IMO-Astig, NYK seafarers, YWCA-FFPI give back to communities

IMO-Astig, NYK seafarers, YWCA-FFPI give back to communities
July 23, 2022 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1935765/davao/feature/imo-astig-nyk-s...

As the country gears toward face-to-face learning modality, some areas, particularly in the far-flung barangays of Davao City, are not yet ready to go back to this setup.

Hence, the Young Women's Christian Association of the Philippines Founder's Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (YWCA-FFPI), in partnership with the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador of the Philippines (IGMAP), and the International Maritime Organization-Alliance of Seafarers Towards Achieving IMO's Global Maritime Mission (IMO-ASTIG) launched the A4 for a Module Campaign in Davao City.

The three-day activity kicked off on July 13 to 15.

Sponsored by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line and supported by the NYK-Fil Ship Management Inc. and MarCoPay, the event aims to donate A4 bond papers to schools in need of their modular distance learning setup, Lorna Deles, YWCA Vice President for Mindanao, said.

Deles said the event is the first of its kind in Mindanao where various schools in the city have benefited from the program.

Beneficiary schools include Alambre Agricultural High School, Alambre Elementary School, Bankas Elementary School, Baracayo Integrated School, Camansi National High School, Quezon Elementary School, JV Ferriols National High School, Magtuod National High School, Catalunan Pequeño National High School, Erico Nograles National High School, Dr. Dakudao Sr. National High School, Mariano Peralta National High School-New Argao Extension, and Doña Pilar Learning Center Foundations Inc.

Present during the turnover is Takuya Koizumi, general manager Technical Headquarters Management of NYK Tokyo; Capt. Kenichhi Aoki, general manager of NYKSM; Chief Engineer Kentaro Sato, manager of Fleet Technical Group of NYK-Line; and Josephine Francisco, NYK-Fil president.

Prior to the turnover ceremony, the IMO-ASTIG spearheaded a career orientation seminar.

Leading the seminar was Third Officer Alcon Jan Zamora, member of IMO-ASTIG, who said the event is also their way of giving back to the community as the students who attended the event were just like them.

"We're trying to encourage the students to pursue maritime profession, and also make them realize the benefits like good wages, traveling the world for free, and sustained livelihood," Zamora said.

Meanwhile, Koizumi, in his speech, also shared how they understood the difficulties Filipino students go through, especially on the distance learning modality.

He said when their company was approached to support the A4 Campaign they did not hesitate to sponsor the program.

"It is with great joy that we are able to give back to this country, the Philippines, and make a difference through our support in quality education," Koizumi said, adding he is amazed that seafarers are also behind the project.

A closing ceremony of the event was held on July 15 at the Alambre Elementary School in Toril District.

Meanwhile, YWCA-FFPI held its general assembly and installation of the general membership and the newly organized five chapters in Mindanao last Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 9 a.m. at the Garden Oasis in Barrio Obrero, Davao City, where over 200 members attended.

Currently, YWCA has the Malita, Davao Occidental Chapter and their Malita Youth Chapter, the Toril Teacher's Chapter, the Mintal Little Tokyo chapter, the Magtuod Chapter, and the Dona Pilar, Sasa chapter.

“We were privileged to have former DSWD Usec. Luzviminda C. Ilagan as our inducting officer and guest speaker. We were also happy that the IMO-Astig decided to award again A4 to Doña Pilar, Sasa and Malita chapter,” Deles said.