News
Visiting Bishops Speak of Typhoon Aftermath
Posted November 19th 2009
From left to right: Hon. Flor Marcelino, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism in Manitoba; Bishop Eliezer Pascua, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger; Bishop Mariano Inong; Janice Hamilton, MCIC Executive Director.
Bishops Eliezer Pascua and Mariano Inong made the long trek to Manitoba this November to relate their firsthand experiences with flood relief in the Philippines. As representatives of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Pascua and Inong have been involved with implementing the flood relief projects funded through Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) by the Government of Manitoba. The United Church of Canada invited the Bishops to Manitoba to provide an update on the aftermath and meet with those who have helped provide relief.
The event was held at the Manitoba Legislature on November 18 at 11:45 am. Premier Greg Selinger, Hon. Flor Marcelino, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, as well as members of the international development and Filipino community were present. Minister Marcelino hosted the event.
“Today we are provided with a wonderful learning opportunity that demonstrates our connection to those around the world and the role we can play in making positive change,” said Marcelino.
On September 29, 2009 former Premier Gary Doer announced that the provincial government would be providing $100,000 to the Philippines for flood relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. These funds were given to MCIC to distribute to its member organizations doing work in the affected regions. Since Typhoon Ketsana struck on September 26, two other storms have hit the region - altogether affecting over 10 million people and claiming almost 1000 lives.
“Thanks in part to government and our member organizations, crucial relief work is being done in a country hit hard by natural disasters,” said Janice Hamilton, MCIC Executive Director. “Learning events like this give us a chance to see the benefit of reaching out to those beyond our borders.”
