Programs & Services

NSC for Programs and Services
PV Beley

Through the Programs and Services Directorate (PSD),  BCBP members are given opportunities to show and share the love of God by responding to the concerns of people both in the Community and in society at large since we are all part of the one body of Christ.  With its various social action programs, advocacies, and community activities, the PSD supports the evangelization thrust of the BCBP Community.

On the Brotherhood Community level, this Directorate specifically addresses family life concerns through the BCBP Family Encounter (in cooperation with the Formation Directorate), through community fellowship and bonding activities such as Chapter Anniversaries, Family Days, Golf and Sports Days, Christmas parties, and special Eucharistic Celebrations, especially those activities held with a metro-wide, region-wide or area-wide participation.  BCBP National Anniversaries are also handled by PSD.

Implementing the BCBP’s Caring System that incorporates communication mechanisms for and among all members, and maintaining a business information and advice exchange among members are among the responsibilities of Programs and Services Directorate.  The development and maintenance of the BCBP’s Community Portal website and the publication of the BCBP’s national magazine, the KAPATIRAN, are two of the significant venues for the sharing of current and relevant information on developments affecting the members, the chapters and the entire BCBP Community.  Chapters are also encouraged to link their chapter websites with the national website, as well as have their own chapter publication for chapter news.

Two important ministries under PSD are the Social Action Ministry and the BCBP’s Advocacy Program.

The Social Action Ministry provides the members with opportunities to develop the practice of volunteerism, the habit of giving, and solidarity with the least of our brethren. All BCBP chapters and outreaches are required to have a Social Action Project that they implement on a continuing basis.  As approved during the BOT/Mancom meeting July 01, 2009, the selection of the particular Social Action project should be based on its impact on the poorest of the poor, the social relevance of the project, its evangelization and empowerment potential, and the commitment and involvement of the chapter/outreach concerned.  Activities that are ad-hoc in nature (i.e. medical/dental missins, gift-giving, one-time donations, etc.) do not qualify as the emphasis of the project is its ability to “make a difference” in the lives of the poor, and not be just a palliative or dole-out.  Approved areas for consideration as Social Action projects include skills training, cooperatives, education and micro-finance.  In the case of micro-finance projects the chapter or outreach needs to partner with a third party (financial service provider, foundation) mandated to undertake this activity.  The BCBP Mancom through the NSC-PSD shall approve/accredit Social Action project proposals submitted by the chapters/outreaches.

The BCBP’s Advocacies include its Be Honest Advocacy that recently held a very successful nationwide Be Honest Oratorical Competition among more than 500 high schools in eleven BCBP regional clusters, and other activities that enable members to actively express their support for causes that affect the marketplace, the nation and the Church.  Foremost among these causes are environmental concerns, issues on justice and peace, campaigning for honest elections and upright leaders, and upholding Church positions on these issues.

Each chapter has a Program and Services Team, with the chapter Programs and Services Director heading the Team, under the over-all leadership of the Chapter Head.  Members of the Team include the Social Action Ministry Head, the Family Life Ministry Head, the Advocacy Ministry Head and the Secretariat Ministry Head.  The National Service Coordinator for PSD assists the chapters in ensuring maximum effectiveness of PSD activities, especially of those programs being implemented on a nationwide basis.