Silence kills!

The Philippines is acting on Filipino child survival by launching the Bata Movement with the theme: "Bata: Tamang Alaga". This commenced with the March for Child Survival from Manila Hotel to Museo Pambata on April 11, 2008. The movement is led by the International Society of Tropical Pediatricsin collaboration with UP Manila-National Institutes f Health and the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association. This march for the children and launch of the Bata Movement also coincides with the 8th International Congress of Tropical Pediatrics. The congress aims to discuss how the Philippines can achieve the Millennium Development Goal No. 4 (Improving Child Survival).

The photo also shows that apparently, the Number 1 Child killer in the Philippines is pneumonia.

View the rest of the BATA Movement Photo Docu HERE.


Cross-posted at: INKBLOTS: Life Unraveled.

Redefining Capital

Finally, I have seen my effort come to fruition with the e-book entitled: "Community Wealth Rediscovered: Knowledge for Poverty Alleviation".

The E-book contains six (6) case studies that redefines "capital" and identifying the capital of the "poor". More often, we always define poverty with financial capital, which delineates the "haves" and the "have nots." In these case studies, the writers (that includes me), tries to identify the community capital present before and after the projects were implemented in the areas. It is interesting to note that while we define capital in monetary terms, we tend to relegate to the background the cultural, social, institutional, stakeholder, natural, and structural capital that the people or community already have.

In a way, this effort tries to redefine the "poor" and poverty in general. This shies away from defining the poor on the basis of monetary considerations alone. In the end, we conclude that the "poor" as we usually call them, are not at all poor. They may be poor in terms of financial capital, but they are rich in terms of culture and social interactions. Thus, we take advantage of their strength as a community and start development efforts from there.

The E-book was launched during the "Panibagong Paraan" exhibits and events featuring innovative approaches to development management and poverty alleviation. The e-book was a joint undertaking of Peace and Equity Foundation, and Center for Conscious Living Foundation, Inc. - Philippines. The launching was held last April 9, 2008 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. "Panibagong Paraan" is sponsored by the World Bank.



Cross-posted at: INKBLOTS: Life Unraveled.

Not just lip service

After listening to and watching the failed (again!) mutiny of Trillanes and cohorts, it dawned on me that I should stop discussing [read: glorifying] personalities in this blog. If ever personalities would land in my blog, they should be worthy of such mention. After all, I am the writer, editor-in-chief, managing editor, and publisher of this blog. (Guffaws!).

Views with a Point will keep a new track from now on. I would be featuring programs, projects, or initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, public policy and governance, and sustainable development. In that way, I would not only be inviting good vibes, but also take advantage of the power of blogging to showcase initiatives that work for the poor. After all, there are too many blogs that discuss politics. I would just leave it to them. However, I would not also step back when I see some concerns regarding the programs and projects that need my humble criticism or recommendations. In that way, I retain the developmental track that this blog is originally designed for.

It is also a way of educating people on development work. Many are not yet familiar what a development worker [a.k.a NGO worker] does, what an NGO/ or CSO (Civil Society Organization) is, and perhaps, what the government does for poverty alleviation. In my own way, this is also to pay homage to those who work hard for development.

So this blog is reformatting, albeit retaining its title "Views with a Point". After all, they change lives of people, and they build and change communities.

I hope you still join me as I tread the new path.