The Haven on Gina’s birthday

How characteristic of Gina de Venecia to spend her birthday on February 15 at The Haven for Women and Marillac Hills in Alabang, Muntinglupa. The Haven, a home for abused women and children, was set up 10 years ago by the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) under the leadership of Gina. Among Gina’s guests were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband, Speaker Joe de Venecia Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Gina’s mother, Mrs. Azucena Vera Perez ("my ideal woman and my role model," said Gina), members of the CSFI and of the diplomatic corps, civic leaders, and The Haven’s clients.

The Haven, which has housed more than 10,000 women victims of abuse, is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region. Similar facilities have been set up in other regions in the Philippines to help victims of domestic abuse overcome psychological trauma and give them livelihood training so they can have sources of income when they set out on their own.

The celebration was highlighted by groundbreaking rites of a multi-purpose gymnasium in Alabang. Once built, the gym completes The Haven’s facilities consisting of five residential cottages, a livelihood and skills training center, medical and dental clinic, a multi-purpose hall, an administration office, an inter-faith chapel, an activity cottage that houses the library and audio-visual room, a day-care cottage that serves as a playroom, feeding room and classroom, a transition cottage for clients who are on their way to full recovery, a family cottage for clients with children, and a productivity cottage.

Gina, who looked like a movie star, sparkling in a dress with butterfly drawings and butterfly designs (her new passion is painting butterflies), said the creation of The Haven by CSFI has "created little miracles in the lives of the most marginalized Filipinos – from the abused women to the streetchildren." The Haven for Women, she said, "stands as the bastion for the protection of the abused women of the land."

The Haven is one of Gina’s favorite charities. Another is the INA Foundation, which she organized last year as a healing center for mothers who have lost their children. A center for INA is under construction at the Department of Social Welfare grounds in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

President Macapagal-Arroyo, recognizing the importance and needs of The Haven, donated P10 million. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office gave two ambulances.

But the greatest oral tribute to the celebrant came from Speaker de Venecia, who said he never imagined that the girl he was courting years ago, would be very involved in remarkable undertakings, and completely exceeded his expectations, he said. Gina had earlier said in her talk that without her husband Joe’s trust and support, "many of my dreams would have just remained dreams. I am proud to say that my husband is truly the wind beneath my wings."

Right now, 50 women reside in the Alabang residential cottages, some of them with children. Clients are generally referred to the facility or simply walk in, with hearts burdened by abusive husbands. They are 18 years old and above; those below 18 are housed in Marillac Hills. 

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It’s heartening to know that the Civil Service Commission confers "the highest and most prestigious honor awards to the bureaucracy’s best" as mandated by law. This column is putting out the names of the 2005 awardees. CSC Chair Karina Constantino-David has sent out a memorandum circular to the effect that the 2006 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees is on. Nominations for the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan Award, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan Award and the CSC or Pagasa Award are now being accepted by the Commission.

The list of the 2005 awardees shows the outstanding efforts of government employees as they perform their assignments. They include medical doctors, educators, professors, drivers, a chief of police, a lawyer, a fishery law enforcement team, and a technology and livelihood development center staff. I believe they gave of their best without thought of getting any recognition.

Due to time space constraints, I can only mention a few names. Among the Lingkod Bayan awardees is Lorenzo V. Baluyot, lab technician II, at the Institute of Biological Sciences at the UP Los Baños. An innovative technician, he constructed a micro-projector which the Institute has found to be very useful. He did major repair work on 230 previously unserviceable microscopes into functioning units, thereby saving his agency some P230,000 in repair costs and an additional P270,000 which would have been used to purchase laboratory new equipment.

Antonio Miguel L. Dans, Professor II, College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, did pioneering work in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), which helps utilize research data in clinical practice. His work is now incorporated in the medical residents’ training program in all medical schools nationwide.

Jimmy F. Faderagao has been barangay captain of San Roque, Romblon for 33 years, during which period he drafted and sponsored ordinances that protected his coastal barangay, and spurred the construction of school buildings.

Grace R. Princesa, minister/consul general, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Mission to the United Nations, went beyond the call of duty and despite threats to personal safety, ensured the successful evacuation of Filipinos in Iraq before the start of hostilities.

An awardee is the Grafted Tomato Research and Development Action Team of Central Luzon State University, Science City of Nueva Ecija. The team promotes the welfare of the Filipino farmer by introducing grafted tomato technology that allows off-season production of the crop and ensures the steady supply of tomato produce in the market.

Among the 2005 Dangal ng Bayan awardees are the following:

Rodrigo T. Canuel, Driver I of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Unit No. 9 of Gen. Vicente Alvarez, Zamboanga City diligently performs his assigned duties, and more, as he dips even into his own pocket to purchase spare parts just so the vehicle assigned to him would stay in good running condition.

Undersecretary Fortunato T. dela Pena of the Department of Science and Technology is recognized for spearheading pivotal projects, among them the formulation of the National Science and Technology Plan which sets the direction of science and technology developments in the country, the modernization and automation of government libraries through the Philippines e-Library project and the implementation of the e-Government Fund which has provided the impetus for the adoption of citizen-centric information and technology projects in several government agencies.

At the Looc National High School of Romblon, Brent G. Pastor, Clerk I, is awarded for sharing his skills and expertise. He has assumed various functions as school instructor, plumber, carpenter, electrician, computer technician, artist, and messenger with nary a complaint.

Among the Pagasa awardees is Dr. Renaldo S. Alipio, rural health physician of Lubao, Pampanga. He steered the San Isidro Rural Health Unit into becoming a show window of health services at the grassroots, thereby earning recognition from local and international organizations and creating a sharper profile on the role of health service delivery in effective governance.

Cayetano C. Pomares, Professor II of the University of Southern Mindanao, Cotabato, spearheaded the introduction of artificial insemination in goats and sheep in Southern Mindanao, trained technicians and practitioners in the field of ruminant production, and supervised and coordinated 32 farmers information and technology service centers.

To these awardees, and to Ms. Karina David, our sincere congratulations!

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