ASIDE from its humanitarian and development advocacy, there is a need to strengthen the justice and peace campaign of Caritas Philippines.
This was aired by newly-appointed Caritas Philippines Executive Director Fr. Carmelo Caluag, who said there is a need to reinvigorate the justice and peace aspect of their mandate.
“There have been successive calamities so a lot of focus was given on humanitarian work, which is necessary. But I think we need to also strengthen again our justice and peace work,” said Caluag during his introductory press briefing.
“We are moving there. We are activating that again and we hope to see greater movement toward strengthening that again,” he added.
Caluag said there is no better time to strengthen the advocacy considering the Marcos administration is “friendlier” compared to the Duterte government when it comes to human rights.
“Let’s face it: That (human rights) has been very, very damaged in the past administration,” he pointed.
He said there is a need for Caritas Philippines to hold numerous dialogues with government agencies and security personnel.
“We must create some program and protocols for them to exchange ideas, perhaps to have greater synergy and synchronization of efforts,” said Caluag.
Caritas Philippines is the international identity of the National Secretariat for Social Action — Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Last Sunday, Caluag was introduced as the new Executive Director of Caritas Philippines and the Executive Secretary of CBCP-NASSA-JP to succeed Fr. Antonio Labiao.
CBCP-NASSA-JP Chairman and Caritas Philippines President Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo welcomed Caluag’s appointment, describing him as a “perfect fit” for the post.
“We are confident that he will guide our organization through this next chapter and help us further our mission of serving those in need,” Bagaforo said.
