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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Caritas Philippines names new executive director

Caritas Philippines names new executive director

Published Jun 3, 2024 08:02 am

Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian, development, and advocacy arm of the Catholic Church, has appointed Fr. Carmelo “Tito” Caluag of the Diocese of Novaliches as its new executive director.

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Caritas Philippines new executive director Fr. Carmelo Caluag (Photo credit: Caritas Philippines)

Fr. Caluag succeeds Fr Antonio Labiao Jr, who served the post from July 2020 until his resignation in March 2024, said Caritas Philippines in a news release Monday, June 3.

The priest brings his extensive experience in education, leadership, and social development to the organization.

“I am honored to be entrusted with this leadership role at Caritas Philippines. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff and the entire social action network to strengthen our programs and advocate for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Fr. Caluag.

Fr. Caluag has been working with Caritas Philippines since 2020 and has been instrumental in forging the organization’s partnership with ABS-CBN for the Kapamilya Daily Masses. He currently heads the Alay Kapwa Expanded Fund Campaign and is involved in the AK Community Schooling and the Caritas Philippines Academy.

Caritas Philippines is the international name of the National Secretariat for Social Action – Justice and Peace (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). 

As Caritas’ executive director, he will also serve as NASSA’s executive secretary.

Caritas Philippines continues to help empower the poor and marginalized through its 7 Alay Kapwa Legacy Stewardship Programs: youth development; family feeding; livelihoods and food security; humanitarian response; institutional capacity building; good governance and justice and peace; and ecology.

Fr. Caluag said the programs “are crucial for building a more just and equitable society. By investing in education, we empower children and communities. By protecting our ecology, we ensure a sustainable future for all. And by advocating for good governance, we create a society that works for everyone,” he stressed.

Caritas Philippines president Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, who is serving his last term as Caritas Philippines president, cited Fr. Caluags’s extensive experience and leadership skills.

“Fr. Caluag’s impressive background and proven leadership skills, along with his extensive experience with Caritas Philippines initiatives, make him a perfect fit. We are confident that he will guide our organization through this next chapter and help us further our mission of serving those in need,” Bishop Bagaforo said.

Fr. Caluag began teaching at Ateneo de Manila High School in 1980 and later held various leadership positions at Ateneo de Manila University. In 2005, he founded the Alay sa Bansa Center for Education Research and Development, which later evolved into the Magna Anima Education System, Inc. He will assume its presidency on July 1, 2024.

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