LEGAZPI CITY – Responding to appeals for help, Albay 2nd Dist. Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, has revived his multi-awarded Team Albay through its Team Albay Youth Organization (TAYO) for immediate dispatch on relief, medical, water sanitation, communications, agriculture rehabilitation and psychosocial interventions mission to Catanduanes, which was severely ravaged by super typhoon Pepito over the weekend.
TEAM Albay is a humanitarian and disaster relief mission initiated in 2007 by then Albay Governor Salceda in 2007. It was the very first fully integrated disaster response mission to arrive on the scene in Tacloban City in the aftermath of Yolanda in 2013. Its current mission target this time will focus on the Pepito-ravaged towns of Pandan, Panganiban, Gigmoto, Caramoran, Bagamanoc and Viga, all in the northern part of Catanduanes. The mission is thus dubbed as Oplan PaPaGCaBaVi.
Salceda said Team Albay will deploy medical personnel and resources, relief goods, psycho-social support, and other response activities in the hard-hit Catnduanes towns. He will also send some P6-million aid from his medical assistance resources to at least three hospitals in the province, from his Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program for 2024 under the Department of Health (DOH).
Super typhoon Pepito ravaged 269 barangays across 11 towns, displacing more than 38,000 families involving and affecting 133,426 individuals. Homes were torn apart, livelihoods were destroyed, and communities were left in desperate need of help. “Pepito wrought extensive damage on Catanduanes and has left many communities in miserable a vulnerable state, so that we are compelled to extend assistance to our fellow Bicolanos,” Salceda noted.
In a letter to Bicol DOH OIC Director Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz, Salceda requested that his allocations under the MAIFIP program for 2024 be downloaded to three hospitals in Catanduanes, namely the Catanduanes Doctors Hospital, Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital and the Eastern Bicol Medical Center. The three hospitals will get P2 million each. “Together, we are committed to helping Catanduanes rise again,” added Salceda.
TAYO Albay’s 60-man team, led by Salceda’s Albay 2nd District Office chief of staff Delton Triguero, and mission heads Asher Jade Azul, Cathlea Madrona, Ryan Basanta, and Rex Martin Aligan will carrying out its relief operation called: Humanitarian Mission – Action and Compassion for Catanduanes (A2C22,) Oplan PaPaGCaBaVi with 10 components, as follows:
1) Medical Mission with mobile clinics from partner hospitals in Albay (Cope, Berces, TGH (Mobile Clinic), and P15 million funds secured from DOH; 2) P6 million for medical assistance to three hospitals from MAIFIPP; 3) Psychosocial Interventions for affected families to provide them emotional and psychological support through counselling therapy, and activities to help cope with trauma, stress and social challenges; 4) Delivery of 1,200 7-liter bottled water; 5) Agricultural interventions with support from Department of Agriculture (DA) and Agricultural Program Coordinating Office of Catanduanes including the delivery of 330 bags of hybrid palay seeds and efforts to increase it to 1,560 bags;
6) Distribution of food and non-food packs like essential items – clothing and hygiene kits, to individuals in need of humanitarian aid; 7) WatSan [Water Sanitation] initiatives to provide potable water through mobile filtration units from Polangui and Sto. Domingo towns in Albay and Maynilad; 8) Water filtration machines donated by Water Philippines of San Miguel Corporation to address the problem on safe drinking water;
9). Sweat equity for home rebuilding, while awaiting material donations; and 10) Installation of five units of Starlink internet systems with four months data subscription in LGUs, in partnership with Ms. Diday Co.
A2C22 has also issued calls for donations and other forms of support. Monetary donations may be sent to GCash 09171420350 c/o Jade Azul; Chinabank 2016710011982 – Ryan Moncada Basanta. For in kind donation, pleasealert Eph Yap at 09177711975; Drop off point-2F Ninong’s Hotel, Legazpi City, Albay. Call for Volunteers- 0963 698 1872-Ryan Basanta; call for partners – 0966 408 1332 Cathlea Madrona.
(Photos courtesy of Joey Sarte Salceda FB Page)