Update on Typhoon Paeng Disaster Relief in Mindanao

On the second of January 2023, the Rotary Club of Manila and one of our oldest daughter clubs, the Rotary club of Davao partnered together to distribute the 50 shelter kits that were donated by RCM. This was still part of the Typhoon Paeng Relief Operations coordinated by Disaster Relief Chairman Mike Albaña, and the Philippine Coast Guard shipped them from Manila to deliver them to Davao.

On a rainy Monday, RCM member PP Inggy and a group of 20 members from RC Davao traveled to the town of Santa Maria to deliver the shelter kits. Santa Maria is a small municipality in Davao Occidental with its nearest biggest city, the town of Digos. It has around 48,000 people, most of whom are indigenous. It is a very poor region with few sources of income (copra and fishing), almost no tourism and therefore an abundance of unspoiled coastline.

RC Davao is a club in transition. There is still a cohort of older members. PDG Salvador Bading Angala of district 3810 is the most recognized. President Lester Suarez is a young businessman from under 40 with a big passion for serving the Areas of Focus. He also acknowledges that young blood is needed so they inducted a big group of under 30 Rotarians during his induction. This made for a vibrant group of people that, despite the rain, organized the unloading of the truck and putting up of tables and banners and preparing of the food in no time.

Next to that they were well prepared by the local LGU with whom they coordinated to get a list of beneficiaries in advance so the help would come at the right place. They agreed with the LGU and vice mayor in advance that the handing out would be done in small groups. This is to avoid a big rush or stampede of people that were not standing on the list. After the first batch, we did interviews with some affected IP and had a wholesome lunch together by the beach. At around 4pm, we headed back to Davao.

RC Davao was hoping they did us proud and that we could have another project with them in the future. Since the whole program went with no issues, it has my and hopefully the club's blessing.