Please check the link for the project details and the specific duties and qualifications for each position. We will only accept applications made through the application form.
Deadline for applications depend on the position being applied for.
Depending on the volume of applications, we may be unable to respond to your queries immediately. We will prioritize communicating with shortlisted applicants. Thank you for your patience.
The Center for Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development (CONCERN) Inc. held its 15th General Assembly on May 21, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Church, Sta. Maria, Bulacan and via Zoom.
The General Assembly welcomed five (5) new members: Valiente Bertes, Marvin Dulfo, Proleta Gomez, Rosemarie Trajano, and Evelyn Volante.
ED Gomez presents the CONCERN Accomplishment Report during the May 21, 2022 General Assembly
Executive Director Proleta “RR” Gomez presented the three-year Accomplishment Report of CONCERN. Amidst the pandemic, CONCERN continued its capacity-strengthening, DRR mainstreaming, women empowerment, and emergency response projects. Treasurer Ma. Antoniette “Tonette” Orejas reported the Financial Highlights which showed the need for resource generation to pursue the development programs and projects planned for the next three years.
The members also held the Election of Trustees:
Msgr. Rev. Alberto R. Suatengco
Fr. Jose Bagadiong, Jr.
Ma. Antoniette T. Orejas
Atty. Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal
Norika C. Ishikawa
Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas
Dr. Nenita G. Sta. Ines
Engr. Valiente V. Bertes
Proleta N. Gomez (ex-officio)
The members also expressed their full support to the development of programs, resource generation and network-building efforts of CONCERN. Msgr. Suatengco thanked the members in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for joining the meeting.
CONCERN Members during the May 21, 2022 General AssemblyCONCERN Members and Staff during the May 21, 2022 General Assembly
CONCERN, together with the Visayas Disaster Risk Reduction Network, and with the support of the Peace and Equity Foundation and Saup Cabalen PH, conducted the relief delivery operations for the survivors of Tropical Storm Agaton in Baybay City on May 18, 2022.
Relief packs included food, water, face masks, hygiene, and sanitation items and were distributed to 151 families from Barangay Kantagnos housed at the Baybay City Senior High School Evacuation Center.
CONCERN extends its heartfelt gratitude to its partner organizations – VDRN, PEF and Saup Cabalen PH for supporting the effort.
CONCERN also recognizes the Baybay City DRRMO and CSWDO, Baybay City Senior High School Camp Manager Ms. Marylou Creo and Brgy. Kantagnos Captain Michelle Duyaca Cipe, and Relief Coordinator Ms. Malou Evangelista and the youth volunteers from Brgy. Kantagnos for their assistance.
Relocation efforts of the Babay City LGU are now underway for survivors from Barangays Mailhi and Kantagnos.
Kindly send the transaction slip via Messenger or email info@concerninc.org specifying the purpose, so we may verify and acknowledge receipt of your donation.
Donations will be managed by the Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network Inc., a collective of professionals, individuals and CSOs who respond to the needs of the most vulnerable communities affected by disasters and;
the Center for Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development, a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1986 to address and support the needs of disaster victims and communities at risk, registered with SEC and DSWD.
Let’s help provide relief to our kababayans in Visayas.
Update as of April 15, 2022
CASUALTIES: 137
MISSING: 26
DISPLACED: 494,607 families or 1.6 million individuals / 218,310 displaced individuals are currently in 1,033 evacuation centers.
DAMAGED HOUSES and INFRASTRUCTURE: 9,622 houses and 43 infrastructure (Visayas and Mindanao)
DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURE:
P186 million (NDRRMC figures for Visayas and Mindanao)
P639.7 million (Dept. of AGriculture figures for Visayas and Mindanao)
“Be happy… struggle to be happy “– Ms. Niza Concepcion
This is the challenge shared by Ms. Niza Concepcion to the IDP youth participants during the online-blended Communication Advocacy Training last March 29-31, 2022 in Naawan, Misamis Oriental. She expounded that the youth must face the realities of today with pure grip and compassion in communication and to positively and gracefully take steps to commit and fulfill its cause for pushing their existing campaign and advocacy.
The activity was attended by 15 youth IDPs from the different temporary, permanent and home-based shelters from Marawi City. They are gathered to draw out creative contents that can be used as an ‘Information, Education, Communication ‘(IEC) output in promoting IDP Rights advocacy and upscaling of the campaign of the Reclaiming Marawi Movement.
