dwellers, with severe impact on communities relying on fishing for their livelihood. Flooded roads and rivers affect many other occupations and make getting assistance to those most affected quite difficult.

Our group of three comprised my wife, Sue (who took the photos) and Rose-Marie Navarro, a Vincentian from Sydney, whose local knowledge, language fluency and Vincentian approach made her a fantastic asset.

An important part of our trip was attending the SSVP Philippines National Convention in Roxas City (on Capiz Island, population 1.4 million). Held every 3 years, this event saw the election of a new National President, Br. Narciso G Cruzat, Jr and Sr Maria Carla Maglalan, the outgoing President, hosted us with great warmth and attention. Their enthusiasm throughout the Convention was particularly effective with the large number of young people in attendance.

During our time there we witnessed the local conferences at work. A Conference of nursing students supported a “home away from home” for deaf and blind students, who needed to attend special schools which were unavailable where they lived. We also visited an “informal settlement” of hundreds of people living on flood-prone land right on the sea’s edge. The next day we visited a prison, joined by some young local members who visit regularly. 

Mindoro and were hosted on the first night at the parish of St Michael the Archangel. This was the site of the Mangyan Centre which provided accommodation and a market venue for Indigenous villagers who travelled in from their mountain village to sell produce. The Centre doubles, between market days, as accommodation for the children of the village to further their education. Their gratitude to Australia, in particular Victoria, who funded the building and its fit-out was clearly expressed.

The local Conference is also investigating providing a small vehicle to assist the villagers because currently they have a two-hour walk to carry their produce in all weathers. They also channelled government food aid to the group at a function where the children proudly sang and danced to display their cultural heritage.
The next day we were up early to help the Conference supplying breakfast for the children in a nearby fishing village. I finally understood how vulnerable their homes were, and how easily the fishing boats on the shore would be destroyed in a typhoon, or even worse, how they would become a weapon of destruction as they were washed into the fragile houses.

We then visited Catanduanes, with a population of 300,000. As the most easterly island, it is the first port of call for the annual typhoons. The story is repeated all along the east coast. We were driven around the island and saw the rebuilding of dwellings for the most vulnerable. The tiny concrete homes were basic but were built to provide better shelter during a typhoon, and in a location not prone to flooding.

Back in Manila before returning home, we firstly visited the National Council at their office and then an orphanage run by the Daughters of Charity. The students were on holiday and entertained us with some songs, in perfect English. Despite often sad backgrounds, they were happy and thriving in the great care provided.

Through this trip we certainly witnessed the spirit of Matthew 25:35-36 at work – feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, supporting those living in extreme poverty and rehousing those left without shelter. 

Kevin McMahon is Chair of National Council’s Overseas Partnerships Program (OPP) Standing Committee and Australia’s representative on Council General International’s Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD).