Congratulations to Caritas at Maralita and Ms Penelope "Jing" Lanzona

Caritas at Maralita and Ms Penelope "Jing" Lanzona were nominated finalist for the Best Public Service Radio Program and Best Public Service Radio Program Host at the 18th Golden Dove Awards of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) held at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City on Nov. 13, 2009.



“CARITAS AT MARALITA” (literally means Love/Care for the Poor) is a one hour radio program by the people, to the people and for the people ! Aired over a Catholic but commercial radio station, VERITAS 846 KHz AM every Saturday at 1:30 – 2:30 pm and live via audio streaming at www.Veritas846.ph.. Modesty aside, this is the only radio program produced by an NGO (Urban Poor Associates) together with a Peoples Organization which made it as “FINALIST” in the Catholic Mass Media Awards for Best Public Service Radio Program. Survey made by the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP, an independent organization of all media practitioners in the Philippines ), this 10 yr. old program has more than eight hundred thousand (800 plus) households loyal audience in its timeslot. Keeping and adhering to quality,comprehensive and holistic presentation and offering alternatives to each topic affecting the lives of the poor has made Radio Veritas more committed to this program by giving us free airtime and even adding 1 more hour every Saturday.

This Radio Program uses the AIRWAVES in supporting and strengthening the ground works of the different Peoples Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Civic and Religious Groups in upholding HOUSING RIGHTS which is actually provided by Philippine Law known as Urban and Development Housing Act (UDHA) but consistently violated by the government especially the office of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Banking on the power of Radio, we use this program in advocating and lobbying to our Legislators/Lawmakers in pushing legislations and enact into law that would benefit not only the urban poor but other marginalized groups on issues like Ancestral Domain, Environment, the Elderly, Gender, Women and Children and the like. Through the years we have found allies both from the Lower House and the Senate, Municipal Mayors, ordinary listeners and from our International Community. However, we also have critics and even receive threats from other government officials whom we require to be accountable for failures in delivering basic services to people.

Featuring successful, inspiring and even entertaining stories of ordinary individual, organization, communities and other popular personalities make the program even more interesting and appealing to our audience. More importantly, this radio program gives “VOICE” to the “VOICELESS” without prejudice!!!

OBJECTIVES:

1.Using the AIRWAVES in giving support and strengthening the ground works
to our campaigns to the following issues affecting the lives of the poor :

a.) Upholding Security of Tenure.
b.) No Demolition if there’s no Adequate and Humane Relocation as provided by Philippine Law (UDHA) and insisting on ON-Site or Near City Relocation.
c.) Assisting poor and marginalized communities to secure proper trainings on livelihood programs.
d.) Facilitating and providing segment on Human Rights and
Value formation programs.

2. Giving VOICE to the VOICELESS.
2. Educating and Informing the rest of the strata of our society specially the middle class which is indifferent toward the urban poor about the plight of this sector.
3. Using the power of Radio specially in asking government officials
for dialogues between Peoples Organization Leaders and Representative from Non-Government Organizations.

FORMAT : MAGAZINE
DURATION: 1 Hour