SKP2 takes off in Ascension Parish, more help needed

The Ascension of the Lord Parish in Matina, Davao City launched its Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2, on November 19. SKP 2 is the Church’s program dedicated to help individuals who voluntary submitted themselves for community rehabilitation.

The mass was presided over by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, along with the Director of Archdiocesan Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Davao and its Parish Priest, Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr. It was attended by the Voluntary Submission for Reformation (VSR) persons, representatives from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Brgy. Matina 74-A.

Abp. Valles stressed in his homily the preservation of the gift of life, when in reality everybody is being surrounded by drugs. As a community, according to him, one must value life instead of darkness which means that one must extend the gift of life to victims of darkness or drugs.

“Even life in darkness because of drugs, is still precious in the eyes of God,” he said. “The Church’s light will help because we are together in the community of mercy,” he added.

The permanent source of funding for the project is the current challenge of SKP 2. That is why, Fr. Dublan stressed in his message before the mass ended, a strategy where businessmen can help through advertisement during dawn masses.

“A big screen will be installed in front of the church and those who want their institution or businesses to be advertised, will pay certain amount, and portion of it will go to the SKP2, “revealed Fr. Dublan.

The Signing of Commitment after the mass followed where the Phase 1 of the program was explained by SKP 2 Trainer Bro. Dennis Mabayao. “It will last for 17 weeks from its launching,” he said. “Thirty targeted participants from Matina will meet every Sunday from 3-5 in the afternoon at the Brgy. 74-A Hall in Matina Crossing. Aside from this psycho-spiritual seminar, recollection and visitation to city jail are embedded in the Program.”

“Lito” (not his real name), a construction worker for 6 years, 22 years old, said, “okay baya basta, tinuod lang, makatabang jud nimo.”

Though in doubt, yet determined, “Anton” (not his real name), 35 year-old, single, presently working in a memorial park, a VSR, revealed that, “maayo gayud ni Sir, apan di pud mawala ang akong kahadlok basin binuangan ra unya mi.”

Mayor Sara Duterte in her message told the VSR’s that “each of us is given the chance to change, to reform our ways towards social growth and sustainable development. And so, we delight in the fact that you share with us the vision of revitalizing the lives of surrenderees.”

Moreover, the letter added that the City Government of Davao has launched the “Tabangan Atong Reformist Aron Naay Asenso” or TARA NA last November 18, 2016. Like SKP 2, this program aims to reform the lives of our people towards the righteous path.

“There in no graduation in SKP 2,” said Fr. Dublan. As the head of the leading agency for SKP 2, he added that there is moving up (for all involved). “Mu-pledge kita nga mugabay kanila (VSR) bisan sa pagkahuman sa program.”

“What matters here is life…kini ang daku natong pagmantala nga bililhon ang kinabuhi, amumahon ang kinabuhi pinaagi sa pagtambayayong sa mga partner agencies,” he ended.

SKP 2 has celebrated its anniversary since its launching on October 7, 2016 in San Pablo Parish. It was attended by ASAC staff and partner agencies. The Signing of Commitment also took place. As of this writing, San Pablo Vicariate, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish and San Antonio Parish, Agdao have already launched their SKP 2. Other parishes are expected to do the same. (Edgar V. Floresca | With report from Cheng Vilog)