In the pursuit of reaching out to more disadvantaged children and youth in the Philippines, the Open Heart Foundation Worldwide Inc. coordinated with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Saranggani Province last May 2018. In September 2018 the Open Heart team headed by the Executive Director, Ms. Rosalinda T. Perez, went to visit the provincial office for courtesy call to the PSWD – OIC Ms. Raquel S. Panal. She was very accommodating and happy for possible services that would be extended to the area. She has recommended the Municipality of Alabel and Malapatan and coordination in both municipalities were done.
On the same day, the OHF team were able to interview twenty seven (27) applicants for educational support. In Malapatan, most of the applicants belong to the Blaan tribe. Blaan is a coined word “bla” and “an”. “Bla” means counterpart or pair and suffix “an” expressing ownership or possession. When joined together, Blaan, means our counterpart tribe.
Out of the 27 applicants, fifteen (15) of them got to the final list and have met the requirements of the Foundation: 5 from Alabel and 10 from Malapatan.
Last December 17, 2018, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office facilitated the MOA between the beneficiaries together with their parent/guardian and OHF. The release of the monetary assistance was done by the PSWDO Sarangani as seen through attached photos.
Article by: Saleah Joy Uclusin, RSW
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