BABATNGON, Leyte-Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas received paddled bancas as livelihood assistance from the Marriage Encounter of the Philippines, Inc. (MEFP). In a simple ceremony held last May 13, 2014 at 9:30 in the morning, former presidential economic adviser Robert Aventajado, together with lawyers Jun Berto Dazo and Elmer Sy, both officers of MEFP, turned over to the Archdiocese of Palo 150 paddled bancas. Rev. Fr. Isagani Petilos represented archbishop John Du during the turn over ceremony held in Barangay Rizal, this town. Also present during the turnover of the bancas were town councilor Lenny Lugnasin, Joey Chan, representing Mayor Charita Chan and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources led by its executive regional director, Leonardo Sibbaluca. The MEFP is the umbrella organization of ME (marriage encounter) community numbering around 100 communities whose apostolate is to strengthen marriage bonds among couples and to evangelize the same particularly on the knowledge of married life. Aventajado stressed that the project is the initiative of the MEFP as part of their social outreached projects to help especially those who were adversely affected by the super typhoon. The identification of the intended beneficiaries was made by the archdiocese of Palo through the parish priests of their respective parishes. The assistance given to the beneficiaries were bancas made of solid wood and marine plywood. (TOMAS CICERO C. MAYE)
