(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo has called for a “multisectoral, cross-religious effort to combat poverty” calling poverty “public enemy no. 1” which all should fight.
No less than the INC Executive Minister Brother V. Manalo has made it a priority for the INC to help the poor, including those from the indigenous groups in the country.
The INC has, in fact, also embarked on various projects focusing on sustainable livelihood for poor communities and establishing resettlement sites with eco-farming areas, so that those in need would also have the means to help themselves.
INC General Auditor, Glicerio Santos Jr., said Brother Eduardo’s directive for more intensive outreach activities is not only here in the Philippines, but outside the country as well.
“Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo, hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas, naglilingap araw-araw halos, kundi sa buong mundo. Nanawagan ako sa lahat ng may kakayahan na tulungan natin, sama-sama tayo, halikayo, tulungan natin ang ating kapwa-tao. (The Iglesia Ni Cristo, not only here in the Philippines, is conducting outreach activities for the poor almost everyday. I am calling on all those who have the means for us to come together, let’s reach out and help our fellow men),” Santos said.
In the 2015 fourth quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations, it showed that 50 percent of Filipino families still consider themselves poor, and that 33 percent of families also consider themselves as “food-poor.”
Because of this, the INC will have more intensified programs to combat and assist struggling communities in the country this year with the establishment of more livelihood projects, and eco-farming communities nationwide, aside from the Lingap sa Mamamayan activities.
In fact, this will be the top priority of Church’s anti-poverty programs in 2016. And the INC leadership urges everyone to get involved.
INC general auditor Santos also explained the commitment of the INC Executive Minister to reach out to indigenous groups in the Philippines who are often neglected.
“Kasi ang mga katutubo sa Pilipinas, iniaabot ni Kapatid na Eduardo Manalo ang kanyang kamay, sapagkat alam natin na ang mga katutubo natin mukhang nakalimutan na. Sila ay naghihirap ngayon, nasa bundok sila, ayaw pumayag ni Ka Eduardo (ang ganoon). Gusto niya mahalin natin ang mga katutubo. Isinisigaw ngayon ni Ka Eduardo Manalo, labanan natin ang kahirapan sa buong mundo. (The indigenous groups in the Philippines, Brother Eduardo is reaching out his hand to them, because we know that they are almost forgotten. They are undergoing extreme hardship, they live in the mountains. Brother Eduardo does not want it that way. He wants for us to love our indigenous people. Brother Eduardo Manalo’s call is to fight poverty globally),” Santos said in an interview.
The INC’s Lingap sa Mamamayan activities for 2016 kicked off at the Muslim Community in Culiat, Quezon City on January 2, followed by another one in the Muslim Maharlika community in Taguig. Other “Lingap sa Mamamayan” (Aid for Humanity) activities were also undertaken in Taguig, Tondo, Antipolo and Nueva Ecija. In each of these activities, not only were the residents there were given food and rice to help them in their daily needs, but medical and dental services were also provided to them.
Recently, a Lingap activity in General Santos City was held at the city’s Polomolok Gymnasium on Jan. 29, where 12,000 “food bags,” 7,500 pieces of clothing and 10,000 toys were distributed to both Iglesia and non-Iglesia beneficiaries. Close to 30 doctors and dentists also provided free medical and dental assistance.
This Saturday, January 30, the INC also reached out to Lumads from the tribe B’laan in Barangay Danlag, Tampakan, South Cotabato.
Immediately following these activities is the launching of a new eco-farming site in Cotabato which is expected to provide livelihood for 8,400 members of the Lumad community.
INC’s eco-farming sites can be found all over the Philippines. It was launched two years ago by INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo v. Manalo.
At present, the INC has six resettlement sites with eco-farming areas. It has also put up a garments factory, and a dried fish factory.
This year, the INC is also set to establish a sustainable resettlement site in Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, Busuanga in Palawan, and in Bukidnon.
The INC leadership said it would continue its anti-poverty outreach programs to those in need, regardless of religious affiliation.