Rome, March 10, 2015 – 'Incontro e Pranzo di Solidarieta', held in Munting Tahanan of CFMW-Italia or Commission for Filipino Migrant Worker on February 8, witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement of the Bohol School Project.
Formalizing the partnership by European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) Italy, through Ita-Fil Care Project and Philam Foundation, the agreement will provide a 2-classroom school, in a village in Maribojoc – a town in Bohol hit by the 7.2 earthquake last October 15, 2013.
According to ENFiD-Italy's chairman, Monsignor Jerry Bitoon, prior to the MOA signing, Philam Foundation pledged to help with this project by reciprocating with equal amount of the raised funds by the group is approximately €10,000.
Another help is also underway as the group secured another partnership with Give2Asia, a U.S.-based NGO.
Due to recent changes in Comune di Roma's political leadership, there has been a long hiatus of the project. At the Incontro, Msgr. Bitoon said that the Comune has renewed their commitment to the project and now hopeful that this will amplify to raise additional funds for the school.
'From UN's environment agency, kasama ang Pilipinas sa top 10 countries na palaging tinatamaan ng natural disasters. Marami nang gumagawa ng kung tawagan natin ay short-term support pero mukhang ang kailangan sa Pilipinas ay ang mga long-term projects kasi long-term din ang mga natural disaster sa Pilipinas.' says Msgr. Bitoon.
Complete with amenities like kitchen and bathroom, the 2-classroom school will have a dual purpose. Aside from being a regular school, in times of emergencies or disasters, it can be turned into an emergency center. The school is slated to be fully functional for the next school year.
Msgr. Bitoon is grateful for this project of ENFiD-Italy as 'pinakita namin dito na ang network ng iba't ibang communities ay pwedeng pwede maka deliver ng isang project gaya nitong school.'
Before the MOA signing, a public forum was held for the Filipino migrants. Attended by the President ng CFMW-Italia Commission for Filipino Migrant Worker, Glen Sangkap, Assesore alla Scuola Roma Capitale, Paolo Massini; Assesore alla scuola Municipio IX, Domenico Durastante; Ex councilor and last president of the representation of the immigrant community in Roma Capitale, Madison Godoy Sanchez; Franco Pittau of IDOS Immigrazione and a cultural mediator and book author, Jamil Awan Ahamede.
The forum aims to give an update to the attendees of the current status of how the immigrants are being represented in Capitale and some more 'aggiornamenti' in laws.
Msgr. Bitoon adds,'The aim of this forum is to update us on issues of interest and importance to the migrant community in Rome, particularly the question of “rappresentanza degli immigrati nel governo di Roma Capitale”, “sicurezza sociale”, “imprenditoria”, “integrazione culturale”, etc.'
The proceeds of the 'Pranzo di Solidarieta' also go to the Bohol School Project. A bingo sosyal ended the said event.
Jacke de Vega
photo credits to Gigi Borromeo Libardo
