Our History

It began as a brainchild of Rev. Fr. Renato Ruelos, CM and his community in Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. They initiated a child sponsorship program which became the seed of the Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation Inc. (VMSDFI) in 1990.

Henceforth, the VMSDFI moved forward with further progress spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Norberto Carcellar, CM (+), together with the Congregation of the Mission - Philippine Province. They expanded their support and services to the urban poor communities living in the dumpsite of Payatas, an immense neighborhood in Quezon City, which has gained foremost public attention and concern in the wake of mounting garbage crises besetting the entire Metro Manila.

This 13-hectare open dumpsite has become home to rapidly growing urban poor families searching for better life opportunities. Scavenging through the mount of toxic trash has served as a major source of livelihood of the people for lack of access to decent employment opportunities. Nonetheless, the risks and hazards involved hardly matter for people who are predominantly migrants from calamity-stricken or armed conflict-infested provinces.

As a socio-religious organization, VMSDFI has been taking part in the struggles of the urban poor and focused on the most disadvantaged, hardest affected, and least attended sectors. Presently, there are four (4) People's Organizations (PO) or Centers in Bagong Silangan and Payatas in Quezon City, and one (1) field office in Compostela Valley.

In response to the needs of the community members, VMSDFI in partnership with different organizations, academic institutions, groups, and individuals-facilitated community organizations and launched appropriate programs for the target localities. These efforts aim to fulfill the Foundation's objective to build self-reliant and self-sustaining communities with housing/shelter as the main strategy for total human development.

The program components:

- Savings Mobilization

- Development of People's Organizations

- Improve capabilities of persons with disabilities, elderly, women, children and other vulnerable sectors of our society