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