‘Ugnayan’ Forum tackles MPC and other community issues by Marco Selorio, PRO, PCC-NSW

. The Ugnayan Forum, a community initiative of PCC-NSW, was held last Sunday at the P-Noy Lounge in Blacktown and graced by the presence of over fifty Filipino leaders, community members, PCC affiliates and media. Quite evident during Ugnayan was the networking and fellowship amongst the community leaders who attended the forum.

PCC NSW President Atoy Sayas welcomed everyone and reiterated that “Filipinos have the potential to be a stronger and more influential community in Sydney.” He added, “Let us continue to carry the vision of a stronger Filipino Australian community thru collaboration.”

PCC-NSW Vice President and Ugnayan moderator Alric Bulseco continued the proceedings with the presentation of the committees on different areas of interest including Youth, Women, Senior Citizens, Education, Immigration & Settlement, Special Projects, Disaster & Calamity, Arts & Culture, Health and Sports.

The involvement of the community in the various committees was presented and community leaders soon put their hands up and offered their time, knowledge and expertise. This platform could initiate future collaboration between different Filipino-Australian community organizations.

The next topic discussed was the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), a long and drawn-out project initiated by a few community leaders back in the early 90’s. After two decades in the pipeline, the failed attempts to build a proper function centre and meet high expectations continue to draw the ire of the community. Facts and figures were distributed to give participants a brief historical overview of MPC, while Councillor Jess Diaz provided some good insight. In the end, an independent MPC Task Force was formed to conduct further research.

The next Ugnayan Forum is happening on Sunday, April 15 at 1-5pm at P-noy Lounge, 24-28 First Avenue, Blacktown. All Philippine community members are welcome to attend.