On the first day, Ms. Rose Trajano of the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) discussed the relevance of truthfulness and the threat on the shrinking democratic spaces in her discussion “Situation of the Current State of Disinformation in the Philippines”.
Ms. Rose highlighted the different forms of disinformation that persist in social media today and how this falsification of narratives manipulates people’s perception and shape public opinion.
She also shared the significance of freedom of expression to the ‘advocates’ and ‘defenders’ in order to counter false narratives and present facts that describe and narrate the real condition and situation of the people.
She challenged the youth to continue what they have started in communicating the truth, to be just, to not cower from threats, and to not settle in silence.
On the second day , Ms. Niza Concepcion, Communications Committee Head of iDEFEND gave her talk on “Analyzing and Countering Existing Narratives of Disinformation”, giving emphasis on a “heartwired approach.”
“The heartwired approach to research focuses on the ways that emotion, values, beliefs, identity and lived experiences combine, and often collides, to shape people’s attitudes and behaviors.”
Ms. Niza stated that whatever the campaign is, it is important to understand the target audience. In order to support and develop clear messaging, it is also essential that the campaign objectives support the communication strategy. This way, it can effectively deliver and connect to people’s lives.
Ms. Niza also provided a workshop on writing counter-narratives, putting relevance on the genuine condition and the real connection of the people towards their struggle. This has portrayed a description of what is the truth and showed the lived experience of the people.
Ms. Niza also shared the concept of “hope-based messaging”, the content to which translates fear to hope, problem to solution, against to for, threat to opportunity and victim to hero . This signifies that the strategy for change is hope.
In the afternoon, Mr. Jhay de Jesus ; iDEFEND National Coordinator shared a presentation on “Communication Mapping: Ways to Effectively Develop Content and Tools in the Promotion of the IEC output”.
Mr. de Jesus presented a communication map that shows the continuity of developing a relatable and effective message from knowing the issue at hand to the frequency it is being shown or promoted to the target audience.
He then facilitated a workshop on “Communications Strategy” by giving examples from RMM’s campaign core issues and calls. He shared a template that would help RMM’s communication team develop an IEC output that is creative, clear, and effective in both promotion and seeking immediate support and commitment from the various stakeholders in providing adequate and long-term solutions in response to its calls and demands.
During the synthesis, they were able to share their commitment in taking part of a ‘right-based communication advocacy’ that will further strengthen their skills in an effective, efficient and truthful communication that they see necessary in pursuing the campaign they have started.
Because it is an online-blended training and workshop-based, the participants managed to actively engaged in the course of discussion through direct participation in the exchanges of insights and learnings and asking of relevant questions to the resource speakers/facilitators.
At the end of the training, the participants were able to draft a communication plan and suggest content that can be further developed as an IEC output.
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CONCERN Inc., with the support of We Effect, continuously supports the political empowerment of the IDPs of Marawi, in partnership with Reclaiming Marawi Movement through the “Capability Assistance for People’s Initiatives at Transformative Actions and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience to Disasters” or CAPITAL in CCARD Project.
On March 8, 2022, sixty (60) women IDPs from the transitional shelters of Marawi City and close municipalities of Saguiran and Matunggao, including the youth, gathered to commemorate the International Women’s Day with the theme “Breaking the Bias”.
CONCERN Inc. organized an online-blended forum/discussion for the International Women’s Day celebration entitled “Different Faces of Women in Times of War”. This aims to exchange experiences on the different faces of women during and post-conflict situation, their socio-economic, psychological and emotional condition; to provide an understanding on the vulnerability of women in times of disaster; particular effects of war and conflict in their lives; and to be able to craft and present the Marawi IDP-Women’s Agenda.
Marawi City was destroyed because of the armed-conflict between the military and the ISIS-terrorist group almost five years ago, on May 23, 2017 that lasted for 5 months, until its liberation on October 17, 2017.
Most of the affected displaced individuals and communities were scattered within the city and nearby towns and municipalities. Majority stayed in evacuation centers while others became home-based evacuees and eventually have settled in the temporary shelters. Most families were confronted with issues to basic services, food security, and livelihood and have suffered from emotional burden and psychological trauma. The latter put the IDP women and children vulnerable to protection issues and particular need for intervention.
The human-induced disaster had a particular impact on women. They have assumed roles in protecting their right to a place that is secure and safe for their loved ones, but have been deprived of a critical voice in the community when it comes to consultation and decision making, which should be addressed.
