De Venecia, wife of Speaker Jose de Venecia, led the officers of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI) in a recent courtesy call on President Arroyo at Malacañang.
Accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, the congressional spouses were commended by Mrs. Arroyo for "hitting the ground running" in CSFI’s mission to alleviate the plight of disadvantaged women and children in the country.
The flagship of the CSFI’s projects is the expansion of its National Center for Women (The Haven) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and the building of a corresponding National Center for Street-children.
Both projects are being undertaken in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
"The needs of abused women and children are alarming. We cannot wait a minute longer to respond," says Mrs. De Venecia.
The new CSFI board of trustees was elected barely a month ago.
According to De Venecia, the new board will concentrate on Phase 2 of The Haven, which will include facilities that will train rehabilitated women for gainful employment.
The Haven will also offer facilities for job placement.
In 1995, during De Venecia’s second term as CSFI head, satellite centers were built in all the country’s 13 regions, the main center being in Metro Manila.
The new CSFI Board informed Mrs. Arroyo, herself a former social welfare secretary, that it plans to complete Phase 2 of The Haven.
It aims to complete the National Center for Streetchildren also in a year’s time.
"It will serve streetchildren between the ages of 6 and 19, and will also have facilities to counsel their negligent parents," said De Venecia.
She added that CSFI will build regional centers for streetchildren before her term ends on 2004.
The officers of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc, are: Gina de Venecia; president-chairwoman; Nikki Teodoro, vice chairman for Luzon; and Pacita Gonzalez, vice chairman for Visayas.
Members of the board of trustees are Vicky Ablan, Ruth Padilla, Cherry Umali, Georgia Remulla, Marissa Andaya, Chit Monfort, Babie Cajes, Ciony Espina, Nona Lobregat, Chit Baculio, Babet Nograles, Jingle Badelles, Badette Barbers, Sal Dumarpa, Naida Angping, Louie Locsin, and Grace Chungalao.