mission to palo - University of the Philippines Manila

UP Manila extends relief and medical assistance to 'Yolanda'
survivors in Palo, Leyte
Three days after 'Yolanda' caused severe devastation in Leyte, Samar, and Capiz,
including UP Manila’s School of Health Sciences buildings in Palo, Leyte, the UP Manila
community swifly organized relief and medical assistance efforts for the typhoon survivors.
That same day, Chancellor Manuel Agulto issued a memorandum appealing for
donations to support the relief operations of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, the volunteer arm
of UP Manila, in Palo, Leyte; Roxas City, Capiz; and Guiuan, Samar.
The first medical and relief mission was deployed on November 18-21, 2013 in Palo,
Leyte led by Pahinungod Manila Director Eric Talens. The 21-person team was composed
of UP Manila and UP Visayas-Tacloban volunteers, UP College of Medicine alumni, and
doctors from the Philippine General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center. Moreover,
five members of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. helped in the
distribution of relief goods.
According to Dr. Talens' report published in the unit's Facebook account, the Palo
mission was designed to “deliver relief to the community and UP constituents in Leyte,
provide medical and surgical services needed in the immediate post-disaster period, and
help evacuate UP constituents who need to be extricated to a safer, and more habitable
location.”
Pahinungod was able to conduct around 500 consultations based on the medicines
dispensed. The report also stated that the team was able to distribute 1500 family relief
packs, which contained repacked rice, canned goods, instant noodles, instant coffee,
candles, matches, biscuits, candies and chocolates, bottled water, and water purification
tabs, in eco-friendly bags. In addition, 400 sleeping mats, 400 mosquito nets, and 993
hygiene kits with bath soap, toothpaste, cotton balls/buds, face towel, toothbrush, toilet
paper, sanitary napkin, diaper, alcohol, and betadine were provided to families who survived
Yolanda's wrath. Furthermore, the team gave out 120 coloring books, 120 packs of crayons,
and 120 toys to children survivors.
According to the latest report from SHS Palo, all its 179 students and 56 faculty and
staff are safe, and efforts are still ongoing to move the remaining members to safer places.
However, from UP Visayas-Tacloban College, the report of one student who died during the
havoc, saddened the whole UP community. In a statement, UP President Alfredo Pascual
called on the University community to render all possible financial assistance and emotional
encouragement to Erica Cressia Antonino's family and relatives as they cope with the loss of
their loved ones.
Pahinungod is overwhelmed with the generosity of its donors and volunteers who
helped prepare and repack the relief items. The unit is also grateful to a group of private
individuals who provided security assistance to ensure the safety of the volunteers and relief
goods. Transport companies Philtranco and JAM Liner provided crew and transportation that
brought the team, relief items, and medical supplies to Palo. Furthermore, Pahinungod is
thankful to the Iglesia ni Cristo in Palo for allowing the team to encamp in their ground and
use their facilities.
Another team was recently deployed to Guiuan, Samar on December 3-4 and
another in Roxas City, Capiz on December 5-6. (ALC Santos)