The Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW), under new management, held its first community forum “Ugnayan” for the year and opened its doors to all members of the community.
With Atoy Sayas’ new style of leadership also comes a new vision to revitalise PCC-NSW. Ugnayan aims to reinforce PCC’NSW’s inclusivity and reconnect with all groups and individuals in the community.
“PCC is reaching out to everyone in the community. “ said Mr. Sayas. “Our own community is diversified and we want to harness the talents of those in the community in order to best serve the community.”
Already eight committees have been formed focusing on Youth, Health, Education, Elderly (Aged Care), Immigration & Settlement, Arts & Culture, Women, Sports and Disaster & Calamity (PADER).
The Philippine Australian Disaster Emergency Response (PADER), an arm of PCC-NSW has been in existence for the last two years and has successfully raised funds for the Queensland relief appeal and most recently for Typhoon Sendong.
With a massive show of interest from volunteers, the newly formed committees will service the needs of the Filipino community in each sector. The committees will establish their individual goals and objectives in accordance with PCC-NSW’s own guidelines and will be subject to the Board’s vetting and approval.
Also discussed at the forum was the future of the Multi-Purpose Centre which moved from Rooty Hill to Schofields. A committee was also formed to determine the status quo of the centre prior to a community decision being made.
Now on it’s 22nd year, PCC-NSW, as the peak body of the Filipino community is now in a better position to strengthen ties with the community. “Kasali lahat,” said Sayas.
