Palo, Leyte – The 3rd National Conference on Poverty and Sustainable Development (PovCon 2019) kicks off today, September 25, 2019, at Mary Ngo’s Auditorium, Saint Paul School of Professional Studies (SPSPS), with the aim of combating the pressing issue on the ferocious cycle of poverty.
The PovCon 2019 bears the theme “Capitalizing Filipino Culture in Transforming Communities into a Globally-Competitive Countryside” which shall serve as a platform for dialogue between agencies having direct capacity to respond to the challenges brought about by poverty.
Returning to a land called ‘paraiso’
The opening program seemed like a promising picture of Filipinos wanting to go back to ‘paraiso’. It started with a processional march of the partner SUC Presidents carrying their banners.
Saint Paul School of Professional Studies (SPSPS), Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Visayas State University (VSU), Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), St. Scholastica’s College Tacloban (SSCT), and Holy Infant College (HIC), together with the local government units (LGUs) od the Samar Province, Leyte Province, Catbalogan City, and the Municipality of Palo, all joined with the vision of transforming the Philippines into a globally-competitive countryside.
The LNU Dance Company and Muzik Harmonie opened the event with their interpretation of the song ‘Paraiso’ which summed up the vision of the conference.
Inclusivity is the key
The Municipal Mayor of Palo, Hon. Frances Ann B. Petilla, firmly believes that when the poor on the Local Economic Development (LED) is included, almost all the problems of the community will be answered.
“This conference is one of the steps to bring us towards the direction of LED,” she stated.
Poverty is everybody’s concern
Dr. Erwin Vincent Alcala, President of SPSPS, welcomed the guests and participants being the host of this year’s PovCon and said that ‘poverty is everybody’s concern.’
“This global issue on poverty is a moral obligation,” he said.
He quoted what Paul the Apostle had written in the Bible, “Jesus became poor so that through His poverty, we may become rich.”
The world is hungry for action
“Not words, but actions,” emphasized Dr. Ronald Orale, Vice President for Research and Extension Services of SSU, as he stated that nearly half of the world population live in poverty despite the boasts of the world on the breathtaking advances in science and technology, industry and wealth accumulation.
“What have we contributed so far towards reducing poverty in the country? Is graduating a number of human resources enough?” Orale asked.
He reminded the participants on the role of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in poverty reduction being paramount.
“Let this conference be one of the many platforms to discuss head-on ways on how to address poverty”, he said in conclusion challenging the participants to run towards the same end.
The conference will continue until September 27.