TARANGNAN, Philippines — Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., the first president of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, conducted a weeklong evangelistic initiative in collaboration with a government-backed livelihood training program. It concluded Saturday in Samar province, resulting in the baptism of 41 attendees.
The event, which ran from June 14 to June 20 in Barangay Majacob, drew crowds of up to 160 residents every afternoon. It was a joint collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment’s Dole Kabuhayan 2026 initiative, which integrates the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) graduation approach to teach entrepreneurship, small business management, and healthy living alongside values formation.
Pastor Barlizo served as the keynote speaker for the strong family relationships and spiritual values formation portion, which was themed “Moral Recovery Program through Happy Family and Hope Seminar.”
The event was made possible through the coordination of Jemuel Villar, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager for the municipality of Tarangnan, who planned the event and invited Barlizo to speak.
“I thank the ECPUC president, Samar Mission administrators, and the brethren under the West Central Seaside District and Tarangnan District for their support,” Villar said.
The seminar opened June 14 with a message from Pastor Antonio Gobi Jr., president of the Samar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. Gobi’s wife, Joy Gobi, a registered nurse from San Sebastian, led the opening health lecture. For the remainder of the week, Barlizo delivered the afternoon sermons, while Adelpha Mabulay, a retired health worker, conducted the daily health lectures.
Bible workers, local care groups, and 1,000 Missionaries members, Jimboy Dido and Rhovic Mendoza, facilitated ground preparation and community outreach ahead of the event, preparing people’s minds and hearts.
Pastor Elnar John P. Ochavillo, district pastor, said rain showers during the week created transportation challenges and made it difficult to follow up with some attendees from neighboring villages.
The week culminated in a baptismal ceremony for 41 individuals, officiated by Pastor Daniel Taripe, executive secretary of the Samar Mission, and Pastor Randie Igloso, the mission’s youth and Sabbath school director.
Barlizo expressed gratitude for all the support the event had received from Samar Mission leaders headed by Pastor Gobi, down to the local churches. He specifically mentioned Ochavillo in his district leadership, the Majacob Seventh-day Adventist Church, and various local care groups, including the Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Women of Strength care groups from the Mahayag and Solsogon churches.
“It is so overwhelming to see how the church leaders and members unite. Let’s unite further in more prayers, that God may always be in our midst, holding us closer in one voice and one mission,” Barlizo remarked. “Heaven is rejoicing for the 41 precious children of God who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.”
For the church members, the event was highly successful and fulfilling as the government and church united in community outreach, teaching the community what they need, from creating strong and happy relationships, to helping them in livelihood means, to knowing Jesus as the Great Provider, Savior and Friend.
Leaders said the collaboration marked a significant milestone for local church members, noting that the partnership addressed both practical and spiritual community needs.
“The event was highly successful and fulfilling as the government and church united in community outreach,” Ochavillo stated. “We were able to teach the community what they need, from creating strong and happy relationships to helping them with livelihood means and knowing Jesus as the Great Provider, Savior, and Friend.”
Lyn Lucero ⎸ CPUC Communication Department
2 comments
I would like to join
That’s wonderful.