Nanay Rehab Launch, VMLP in Marilao for November, NCLC-SMA Bayview

Rehabilitation Center Launched in Pandi

November 24, 2011 started early for me as we witnessed the blessing and official opening of Nanay Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center located at Bgy. Poblacion, Pandi, Bulacan, owned and operated by the Nazarenus College and Hospital Foundation, Inc.




Dr. Rowena Tordesillas, a Pandieno, is one of the prime movers of this facility. 









One factor their family considered in choosing Pandi as site is its rural feel, conducive for recovery and healing; second is its accessibility from Metro Manila as well as from the developing areas further North.  

The three-floor facility has spacious recreational areas.












Rooms are CCTV-installed for safety monitoring.










The design specifications conform to DOH standards.













As the name implies, motherly care may be expected by would-be clients 

...what with Dra. Virginia V. Tordesillas heading the rehab team as the facility's medical director.

Visiting family members of clients may enjoy the relaxing environment where walking or biking around is worth considering.

With the potential influx of the center's visitors in Pandi, business opportunities may open to Pandienos. Nearby residents may operate a bed and breakfast for such visitors, or put up pasalubong stalls. Anything is possible, as long as it is good and positive, and beneficial to the community.                                  

For inquiries and more information please contact the following numbers:

                                                                                             0922.838.4858

0917.516.0892

0917.560.6469

Congratulations, Nazarenus College and Hospital Foundation, Inc.!

The Municipality of Marilao hosts the VMLP Monthly Meeting  for November

The VMLP-Bulacan with hosts Marilao Mayor Peping Guillermo and Vice Mayor Tito Santiago

It was not difficult to find the venue for the meeting as we expected. Just after crossing the border of Bocaue, the Pambayang Dalubhasaan ng Marilao (PDM) is situated on the right side of MacArthur Highway.

Here, with Vice Mayor Juanito Santiago on the lead, we were warmly welcomed by the SB staff, and PDM students and staff, literally from the entrance to the conference room, as one of the courses it offers is on hospitality. 

With Marilao Councilor Allane Sayo (SPCB batchmate)

The members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Marilao, and Mayor Epifanio Guillermo were also on hand to spend time with the members of the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines-Bulacan Chapter.

Vice Mayor Tito Santiago delivers welcome remarks

Attendees were treated to a heartwarming video presentation (created possibly by the IT students of PDM) of how the school was established, with the collective efforts of the LGU officials and generous donors, without waiting or asking for help from the national or provincial government.

The good mayor likewise recognized the efforts of

his vice mayor and council members, as well as their wives' support, reiterating that without them such accomplishment would not have been possible. Amen to that. A practitioner of Participative Leadership! (Like! Like!) Such humility and honesty from a leader are traits worth emulating.

Usual light moment with the members of the VMLP-Bulacan

"Naiku-kwento rin sa akin ng aking vice mayor kung gaano kaganda ang samahan ng inyong liga", he said.  (Makukulit lang po talaga, Mayor!)

"Tinanong ko kanina sa aming mga estudyante kung sila talaga ang nagluto ng ating pagkain ngayon, sabi nila sila raw. Sabi ko, pwede na kayong mag-asawa." The municipality currently sponsors over 300 students in PDM, all residents of Marilao. Other donors have also partnered with the LGU to help support additional scholars. 

From the VMLP-Bulacan, thank you Mayor Peping, Vice Mayor Tito, SB Members and staff, LGU Department Heads, and the PDM Staff and Students for the warm accommodation of our monthly meeting! 

And Kudos to all your collective efforts for a better and brighter Marilao! More power!

VMLP hosts the November NCLC-SMA meeting at Bayview Hotel

Presenting the proposed legislative activity for children

Rushing from Bulacan to the City of Manila, got there with plenty of time still for my concept paper presentation to the group. It was the monthly meeting of the National Child Labor Commission - Sub-committee on Mainstreaming and Advocacy, and the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines-National is hosting.

(The VMLP is a member organization of this group, and I (Dr. Rachel Santos-Oca, Vice Mayor of Pandi, Bulacan), as Chairman of the VMLP's Committee on Children , Women, and Family,  represent the league in all the NCLC-SMA endeavors, together with Ms. May Diongco, VMLP staff.

During the meeting, the mechanics of the CLKSS website was also presented to the group by Mr. Julius Cainglet from the Federation of Free Workers. CLKSS stands for CHILD LABOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING SYSTEM and is developed and maintained by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The website construction is impressive. I highly recommend it to LGUs and NGOs and CSOs, and even to teachers, students, and  parents as resource site. Very informative. Updates on the status of child labor in the country are reported. Any person may also use the site to report cases of child labor wherever you are in the Philippines, as long as inet connection is available. Two thumbs up for CLKSS! 

Visit clkss.org.ph, or check out http://www.facebook.com/clkss and http://twitter.com#!/CLKSS

Appreciation from the group to VMLP National President Vice Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and VMLP Administrator Councilor Letlet Zarcal of Manila City for supporting and facilitating the said meeting.

Members of the NCLC-SMA representing different govt agencies and NGOs

Mr. Julius Cainglet from the Federation of Free Workers on CLKSS

Mr. Rafie Mapalo of TUCP moderating