The Philippines-Part II
It is officially closing time and my time here in the Philippines will be coming to an end as of tomorrow evening. Before leaving I want to thank a number of people, most especially those I have spent the last few weeks with. It has truly been an honor and privilege to be in the company of such brilliant individuals who give of themselves in service to others day in and day out.
Five weeks was by no means enough time to volunteer in such a way that it would make an impact on a large scale, however I know it is in doing the small things, such as moving one block at a time, that makes the bigger difference in the end.
From spending time with family and friends down to meeting a new network of like minded individuals through my volunteer work has all contributed towards the overall experience that has changed me and will continue to do so on so many levels. What I do know is that when there is a desire to serve others, doors of opportunity open up left and right.
Upon completing my volunteer application with the Philippine National Red Cross, I had expressed my intention and desire to volunteer with their Disaster Preparedness Program Service. I chose this service due to wanting to reach out to the flood victims of the hurricanes that devastated the Philippines in September of 2009. Because the operations of the Red Cross mainly concentrates on dispersing immediate assistance and aide in the event of a natural disaster they forwarded me to an non-profit organization Ang Balangay Ng Kaginoohan in Botolan, Zambales, a town who suffered six natural calamities last year.
Through an introduction facilitated by the Philippine National Red Cross, I met with the President of the organization, Mr. James Doble. On our first meeting he gave me a briefing of the overall situation of more than 20,000 individuals affected by the tropical storms. He informed me of the existing programs, future projects and immediate need of the people such as medical supplies and infant clothing.
In the following days I toured the communities to take pictures, video footage and speak with the families. After seeing with my own eyes exactly what happened to these flood victims and now being educated on the fact the flood victims will once again suffer the same issues with the tropical storm season beginning again in July, I was absolutely committed to assisting the organization in sharing their documentary video and mission with my network of family, friends and sphere of influence.
Like I mentioned, it is in taking the smallest steps that will make the biggest difference in the end. My first step is to share a letter from the President ofAng Balangay Ng Kanginoohan in hopes that if you feel compelled to reach out or learn more about future projects that you contact their organization.
Dear Sir/Madam:
The Municipality of Botolan in the Province of Zambales suffered six natural calamities last year (Tropical Storms KIKO, LABUYO, NANDO, ONDOY, PEPENG and Tropical Depression MARING) within a period of three months, from August to October.
This resulted into damages in infrastructures such as roads, bridges and residences. It has also devastated the means of livelihood and welfare of more than twenty thousand individuals and obliterating several communities.
The affected population is still living in evacuation centers and makeshift dwelling units, while the local government and private sector are jointly undertaking relief efforts and medical missions.
Despite the deep desolation fraught by the natural disasters, a number of kindred people in the village of Mayamban have consolidated together in order to form a new community with the desire of fostering an atmosphere of authentic human formation and responsive social conscience.
Ordaining ourselves as the Balangay, a social unit whose symbol takes its inspiration from the first wooden watercraft evident of craftsmanship by our ancestors even before precolonial times, and Kaginoohan as a word representative of venerable aspirations, we intend to fulfill the following goals:
1. Reducing Human Poverty
2. Alternative Learning Systems
3. Athletic Youth Leagues
4. Alternative Medicinal Practices
5. Discussing Aeta and Zambal Cultures
6. Advocating Indigenous Peoples Rights
7. Defending Women, Children and Gender Rights
8. Promoting Benevolent and Self-Managing Communities
9. Fostering Energy and Environmental Sustainability
10. Addressing Climate Change and Natural Disasters
11. Strengthening Peace and Conflict Preventions
12. Seeking Local and Foreign Agencies for Humanitarian Assistance
The Balangay in precolonial times demonstrated the seamanship skills of our ancestors. It is with this memory that we desire to be a vessel bearing a social unit reflective of unity and dignity.
The undersigned would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that the Securities and Exchange Commission has already approved and accredited our organization as a legal and developmental non-profit entity. As such, we are now ready to transact official business with governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations for technical and financial assistance.
In this regard, we would like to seek the goodwill of your friends in obtaining information technology projects that could support our programs for recovery and rehabilitation.
Our duly designated representative for the United States of America is Liza Florida who is currently residing in California. Miss Florida, whose maternal side hails from San Marcelino, Zambales, has visited the disaster-affected areas in the Municipality of Botolan on Thursday 15 April 2010. She is personally known to me and has volunteered to obtain and facilitate projects for our cause.
May I therefore endorse her to your good office and also to the extension programs of other allied universities with the hope of obtaining possible assistance for our worthwhile endeavor. Should you favorably consider this letter, you may coordinate with me or directly with Miss Florida.
Thank you. I remain
Yours most sincerely,
James Ohmar Dasca Doble
President
For more information:
Mayamban Botolan 2202 Zambales
SEC Reg No CN201003647
SEC TIN 007-640-631
Contacts: angbalangay@gmail.com
(02) 430-6903
(+63) 921-777-3344
Please note that the letter drafted by Mr. Doble is to seek assistance from a particular university here in the United States, however the letter was articulated in such a manner that it is able to reach out to the general public. I am publishing the letter in hopes that you may gain a greater understanding of their cause and take an interest in participating whichever way you deem appropriate!