In the morning of March 8, Ms. Nobaisah Sunggod of Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation Inc. shared her experience as a community volunteer in the post-conflict areas. She said that women are engage in activities and interventions that contribute to their well-being. She shared some experiences of Meranaw women in promoting women’s rights in the communities.
The IDP women of Reclaiming Marawi Movement also shared some of their experiences; answering the question – “Kumusta ka bilang Babae?” , “Anu-ano ang naging karanasan mo noong panahon ng gyera at ngayong nakatira ka sa temporary shelters?”
Dr. Dalomabi Lao Bula, retired professor of Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus
During the sharing, Dr. Dalomabi Lao Bula challenged the Meranaw women regarding their role and participation towards reclaiming their rights. In the existing campaign of Reclaiming Marawi Movement, she shared the breakthroughs of women of their calls for truth, justice and accountability and explicitly explained the significance of the forum as an avenue for them to continuously engage their concerns and issues and seek long-term resolutions for their continued cause.
Atty. Virgiana Lacsa Suarez of Kaisa Ka discussed “Women in Disaster and Armed Conflict”. In her discussion, she shared that women’s vulnerability to Disaster and Conflict stem from a number of factors – political, social, economic and cultural. She added that seventy percent (70%) of the 1.3 billion people living in conditions of poverty are women and that in urban areas, 40 percent (40%) of the poorest households are headed by women. Additionally, she emphasized the heightened burden and violence that women experience in conflict and post-conflict zones. Conflict is an added stress that aggravates women’s vulnerability; during conflict, women faced heightened domestic violence, sexual intimidation, human trafficking and rape. There are also human rights concerns that are prevalent that lacks of intervention during displacement, which includes inequitable access to assistance, education and training.
Atty. Suarez posed a challenge to the women IDPs to “be a part of the solution” and that in spite of women’s vulnerability; women play a crucial role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts that recognize their full, equal and meaningful participation as women.
In the afternoon, Ms. Emalyn Aliviano of Kilusan Cebu shared her discussion on the “Current Disaster Situation in the Country, particular on the concept of War and Militarism”. Ms. Aliviano explained the situation of women in the Philippines describing the character of the present administration as anti-women, misogynistic, with systematic violence against women. She presented some of the data on the current state of women in the society with the facts and figures on reported attacks, citing some women who have been critical and who have pushed legitimate caused for human rights and justice.
At the end of the forum, CONCERN Inc. facilitated the crafting of the IDP Women’s Agenda. The IDP Women’s agenda will state the immediate and particular concerns and needs of women in Marawi who are currently affected with the long displacement and are unable to return to their lands.
CONCERN Inc., with the support of We Effect, continuously supports the political empowerment of the IDPs of Marawi, in partnership with Reclaiming Marawi Movement through the “Capability Assistance for People’s Initiatives at Transformative Actions and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience to Disasters” or CAPITAL in CCARD Project.
On February 23-25, 2022, CONCERN Inc. with the support of We Effect has organized a 3-day Legal Literacy Training of Trainers, entitled “Emphasizing Local Participation and Empowerment in Securing our Right over our Domain”. This further capacitated the IDP leaders and representatives of the Reclaiming Marawi Movement (RMM) on understanding their rights to land, housing and property, as well as their right to just compensation and reparation. The activity gathered 19 participants; 7 men and 12 women from the transitional shelters of Boganga, Rorog-Agus, Sagonsongan in Marawi City and Bakwit Village I in Matunggao.
Ms. Ica Fernandez, a registered spatial planner that specializes on land issues facilitated an Individual Mapping Exercise with the participants through a participatory mapping method to extract experiences and legal issues relevant to land, housing and property.
She emphasized the importance of the spatial orientation of people in their environment. In that spatial orientation is not just limited to space and place. Not just about legal territory, or mappable physical space, but even more so on the relationships and use, as well as the values, customs, culture, and history of people who identify with the place.
She also then discussed the framework of IDP rights, focusing on the International standards provided by the United Nations, i.e., Housing, Land, and Property Rights (HLP) lens. She gave a primer on understanding “adequate housing”, which then the IDP participants identifies their transitional shelters as “slum” and does not follow the standards of an “adequate shelter” .
She also lectured on the unpacking of the multiple legal frameworks in the Bangsamoro. She gave emphasis on the root cause of land conflict issues from histories of colonial experience, marginalization through land dispossession, historical injustice, and contemporary impacts.
