ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya mounts disaster response and relief operation in Tingloy, Batangas
The island municipality of Tingloy, Batangas was the epicenter of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck in the afternoon of April 8, causing damage throughout Batangas, and powerful enough to be felt in Metro Manila. Four powerful earthquakes would strike Batangas that day, followed by a thousand smaller aftershocks, in what would eventually be termed an “earthquake swarm’ by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
ABS-CBN Linkgod Kapamilya through the Tulong Center, DZMM TLC (Teaching, Learning, Caring), and TV Patrol celebrating its 30 year anniversary, organized a massive humanitarian relief effort intended to reach out to the residents of Barangay Papaya, along the southern coast of Tingloy, which was heavily affected by the earthquakes.
Mounting this operation proved to be no easy task. The organizers were faced with a multitude of logistical challenges, needing to transport doctors and nurses, medicines and other various equipment from Metro Manila, across Batangas, all the way to the island of Tingloy. The process required various modes of transportation, and would entail transporting all personnel from ABS- CBN and partner organizations, as well as material on a three hour land trip, and an 1.5 hour boat ride across Batangas Bay.
Upon arriving upon the island, humanitarian services began in earnest, of which the residents of Brgy. Papaya had several to choose. A medical mission held in chapel enabled residents to have ailments checked with a team of physicians, and prescribed free medication, of which 263 residents were served. 44 boys lined up in front of the Barangay Hall to undergo a free tule (circumcision). By the beach, and in the shade of palm trees, a representative of PHIVOLCS provided vital training to 80 residents on how to prepare for and survive earthquakes and other calamities.
Despite the logistical challenges faced by ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya of mounting a humanitarian effort in a remote area, and the overbearing heat that the residents of Tingloy had to brave, the mission was tremendously successful by all accounts, with the residents grateful for the effort.
Says one resident: “Mapapa salamat ako sa grupo ng nagmedical mission dito sa Barangay Papaya, sa lahat-lahat nilang mga kasama... Sa DZMM, ABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya, po, maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo... at sa Operation Sagip, TV Patrol, sa kapunta nyo dito.”
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Of course, an endeavor of this magnitude would not be possible without the steadfast support of valuable partners:
730th Combat Group, AFP
710th Special Operations Wing, AFP
2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army
Pilipinas Shell Foundation
San Miguel Foundation
Maynilad Waters
Batangas provincial office
Apacible Memorial Hospital,
Bauan Medical Society
Phil. Medical Association- Southern Tagalog
DOH CALABARZON
Phil. Pharmacist Association of the Phil- Batangas Chapter Municipal Health Office - Padre Garcia, Batangas
Mabini Gen. Hospital
ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya
Operation Sagip
Tulong Center
Municipal Health Office - Tingloy
PNP CALABARZON
Red Alert
PHIVOLCS
KSP Team
TV Patrol
Stories of Hope
Susan Bautista-Afan
