Tinabangay para sa Albay: Donation Drive for the victims of Typhoon Rolly

The public officials of Polangui officially received the donation.
(In photo: Cpt Argie S Garin PA – Operations, HHBn, CMOR, PA; Sgt. Liao, 9th ID; Hon. Adrian Salceda, President of the Polangui Association of Barangay Captains; Hon. Councilor  Jun Villar ; Hon. Vice Mayor Buboy Fernandez; Hon. Councilor Jesciel Salceda; CCpt Mary Angeline G Polvito 1Cl;  Hon. Councilor Noli Samlero; CMaj John Timothy G Kho 1Cl; Dr. Adrianne Feliz Santayana – former Rural Health Physician of Polangui and local liaison; and 1Lt Raydez P Acosta (SC) PA – CMO, 49 IB, 9th ID, PA)

On 02 November 2020, what was dubbed as the strongest typhoon of the year, Typhoon Rolly (internationally known as Typhoon Goni) made landfall hitting Catanduanes and other surrounding areas including Albay. Anticipating the destructiveness of the typhoon, the UP Corps of Sponsors (UP CoS) and the UP Corps of Cadets (UP CoC) put into action one of their three tenets — service.

Together with the UP CoC, the UP CoS launched Tabang Ta!, a cash donation drive for the victims of the above-mentioned typhoon. This was spearheaded by the Deputy Corps Sponsor, Caren Claire L. Avenido, and the UP CoC Executive Officer and Corps Training and Operations Officer CCpt Mary Angeline G. Polvito, 1CL.

Maximizing social media, the UP CoS and the UP CoC spread the word of the on-going cash donation drive despite the pandemic. In the end, the donation drive was co-presented with the UP Vanguard Inc. (Capitol Chapter), the UP Vanguard “Magiting” Class of 1993, the UP Vanguard Inc. (University Chapter), and UP Vanguard Inc. (Pasig Chapter). Additionally, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (Executive Squadron), Civil-Military Operations Regiment (CMOR), Philippine Army, UP Ibalon, and DZUP partnered with the UP CoS and the UP CoC for the donation drive.

By 04 November — approximately 48 hours after the first publicity material was posted — Php 32,183.20 was raised. And in less than a week, a total of Php 91,000.00 was collected for the constituents of Polangui, Albay.

Dr. Adrianne Santayana, an alumna of the UP Corps of Sponsors, sent the list of necessities of the members of the community. On 06 November, the UP CoC began procuring and buying the necessary relief goods. A total of four hundred (400) relief packs were made. Each package contained:

  • 1 kilogram of rice
  • 1 Liter bottled water
  • 2 pieces of canned goods
  • 1 cereal drink
  • 1 double-sachet instant coffee
  • 1 piece of soap
  • 1 piece face shield
  • 1 bottle of alcohol spray
  • 10 pieces of surgical face mask

On 10 November, representatives from the UP CoC traveled to Polangui Albay to turn-over the donation packs to Polangui Vice-Mayor Buboy Fernandez and Mr. Adrian Salceda, President of the Polangui Association of Barangay Captains. Polangui City Councilors Jun Villar, Jesciel Salceda, and Noli Samlero along with Dr. Santayana were also present for the turn-over.

On 11 to 13 November 2020, the relief packs were distributed to households in Brgys. Gabon Ubaliw, Centro Occidental, Lanigay, Balangibang, and Cotmon.

Despite the pandemic, the UP CoS was still able to stay true to its tenet of service to the community. Dios Mabalos!