Atty. Buboy Mendoza, legal officer of BALAOD Mindanaw discussed the existing Philippine national laws and policies pertaining to land. He shared a clear explanation on land classifications in the Philippines; lands that are publicly-owned by the government and can be privatized; or that are considered as alienable and disposable (A&D); also the existing rules on easement zones; which are some of the particular issues that IDPs of RMM are concerned of as they were displaced from lands some of which were located in the lakeside or considered to be no-build zone.
Atty. Mendoza, together with BALAOD Mindanaw, expressed their commitment in helping the IDPs document their cases on land disputes and file claims over their land to further take legal actions.
He also provided an input on land registration, transfer of lands, expropriation of property, the IPRA law and the right to return to ancestral domain.
Some specific issues were raised by the participants, i.e., on land without titles, lands that are now built with public infrastructures, understanding the situation of recognized ‘reclaimed areas’ inside the Most Affected Area (MAA) of Marawi City, etc.
Atty. Virginia Lacsa Suarez, labor lawyer and Chairperson of women’s federation Kaisa Ka shared her inputs on the Right of the IDPs to just compensation and reparation. She briefly discussed the salient points of the 2420 Senate Bill or the Marawi Compensation Bill. She put emphasis on the moral, psychological and emotional impact that must also be taken into account, more than the structural damages that is to be compensated. The government must be held accountable for the lives loss during the siege and for the continuing struggle of the people who are still displaced for almost five years now.
The participants of the activity are set to roll-out the training to the different transitional shelters. This is to further help drumbeat the IDP campaign both at the local and national level bringing specific issues on the rights to land, housing and property; and to influence the recognition of a more just compensation that will serve justice to the moral, psychological and emotional impact to the resident IDPs from the effects of war in Marawi.
CONCERN Inc., with the support of We Effect, continuously supports the political empowerment of the IDPs of Marawi, in partnership with Reclaiming Marawi Movement through the “Capability Assistance for People’s Initiatives at Transformative Actions and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience to Disasters” or CAPITAL in CCARD Project.
On Feb. 17-19, 2022, CONCERN Inc. in partnership with the Visayas Disaster Risk-Reduction Network,Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) conducted a series of relief delivery operation in Brgy. Balintawak, Brgy. San Isidro and island Brgy. of Cataban, Talibon, Bohol. Over 200 households with totally damaged houses were given food packs, hygiene kits and bottled drinking water. Delivery of in-kind donations from Pampanga to Tagbilaran City was made possible by 2GO express delivery.
We would like to thank President Ramon Magsaysay State University Extension Office, Gender Equality Resource Center (GERC, Inc.) and many individuals and organizations who responded to our call for donations. We also appreciate the volunteers who tirelessly gave their time and energy.
Through the support and donations, we have been able to touch the lives of many displaced families and communities who are still reeling from the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette.
Let us continue to give hope as they rebuild their lives, homes and communities.
As part of our continuing mandate to provide relief assistance to communities affected by calamities, CONCERN, Inc. in partnership with Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) with the support of Canadian Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) conducted Relief Delivery Operations in the island barangays of Maomawan and Malingin, Bien Unido, Bohol last Feb. 6, 2022.
Food packs and hygiene kits were given to 250 households mostly fisherfolks and senior citizens. Our sincere gratitude to the local volunteers of VDRN, Inc. for the packing and distribution of relief goods in the area.
Bohol province is one of the badly hit provinces in Visayas by Typhoon RAI (locally known as Typhoon Odette).
As part of our continuing mandate to provide relief assistance to communities affected by calamities, CONCERN, Inc. in partnership with Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) with the support of Canadian Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) conducted Relief Delivery Operations in the island barangays of Maomawan and Malingin, Bien Unido, Bohol last Feb. 6, 2022.
Food packs and hygiene kits were given to 250 households mostly fisherfolks and senior citizens. Our sincere gratitude to the local volunteers of VDRN, Inc. for the packing and distribution of relief goods in the area.
On January 15, 2022, thru the support of the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and thru the hard work of CONCERN Inc. partners in Cebu: the Visayas Disaster-Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (VDRN, Inc.) and Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, we were able to serve 304 families in Sitios: Naba, Puntod 2, and Lawis of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, Philippines who were affected by Typhoon Odette.
Center for Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development (CONCERN) Inc. 