AFET President's Year End Report for 2007
Last July 15, 2007, I delivered my first report to AFET’s General Assembly, highlighting our 2007 annual plan and major achievements for the first six months of the year. Today, I will be presenting my graduation speech, which will allow me and my team to be judged by the Filipino members of this organization.
Once again, let me present the Vision for the Association of Filipinos in East Timor (AFET) in 2007 and onwards.
“This Association is to be transformed into a DYNAMIC, STABLE and SUSTAINABLE organization of Filipinos in Timor-Leste and able to respond to the emerging requirements of its membership based on the evolving condition in the country. This is a continuing journey for such a young organization”.
For this year, the AFET Board and its first Council of Senior Advisers (CSA) agreed on 4 targets, namely:
1. Institution-Building;
2. Membership Strengthening;
3. Fund Generation; and
4. AFET’s Strategic Direction.
WHAT DID WE DO ALONG INSTITUTION BUILDING THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AFET’S STABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY?
Being a 5-year old institution, AFET is still an infant as an institution. When we took over, we realised that the basic foundations of an institution are still so fragile. The results of the planning session held last April 5, 2007 led to the identification of the weaknesses of the organization. After several months of working on these weaknesses, we are proud to report that:
• AFET will be filing its registration papers with the Ministry of Justice by 2nd week of December;
• It has an Association Bank Account, where it used to be handled by individual officer/s before;
• It has enhanced the existing data-base started in the earlier years, with an enriched set of information ranging from sectoral distribution, active/in-active members, year registered, gender dis-aggregation, and addresses in TL, among others. Given this data-base, we can say that from 78 members in 2002-2003, AFET has grown to 550 members in 2007, which is an increase of 86%;
• It gave importance to setting directions through the Annual Planning exercise and ensuring that the plans are actually implemented. We are pleased to inform the General Assembly that out of the 19 targeted projects, we have implemented 16, which is (84 %). In addition, we undertook 4 sectoral consultations as unplanned activities during the year;
• Identity as a Filipino builds our character as a nation. Filipinos in Timor-Leste are proud to display their AFET ID, which gives them a simple identity card to be recognized wherever they go;
• In ensuring that the Board/CSA undertakes the proposed projects/activities, it conducts bi-monthly joint meetings to discuss, manage, monitor and assess the plans & results. It was also a way of building the group as a working team with great fun;
• The newly ratified Constitution provided sectoral representation in the nomination of Board members, as well as, the appointment of the Council of Advisers. This in itself is an Institutional Building policy that this Administration put into action. Most of its projects were done through sectoral representations such as the Family Day, Consultation Sessions and this Christmas Celebration;
• As a way of informing and advocating AFET’s services to its Filipino community, the Board utilized its existing expertise by establishing a website, which has become the “tambayan” of Filipinos all over the world and 3 issues of the newsletter, which were distributed during major events of the organization;
• Lastly, for the first time in the history of AFET, the Board has been audited by the CSA. We expect that a financial system will soon be in-place that will install internal control of collections and disbursements.
There is still a long way to become a STABLE & SUSTAINABLE INSTITUTION. AFET does not have a “home of its own”, while it squats at Malu Cagay’s apartment for its assets and uses Rocky Construction as its official address.
WHAT DID AFET DO ALONG MEMBERSHIP STRENGTHENING THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO DYNAMISM?
Membership strengthening comes in different ways and approaches. The Board looked at the totality of the Filipino ranging from spiritual, physical, and mental development. During the year, the following activities happened.
• Valentine’s Party with the Duet singing contest as the main feature held on February 17, 2007;
• Reflection and Spiritual Walk at Kristo Rey during the Lenten Season held on April 6, 2007;
• Pinoy Sports fest 2007 from May to July 2007, with the Opening on May 8, 2007;
• Health Assistance Project with Seminars on HIV/AIDS on June 10, 2007 and Hypertension/Cholesterol on June 24, 2007;
• Dialogue made by Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) with the Bayaning Manggagawang Pilipino sa Silang Timor held on July 12, 2007;
• Araw ng Pamilyang Pinoy 2007 in commemoration of the 109th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Timor-Leste, with parlor games, food fair and cultural shows held on July 15, 2007;
• Pa Bingo Sayawan ng AFET held on September 29, 2007;
• 4 Consultations with the following sectors: Construction Sector (1) on October 20, 2007; Services Sector (1) on November 17, 2007; and International NGOs/GOs (2) held on April 25 and July 5, 2007;
• AFET’s Ecumenical Advent Recollection on October 27, 2007;
• Christmas Caroling for 6 nights for the period November 28 to December 6, 2007; with a Special Performance for the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister & staff on December 4, 2007; and finally
• The Christmas Celebration, General Assembly & Election on December 8, 2007.
