Typhoon Opong Relief and Recovery Operation in Masbate

THE Rotary Club of Manila, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Masbate, joined forces with two other clubs — the Rotary Club of Tacloban and the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Uptown — to distribute relief goods to victims of Typhoon Opong.

Our distribution began at the Magallanes Coliseum, where we served 165 individuals who are the immediate frontline heroes of the City of Masbate: the dedicated garbage collectors, street sweepers, and traffic enforcers. While the community reeled from the storm, these tireless workers were at the forefront of the clearing operations, making roads safe and restoring sanitation. It is right that we recognize their vital efforts by making them the focus of this relief.

We extend our deepest thanks to the City Government of Masbate, led by Hon. Mayor Atty. Olga “Ara” T. Kho, and to Mr. Rayner Abelita, OIC of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and their staff for their seamless coordination in preparing the venue and gathering our beneficiaries.

The operation continued at the Masbate Provincial Hospital, where we extended gratitude to 35 vital Institutional Workers. These dedicated personnel are the invisible pillars of the hospital, whose work is absolutely essential when disaster victims arrive. Their duties, which include cleaning and disinfecting, assisting in patient transfers, and managing medical waste, ensure that the hospital environment remains safe and functional, allowing the doctors and nurses to focus entirely on critical care for those injured by Typhoon Opong.

This specific distribution was spearheaded by Rtn. Ma. Leny Arcenas. We offer our gratitude to PHO OIC Dr. Jovan Lim, through Administrative Officer Mr. Henry Dacdac and Ms. Aileen Duano, for their vital coordination, and to Dr. Vicente Samosa for helping during the distribution. We also acknowledge and thank Ma’am Mary Jane Dalanon, PHO DRRMH Coordinator, and Dr. Jingly Bayaga for providing the Hygiene Kits that were distributed alongside our food packs.

Across both sites, the 200 beneficiaries each received a vital relief package containing five kilos of rice, instant noodles, coffee, and assorted canned goods.

Source: Rotary Club of Masbate