NAVOTAS CENTER
The Center 025-Navotas started in January 2001 as a CDP Center with 37 children. Bible Study for parents and children started in October 2000. Even before the center registered it's 100th beneficiary, it's Saturday Bible Studies for children have an average attendance of 100 to 150 children. This was because the community where the center as established is considered one of the densely populated barangays in Navotas.
Since it started in 2001, many meaningful events have happened in this "Fishing Center". It started to establish partners within the community that helps the Center in ministering to its beneficiaries. As already reported, the Center is greatly affected by the global economic crisis. Business is not doing well. Many factories closed and left breadwinners unemployed. Here in Navotas, the fishing business was very much affected. Marine resources in our rivers and seas now become unproductive because of heavy silting. Many families dependent on fishing are now looking for alternative livelihood.
The Center, nevertheless, continue to perform its mission because it believes that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Greatest Provider. True to His Promise, He provided the means to let its ministry nurture the CDP families.
Navotas is a small fishing town in the Northwest part of Metropolitan Manila. It is a long island system presenting an aggregate shoreline of approximately 4.5 km. fronting Manila Bay. Towards the North, Navotas shares common border with the town of Obando, Bulacan along Sukol Creek. The Eastern boundary of Navotas is a larger natural stream of water composed of Binuangan River, the Daang Cawayan River, the Dampalit River, the Batasan River, the Navotas River, the Bangculasi Channel, the Malabon Channel and the Estero de Maypajo.
It also shares a common boundary with Manila in the South. On the West, the water of Manila Bay washes the seashore of Navotas. It has fourteen (14) barangays where eleven (11) are along the coastal area and three (3) are within the interior places. Navotas is generally a flat land mostly utilized for residential purposes. Shipyards engaged in shipbuilding and repair mostly occupy the riverbanks. All rivers that surround this locality were once a very rich fishing ground but due to heavy population growth aggravated by slit, marine life ceased to exist.
Navotas has an area of 10.77 sq. km. or 1,077 hectares of land, distributed mostly to agricultural (fish culturing) and residential use. Limited land resources for industrialization purposes and flooding problem hinder development of Navotas.
Since 1961 the municipality of Navotas has been planning for a reclamation project. The project aims to reclaim Navotas shore for residential, industrial, commercial, institutional and open space purposes. It is also needed to optimize the utilization of land consistent with socio-economic recovery and physical development for maintenance of land density at the desirable level.
With Navotas limited space, the need for land expansion through reclamation of the Bay shore is its administration's primary consideration in order to attain development.
Navotas is cosidered to be the most densely populated municipality in the country with a population of 230,403 (2000 census). It has a total of 49,450 households distributed among the 14 barangays of the municipality with 1,077 hectares of plain lands.
As in any other locality in Metro Manila, the residents of Navotas are composed mostly of the natives whose ancestors were from the town of Navotas, and migrants from the provinces and nearby cities and munipalities as they found more job opportunities brought by the Fishery Port. The total growth rate is 3.75%.
Significantly, with the 230,403 NSO Census of population in 2000, the increase was only 0.6% a sudden decrease due to the removal of structures along the riverbanks and other risk area.
MINISTRY TO THE CHILDREN
Health Care
FHI in partnership with a local health Center conducted annual medical check-up to our CDP children. Added to this, FHI/Phils. provided additional medical laboratory examination such as urinalysis, stool and blood examination. The doctor gave children who were found with parasites de-worming medicines.
Field Trip
Last April, CDP children experienced their memorable educational field trip. Happiness in the face of the children was beyond measure. Children were toured to various places such as pencil and Yakult drink factory and Toy Land. This exposure enables the children to appreciate the value of hard work based on their ocular visit to said factories and interview with some workers. The visit to Toy Land was a delight to all of them. Navotas is situated in coastal area where flood problem has been unresolved for many years. There is neither playground nor appropriate place for children to
play.
Daily Vacation Church School
In partnership with a local church, Daily Vacation Church School (DVCS) was conducted for a period of two weeks. A total of 400 children in various communities of Navotas attended. DVCS resulted to increase attendance in Sunday school and children joining children’s choir. A graduation ceremony culminated the Daily Vacation Church School. Many parents were very happy to see their children performing during the graduation
ceremony.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp trained 105 youth and 205 children. The three days camping held in Tagaytay City touched lives of children and youth to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to be obedient to
Him.
CDP Day
Our CDP children participated in the annual CDP Day Celebration held at Tecson Elementary School. Dressed in yellow T-shirt, our children performed an ethnic dance, which was well applauded by the audience. First time for our children in Navotas to fellowship with other children from other CDP communities. The humor and skit presentation of the Canadian Team who graced the CDP Day celebration was enjoyed and loved by the
children.
School
Supplies Distribution
Prior to June school opening of classes, FHI/Phils distributed to our children their school supplies. 100 CDP sponsored children of Navotas received one school bags, notebooks, and pens and pad
papers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Micro Enterprise Development
30 mothers attended the seminar on Micro Enterprise Development (MED) on Rotating, Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA). The Biblical principles of
"Paluwagan" or ROSCA were explained by FHI MED Coordinator. The parents realized the value of savings and how each could help one another in addressing needs and problem through the ROSCA Model. At the end of the training one ROSCA was started and is still continued to
date.
Health Education
Nutrition education was conducted to 30 mothers for two consecutive weeks. The value of good nutrition was discussed including nutritional care to pregnant and lactating mothers. Mother's were encouraged to provide adequate and good nutrition to their family. At the end of the training a
"Nutrition-Bingo game" was played for parents to memorize the different food groups. Mother's who won in the game brought home eggs, fruits and
vegetables.
Networking
FHI is one of the newest members of the Municipal Council of Navotas. The Mayor of Navotas serving as Chairperson heads the Council. The plan of the council is to eradicate malnutrition problem among the under 5 children. FHI helped conduct mass weighing to identify children who are second and third degree
malnourished.
FHI/Philippines and Sorophtimist International entered into a partnership to address the economic needs of the people in the community. A skills training program is being planned for the unemployed mothers in the
area.
Food for the Hungry Philippines Inc.
P.O Box 3022, Manila 2800 Philippines
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