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Goducate helps victims of typhoons in Philippines

Goducate’s Meek and Lowly Community Center in Tagumpay, Bay, Laguna, Philippines, housed local residents who had to evacuate their homes because of two powerful typhoons that have hit the area so far this month.

Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) was the most powerful storm recorded worldwide this year. It made landfall in the region of Bicol twice and went on to hit land twice more in the region of Calabarzon as a typhoon, before rapidly weakening into a tropical storm over the West Philippines Sea.

Most of the houses in Barangay Tagumpay are not very sturdily built. Hence on Oct 31, before the typhoon began, some people already asked permission to bring their belongings to the Center so that it would be easy for them to evacuate their homes when they needed to. They moved into the Center on Nov 1.

Because of the need to observe social distancing in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Meek and Lowly Community Center could accommodate 23 families (97 individuals) only who needed shelter from Typhoon Rolly. Others had to seek shelter elsewhere. Febie Ibaňez, a Goducate volunteer, together with Goducate scholars, ensured that safety protocols were followed. The Barangay Captain and Rural Health Unit (RHU) medical team visited the evacuees several times to check that conditions were satisfactory.

The Municipal Social and Welfare Development (MSWD) immediately distributed food packs, alcohol-based disinfectants, and face masks. Congresswoman Ruth Hernandez also visited the Center with relief supplies. Through this visit, the congresswoman learnt about life in the village. It led her to invite Goducate to draw up a proposal for the materials needed for the reconstruction of the damaged houses of those evacuees.

The evacuees were able to return home on Nov 2 after a night at the center, but many asked whether they could leave their belongings at the Center until such time as their homes were repaired.

Typhoon Rolly was followed by Typhoons Siony and Tonyo, but these were not severe enough to force the villagers to leave their homes. However, these typhoons were followed by Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco), which was as strong as Typhoon Rolly and caused severe flooding also.

During Typhoon Ulysses, 20 families (99 individuals) were admitted to the Meek and Lowly Community Center on Nov 12. There they were visited by Barangay officials, who distributed food packs. Because of concern that the Meek and Lowly Center would soon be flooded, the Barangay officials transferred the evacuees to another center after a couple of days.

Goducate supporters also contributed funds for meals for the families and volunteers.

Flood water still on the rise during Typhoon Ulysses
Evacuees in the Center
Distribution of food packs

*Our guest writer is Honeylyn Pereira, a Goducate staff member.

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GoDeeds Talk prompts gift of 3D printer for Goducate

During the restrictions resulting from the Covid -19 pandemic, Goducate Laguna created an online platform called “GoDeeds Talk” to feature how people or organisations help others. These talks, which began about three months ago, have been held weekly. Specialists are invited to speak on the topic. For instance, the leader of the Breast Milk Donation group came to speak on breast-milk donation.

The talk on August 20, 2020 featured BolunTurismoPH, a non-governmental organization that envisions a world where children are achieving their rights to education and that promotes compassion and volunteerism among children of “Mangyan tribes” in Mindoro Philippines. Because of the pandemic, BolunTurismoPH and UP (University of the Philippines) Eagles Alumni purchased two 3D printers. These printers were used to provide over 5000 face-shields to our frontliners from March 28-31. The face-shield project was spearheaded by the Laguna Patriots Team.

On Aug 25, five days after the GoDeeds Talk, BolunTurismoPH Founder and UP Eagles Alumna, Miss Abby Pabro, officially presented one of the 3D printers to Goducate Laguna. This will serve as an income-generating item for Goducate Laguna. We thank BolunTurismoPH and UP Eagles Alumni for this gift.

*Our guest writer is Gemma Abrenilla, staff member in Goducate Laguna.

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Goducate Training Center in Iloilo serves as quarantine center for OFWs

One of the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from different countries all over the world. They had been working in cruise ships, restaurants, tourist establishments, hospitals, cargo ships, etc.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had to ensure that the returning OFWs do not bring in and spread the infection in the Philippines. The OFWs had to undergo several polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in their country where they had been working, and after arrival in the Philippines they had to be tested in Manila as well as in their hometown. They also had to be housed in a quarantine facility for a few days while awaiting the result of their PCR test.

At first, the government used public schools as quarantine facilities, but these turned out to be unsatisfactory for maintaining physical distancing and hygiene. Thus, hotels and resorts were used instead.

Since May this year, the Goducate Training Center in Iloilo has also been used as a quarantine facility for batches of OFWs. Food and other necessities are delivered to the OFWs at drop-off points. A few days after the arrival of a batch, Department of Health staff arrive to do PCR tests on the OFWs.

Department of Health staff with OFWs

The OFWs have also been given unlimited access to wifi throughout their stay, to enable them to communicate with Goducate personnel as well as with their families. Because there had been reports of OFWs in quarantine elsewhere having mental-health difficulties, including two cases of suicide, each Goducate staff member who volunteers to be a friend is allocated one or two OFWs to befriend via Messenger. Children of GTC staff have also been preparing pretty notes with lovely messages for the OFWs.

Notes made by children of Goducate staff for OFWs

*Our guest writer is Carmela Damaso, a Goducate staff member.