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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Center for Community Transformation announces new leaders

Center for Community Transformation announces new leaders

Sandra Togonon named new CCT President as founder Ruth Callanta becomes President Emeritus

Published Jun 30, 2025 04:52 pm
The Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Group of Ministries, a leading Christian development organization in the Philippines, has announced a major leadership transition with the appointment of Sandra “Sandy” E. Togonon as its new president.
The move follows the Board of Trustees' approval earlier this year.
At the same time, the Board has conferred the honorary title of President Emeritus on CCT founder Ruth S. Callanta, recognizing her 34 years of transformative leadership and service to vulnerable communities across the country.
The transition, finalized in March 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the faith-based organization, which has served over 1.4 million Filipinos since its founding in 1991.
Togonon, a seasoned human resources professional, has played a key role in CCT’s growth. She was instrumental in launching the Career Options for Post-Employment (COPE) program—a foundational initiative that supported displaced workers and helped shape CCT’s broader mission of community transformation.
In 2024, she led a comprehensive organizational assessment and strategic planning process involving CCT’s leadership council, staff, and board to chart the future direction of its ministries.
CCT Board Chair Bertram B. Lim expressed strong support for the leadership change.
“We recognize the immense value of Ruth’s wisdom, experience, and institutional memory, and we look forward to her continuing role as a source of guidance and counsel to President Togonon and the CCT ministries as a whole,” Lim said.
In her message to the CCT community, Callanta reflected on the organization’s founding and its journey over the years.
“We praise and thank God for His abiding presence and transformative power since the birth of CCT until this very day,” Callanta said.
“After 34 years, I am transitioning to a new role. There is no retirement in ministry—only a change of assignment,” she added. “Let us lift Sandy in our prayers and give her our full support as she leads us into new chapters for the CCT Group of Ministries.”
Since its beginnings in 1991, CCT has grown into a network of 23 Christ-centered ministries delivering holistic support services such as microfinance, education, affordable housing, healthcare, livelihood training, and spiritual formation.
The faith-based NGO currently operates 140 offices across 16 regions, 56 cities, 38 provinces, and 56 municipalities in the Philippines. Its programs serve microentrepreneurs, informal workers, street dwellers, tribal communities, and blue-collar laborers, among other marginalized groups.
Though it has maintained a low public profile, CCT has received national recognition from five Philippine presidents. Most recently, it was awarded the Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partner on Enhancing Management and Labor Capacities for its work in Malungon, Sarangani.
With new leadership in place, the Center for Community Transformation reaffirms its mission of transforming lives, families, and communities through faith-driven service, social innovation, and sustainable development.

Related Tags

Center for Community Transformation Philippines CCT new president Sandra Togonon Ruth Callanta president emeritus Christian development organizations Philippines Microfinance and faith-based programs CCT ministries leadership transition Community transformation in the Philippines
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