• Philippines
    2003 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Additional Branch Property

      As the number of congregations and circuits in the field multiplied, the work load at the branch increased. In 1980 there were about 60,000 publishers in the field. Before a decade passed, the Philippines would join the ranks of countries having over 100,000 publishers. In the same period, the Bethel family grew from 102 to 150. However, even in the early 1980’s, space at the branch was getting tight. There was a need for more accommodations.

      The Governing Body gave instructions to look for more property. Felix Fajardo tells what happened: “We went from house to house to find out if there was any property for sale near Bethel. The Filipino and Chinese owners said that they were not selling their property. One property owner adamantly said: ‘Chinese do not sell. We buy. We never sell.’” So, at that time, it seemed that nothing was available close to the original branch.

      A search was made for property in other places. If necessary, the branch office would move out of the city. Several sites were found in nearby provinces. The Governing Body took particular interest in a large parcel of land near San Pedro, Laguna, being offered by a brother for a reasonable price. Approval was given to purchase this. Planning went ahead for building offices, a Bethel Home, and a factory on that land. However, as time passed, it seemed that moving things there was not Jehovah’s will. There was no telephone service, the road was poor, and there was a security problem in that area. It became evident that this property was not the best place for a branch. So it was made into a farm to help supply the Bethel family’s needs. Yet, that did not solve the problem of needing more space for the branch office.

      An unexpected turn of events seemed to indicate Jehovah’s direction. Felix continues: “Out of the blue, our nearest neighbor said: ‘We are selling our property​—1,200 square yards [1,000 sq m]. We would like to sell it to you.’ So the Governing Body told us to buy it. We thought that it was sufficient, but when we submitted our building plans to world headquarters, we were told: ‘Maybe you can look for more property. You need a little bit more.’

      “Right after that, a doctor and an attorney came and said: ‘We would like to sell our property to you.’ It was also 1,200 square yards [1,000 sq m]. Next, a woman who had about 2.5 acres [1 ha] next door wanted to sell. She sold it at a very reasonable price. We thought we had a pretty good size now. But headquarters said: ‘Find some more.’”

      Then came some unexpected help. The doctor and the attorney who had sold us their property went around to the other neighbors and convinced them to sell their land. One by one they offered their property to the branch. After almost all nearby properties were purchased, another proposal was sent to headquarters. Again the answer came back: “You need some more.” The brothers were thinking: ‘Where are we going to go now? We have exhausted all possibilities nearby.’

      About this time, a telephone call was received about the property owned by the businessman who had previously said, “Chinese do not sell.” It was now for sale! Felix explains: “Brother Leach and I found out that no one else was interested in it. So we got it very cheap. It seems that Jehovah’s hand was in the matter.” Another 2.5 acres [1 ha] of land was added, and finally, headquarters said: “You have enough to start planning to build.”

      As time passed and conditions changed, it became evident that the farm in San Pedro was no longer needed. Much of the food for the Bethel family could be purchased in bulk at rates lower than the cost of producing it at the farm. So the decision was made to sell the farm. By 1991 it was in the hands of a new owner. Proceeds from the sale were used to help defray the costs of the new buildings at the branch.

      Building the New Branch Facilities

      The land now owned by the branch was more than triple the size of the original 2.5-acre [1 ha] lot purchased in 1947. With the help of the Regional Engineering Office at the Japan branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses, plans were drawn up, and the work of preparing the site began in mid-1988. Some of the old wooden buildings were to be torn down. The new buildings would include an 11-story residence building and a large 2-story factory. A Kingdom Hall was to be erected on the site.

      Besides the Gilead graduates who were assigned to help, almost 300 brothers and sisters from about five countries came as long-term international servants and short-term international volunteers to help on the project. Nearby residents were amazed when they saw that people from other countries came to help. They were even more taken aback when they learned that the majority of these had come at their own expense! Local brothers and sisters added to the atmosphere of international unity.

      As with the acquisition of the land, Jehovah’s direction was seen as construction progressed. For example, only one company in the Philippines handled the type of roof sheeting needed for the buildings. However, the branch’s order for material was 301st on the company’s waiting list! The brothers made an appointment to speak directly with the vice president of the company, and they explained the volunteer nature of our work. The company’s board of directors met, approved the brothers’ request, and moved their order to number one on the production list. Soon after the materials were delivered, workers at that company went on strike.

      A fine spirit was manifested by the multitude of brothers involved in the branch construction project. About 600 volunteers each week came from nearby congregations to help. In fact, some 30 percent of the work was done by these volunteers.

      High construction standards were maintained. Since the islands of the Philippines are located in an active earthquake zone, brothers engineering the project made sure that the 11-story building could withstand strong tremors. How different these high-quality buildings were compared with the previous structures, one of which had been built in the 1920’s! The oldest were torn down to make way for the new ones.

      Finally, on April 13, 1991, the branch dedication program took place. John Barr of the Governing Body gave the dedication talk to an audience of 1,718. Brothers and sisters who had been serving Jehovah for more than 40 years were invited to the program and enjoyed it along with guests from ten countries. On the following day, 78,501 benefited from a spiritually upbuilding program that was carried by telephone line to six locations throughout the archipelago.