Catarman, Northern Samar, first to have E-Ugnay in Eastern Visayas

Following the formal signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat of the Diocese of Catarman and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, a total of 39 participants representing the different parishes under the Diocese underwent a hands-on tutorial on the use of the E- Ugnay mobile application. The training is aimed at capacitating the participants in using E-Ugnay technology, through its mobile and web application, to send timely and accurate disaster assessment and status reports during disasters. Based from these assessments and reports, and using the same technology, they can also send requests for assistance to potential donors and benefactors.

For five months since the E-Ugnay project was first introduced in the municipality, the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat through the leadership of Fr. Fred I. Placa reached out to the different parishes under the Diocese of Catarman for the identification of field reporters who will undergo the E-Ugnay training. These field reporters will become SLB’s primary source of information during disaster situations in Catarman. To further augment their efforts for the realization of E-Ugnay’s objectives, the representatives from each parish gathered immediately after the training to discuss on some possible resources that the diocese can utilize for the project. Fr. Placa made an initial proposal to see if a portion of the amount collected through Alay Kapwa can be utilized for the project’s sustainability- in case needs to procure handsets or sim cards shall arise in the future. This plan will be consulted with CBCP Nassa or the National Secretariat for Social Action.

Aside from the representatives coming from each parish, the training had also been attended to by students from St. Anthony Academy and Catarman National High School. Also present during the training are representatives from the chaplaincy of the University of Eastern Philippines. The training was held last April 28, 2012 at the Diocesan Catholic Center in Catarman. It was facilitated by Lui Morada, SLB’s Program Manager for Disaster Response, and Sch. Arthur Nebrao, SJ.

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