Batang Atikha Savers Club held its Annual Congress in Mabini, Batangas, last February 21, 2009 at Mabini Covered Court. The purpose of this event is to foster stronger bond of friendship and camaraderie amongst the members, encourage active participation and invite more children to join BASC. This years Congress in Mabini was sponsored by Children’s Hour Philippines, AusAid PACAP, Bangko Kabayan, and the local government of Mabini, Batangas.

More or less 600 members and guests from 13 partner schools and community in Mabini and Batangas City attended the occasion. The Guest Speaker was no other than the Mayor of Mabini, Batangas, Hon. Mayor Nilo Villanueva.

It was a whole day activity. Livening up the program was the presentations from the different partner schools & BASC chapters. The Honorable Mayor and other distinguished guests were very much impressed with the presentations of the students. The children enjoyed the program too and were delighted to join in solidarity games.

The Modelong Batang Atikha for every school was chosen. And the BASC Member of the Year was selected from among the members. Loyalty Awards were given out and the Member with Highest Savings and Most Regular Saver were also given awards. Atikha Coordinator for Batangas, Ms. Aileen Constantino Peñas announced the awardees while Atikha Executive Director, Ms. Mai Dizon-Anonuevo handed the Certificates assisted by Ms. Fides Ganzon of Bangko Kabayan / Ibaan Rural Bank Foundation.

In Laguna, the Annual Congress was held on March 14, 2009 at San Pablo Colleges Gymnasium in San Pablo City. More than 300 guests and children from partner schools in Alaminos and San Pablo City attended the event. Ms. Merlinda B. Ella of the Department of Education Laguna Division graced the occasion and delivered a short message. San Pablo Colleges High School Principal Dr. Rufino L. Tanio rendered an inspirational talk for the children.

Atikha Coordinator for Laguna, Miss Cherrylene Girado announced the awardees for this year, which were handed by Ms. Mai Dizon-Añonuevo assisted by Ms. Merlinda Ella.

The Congress lasted till 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. The children truly enjoyed the whole program and the solidarity games. The teachers on the other hand were glad to receive their Certificate of Recognition as Accredited Trainers of Atikha for the School-Based Psychosocial Program for Children of Migrants: Migration Realities and Capacity Building Seminar.

Atikha joins Lingap sa Pitong Lawa Community Foundation in spearheading Project 747. Project 747 was launched by Lingap sa Pitong Lawa last July 4, 2008. It is a campaign to raise P 7 million for social development projects that support initiatives on entrepreneurship, education and environment protection. Project 747 is fostering community spirit of the various sectors including overseas Filipinos to join hands and be part of the initiative in making San Pablo a progressive and environment friendly place.

Project 747 enjoins everybody to participate

As donors

As solicitors

As fundraising events organizers

The proposal to raise 7 million is through the following:

P4.5 million will be raised by San Pablenos in the US and other parts of the world

700 donors of $100 = $70,000

40 donors of $500 = 20,000

7 donors of $2,000 = 14,000 $104,000 or P4.5M

P2.5 million will be raised by Philippine-based San Pablenos

700 donors of P2,000 = P1,400,000

40 donors of P10,000 = 400,000

7 donors of P100,000 = 700,000 or P2.5 M

Yakap sa Lawa was launched as an information campaign for environment protection and to raise funds for project 747. There were school hopping that were done and also barangay hopping for the information campaign. Around 10,00 were mobilized including personalities like Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Hehersen Alvarez, Gov. Ning-ning Lazaro, Gov. Joey Lina and other government personalities, students, fisherfolks, women, senior citizen and other sectors. Sen. Loren Legarda pledged that part of the PHP 3 million she has allotted for San Pablo will be donated to Proj. 747. Representative of Sen. Mar Roxas also promised to support the project. Personalities and representatives of the various organizations including Overseas Filipinos pledged to support the Project 747.

The total cash collection was PHP 80,000 as of January 15, 2008. However, the total pledge has reached PHP 3.5 million coming from organizations, politicians including Senator Loren Legarda and representative of Sen. Mar Roxas. Governor Ning-ning Lazaro also pledged to provide assistance for Project 747. Lingap sa Pitong Lawa is accepting pledges for Project 747. The next counting will be on January 15 2010 on the occasion of San Pablo's Feast Day Celebration.