October 2018 – Philippine KOICA Fellows Association, Inc.

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Knowledge Sharing in Luzon – October 6, 2018

Luzon holds its Knowledge Sharing on Agricultural Technologies and Strategies.

PHILKOFANs from the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies and their Regional Offices, Department of Education, State Colleges and Universities and the Cordillera Administrative Region were among the participants in the recently concluded Knowledge Sharing on Agriculture and Rural Development Strategies held at Hotel Veniz, Burnham Baguio City last October 6, 2018.

The knowledge sharing focused on topics related to Agricultural Technologies and Rural Development Strategies. The resource persons, who were graduates of degree courses and training courses in Korea from 2016 to 2018 and their topics include:

Ms. Shellanie B. Molitas of the Provincial Local Government of Benguet, CAR. Technical Capability Enhancement for Mechanization and Post-harvest Handling of High Value Crops and Vegetables.
Mr. Mark Anthony Mangoba of the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization, Nueva Ecija, Region 3. Master of Science Degree Program on Agricultural Processing and Marketing.
Ms. Bathsheba Aparilla of the Special Projects Coordination and Monitoring Assistance Division, DA Central Office, National Capital Region. Strategies and Measures for Capacity Building in Rural Development.
Ms. Marjorie Villanueva of the Local Government Unit of the City of Dagupan, Pangasinan, Region 1. Master of Science Degree Program in Fishery Science.

The Open forum every after two presentations generated interest from the audience with their active participation and the animated hosting of Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy of PHilMech. The PHILKOFA and KOICA awarded a certificate of appreciation and token to the resource persons.

During the preliminaries, the Board of Trustees of PHILKOFA led by the President, Ms Gina Borinaga facilitated the Registration and Opening Ceremonies. Specifically, Col. Jose Benavides, Treasurer, was in-charge of collection of membership fee and annual dues. Mr. Resly George Amador, Secretary, in-charge of registration, Ms. Gina Borinaga, President, introduce PHILKOFA and the BOT and Officers and Engr. Genaro Tolentino, Vice President for Luzon and overall coordinator of the event.

Other PHILKOFANS also provided support in the facilitation of the overall program. Dr. Ofero Capariño of PHilMech gave the Opening Prayer, Ms. Olive Cancer of PHilMech served as Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Vicky Barlis and Ms. Anna Galvez of PHilMech, assisted in the registration, food and accommodation, Mr. Art Aro of NEDA-CAR gave the Opening and Welcome Remarks, Ms. Edith Abergas, a retiree from NEDA and former President of PHILKOFA gave an inspirational message and Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy hosted the Knowledge Sharing. Many other PHILKOFANS and even friends of PHILKOFA, with special mention of the PHILKOFA-CAR, provided voluntary support and assistance to ensure that everything is taken cared of. Truly, the spirit of volunteerism is evident among the PHILKOFANS.

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Community Outreach in Itogon, Benguet – October 7, 2018

Community Assistance in Itogon, Benguet.

PhilKOFA set an outreach activity in the Municipality of Itogon on October 7, 2018. There were 28 family representatives present during the activity. The families were identified by the MSWD officer Ms. Grace Pocsola as prioritized because of their present status of living, extent of livelihood and residential destruction experienced, and number of dependents.

Ms Gina P Borinaga, Philkofa Pres delivering message to the recipient families — Ms Gina P Borinaga, Philkofa President delivering message to the recipient families

A program was held together with the families, LGU’s, Philkofans, Rotary, CJ Philippines, KCCP representatives and MSWD Grace Poscola. This was hosted by CAR Philkofan with a welcome address from Councilor Arnel Bakingaran. President of Philkofa Gina Borinaga delivered an inspiring message to the families as well before the relief distribution.

PHILKOFANS were briefed of the situation of the families and the figures of the deceased and those who were mostly affected of the typhoon. Acting RCM in CAR, Art Uro, who was so fervent in coordination with the LGU’s and MSWD for this outreach, addressed his concerns and the group’s intent to provide assistance and strongly recommended for a continuous and a long term assistance to the chosen families. This was explained to the families together with VP for Luzon, Genaro Tolentino.

