By: Rosvir Kate Flores
Showing the unity of Davaoenos in times of calamities and disasters, the Ateneo de Davao University through the National Service Reserve Corps sponsored a mass feeding for the affected families of the recent fire incident in Brgy. 5-A, Bankerohan, Davao City.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Davao City chapter, the joint operation was able to serve 600 persons temporarily staying in one of the evacuation centers near the Barangay hall.
Obing Gonzales, one of the fire victims, remained resilient despite the uncertainty of the aftermath of the disaster. He has been a resident of Bankerohan for almost 50 years now and it was his first time to experience such an enormous fire.
“Wala naman tay mabuhat kay naugdaw naman jud among balay. Ang akoa ani, maghinay-hinay ra pud tag bangon. Magtinabangay lang gud. Kabalo kong kaloy-an man mi sa Ginoo, (We can’t do anything about it now because our house is now in ashes. For me, we just have to slowly rebuild. We just have to help each other. I know God will have mercy on us,” he expressed.
NSRC Reservists were able to join the operation and have a hands-on experience of preparing and distributing hot meals with the supervision and guidance of the members of the Disaster Response Food Truck Team of the Philippine Red Cross Davao City Chapter.
One of the volunteers, Marju Paguidopon, a graduating education student of AdDU, conveyed her gratitude for being able to participate in such activity.
“I feel blessed and fulfilled because it is my first time to join this kind of program. The time I spent there to volunteer was truly worth it because serving the people made me happy. Though it was a simple meal, it was heartwarming to see them thankful for it,” Paguidopon shared.
ABOVE| NSRC Reservists in action – handing out hot meals at 7 in the morning to those who are affected by the Bangkerohan fire last January 15, 2020.
NSRC Reservists were able to join the operation and have a hands-on experience of preparing and distributing hot meals with the supervision and guidance of the members of the Disaster Response Food Truck Team of the Philippine Red Cross Davao City Chapter.
One of the volunteers, Marju Paguidopon, a graduating education student of AdDU, conveyed her gratitude for being able to participate in such activity.
“I feel blessed and fulfilled because it is my first time to join this kind of program. The time I spent there to volunteer was truly worth it because serving the people made me happy. Though it was a simple meal, it was heartwarming to see them thankful for it,” Paguidopon shared.
Aside from this initiative, the local government unit and other non-government organizations are expected to conduct their relief operations to help the fire victims.
Rosvir Kate Flores is a BSEd student of the Ateneo de Davao University, who in her spare time, writes for the Atenews and is a very active NSRC Reservist.
She is now in her fourth year.