As it marks its 68th year, Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, vowed to intensify efforts to extend assistance to the poor and the needy.
Caritas Manila Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascual said the grace of God is evident in the efforts of the Church to help the poor and the needy.
“The grace of God may be seen in the efforts of the Church to help the poor. Caritas Manila is God’s instrument in helping the needy. God is truly faithful. His love is everlasting as He continues to provide support, help and salvation to all through charity,” Pascual said over Radio Veritas.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. presided over the thanksgiving mass with Fr. Pascual, Fr. Moises Ciego and Fr. Eric Adoviso, commissioner of the Manila Archdiocesan Social Services and Development Ministry as co-celebrants.
Pascual vowed to intensify efforts to help the poor through the various programs of Caritas Manila.
“In our almost seven decades, Caritas Manila has helped many communities through its livelihood, education, and other charity programs. Since March 2020 amid the pandemic, Caritas Manila has generated more than 2 billion pesos in cash and in kind in donations and has distributed these to the poorest of the poor in Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” Pascual said.
This year, the social action arm has extended help to more families in Visayas and Mindanao. Caritas Manila has released more than P 500,000 in cash and in kind to the poorest of the poor, Pascual said.
Caritas Manila also provides scholarship through its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) that sends more than 5,000 youths from different parts of the country to college and technical vocational courses. Aside from education and agri-entrepreneurship, Caritas Manila encourages its scholars to take up nursing to help the country’s health sector during an emergency crisis like the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In September, Caritas Manila was able to generate P10 million from the Caritas YSLEP telethon. It also continues its Seguna Mana program for its YSLEP Scholars.
“We are truly grateful for all the trust and the help as we assure all our donors that their assistance will definitely reach those who need it most especially the poorest of the poor,” Pascual said.
Former Archdiocese of Manila Archbishop Rufino Santos established Catholic Charities in 1953 with the aim of helping the poor sector of society.