Volunteering for Typhoon Sendong Relief Efforts
I had fun last Christmas season of 2011 in Northern Mindanao. We did white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), toured around Camiguin, visited the waterfalls of Iligan City and swam with the dolphins in Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park. – That’s what I wanted to tell you. Unfortunately, typhoon Sendong rampaged all over CDO and Iligan that’s why instead of visiting the tourist spots around Northern Mindanao we decided not to cancel our flight and volunteer.
It was a good thing that I met Lai Mirasol of PinayTravelista.com through Pinoy Travel Bloggers. She’s a member of Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. (IBS) who were doing relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Iligan City, so we decided to volunteer there.
What I liked about Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. Relief Efforts
Accounting, Accounting, Accounting – While waiting for something to do in their headquarters one of them approached Sir Pat, a member of IBS, and recorded some receipts they got when they purchased some relief goods. When I went with them to purchase some pales, dippers, spoon and fork, plates and other stuff we waited for a looooong time for the official receipt. It was all for accounting. Every centavo that was donated to them counts and is accounted for.
Surveys – Before we go to areas where we will be distributing the goods they would first send a team to the area to do a survey so they could estimate how many we should bring. Unfortunately, many of the victims are not interested with the surveys. Most of the time when we get to the place, the people lining up is more than the expected number of people.
Orderliness – IBS would make people line up before they distribute the goods. This is to avoid people fighting for the goods which could result into injury.
Repacking of Plates, Pails, Cups, Spoon and Fork at Iligan Bloggers Society Headquarters
Respect for Authority – When we went to an Evacuation Center we did not setup tables and distributed the goods immediately. They would first ask permission to the Officer in Charge of the Evacuation Center before they distribute and give medical assistance.
