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From the masses, for the
masses: Tulong Anakpawis Update (October 3, 2009)
Reference person: Cherry Clemente
Position: Secretary-General
Contact information: 4269442
Date: October 3, 2009
From the masses, for the masses. This is the principle behind the TULONG
ANAKPAWIS Emergency Relief Mission. In the absence of resources, the
toiling masses turn to linking arms, donating whatever they can, offering
their wholehearted services, in the interest of addressing the urgency to
bring help to our fellow toiling masses.
Day 1. September 27 The day after the tragic flashflood in Metro Manila
and Southern Tagalog, Anakpawis Partylist began its relief efforts by
convening national organizations namely Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang
Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay),
National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates-Youth Sector (NNARA-Youth,
PISTON, Pamalakaya, Institute for Occupation Health Safety and Development
(IOHSAD) and Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) into one
coordinated relief effort.
The initial meeting aims to (1) assess the damage that the flashfloods
have inflicted in the areas monitored by Anakpawis and attending
organizations, (2) draw up concrete steps to immediately address the needs
of devastated communities, (3) list down commitments from organizations
and volunteer individuals.
Attending organizations and individuals have agreed to coordinate all
relief efforts under the name TULONG ANAKPAWIS to highlight that the
relief efforts came from the toiling masses and towards the toiling
masses.
Initial consultations identified three areas that are most affected by the
flashfloods as possible beneficiaries of the first wave of relief missions
– San Mateo, Marikina and Pasig with an estimated 80,000 families reported
gravely affected.
Day 2. September 28. Tulong Anakpawis was able to gather existing
resources such as used clothes and blankets, food stocks and cash from
individuals. The office of Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglunsod allocated P25,000
for the purchase of 10 cavans of rice and logistical expenses to start the
ball rolling. It was able to distribute all relief packs to walk-in
beneficiaries and area coordinators the next day such as Cupang in
Antipolo, Bagong Silang and Camarin in Caloocan, and Potrero in Malabon.
Day 3 & 4. September 29 and 30, members of Anakpawis, NNARA-Youth UP
Diliman, UP Manila and PUP went around communities in Quezon City to
collect donations for flood victims. It is also heartwarming to note that
ordinary people, workers, street vendors, drivers, household helpers and
homeowners of similarly flooded areas have contributed money straight from
their pockets. Cash donations totaled 7,500 aside from more than 50 bags
of clothes and other items. Meanwhile, unionists, drivers and mothers
stayed 24/7 to repack relief goods as they come. A group of office workers
also volunteered in the repacking of goods after their work until late
night.
Donations from businessmen, office workers, and reliable allies from
senate and local government units also began to pour in. DSWD allocations
for both Anakpawis Representaives Rafael Mariano and Rep. Joel Maglunsod
were also immediately allocated for distribution in areas in Metro Manila,
Rizal and Bulacan.
Day 5. October 1. Two barangays, Ampid I and Banaba, in San Mateo, Rizal
were the first recipients of Tulong Anakpawis Emergency Relief and Medical
Mission. Around 80 volunteers from participating organizations, unions,
students and medical practitioners were distributed to 10 teams – one team
for the medical mission and the other nine teams tasked to go to the
affected communities. There were three major goals for each team – 1.
determine which families are in most need of immediate help – relief goods
and medical service, 2. help the families cope with the tragedy by
empowering them, 3. inform beneficiaries about the conduct and objectives
of the relief mission. This relief mission in San Mateo was able to
distribute at least 1,100 relief goods and render medical attention and
distributed medicines to 120 patients.
On the same day, Tulong Anakpawis volunteers from urban poor group Kadamay
and CENPEG held another relief mission in Montalban, Rizal with an
estimated 3,000 affected families. At least 500 relief goods were
distributed. In the afternoon, Kadamay, with the help of United Church of
Christ in the Philippines, proceeded to Payatas in Waterhole and Nicasia
where 1,000 affected families live. Around 500 relief goods were also
distributed.
Day 6 October 2. Donations continue to arrive from allied individuals and
organizations. Facebook and website announcements have led to successive
pledges for donations such as medicines and toiletries as part of a
follow-up relief drive in San Mateo.
Another round of repacking operations were swiflty undertaken with the
help of urban poor residents from Brgy. Kamias and UP Campus in Quezon
City.
In preparation for another relief mission the next day, Tulong Anakpawis
distributed 500 relief goods claim stubs to identified beneficiaries in
Malanday and Tumana, Concepcion, Marikina
Day 7 October 3
Around 500 families in Marikina received the relief goods from the local
chapter of Anakpawis in Brgy. Concepcion.
After that, the team proceeded to Bagong Silang and Camarin in Caloocan to
deliver to 300 pre-identified households. Volunteers went as far as
crossing raging rivers, guided by ropes to be able to deliver the relief
goods to families gravely affected by the flood but were not able to
receive any help because of the difficulty of their location.
Kadamay conducted another relief Mission in Pinyahan, Quezon City in
coordination with All-UP Workers Union which distributed 87 relief goods
to 100 affected families.
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