56 NGOs hold Quezon City information caravan

Representatives of 56 nongovernment organizations and social welfare development agencies of the Area-Based Standards Network-National Capital Region (Absnet-NCR) Central Cluster took part in the second information caravan and NGO showcase held last week at Quezon City Hall.

With the theme “Absnet: Working Toward Excellence,” the day-long activity brought together groups and agencies that serve the vulnerable sectors of children, youth, family and community, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens in Quezon City. There were also attendees from the provinces of Bulacan and Abra.

Absnet leaders said the activity was successful in forging a network of collaboration among NGOs and with local government offices in setting a standard of excellence in social welfare through compliance, accreditation and best practices, and in increasing public awareness of their respective visions, missions, goals, programs and services.

The highlight was the orientation on NGO compliance, where participants were informed of documentary requirements, guidelines and processes by Mary Thel Mundin of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Salina Marinduque and Regina dela Cruz of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Virginia Cana of the Quezon City Business Permit and Licensing Office, and Ernesto Madrilejo, Kennedy Diokno and Troy Tecson of the Quezon City Department of Building Officials.

Also present to provide complementary information were Senior Fire Officer 4 Romulo dela Merced of the Fire Safety Enforcement Section, Adronilo Metran of the Quezon City Social Services Development Department, and Glynice Morta, who expounded on the government’s Pantawid Pamilya program.

Led by its chairperosn, Baby Amor, of the Philippine Relief and Development Services, Absnet led the activity in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to strengthen ties between NGOs and various departments of the city.