Villa Marillac Community Center (Naga City)

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Colegio de Sta. Isabel with its commitment to the holistic growth and development of the poor sectors in 1967 ventured into a complimentary Community Development Program, by establishing Villa Marillac Community Center in honor of St. Louise de Marillac, co-Founders of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Villa Marillac was founded in 1967 to respond to the conditions and needs of the time. CSI ventured into a new horizon that of the Social Work approach in Community Development. This is not an independent service but an extension of the old century academic function of the school. Thus with the donation from an old lady, Escolastica Robles, of three parcels of lots measuring 6,764 sq. meters (now the existing compound of Villa Marillac), 5,885 sq. meters (used for housing of CSI employees) and more or less 3 hectares of rice fields in Concepcion Pequeña (intended for the support of the elderlies) to the Daughters of Charity, Villa Marillac came into existence at Barangay Calauag, Naga City. The center was initially maintained with proceeds from the donated rice fields of Don Eduardo Robles and Doña Agripina Robles, a childless couple, who were very much impressed by the charitable works of the CSI Sisters with the poor. The proceeds of the 235 hectares of rice lands in Hacienda Pamplona are supposedly for the use of the maintenance of the center. But during the Martial Law years the land was Land Reformed leaving a few unproductive parcels that the sisters running the center found it very difficult to make both ends meet.

From its foundation until 1976, Villa Marillac Community Center was administered by Sr. Virginia M. Hachero, DC a Registered Social Worker whose charism in drawing volunteers as well as donors is unquestinable. her dynamism drew the generous support of the following:

Rev. Fr. Angel Plaza, director of the Ladies of Charity and the Luisas
CSI Superiors:
Sr. Imelda Espiritu, DC
Sr. Paz San Buenaventura, DC
Sr. Maria Oandasan, DC
Sr. Concepcion Mabunay, DC
The late Archbishop Teopisto Alberto, D.D.
Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ortazon, CM
Rev. Fr. Alex Alvarez, CM
Judge Mericia Palma with the Ladies of Charity
These People made all the projects of the center possible with their moral and financial support.