Episcopal Commission on the Laity
(Council of the Laity of the Philippines)

PROGRAMS

Lay Leadership Formation 

Currently and for the past five years or so, LAIKO is focus on our principal program, which is the empowerment of the lay faithful through formation, more particularly, training in Christian Leadership. This is normally given to diocesan lay leaders who in turn are expected to echo and bring it down to the level of the parishes.  Contents, dynamics, and training materials are designed and prepared by LAIKO who also provides the necessary resource. This is a two-to-three day seminar. Lay leaders of twelve dioceses have availed of this particular program; and some more are requesting for it. A parallel program for priests was also developed and is available upon request.

Expansion Program

Based on its mandate from CBCP to organize Councils of the Laity in every diocese nationwide, LAIKO through its Regional Vice Presidents, is intensifying its effort to help organize Diocesan Councils of the Laity in all Arch/Dioceses. To date, forty-six Arch/Dioceses have Councils of the Laity and are affiliated with LAKO. Through LAIKO’S relaxed policy on affiliation, it encourages Arch/Dioceses that are not yet ready to organize Councils of the Laity, to just appoint a lay representative to LAIKO.

Advocacy on Social Transformation

LAIKO also has an advocacy program on “lay empowerment through social transformation”.  Among the nine priorities of the Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal, “Social Transformation” is one, if not the most appropriate, apostolate for the lay faithful to commit themselves in their assigned mission to transform society according to God’s plan. Heeding from its another mandate from the CBCP to lead in implementing Church initiatives against graft and corruption, LAIKO has come up with the program entitled “Archdiocesan and Diocesan Councils for Responsible Governance”.  The program aimed in the creation and development of Church-based groups in the dioceses, of volunteer lay people who would commit themselves to work for the prevention of losses due to corruption at the national and local levels of government. Currently, LAIKO has designated volunteer observers to the Bids and Awards Committees of the different National Government Offices. Through partnership with Procurement Watch Inc., it has trained volunteer observers in the different Archdioceses/Diocese nationwide.