By Our Own Correspondent

Makati, the Philippines, 28 February 2019 -- Every six months, the two provincial councils of FIN (Philippines North - Malaysia, acting provincial Fr Felino Gueco, Jr and 6 councillors) and FIS (Philippines South - Pakistan, provincial Fr Godofredo Atienza) meet together to enhance the possible synergy and coordination in all possible sectors like formation (initial formation house, ongoing formation program Sorgente), youth ministry in various expressions - school, oratory, Salesian Bulletin, National events of Salesian Family, Don Bosco Alumni Federation. Among the most visible fruits of the FIN-FIS inter-provincial cooperation are the common project of 'One TVET Bosco Philippines' since 2017, one SYM Philippines involving the synergy of two SDB and one FMA province of the Philippines.

During the February 28 meeting the two provincial councils agreed on the arrangements for the future formation years (2019-2020, 2020-2021) of the Novitiate (FIS - Lawaan) and Postnovitiate (FIN - Canlubang). The two provincial councils were briefed by Br. Silvester Crescencio and the Formation commission about the resolutions following the 7th EAO Salesian Brother Congress (2018).

At the end of the meeting Fr. Vaclav Klement (EAO regional councillor) appreciated the joint journey of the two provincial councils over the past few years, bringing many fruits in different sectors of our mission and formation and pointed to some necessary areas of common attention, like the health of the confreres and possible commitment to joint new frontiers in the Philippines, like the Mindanao Project.

There are only three other countries around the world with two SDB provinces in the national territory - Spain (SMX and SSE), Mexico (MEG and MEM), Philippines (FIN and FIS) and RD Congo (AFC and ACC). In the past there were also two provinces within Ecuador (ECU), Germany (GER). This good practice of Filipino Salesians serves as a good inspiration for the Salesians in the other three countries.

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