THIS coming July 2019, BARP (Blessed Association of Retired Person Foundation, Inc.) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary.
All these past years, the association has faithfully observed holding its monthly assembly as mandated by its Constitution and By-Laws, but despite repeated announcements, many members still manifest forgetfulness of the core values that are incumbent upon them as part and parcel of the Association.
For this reason Prof. Federico Balanag, the founding president, and who still holds the presidency of the organization up to now, has expressed his desire to remind all members and officers of BARP to renew active loyalty to the social mandates of their organization.
For this reason, this column is proud to oblige to the request as a part of our community concern and for historical reason as suggested by research students.
There is no doubt now that BARP is now a household work in the areas of its clientele and is still blazing history therein if not beyond.
We would like to give the vision, mission, core values, and major thrusts of BARP Foundation, Inc. (BFI) in their original presentation unedited.
Thus:
Mission: We will mobilize and enable ourselves to share experiences, talents and expertise in the spirit of camaraderie thru a responsive internal structure that will help implement our program in collaboration with individuals and institutions for mutually beneficial pursuits.
Vision: An established leader in social development that shall promote the creation of productive opportunities for the fulfillment of its members and the community.
Core Values: BARP Foundation, Inc., is a caring and sharing and transparent organization with dedicated and committed members and volunteers who respect the dignity of individuals in the pursuit of its ideals.
Major Thrusts: 1.To engage in activities and programs that promote better quality of life; 2. Respect and dignity; 3. Caring and sharing; 4. Self-fulfillment; and 5. Development of opportunities among the members and community.
On our personal initiative, may be added here the BARP motto that has remained unchanged, so far, namely, “To serve as we had served!”
Furthermore, the first set of Board of Directors was composed of the following: 1. Balanag, Federico A. - Trustee/President/Chief Executive Officer; 2. Opiniano, Tolentino O. – Trustee/Executive Vice President; 3. Bugnosen, Jaime R – Trustee/Vice Chairman, Budget and Finance; 4. Damoslog, Menchita R. – Trustee/Vice President for Membership and Education Committee; 5. Bandaay, Andrea E. – Trustee/Chair, Social Services and Welfare Development Committee;
6. Palasi, Julieta A. – Trustee/Treasurer; 7. Delson, Marcelino T. – Trustee/Chairman, Program and Projects Committee; 8. Bello, Lourdes F. – Trustee/Auditor; 9. Taguba, Jose T. – Trustee/Vice President for Chapters; 10. Taclawan, Monroe G. – Trustee/Vice President for Internal Affairs;
11. Daytec, Frank L. – Trustee/Vice President for Finance; 12. Abuan, Placido B. – Trustee/Liaison Officer; 13. Andam Benigno V. – Trustee/Public Relations Officer; 14. Ibis, Juanita D. – Trustee/Business Manager; 15. Bagano, Juliet P. – Trustee/Business Manager.
There were seventeen members of BARP at the beginning. They had their office at the Baguio Tech (later BSU) compound before transferring to an office at Upper Session Road, and then at Otek St., and finally at the present BARP Center Bldg. for the Elderly at Upper Bokawkan/Buhagan Road at Cresencia Village Barangay, Baguio City.
Through resolutions duly done and disseminated, amendments and changes, substantial and formal, have been introduced to cope up with needs of development, especially now that BARP has become an international organization and that the originally lone BFI has now twinned with its handiwork, the BARP Multi-Purpose Cooperative. This BMPC has recently gained the level of Large Coop.