One Rotary One Philippines One for Marawi

Three weeks ago, Team Rotary composed of Jackie Rodriguez, Datu Haron Ali and Raffy Alunan met up with Team Humanity’s Bong Año and Norodin Alonto Lucman in Iligan to coordinate and do an ocular of the medcap sites for its first mission that took place last week.

The team expresses its heartfelt THANK YOU for everyone who made the medical missions to Saguiaran, Lanao Sur (Oct. 27) and Baloi, Lanao Norte (Oct. 28) possible under the banner of "One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi." That was the first of many more medical missions ahead, which is one of four components of Rotary's 2-year legacy humanitarian assistance program. The other three are: providing prosthesis; water and sanitation; and PTSD treatment.

Earlier in September, Rotary, with the collaboration of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc., noted entertainers and beauty queens visited our wounded warriors at the Army General Hospital and V. Luna General Hospital to bring them good cheer.

The medical team from Manila consisted of the following:

1. Sr. Eva Maamo, MD (Surgery)

2. Ma Sharon Reyes, MD (Pediatrics)

3. Ma. Josephine Glean, MD (Pediatrics)

4. Ma. Elena Dolor, MD (Pediatrics)

5. Naomi Lachica, MD (Pediatrics)

6. Marites Palentinos, MD (Adult-Cardiology)

7. Rolando Baria, MD (Surgery)

8. Francis Joseph Reyes, MD (Surgery)

9. Azenith Barcia, MD (Gen. Practice)

10. Lourdes Buenaventura, MD (Internal Med)

11. Kim Billedo Ramos, RN

12. Aldrin Lavadia, RN

13. Mellany Bobis, RN

14. Jeffrey Superada

15. Jayson Padilla

16. Valentina Terrada

17. PDG Lyne Abanilla (Team Leader)

A lot of organizations and people contributed to this first medical mission that Team Rotary would like to cite and thank:

1. The Rotary Clubs of Manila, Quiapo Central, Tondo, Quirino, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ranao, Marawi, Valencia and the incumbent/incoming district governors (Loy Cosico/Rudy Bediones of District 3810; Linda Deleste/Frank Manga of District 3870), and their tireless efficient staff;

2. Team Humanity led by Bong Ano that provided valuable logistical support, internal security, and links to the AFP and traditional leaders of Marano society;

3. PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and President Jimmy Bautista, their staff and Foundation for the all-important free passage of our medical team and cargo;

4. Don Juan Montel of Sociedad Espanola de Beneficencia;

5. Iligan Mayor Celso Regencia and CDRRMO Patrick Nunez;

6. DOT ASEC Ricky Alegre and RD10 May Unchuan representing DOT Sec. Wanda Teo, and Gloria Macaraeg, for the entire team’s accommodations at the spacious and charming Macapagal residence in Iligan;

7. The officers and men of the 6ID and PNP R10 PSPO who secured and escorted us from start to finish, including our previous fact-finding, ocular and coordination trips;

8. The female hijab warriors of the PNP and AFP who controlled the medical mission areas;

9. RCM DE Jackie Rodriguezm PDG Lyne Abanilla, Ms. Darlene Lamis and Dr. Capt Sharon Reyes for their crucial and timely coordination with PAL to ensure that all passengers and cargo were airlifted from and to Manila;

10. The doctors and nurses fielded by the local Rotary Clubs, the Department of Health and the Rural Health Workers of Marawi, Saguiaran and Baloi

11. Dr. Sr. Eva Maamo and Dr. Capt Reyes for harnessing the medicines and medical supplies from various donors (over 1 ton of medicines and supplies were brought for this mission), and for organizing the medical teams from their hospital and clinic.

12. Rotarian Abe Pascual; Unilab's Ritemed/Pharex; and Caritas that donated additional medicines which are being gathered for the next medical mission in November.

We had lots of moving parts; each one performed superbly while sacrificing their time and resources in the service of others. Minus the usual bugs and glitches that were addressed on the spot, we rated our first medical mission at 90%.

Weather, however, was beyond our control. It hampered the Saguiaran leg; only 818 were served as evacuees from various centers were unable to reach the site, and those waiting to be served were forced to leave and seek shelter. The conditions in Baloi were markedly improved allowing us to treat over 1,200 people. Minor friction over methods, roles and responsibilities occurred which were addressed immediately. Distance and traffic due to security checkpoints between Iligan and the medcap sites, and point-of-distribution handling issues delayed the meals for some doctors or were diverted to others unknowingly. Lessons learned here.

“One Rotary, One Philippines, One for Marawi” endeavors to apply the whole-of-nation principle through unity, solidarity and teamwork to help bridge humanitarian assistance gaps affecting natural disaster and war victims over the next two years. Our first medcap mission performance established a template for future sorties. Congratulations to everyone who made it possible. Onward to the second medcap in Iligan and/or Cagayan de Oro! A repeat performance will prove that we’re up to the task.