Livelihood & Economic Development Projects

2006: Fish Farming (Butong, Batangas, Philippines)
MMP plans to finance the establishment of fish farms to help provide further economic opportunities for the poor in Butong. Fr. Fernando Suarez, Fr. Jeff Shannon and other members of the MMP team met with National Fisheries Biological Centre Chief, Maris Mutia, to take a tour of the facilities and discuss possibilities. In cooperation withthe National Fisheries Biological Centre, a government funded
fisheries research facility, MMP is conducting a study regarding the feasibility of developing a Maliputo culturing fish pond. Maliputo, a freshwater fish, is close to extinction in Lake Taal (since 2000 none have been caught according to the National Fisheries Biological Centre).

Maliputo fingerlings will be cultured in MMP funded fish ponds, and given to local Butong students, marginalized fishermen/women to raise to full size for sale to restaurants. According to the NFBC fingerlings have a 70% survival rate.The maliputo is known to have a market among the more affluent in society and thus the market potential of this endeavor seems promising.

In addition, MMP will also be assisting in helping Butong locals in establishing ornamental fish farms. A variety of ornamental fish fingerlings will be provided to locals to raise to full size for export to national and international retail pet stores. These include varities of goldfish, angelfish, fighting fish etc. The African Cichlids is projected to be in demand in the near future.

MMP secretary, Douglas Tierra as well as Engineer, Joe Laraya have offered to assist in the research and construction of a 1000 sq m fish pond. The Laraya family has also donated a plot of land in Butong for the future fish pond. NFBC will provide their technical and scientific expertise. In addition, mechanical Engineer Nolito Madlangbayan will asssit in equipping the fish ponds with pumps and filters. Angel Chichioco of Paranaque has volunteered to do the marketing locally. Construction will commence as early as this year upon completion of the feasibility study.

2006: Handicrafts (Butong, Batangas, Philippines)
MMP is funding the startup of a handicrafts workshop for women in Butong, Batangas as part of its livehood program aimed at expanding economic opportunities in the area. MMP missionaries Baby Lizares, Tessie Tierra, Hala Mattar, and Remy Yanga have spearheaded the sourcing of materials and training of local women to create various types of beaded handicrafts. Sourced in a bead shop in Quiapo, Manila, materials included freshwater pearls, decorative plastic, magnetic hermatite, glass and wooden beads, as well as straw-woven jewellery and rosary pouches. The product line may eventually be expanded to include necklaces, bracelets, rosaries, watches and other decorative jewellery pieces. Over the month of July 2006, 20 local women have been trained on rosary making, bracelet making and looming. Initially the local women were grouped into the various sections: rosary making, bracelet making and looming. They were each being monitored for speed and quality. The most proficient workers were then selected as trainers for those particular handicrafts, while the other women were cross trained on the other crafts. Into the second week of production, due to the high skill and time requirements required for looming, it was eventually decided to focus current resources on rosary and bracelet making.

The women are paid a daily wage during production. Many of the women are mothers of students at the MMP Day Care. 5 women will now carry on the program as on going trainers along with supervision from The Lipa Archdiocese Social Action Commission representatives.The handicrafts will initially be marketed by the various MMP International chapters and also by Fr. Fernando as he travels abroad as part of his healing ministry. Eventually if production quality meets high standards, the crafts will eventually be wholesaled to international retail markets. Proceeds from the sale of these items will be fed back to further perpetuate the program, while at the same time generating funds for further MMP livelihood activities.

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2006: Power Plant (Philippines)
The Mary Mother of the Poor ministry cannot continue to depend on contributions for its operations. An ongoing study is being conducted to develop and own a 2 megawatt mini-hydro plant in Mindoro. Bobby Julian, Jose Laraya and Franklin & Douglas Tierra are working on this project. Franklin Tierra will secure the funds to complete the project.

Livelihood Seminars
In July 2005 Father Fernando also helped facilitate a workshop in Butong, Batangas, attended by 200 people with the aim of teaching them how to cook more nutritious foods as well as creating products that could generate greater income for the farmers. This included instruction on safe food preparation & handling, labelling and packaging.

Education/Scholarships
In 2006, MMP will be establishing a new scholarship fund; a financial investment which will provide on-going funds for scholarships for poor but deserving scholars. The current scholarship allowance is P300-500/month. MMP currently supports 123 students as well as 5 seminarians. The current informal dole out scholarship system, which initially arose from Fr. Fernando’s generous support to poor students in his hometown, will eventually be phased out to make way for full scholarships to truly deserving students and seminarians. The Lipa Archdiocese Social Action Commission will be conducting interviews with deserving scholars and will help MMP establish formal selection criteria for future scholars.

The new scholarship program revamping should be completed by August. MMP is aiming to have its livelihood projects help alleviate the need and number of families/students requiring financial assistance for their studies.

A large part of the scholarship program will be diverted to support Seminarian education. This includes board, lodging and tuition amounts which on average amounts to around P50,000 per year.

On July 3, 2006, Fr. Fernando paid a visit to the 4 seminarians at St. Francis De Sales Seminary currently being supported by Mary Mother of the Poor.

-Emmanuel Lisboa: 3rd Year (Tuition Fees)
-Joel Amisola: 2nd Year (Half of boarding expenses)
-Emmanuel Villalobo: 2nd Year (Half of boarding expenses)
-Arnel de Villa: 1st year (full board and lodging)

Second Year St. Paul’s Seminarian and full MMP scholarship recipient, Andrew Gamilla spent a day with the mission team assisting with a youth recollection in Lemery.

Daycare
In 2005, MMP established a non-profit daycare centre that currently employs 2 teachers and has 50 students, in Butong Batangas.

Statement of Clarification Regarding The Healing Ministry of Father Fernando Suarez (Companions of the Cross)
Posted: February 6, 2008
[view full statement]

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MMP-Montemaria
March 2008 Newsletter!
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• How to invite Fr. Fernando Suarez & Fr. Jeff Shannon to your Parish