Malungon Retreat and Training Center to Open Soon

The newest retreat and training center in Mindanao is set to open March 29, 2014.  The Malungon Retreat and Training Center will be a 24-bedroom facility when complete.  It currently has two six-bedroom dormitory buildings and a two-story bamboo multi-purpose structure.  Work on a kitchen/dining room is ongoing, and outdoor facilities still to be built include a basketball court and an obstacle course.  

The retreat facilities are built on a 72-hectare property in Sitio Lao, Malungon, Sarangani where the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Group of Ministries ministers  to B’laan and Tagakaolo people through micro finance, savings, and spiritual development programs, and through a boarding school for children.    

Angelito Gabriel, executive officer of CCT Inc., said the retreat center is a conducive, peaceful venue for activities such as conference, couples' retreats, workshops and will be a blessing to churches, schools, and Christian organizations in Mindanao. 

Even before its official opening, the retreat center was the venue for a six-day refresher course for team servants (branch managers) of the CCT Savings and Credit Cooperative. Edna Panuncio, peer servant for administration and procurement said the center can currently comfortably house 72 persons, six to a room.  

The facilities were built by B'laan and Tagakaolo men and by former street dwellers that CCT also ministers to. 

This multi-purpose building has a worship hall on the second floor with a  seating capacity of 160. 

Team servants (branch managers) in CCT's microfinance
program were among the first to use the new
dormitory buildings. Each of the dorms has a function
room at ground level.

B'laan men were among the retreat center builders.

Former street dwellers as well as alumni of the
CCT Training and Development Institute's
building maintenance and construction course
formed a major part of the construction team.

Photos: Philip Agot