Angie V. Leon Guerrero, Karidat’s executive director, yesterday said that in the previous fiscal year, the church-based charitable organization received $128,000, which funded the salaries of most of its 17 personnel.
“But we we’re informed [by the governor’s office] that everybody is getting cut this new fiscal year…so we’re hoping to get at least $100,000 to ensure the continuous administration of Karidat,” she told Variety.
Karidat is the recipient of two grants worth $11,000 from the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for the community youth program, but Leon Guerrero said they are expecting a “lower budget” this time from CJPA.
Last year, Karidat served 4,515 families and individuals in the community.
These included the 1,746 who received family services assistance; 117, victims of crime advocacy program; 1,322, Victim Hotline program; 256, Guma Esperansa; and 1,074, House of Manhoben.
Leon Guerrero said because the CJPA grants are for youth services, these may be scaled down due to the budget reduction.
It’s been almost 10 years, she added, since her and her administrative officer’s work-hours have been cut from 80 hours to 70.
To sustain their operations, Karidat has been relying on financial donations, she said.
In 2007, the $10,000 in donations they received helped fund some of their programs, she added.
“There is more demand for Karidat services now,” she said.
According to Leon Guerrero, however, federally funded services such as Guma Esperansa, the Victim Hotline, and the Victims of Crime Act Assistance program will continue despite “a slight” reduction in their budget allocations.
Karidat was established in 1980 and incorporated in 1985. It gets funding from federal and local appropriations, grants and donations from the government and private individuals.