Relief distribution followed with Philkofans giving bags of raincoats, flashlights, blankets, mosquito nets as well as food items which was donated by Rotary International and from other Philkofans as well. CJ Philippines headed by Ms. Chiqui Roma who donated 150 bags of hygiene kits with KCCP representative Chi Carreon also distributed food items and goods to the displaced families.

Aside from distributing food items and health kits gathered from various donors, including CJ Feeds and KOICA, the group organized a “Tungtungan” with the representatives of 28 families. Objective of the “Tungtungan” was to listen to the specific needs of the families and provide support through long-term programs. In this dialogue facilitated by fellow PHILKOFAN Sir Art Aro, the family representatives expressed their gratitude to the donors with their heartfelt requests and desires to be provided with assistance so they could at least be relieved from their present situation.

This is just the initial step. PHILKOFA vowed to do what they can to help address major and urgent needs of the 28 families identified. But with the little that can be done, there is great hope that these families will rise from their present state. The long-term impact on the improvement of their lives is what PHILKOFA desires.

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Luzon Regional Assembly in Baguio – October 6, 2017

Vice President for Luzon Engr. Genaro Tolentino led the Regional Assembly in Baguio.

Engr. Genaro Tolentino, Philkofa Vice President for Luzon

In an attempt to revitalize the organization, the new Board of Trustees and Officers the Philippine KOICA Fellows Association, Inc. (PHILKOFA) identified the holding of Regional Assemblies as an initial step to make the organization more cohesive and stronger. In this context, Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino, VP for Luzon coordinated the conduct of Luzon General Assembly along with the Knowledge Sharing for Luzon.

The first schedule was September 21-22, 2018. But with the devastation brought about by typhoon “Ompong” in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 1, Region 2 and some parts of Region 3 about a week earlier, the event was postponed. The Luzon General Assembly was finally held on October 6, 2018 at Hotel Veniz, Baguio City.

As a starter, Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, Engr. Genaro Tolentino and Ms. Anna Margarita Galvez facilitated a game entitled “Human Bingo” – Getting to Know Each Other Better. Prizes from the BOT and Officers and concerned members contributed for the cash prize for the first 3 participants who completed the human bingo card. Completion of the bingo card means, all the person described in each box of the card were identified and able to sign above his/her name.

Prior to the assembly proper, the major donors for the Lingap PHILKOFA sa Itogon were given time for their short messages. These included the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, the CJ Philippines, and the Rotary Club. Ms. Gina Borinaga, the President introduced PHILKOFA and the BOT to the body.

Ms. Aurora Collantes, retired NEDA official

Ms. Aurora Collantes, a retired NEDA official and former BOT member of PHILKOFA also greeted the PHILKOFANS and encouraged everyone to actively participate in the affairs of the PHIKOFA. Ms. Cely Jamig of UP-NCPAG, one of the founders of PHILKOFA, also encouraged everyone to build connections and collaborative undertakings with the PHILKOFA stakeholders, especially the agencies where the PHILKOFANS are connected or employed for the furtherance attainment of PHIKOFA’s mission and programs.

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Free Flu Vaccination with PHILKOFA Members and Families – January 27, 2018

Philkofa find ways to serve and attend to the needs of the members.

Last January 26, 2018, PHILKOFA conducted a free flu vaccination to its members and families at PAGASA DIC MEDIA ROOM from 8:00am-11:00am.

Through the goodwill and benevolence of our member Philkofan Doctor Michael Angelo Marasigan from the City Health Department, A total of 36 individuals were vaccinated for free.

This a channel to reach out and strengthen membership by being susceptible to the needs of our fellows. Said activity also opened partnership and awareness to new Philkofans since PAGASA has the most number of KOICA scholars.

Monthly Archives: October 2018

Knowledge Sharing in Luzon – October 6, 2018

Community Outreach in Itogon, Benguet – October 7, 2018

Luzon Regional Assembly in Baguio – October 6, 2017

Free Flu Vaccination with PHILKOFA Members and Families – January 27, 2018