CEAP Programs Committee holds its National Summit for Regional JEEPGY Representatives on July 21, 2021, all 17 regional representatives for the JEEPGY gathered via the Zoom platform for the National Summit convened by the Programs Committee.
The Summit started with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by the CEAP Vice-President, Fr. Thadeu Enrique N. Balongang who was broadcasting all the way from Dumaguete. In his homily, he emphasized CEAP’s mission Transformative Education and how the JEEPGY (Justice and Peace, Ecological Integrity, Engaged Citizenship, Poverty Reduction, Gender Equality, Youth Empowerment) pillar programs provide the platform for engagement in pursuit of this mission. As Vice President, Fr. Balongag heads the Programs Committee and thus, he also formally welcomed the participants during the mass. After the mass, a short introduction of participants took place.
To give the participants the proper context, CEAP Executive Director, Mr. Jose Allan I. Arellano gave an overview of the CEAP, its Commissions/Committees, and its Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2022. This was followed by a presentation of the JEEPGY Framework by Deputy Executive Director and Programs Officer, Ms. Mary Ann S. Cruz.
Each Champion then presented the upcoming programs and highlights for their respective pillar programs. Justice & Peace Champion, Dr. Loreta N. Castro, talked about a review of the School Culture on Nonviolence in Universities. Ecological Integrity Champion, Dr. Carlo P. Garcia talked about Pope Francis’ call for a 7-year journey towards integral ecology with Laudato Si as the framework and CEAP’s bid for Climate Neutrality. Engaged Citizenship and Youth Empowerment Champion, Br. Edrayan J. Colmenares, SJ discussed some initiatives on Voters’ Education for the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections.Ms. Cruz presented the pro-poor initiatives that CEAP is currently engaged with as part of its CEAP@80 celebration. She then introduced the incoming Champion for Poverty Reduction, Br. Kenneth F. Martinez, FSC who gave the participants some points for reflection on poverty especially during this time of the pandemic. Ms. Brenda Pureza presented the Gender Equality initiatives on behalf of Dr. Ma. Theresa C. de Vela. Among the activities lined up are workshops on gender-fair and gender-responsive education, and the campaign for safe spaces. Media Education Champion Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, OCarm explained how Media Education serves as a means in the integration of the JEEPGY pillars in the curriculum, and in various academic and non-academic programs and activities of the school.
Before the regional representatives presented their regional updates, issues, and concerns, Fr. Balongag presented a summary of the message of Pope Francis for “Global Compact in Education.” He also presented how the Programs Committee have resolved to respond to this through the following resolutions:
- promote carbon neutrality to pursue the ideals of Laudato Si and to safeguard and cultivate our common home;
- review school structures and culture and find out how nonviolence is promoted not only in a school’s curriculum but also in a school’s way of life and spirituality;
- engage small and big schools in pro-poor programs;
- push for quality Catholic education, as this is the best tool that can be used in our walk towards engaged citizenship - not in seasonal voters’ education;
- continue forming our youth (and listening to them) to truly embrace the real meaning of respect, dignity and charity, and to see in the family the first and essential place of education; and
- uphold the principle of gender equality as a practice that places the human person as the center and strengthens an educational village for justice and peace.
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The regional representatives got their chance to respond to all the presentations and present on behalf of their regions. Among their common concerns include: the difficulty of conducting JEEPGY activities during the time of the pandemic, the need for a JEEPGY reorientation in their region. The Programs Committee promised to assist the regional representative in their respective orientation programs and in addressing other JEEPGY-related concerns in the regions.
The meeting concluded with the launching of the JEEPGY Prayer crafted by the Programs Committee.
The following represented their regions at the Summit:
Dr. Joselito Gutierrez (CEAP-CAR), Fr. Roberto Ibay, SVD (CEAP 1), Dr. Rina Reyes (CEAP 2), Ms. Veneriza Trillo (CEAP 3), Sr. Lina Amante, FdCC (CEAP 4), Ms. Marissa Bechayda (CEAP-NCR), Fr. Arnel G. Cabangunay, Sch.P. (CEAP 5), Fr. Ryan Barrios (CEAP 6), Fr. Joel Oriesga (CEAP 7), Fr. Ronald Quijano (CEAP-NI), Fr. Jovit Malinao, OFM (CEAP 8), Ms. Faith Floreta (CEAP 9), Mr. Jay Velez (CEAP 10), Mr. Aldrin D. Dais (CEAP 11), Ms Ellen Delosa (CEAP 12), Mr. Guilbert Mantala (CEAP-CARAGA) and Ms. Janice Jalali (CEAP-BARMM)