PLDT employee-volunteers prepare the relief packs and hygiene kits for distribution.
Under the scorching heat, the people of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, worried and fearful, roamed the busy streets covered with ash fall from Taal Volcano that erupted just days before.
Uniformed police officers, in N95 masks, swept away the ashes at Sto. Tomas North Central School, while strong winds mercilessly created hurricane-like ashes which instantly burned one’s eyes, hence, people bowed their heads and covered their eyes to avoid the ashes swept by the wind.
Standing 3rd from left, an evacuee receives a relief pack and hygiene kit from PLDT and PLDT-Smart Foundation. With her are, from left: PLDT Batangas Consumer Experience Zone Head Darwin Capareda, PLDT Community Relations Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera, and PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther O. Santos.
Some 1,680 evacuees sat outside their temporary homes. Most of them aimlessly walked around the covered courts while some delved into the clothes donated by generous people.
Sto. Tomas, Batangas and its residents were in this state when PLDT, along with PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and Smart Communications, arrived last January 16 to conduct relief operations. PLDT booths were set-up at Sto. Tomas North Central School as the employee-volunteers led by the Community Relations (ComRel) Division distributed 500 relief packs and hygiene kits to hundreds of evacuated families. Fruits were given especially to children to aid in their nutrition. The remaining relief packs and hygiene kits will be distributed at Bernardo Lirio Evacuation Center in Tanauan, Batangas.
“Our hearts are with the families severely affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, especially in these trying times,” said PLDT ComRel Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera. “We are here for you and we continuously pray and hope for your safety. May you find solace in our small gesture and in every outpouring of love and support that come your way.”
Diaz De Rivera turns over a relief pack to an evacuee.
Smart Communications has set-up Libreng Tawag (free calls) and WiFi Internet booths in various relocation and coordination sites. Areas include the relief operations headquarters at Batangas Sports Complex, where connectivity efforts are conducted by the PLDT Batangas Consumer Experience Zone and Provincial Department of Social Welfare and Development. In coordination with Batangas City Governor Dodo Mandanas, PLDT has also set-up an additional booth for free WiFi Internet services at the Command Center adjacent to Batangas Sports Complex.
“PLDT provides the best service that we can to help the families who have evacuated in different areas in Batangas,” said PLDT Batangas Consumer Experience Zone Head Darwin Capareda. “We relentlessly find ways and work hard to install free calls and WiFi connection in these areas to help the evacuees reach out to their loved ones. At the same time, this also aids the local government units in efficiently communicating and coordinating with various agencies.”
During the relief operations at Sto. Tomas North Central School, Smart also gave away communication support to the city government by providing sim cards with load to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) for easier coordination.
Seeing light amid darkness
In photo is 55-year-old Lourdes Mendoza.
Lourdes Mendoza, 55, and her family were severely affected by the Taal Volcano eruption last January 12. They lost their home in “Pulo” or the Taal Volcano Island, along with their livelihood of herding horses or kabayuhan. They are currently staying at the Sto. Tomas North Central School evacuation center.
Mendoza teared up as she implored, “Wala na kaming babalikan. Tulungan n'yo po kami.” (We have nowhere to go back to. Please help us.)
For people like Mendoza, “Pulo” was the home that sustained them. The Taal eruption rendered them homeless, but she’s trying to see the light amid dark times. She earnestly thanks all the benefactors who have extended their help to her and her fellow evacuees. Although nothing at the moment can bring back her loss, Mendoza continuously prays that she and her family can move forward and rebuild their lives.
Help in full force
PSF gave 250 hygiene kits to the families in the evacuation center and, together with Alagang Kapatid Foundation, organized a soup kitchen, serving hot meals to over 500 persons.
PSF distributes relief packs at the Tagaytay Integrated School in Cavite.
“These families have such resilient spirits that enable them to face whatever hardships life throws their way,” said PSF President Esther O. Santos. “We shall continue to do the best we can to help alleviate the situation of the families and hopefully find ways to assist them in their long-term recovery.”
Earlier, PSF also distributed 110 relief packs to Taal evacuees at Tolentino Sports and Activity Center where they likewise served hot meals to 500 people. At the Tagaytay Integrated School in Cavite, PSF also distributed 190 relief packs.
PSF also gave out hygiene kits in Mabini, Batangas as it participated in the January 18 Mercy Mission, led by Makati Medical Center Foundation.
PLDT, PSF, and Smart are part of the MVP Group Tulong Kapatid, the consortium of companies and foundations of PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. — K. Mallari
