IVCF Board’s Official Statement on Cagayan Valley Ministry and Mr. Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Mr. Nicodemo “Nico” Estrada.

The IVCF Philippines Board of Trustees recently made Official Statements regarding (1) Cagayan Valley Ministry, (2) Activities of Mr. Ongkiko and Mr. Estrada, as follows:

I. Official Statement of the IVCF Board of Trustees Regarding the Cagayan Valley Ministry:

The IVCF Philippines Board does not recognize nor sanction as a ministry of the IVCF Phils, the Cagayan Valley Ministry also known as the IVPM Cagayan Valley. The premises by which the creation of the Cagayan Valley Ministry as approved previously by the Board no longer hold, to wit:

Mr. Nicodemo “Nico” Estrada, the former IVCF Staff Worker assigned and commissioned to undertake and supervise the Cagayan Valley Ministry has already resigned from the IVCF effective September 30, 2007. The Cagayan Valley Ministry does not recognize the authority and governance of the IVCF National Office nor of the IVCF Board; and That despite repeated requests and calls for affiliation, the proponents of the Cagayan Valley Ministry refuse to affiliate with IVCF.

Therefore, any activities, programs and/or representations made by IVPM Cagayan Valley for and in behalf of IVCF in the Philippines and abroad are not SANCTIONED nor AUTHORIZED by IVCF Philippines.

Reference: BOT Resolution BOT-R-09-02 dated 01.23.2009

II. Official Statement of the IVCF Board of Trustees Regarding the Activities of Mr. Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Mr. Nicodemo “Nico” Estrada Among the IVCF Graduates

The IVCF Board declares also that the activities of Mr. Joseph “Boyet” Ongkiko and Nicodemo “Nico” Estrada among IVCF alumni groups and graduates advocating and inviting them to organize and SEC-register as a National IVPM are NOT SANCTIONED nor AUTHORIZED by the IVCF Philippines.

Reference: BOT Resolution BOT-R-09-03 dated 01.23.2009

(Source: Erickson M. Velardo,National Director,IVCF Philippines)

ANNOUNCING THE BALIKATAN PRAYER DAY EVERY 26TH OF EACH MONTH AND THE US & CANADA ANNUAL DAYOF PRAYER ON JUNE 26-

During the Balikatan Board Meeting on Feb 14-15, 2009, it was decided that we will devote time for prayer every 26th of the month and a once-a-year US and Canada Prayer Day on June 26. Please submit any prayer requests you have as individuals, families, or local chapters to be included on our MARCH 26 PRAYER DAY. We chose 26 as the day based on Balikatan’s age.

Let us turn to the Lord in prayer in response to His challenge in Jeremiah 7:19: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

By Lilia Salazar-Nigro vn6003ls@att.net

The Mid-Year Meeting of the Balikatan Board was held on February 14-15 at the beautiful residence of Vincent Nigro and Lilia Salazar-Nigro located on a hillside in scenic Vacaville, California. It was attended by six board members, namely, Landy Ancheta, Lilette Cruz, Fe Echipare, Ray Nayre, Lilia Salazar-Nigro and Mila Pascual. Bethel Skinker was unable to come as she was working on the preparations for the upcoming Balikatan Conference 2009 which will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was available for the Board meeting through a phone conference.

Highlights of the meeting include a devotional and sharing of praises and prayer requests amongst the board members and prayer time. The Board also reviewed the ideas and thoughts that were shared by the general membership in the Balikatan 2008 Conference regarding the topics “Balikatan in the next 25 years” and “Evaluation of the Balikatan’s Objectives”. In response to the ideas raised, several projects will be initiated by the various committees.

Among them were the
1.) improvement of the Balikatan website to accommodate more activities and updates in the near future and
2.) initiating a sustained membership drive to reach all IVCF Alumni in North America.

The Board also initiated a discussion on identifying the needs of the IVCF staff that can be addressed by the giftedness of retired or visiting IVCF alumni.

Ray, Lilette, Mila, Fe, Lilia & Landy

The Board also recognized that, with the potential increase in the volume of Balikatan administration work, including website monitoring, it may be necessary in the near future to have a part-time paid staff for Balikatan. The Board also shortened the time allotted for business meetings at Balikatan Conference from 5 hours to 2.5 hours to give ample time for other similarly important activities.

The Board attended a Sunday Worship Service at a nearby church and resumed meetings in the afternoon. The meeting was adjourned February 15 at around 6pm.The Board would like to extend its deep appreciation and thanks to Vincent and Lilia Nigro for their hospitality and to Efren Echipare for being the devotional speaker and cook during the board meeting.

By Mila Pascual, milapascual@bellsouth.net