BACOLOD City, Nov. 16, 2011?Delegates from 18 archdioceses and dioceses in the Visayas are participating in the Visayas Social Action General Assembly which is being hosted by the Diocese of Bacolod.
Joining the event are Social Action directors and their staff and lay Church workers.
The assembly, which has the theme “Towards a Faith-based and Love-driven commitment to social transformation,” is currently being held at Check Inn Pensionne, Bacolod City from November 15 to 17. A welcome program was held on November 14 with Bishop Vicente M. Navarra and clergy concelebrating the Eucharistic celebration in the evening.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Victorino A. Rivas, Vicar General of the Bacolod Diocese, formally welcomed the delegates while Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez and Acting Bacolod Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson delivered “solidarity messages”. Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Jr., Bacolod Diocese Social Action Center Director, gave words of thanks to participants.
Speakers for the assembly are Ms. Gina Lopez of ABS-CBN on “Mining Campaign Situationer and Opportunities”; Secretary on the Peace Process Ging Deles on “Peace Building Program under President Aquino”; Christian Monsod of Sulong CARPER on “Social Reform Agenda and the Role of the Church”; and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil de los Reyes on “CARPER Implementation: Problems and Challenges.”
After the speakers had delivered their points on November 15, the assembly launched the Island-wide Agrarian Reform Network and the signing of a covenant.
On November 16, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu will deliver a talk on “Spirituality of Social Transformation” with a sharing by Fr. Mike Carreon, followed by open forum.
The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) will present an update and report of the National Social Action General Assembly (NASAGA) and the VISAGA followed by a workshop where reports on regional and diocesan initiatives will be presented and discussed.
Two additional workshops will formulate a regional agenda and regional and sub-regional planning which will be synthesized and reported to the assembly.
On November 17, delegates will go on a trip to Mambukal Summer Resort and an optional Bacolod City tour. (Modesto Sa-onoy)