AFET’s purpose includes having a support system to Filipinos in need. During the year, it was so upbeat in soliciting donations to help Alan, the bereaved family of Francisco Bagallon and the controversial financial assistance to the entire family of Evelyn Torres. We then realized that AFET will never be sustainable simply by asking for donations all the time. Today, we are now establishing a “SOCIAL FUND” to fund the needs of our fellow Filipinos.
AFET kept itself more dynamic by not limiting itself to serving its members. It is also reaching out to our fellow Timorese brothers and sisters. Through the initiative of AFET’s Health Assistance Committee and the Religious Sector, these outreach projects were carried out:
• Gift of Life through blood donation (Handog Buhay para sa Timor) with 4 Batches of 67 blood donors on June 2, June 14, July 8 and November 24, 2007; the latest batch was topped by volunteers from the UN Filipino police;
• Donations from AFET members for the Viqueque victims during the month of August 2007;
• Donations and AFET inter-action among families having children with special needs managed by Associasi Lembaga Missionares Awam (ALMA). The gift giving was made on October 7, 2007;
• An Educational Assistance Project where 4 high school students and 1 technical student will be initially given scholarship assistance for School year 2007-2008; and
• Another gift-giving to orphanage/s & other outreach projects in Dili, TL before the end of the year.
WHAT DID AFET DO ALONG FUND GENERATION THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY?
This is one area that has plus and minus points. Plus points, because we generated a big sum of money during the year. A separate report will be made by the Treasurer. It is a policy of the Board that as much as possible, projects/activities will have to be self liquidating. For the year, the following fund generation activities were:
• Sportsfest Registration Fees which generated $1,104.00
• Pa-Raffle ng AFET which generated $1,769.00
• Pa-Bingo ng AFET which generated $1,700.00
• Christmas carolling ng AFET which generated at total amount of $3,252.30 and
• Membership & Annual Fees of members which generated $1,035.00.
The downside of its fund generation activity was that it dependent so much on solicitation from its Friends, whom I believe have already been “harassed” in terms of requests from our organization.
It is therefore a suggestion to the next administration to think of a more sustainable fund generation activity that will not rely on solicitation but venture into a business that will generate income for the organization.
WHAT DO WE OFFER TO THE NEXT SET OF BOARD & CSA?
Before our term ends, this Administration will ensure that it will turn-over a more orderly and systematic filing and documentation of papers, a data-base, an asset inventory that will be physically inspected by CSA’s auditor and financially-able organization at least for the first 3 months of the next administration.
It will also turn-over a medium term plan that considered the results of the planning and consultation sessions participated in by the Filipino community.
ENDING STATEMENT
Let me thank all the members of my team starting with the Council of Advisers (CSA), who as a Board and in their individual capacities provided substantive advices to the Board.
1. Cherryden Mazaredo - Business Enterprises & Construction/Past President of AFET / Chair of the Council of Senior Advisers
2. Atty. Gerard Mosquera - Legal Matters
3. Oscar Hernandez - Finance and Audit Services
4. Sister Alma Cantoral - Social Services
5. Teddy Magsakay - Services / Immediate Past President of AFET
6. Col. Ruben Padua - Security and Safety
I am very proud of my team, the Board members, who stood by me and Celso Destajo in his brief stint as President of this organization. We survived the ups and downs, the diverse personalities, all striving to work for the purposes of this organization. These officers are:
1. Annabelle Cajita - Vice President for Internal Affairs
2. Remegio Alquitran - Vice President for External Affairs
3. Mylene Tamondong - Secretary
4. Rhodora Benitez - Assistant Secretary
5. Salvador Delloro Jr. - Treasurer
6. Ramon Santiago - Assistant Treasurer
7. Johnny Corton - Auditor
8. Rogelio Penaflor - Business Manager
9. Maria Fellizar Cagay - Chair on Committee on Membership
10. Jumar Balonkita - Chair on Committee on Election
We are grateful for the support of our Ambassador, HE Farita Aguilucho-Ong, the Consul, Ariz Convalecer and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Timor-Leste. Likewise, we also appreciate the support of the UN Police Commissioner in this country, Gen. Rodolfo Tor.
