NGO's implementing ABK Initiative project not dubious
Christian Children's Fund (CCF) National Director Ana Maria Locsin assured that all the non-government organizations behind the ABK Initiative, a child labor project, are not dubious.
The ABK Initiative is a joint project of the World Vision, the lead agency, Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation Inc. (ERDA), Plan Philippines and the CCF.
Locsin made her assurance after media expressed doubts on the existence of the group since there are lot of so-called non-government organizations in the country which capitalized the fate of the needy people particularly in Mindanao. "I will not allow to lose our license and the P1.5 billion funding we have."
She said they have already extended help to many people and with such big money they could help more people. The funding can lift up more lives in the country because of poverty. The fund is subject for audit every six months.
The CCF has been working in the Philippines since 1971. Currently, it assists more than 200,000 children and family members in 49 communities. Their program thrusts are education, peace-building, increase child and youth agency, health, nutrition and sanitation, micro-enterprise development, child protection and emergency response.
Though, Locsin also admitted that indeed there are non-government organizations which only solicits international funding for their own purposes and not to help the supposed recipients of their program. She did not categorically identify the group but said the list was printed in Chicago Tribune years ago.
Locsin admitted that there are foreign funding agencies which ceased from helping the non-government organizations in the Philippines because of the Chicago's report. The report was based on the paper's study and investigation.
The CCF is already accredited to the Interaction Group in Washington, DC. The certifiers came unannounced in the Philippines to check on how the funds are disbursed and the outcome of their project, said Locsin.