February 15, 2021 — Despite the threat of COVID-19, the official volunteer service arm of UP Manila provided relief to the communities that were flooded and destroyed by the series of powerful typhoons that struck the country in 2020.
Led by its director, Dr. Eric Talens, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Manila conducted missions in Camarines Sur, Cagayan, and Catanduanes with help from generous donors and organizations; in close coordination with the local governments and with the full support of UP Manila and PGH.
To ensure that proper precautionary measures were taken, the Office of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Administration provided the travel orders, the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development lent his SUV for transportation, and the PGH supplied the free antibody tests and medical clearances of the team. After conducting calls for donations, packing the goods, and coordinating transport, the 22 Pahinungod volunteers were mobilized to deliver relief to the affected municipalities and assess further needs that UP may offer.
Camarines Sur
During the onslaught of typhoons Quinta and Rolly, the hardest-hit areas in Camarines Sur were 10 coastal barangays in Sagñay and two in Tigaon. The team arrived on November 10, 2020, and distributed the following goods: sacks of rice, sacks of salt, sacks of monggo beans, squash, jerry cans, slippers, tarpaulins, Paracetamol tablets, Ibuprofen tablets, face shields, bottled water, hygiene packs, blankets, clothes, shoes, canned goods, diapers, sanitary napkins, lotion, sleeping mats, and toys.
Amulung, Cagayan
Following typhoon Ulysses, the team traveled to Cagayan where several towns and villages were submerged in high flood due to the release of water from Magat Dam. Of the 49 barangays in Amulung, 39 were flooded and 9 were damaged severely in the aftermath of the typhoon. From November 23-25, the team distributed rubber boots, pail and dipper, vitamins, and antifungal creams together with family food packs and hygiene kits.
Catanduanes: A Christmas Mission
Towards the end of 2020, three successive storms caused widespread destruction in Catanduanes. Aside from floods and destroyed houses, landslides also devastated some areas in the province. From December 14-16, a thousand gift packs consisting of notebooks, coloring books, crayons, food, cookies, instant noodles, and money envelopes containing 100 pesos were distributed in Barangay San Isidro. In Guinsaanan, 300 gift packs which included a hygiene kit, slippers, assorted short pants/skirts, food, school supplies, rice, and monggo beans were distributed.
As schools were badly hit in Catanduanes, the teachers in the municipality shared their concerns about the learning materials that were destroyed by the typhoons. To address this, the Pahinungod team sourced for ink and printer and tapped a partner who owned a paper company so that the modules can be reprinted.
Director Talens reported that the university got very good feedback from the mayors and barangay chairmen who lauded UP’s response and efforts amid the pandemic. Dr. Talens expressed his appreciation of the university’s unwavering support that allowed the Pahinungod to fulfill its mission.
Anne Marie Alto
Published in UP Manila Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 23