We, the Board and the CSA, are proud to have served the Filipino community with all our dedication, commitment, time, even resources just to ensure that we all continue to be a united nation in Timor-Leste.
We believe that we have started the seeds of dynamism, stability and ultimately sustainability if we continue to help each other.
We are very thankful for the support of the Filipino community. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!
3. Fund Generation; and
4. AFET’s Strategic Direction.
WHAT DID WE DO ALONG INSTITUTION BUILDING THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AFET’S STABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY?
Being a 5-year old institution, AFET is still an infant as an institution. When we took over, we realised that the basic foundations of an institution are still so fragile. The results of the planning session held last April 5, 2007 led to the identification of the weaknesses of the organization. After several months of working on these weaknesses, we are proud to report that:
• AFET will be filing its registration papers with the Ministry of Justice by 2nd week of December;
• It has an Association Bank Account, where it used to be handled by individual officer/s before;
• It has enhanced the existing data-base started in the earlier years, with an enriched set of information ranging from sectoral distribution, active/in-active members, year registered, gender dis-aggregation, and addresses in TL, among others. Given this data-base, we can say that from 78 members in 2002-2003, AFET has grown to 550 members in 2007, which is an increase of 86%;
• It gave importance to setting directions through the Annual Planning exercise and ensuring that the plans are actually implemented. We are pleased to inform the General Assembly that out of the 19 targeted projects, we have implemented 16, which is (84 %). In addition, we undertook 4 sectoral consultations as unplanned activities during the year;
• Identity as a Filipino builds our character as a nation. Filipinos in Timor-Leste are proud to display their AFET ID, which gives them a simple identity card to be recognized wherever they go;
• In ensuring that the Board/CSA undertakes the proposed projects/activities, it conducts bi-monthly joint meetings to discuss, manage, monitor and assess the plans & results. It was also a way of building the group as a working team with great fun;
• The newly ratified Constitution provided sectoral representation in the nomination of Board members, as well as, the appointment of the Council of Advisers. This in itself is an Institutional Building policy that this Administration put into action. Most of its projects were done through sectoral representations such as the Family Day, Consultation Sessions and this Christmas Celebration;
• As a way of informing and advocating AFET’s services to its Filipino community, the Board utilized its existing expertise by establishing a website, which has become the “tambayan” of Filipinos all over the world and 3 issues of the newsletter, which were distributed during major events of the organization;
• Lastly, for the first time in the history of AFET, the Board has been audited by the CSA. We expect that a financial system will soon be in-place that will install internal control of collections and disbursements.
There is still a long way to become a STABLE & SUSTAINABLE INSTITUTION. AFET does not have a “home of its own”, while it squats at Malu Cagay’s apartment for its assets and uses Rocky Construction as its official address.
WHAT DID AFET DO ALONG MEMBERSHIP STRENGTHENING THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO DYNAMISM?
Membership strengthening comes in different ways and approaches. The Board looked at the totality of the Filipino ranging from spiritual, physical, and mental development. During the year, the following activities happened.
• Valentine’s Party with the Duet singing contest as the main feature held on February 17, 2007;
• Reflection and Spiritual Walk at Kristo Rey during the Lenten Season held on April 6, 2007;
• Pinoy Sports fest 2007 from May to July 2007, with the Opening on May 8, 2007;
• Health Assistance Project with Seminars on HIV/AIDS on June 10, 2007 and Hypertension/Cholesterol on June 24, 2007;
• Dialogue made by Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) with the Bayaning Manggagawang Pilipino sa Silang Timor held on July 12, 2007;
• Araw ng Pamilyang Pinoy 2007 in commemoration of the 109th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Timor-Leste, with parlor games, food fair and cultural shows held on July 15, 2007;
• Pa Bingo Sayawan ng AFET held on September 29, 2007;
• 4 Consultations with the following sectors: Construction Sector (1) on October 20, 2007; Services Sector (1) on November 17, 2007; and International NGOs/GOs (2) held on April 25 and July 5, 2007;
• AFET’s Ecumenical Advent Recollection on October 27, 2007;
• Christmas Caroling for 6 nights for the period November 28 to December 6, 2007; with a Special Performance for the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister & staff on December 4, 2007; and finally
• The Christmas Celebration, General Assembly & Election on December 8, 2007.
AFET’s purpose includes having a support system to Filipinos in need. During the year, it was so upbeat in soliciting donations to help Alan, the bereaved family of Francisco Bagallon and the controversial financial assistance to the entire family of Evelyn Torres. We then realized that AFET will never be sustainable simply by asking for donations all the time. Today, we are now establishing a “SOCIAL FUND” to fund the needs of our fellow Filipinos.
