LAS PINAS, Philippines (UCAN) -- Religious and lay leaders in a diocese south of Manila learned more about a Church initiative to support social action with grassroots fund-raising when they marked its fourth anniversary.

Paranaque diocese celebrated the anniversary of Pondo ng Pinoy (fund of the Filipino) at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Las Pinas City on June 21 to help priest-coordinators of the fund launch an information campaign about it.

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila initiated Pondo ng Pinoy in 2004 as a community foundation to support and maintain the development of charitable programs for the poor. It encourages parishioners to set aside from 25 centavos (one-fourth of a peso, or about half a U.S. cent) to a maximum of one peso a day as their share in the mission of the Church.

When the cardinal introduced the program in June 2004, he explained that coins as small as 25 centavos can help the poor if pooled, and if giving as "an act of love" is made a habit. Comparing pocket change to "crumbs" at the table, the cardinal maintained that "small amounts multiply if given from the heart."

At the gathering, main celebrant Monsignor Gerardo Santos, representing Cardinal Rosales, said during the homily, "It is adequate to do good each day." He elaborated that "adequate" costs each person only 25 centavos and would ensure that no one goes hungry. "Christianity is personal but not private," he stressed.

A panel discussion with Bishop Jesse Mercado of Paranaque, and Pondo ng Pinoy officers and diocesan coordinator Father Gregory Ramos followed the Mass.

Bishop Mercado acknowledged many still do not know how to contribute to the fund. He told the gathering "everyone can participate" and urged the laypeople to lead in promoting the program. Priests have "many concerns," so laypeople should "inform and nudge" them about projects to help the poor, he advised.

Ernesto Lim, the fund's executive director, reported that daily collections have been "successful," but only 35 percent of these have been allocated to approved projects so far. "Few projects are approved" by the central office screening committee based in Manila, he explained.

During a diocesan review held May 21-22, fund coordinators found most parish workers think of the program as "fund-raising for the poor" and know little about how parishes may apply for project funding from the foundation.

Sister Pilar Verzosa, who heads the fund's project-screening committee, told UCA News on July 3 that the committee must give its approval before funds can be released. She said the committee evaluates parish projects the respective local bishops have endorsed, such as for educational assistance, livelihood, health care and supplemental feeding.

Paranaque lay coordinator Tess Quieta told UCA News that within the diocese, funds from Pondo ng Pinoy went toward training community-based health workers in nine parishes and paying expenses for young school-aged children who were not attending classes to go to school.

This year, two more Paranaque projects are close to approval, Sister Verzosa announced at the gathering. One is a candle-making business proposed by Pag-asa sa Paglaya (hope in freedom), a cooperative of ex-prisoners; the other is Botika sa Simbahan (drugstore at the church), a cooperative in Muntinlupa City.

Father Ramos said the fund aims to help "transform society." He said the diocese is targeting schools as the best places to start children and youth early in developing the habit of doing good deeds and sharing with the poor. "We want more Manresas," he said, referring to a private school in Paranaque that has been a consistent donor in the diocese.

Lim said Catholic school students from primary level to high school in neighboring Pasig diocese contribute a million pesos a year. He also cited a private school that annually collects more than 900,000 pesos.

Currently, the diocese is training 15 laypeople to inform schools and other communities about Pondo ng Pinoy.

Paranaque diocese operates 50 parishes and shrines in the southern Metro Manila cities of Las Pinas, Paranaque and Muntinlupa, where 92 percent of the 1,381,000 people are Catholics.

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