Malabon 16 Knows What Matters Most

Malabon 16 Knows What Matters Most

Kawal Pinoy

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — Lining up for her chance to get a relief package to take home to her family, Resurrection Tamboong, 58, gazed hopefully at the strong young men who were handing out the packages.

Tamboong, a typhoon victim, lost most of her belongings after successive days of rain brought by tropical storm Maring caused flood waters to rise in her community in Malabon City.

"I am very thankful that you came to help us here. My home was submerged in floodwaters for at least two days, making our lives much more difficult," she said.

She was among the flood victims who came to receive food packs distributed by the soldiers belonging to the Joint Task Force NCR, the

7th Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP and the young student volunteers who are taking up Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in University of Santo Tomas.

The sixteen student volunteers came to help in distributing relief goods to a flood stricken village in Malabon City at11:30am on Monday (Aug 26). 

At least 250 families flocked to the village hall in Tinajeros to receive packed items that were provided by ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya.

Kerwin Victor Agcaoili, 18, is one of the student volunteers.  He and his schoolmates chose to participate in the outreach activity as opposed to taking part in a huge rally organized by anti-pork barrel groups in Luneta on that the same day.   

He said that humanitarian work is better than staging protest rallies against Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

"This our humble way of showcasing the heroism expected from every Filipino during natural calamities. This is Bayanihan in action," said Agcaoili, an AB Behavioral Science junior student and the Corps Commander of the UST ROTC.

Included in the relief goods were food provisions that could sustain a family of 5 people for at least 3 days.

Lt Col Harold Cabunoc, the Commander of the 7th Civil Relations Group of the AFP, said that the students preferred to help the flood victims than flocking to Luneta for the mass protests against PDAF.

He said that he was elated by the overwhelming support shown by the young students who spent their holiday with the soldiers in order to distribute relief goods in a flood-affected Tinajeros village.

"Exposing the youth in community outreach activities is the best way to develop their love for their fellowmen. These young students are our new breed of heroes," said Cabunoc.

Partners in natural calamities

As part of its efforts to promote the community spirit of Bayanihan during the occurrence of natural calamities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines regularly embarks on a multi-sector partnership with various socio-civic organizations, NGOs, national government agencies and LGUs for the conduct of joint relief operations and humanitarian assistance to affected communities. 

Using its human and material resources, the AFP deploys search and rescue personnel during heavy flooding that affected the metropolis and nearby provinces. 

Military trucks and rescue boats were heavily used during the evacuation of people to safer areas and the transport of victims to nearby hospitals and evacuation areas

As the floods subside, the AFP is again tapped by its partners to help deliver relief goods to several evacuation centers and distribution sites in affected areas. 

"Since we are now regularly experiencing heavy flooding, we have also learned the effective ways to help the people in affected areas. We have established a network of contacts with the sources of relief items, the DSWD which is tasked to monitor and identify affected areas, and the local chief executives who supervise the actual distribution of relief items," said Cabunoc. 

One of those who partnered with the AFP is the Rotary Club of Makati-Pasong Tamo which provided 200 packs of relief goods for affected families in Rizal. 

Carlo Claudio, the President of the club, said that he is glad to support the AFP in its endeavors during natural calamities. 

"I am proud to be with soldiers during these trying times when we see thousands of people who are displaced from their homes due to the floods. This is our humble way to show our concern for our kababayans who certainly need our help during natural disasters," said Claudio. 

The soldiers of JTF NCR and 7th CRG had also distributed relief goods provided by ABS-CBN to affected families in Valenzuela City.