AFET kept itself more dynamic by not limiting itself to serving its members. It is also reaching out to our fellow Timorese brothers and sisters. Through the initiative of AFET’s Health Assistance Committee and the Religious Sector, these outreach projects were carried out:
• Gift of Life through blood donation (Handog Buhay para sa Timor) with 4 Batches of 67 blood donors on June 2, June 14, July 8 and November 24, 2007; the latest batch was topped by volunteers from the UN Filipino police;
• Donations from AFET members for the Viqueque victims during the month of August 2007;
• Donations and AFET inter-action among families having children with special needs managed by Associasi Lembaga Missionares Awam (ALMA). The gift giving was made on October 7, 2007;
• An Educational Assistance Project where 4 high school students and 1 technical student will be initially given scholarship assistance for School year 2007-2008; and
• Another gift-giving to orphanage/s & other outreach projects in Dili, TL before the end of the year.
WHAT DID AFET DO ALONG FUND GENERATION THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY?
This is one area that has plus and minus points. Plus points, because we generated a big sum of money during the year. A separate report will be made by the Treasurer. It is a policy of the Board that as much as possible, projects/activities will have to be self liquidating. For the year, the following fund generation activities were:
• Sportsfest Registration Fees which generated $1,104.00
• Pa-Raffle ng AFET which generated $1,769.00
• Pa-Bingo ng AFET which generated $1,700.00
• Christmas carolling ng AFET which generated at total amount of $3,252.30 and
• Membership & Annual Fees of members which generated $1,035.00.
The downside of its fund generation activity was that it dependent so much on solicitation from its Friends, whom I believe have already been “harassed” in terms of requests from our organization.
It is therefore a suggestion to the next administration to think of a more sustainable fund generation activity that will not rely on solicitation but venture into a business that will generate income for the organization.
WHAT DO WE OFFER TO THE NEXT SET OF BOARD & CSA?
Before our term ends, this Administration will ensure that it will turn-over a more orderly and systematic filing and documentation of papers, a data-base, an asset inventory that will be physically inspected by CSA’s auditor and financially-able organization at least for the first 3 months of the next administration.
It will also turn-over a medium term plan that considered the results of the planning and consultation sessions participated in by the Filipino community.
ENDING STATEMENT
Let me thank all the members of my team starting with the Council of Advisers (CSA), who as a Board and in their individual capacities provided substantive advices to the Board.
1. Cherryden Mazaredo - Business Enterprises & Construction/Past President of AFET / Chair of the Council of Senior Advisers
2. Atty. Gerard Mosquera - Legal Matters
3. Oscar Hernandez - Finance and Audit Services
4. Sister Alma Cantoral - Social Services
5. Teddy Magsakay - Services / Immediate Past President of AFET
6. Col. Ruben Padua - Security and Safety
I am very proud of my team, the Board members, who stood by me and Celso Destajo in his brief stint as President of this organization. We survived the ups and downs, the diverse personalities, all striving to work for the purposes of this organization. These officers are:
1. Annabelle Cajita - Vice President for Internal Affairs
2. Remegio Alquitran - Vice President for External Affairs
3. Mylene Tamondong - Secretary
4. Rhodora Benitez - Assistant Secretary
5. Salvador Delloro Jr. - Treasurer
6. Ramon Santiago - Assistant Treasurer
7. Johnny Corton - Auditor
8. Rogelio Penaflor - Business Manager
9. Maria Fellizar Cagay - Chair on Committee on Membership
10. Jumar Balonkita - Chair on Committee on Election
We are grateful for the support of our Ambassador, HE Farita Aguilucho-Ong, the Consul, Ariz Convalecer and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Timor-Leste. Likewise, we also appreciate the support of the UN Police Commissioner in this country, Gen. Rodolfo Tor.
We, the Board and the CSA, are proud to have served the Filipino community with all our dedication, commitment, time, even resources just to ensure that we all continue to be a united nation in Timor-Leste.
We believe that we have started the seeds of dynamism, stability and ultimately sustainability if we continue to help each other.
We are very thankful for the support of the Filipino community. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!
Delivered by Ms. Mitz Mendoza, President of AFET during the Christmas Celebration, General Assembly & Election on December 8, 2007, old CNRT Building (Teachers’ Training Center), Balide Road, Dili, Timor-Leste.