July 2008

1. All the school supplies and school bags were already distributed in Bansalan Central Elementary School, Dolo Elementary School, Mabuhay Elementary School, and Sibayan Elementary School. We have 91 elementary school scholars and two high school students (Edwin and Jane’s scholars).

2. I also paid for the uniforms for the girls.

3. I still have to send the money for the uniform for the boys and for the school fees. Damayan only received the advance money from Wilde Ganzen the week I left for Bansalan. Due to time constraints and to save the high cost of remittance transactions, Damayan decided to send the money to my postgiro account in Holland and requested me to withdraw the money from ATM in Davao to pay the expenses for ABW and Damayan scholars. It was not at all possible to withdraw all the money from ATM since I am only allowed maximum amount of Ph 30,000 per day.
   
   I also need to withdraw for my personal expenses, so wa gyud madala ug withdraw the full amount and it is not possible for me to go to the ATM everyday. Anyhow, I will just send the money per bank for the uniform for the boys and the school fees as soon as I receive from Tata the breakdown of expenses.

4. I will prepare the financial report as soon as I have done all the payments.

5. We held a mini reunion in Bansalan. During my visit, Jean Metilla Walters, Tom Pacatang, Ana Marie Noel, and  Glenda Alay and her husband were also there. So nagkita-kita mi sa balay ni Jean. Pictures to follow.

6. Jean, Tata and I had a meeting with the Mayor. I also had a chance to talk about the possible reforestation project in Bansalan which the Mayor welcomed enthusiastically. The next thing I did is to contact an NGO which can help us conduct the mapping which will serve as the basis for writing the proposal. I am pleased to inform you that Minland Foundation which is based in Kidapawan is willing to conduct the mapping and help us write the proposal.  I can write the proposal myself but I need data and analysis of the situation. I don’t have it so there is a need to conduct the mapping. They will meet the Mayor to discuss how the mapping will be conducted which includes identification of the area, the size, involvement of the local communities, etc.

7. THE Global Forum on Migration and Development 2008 will be conducted in Manila on October 27-30. ABW has been invited by PHILCOMDEV to participate in the parallel events. Specifically, we can participate in the conference (send a participant/s) and during the exposition which Phildomdev plans to hold at the Mall of Asia. I already discussed the participation of ABW and Bansalan municipality during the exposition with the office of the Mayor and Kagawad Lao and they are very interested to help us.
   
   We can display Bansalan products at the exposition. The Mayor is also invited to attend the conference together with the other governors and mayors of other provinces. One of the objectives of the parallel events which PhilcomDev is to firm up partnerships with hometown associations such as ABW with the local government. Bansalan has been identified as one of the areas. If plans push through, I hope we will be able to participate actively. Perhaps, Manong Mett can help us set up the booth. We can also invite Manila-based Bansalenos to take active participation will be in Manila during the GFMD because I am a member of the International Advisory Committee. If Chafi and Banami are interested to attend, we can share the Bansalan booth.

8. Jean Metilla is willing to coordinate the Grand Reunion of Bansalenos which will be held on January 3, 2009! Please mark your calendar. I will not be there due to conflict of schedules but JEAN will be assisted by our ABW chapter and Tata’s batch and again with full support from the Mayor. Let’s help Jean. She told me that she is planning to invite some movie stars during the reunion!

9. Jean is organizing a Christmas Bazaar in December as well! So wait for more news from Jean.