For several years, I have served as chairman of the Board of the Philippine Children's Ministries Network (PCMN), the PCEC Commission for Children at Risk. I have closely worked with 3 ladies who gave themselves for the cause of children, particularly those who are vulnerable and are at risk.
Pine Guitierez is a registered nurse who established Alay Pag Asa Christian Ministries that became home to many street dwellers in Mandaluyong area. She is the founding National Coordinator of the PCMN and has seen the growth of this network that she heads up to now. PCMN has galvanized cooperative projects and led advocacies for the children at risk among more than 40 different agencies that ministers to children, among them World Vision and Compassion in the Philippines, and has brought Evangelical organizations in the map of UNICEF and other International bodies. PCMN led the evangelicals in addressing the problems of child labor, advocacy and mobilization against child trafficking, and championing the rights of the child among others.
Menchit Wong, a licensed social worker, former Country Director of Compassion Philippines and now International Advocacy Director of Compassion International. Her level of commitment and excellence speaks volumes that Compassion International took her for that position and allowed her to hold office at her home so they can keep her.
Pati Arroyo, human rights lawyer, was past Country DIrector of International Justice Mission in the Philippines and now Director of Ateneo Human Rights Center for Adhikain para sa Karapatang Pambata.
I have enjoyed working with them for more than a decade as chair of the PCMN Board. That I still sit on the PCMN Board is because of the passion for the cause of children that I got from them.
Yesterday, this troika made waves once more as they organized the forum: "Spare the rod and spoil the child? A Forum on Corporal Punishment vs. Positive Non-Violent Child Discipline" at the main auditorium of Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell Center. I was one of the guest speaker and panelist of this forum that filled to the rafters and even the aisles of the auditorium. The clamor of the participants that came from the academe, local government units, leaders from ecumenical groups, human rights lawyers is for the organizers to stage a follow up forum to address this legislation that is being deliberated in the Congress of the Philippines.
Praise God for these women who make great waves for the cause of children!