CatSU’s DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE (CatSU shares food packs, load cards to stranded CatSUans affected by STS Paeng)

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CatSU’s DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE (CatSU shares food packs, load cards to stranded CatSUans affected by STS Paeng)

In less than 24 hours after Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae (locally named Paeng) made its first landfall in Virac, Catanduanes in the early morning of Saturday, October 29, 2022, Catanduanes State University SUC President III, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza personally led the distribution of food packs to 250 CatSU students who were not able to go home in their respective towns due to the calamity.

    
          Dr. Azanza, who is also an incumbent Board Member of the Philippine Red Cross-Quezon City Chapter, as well as the Catanduanes Chapter, immediately called for the relief distribution, dubbed as ‘Damayan sa CatSU’ with the help of the Federated College Student Council (FCSC) President Hon. Angelo Piolo M. Laynes and other Student Body Organization Presidents and student volunteers who also extended their time for the relief efforts.

           The active student leaders of the University started preparing the food packs Saturday morning at the Student Center and the FCSC Office. Inside the food packs are a kilo of rice, noodles, coffee, eggs, and canned goods which were received by the stranded students.
Dr. Azanza also distributed free smart load cards to 100 students in order to contact their loved ones at home via their smartphones. The smart load cards given to the students were donated by Congressman Eulogio “Leo” R. Rodriguez to help them with online assignments.
With the shutting down of the power supply in the entire island, the CatSUans were also able to charge their gadgets and rechargeable lights as the main building opened its generator set for the students. They were also served porridge for snacks while charging their gadgets.
           

Also present during the Damayan sa CatSU were Atty. Gregorio Sarmiento, Jr., Chief Administrative Officer for Administration, Mr. Rommel Torres, Chief Administrative Officer for Finance, Prof. Ian Aranel, former CBO Director/Dean of CBA, Ms. Lolit S. Sicio, Supply Officer, Ms. Josephine Rojas, Executive Assistant II, Rommel Reyes from Motorpool Services, Aileen Llandelar from the Public Relations and Media Services (PRMS), Jasper Adrian Sidlacan and Caroline Vecilles from the Corporate Communications Services (CCS).
 

Disaster Preparedness Campaign

As early as August 2021, Dr. Azanza already organized CatSU’s Disaster Response Team, with Disaster Preparedness and Climate Adaptation Team in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit and Municipal Local Government Units, and even with private organizations and companies to be ready in case of calamities or disaster.

“It is not that we want another calamity to hit the island after the devastating Super Typhoon Rolly. But we know it is just a matter of time before another disaster might come along. Thus, might as well prepare for it,” Dr. Azanza said in his Facebook campaign last August 23, 2021.

“We want to have ready sacks of rice, medicine, drinking water, canned goods, coffee, noodles, blankets, emergency lights, candles, even before the emergency happens.”

Dr. Azanza’s campaign for CatSU’s Disaster Preparedness started rolling then. On September 16, 2021, donations started to rain in CatSU. The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Isla de Cobos Eagles Club donated three (3) sacks of rice and a box of canned goods.

The alumni group led by CatSU Alumni Regent Atty. Ramil B.Tamayo also donated alcohol and a humidifier. He was joined by Hi-Density President Arturo B. Lumahod who assisted Atty. Ta[1]mayo in securing the donated items.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also extended their medical donations thru Mr. Anjo De Leon. Not long after this, the PCSO gave the University earlier this year its first-ever ambulance with the help of Governor Joseph C. Cua.

Reaping what was sown

A year after Dr. Azanza’s Disaster Preparedness campaign, CatSU students have now benefit - ted because we have food and goods are available. This will, at least, help them survive for a day or two until the stores are open again to the public.

It can also be recalled that donations from stakeholders, partners, and generous people and companies were also shared last December with the CatSU community, especial - ly the needy students. Even CatSU partners, the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), also received such assistance. This shows that the project and campaign planted have now been sown.

The Vision to Care and Prepare

Dr. Azanza calls upon private organizations and companies such as the Red Cross, PCSO, Rotary Club, Catanduanes Chamber of Commerce, Catanduanes Medical Society, Philippine Nurses Association-Catanduanes Chapter, Church-based organizations, Contractors Association, CIML 291, TFOE-Philippine Eagles, TGP, fraternities and sororities civil society, people’s organization, private companies like ARDCI, Mercury Drug, Watsons, Delex and others to help in this noble cause.

Alumni and retirees are also asked to support and take an active role in this initiative.

“CatSU has 50 years of experience on how calamities have wrought havoc on the residents of Catanduanes. We do not want to be caught flat-footed the next time. We want to be pre - pared. We want to make sure CatSU is ready to open its gates to the communities when another calamity or disaster strikes. CatSU will be there for and with the communities if and when it happens.”

“Para tabi in isa karahayan kan gabos. Magpreparar na tabi kita bago pa mangyari ang emergency situation. Ta dae kita dapat gapreparar nin relief operations o disaster response habang andiyan na sa ngadang-ngadang ang makusog na paros o ang mismong sakuna,” he added.  #FJBT