In response to the calamity brought about by non-stop rains, De La Salle University, through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) and the University Student Government (USG), extended help to the victims of the flooding that submerged 80 percent of Metro Manila. The rains and floods were caused by the storm-enhanced habagat or southwest monsoon.
Sagip Metro 3, a relief operation of the University, began on Aug. 8, in the North Conservatory of DLSU. The initiative was first conceptualized after typhoon Ondoy ravaged the country in 2009. Afterwards, it continued as Sagip Metro 2 after the typhoons Pedring and Falcon followed suit in 2011.
Br. Ricky Laguda, FSC said that they are to raise a target of 10,000 relief packs which will be good for 10, 000 families. The relief packs will be given to the 14 partner communities of DLSU who are affected by the flooding. On the first day of the relief efforts, there had already been 3,000 relief packs containing rice, bottled water, instant noodles, coffee, sugar and toiletries which were deployed to Montalban, Paranaque and Marikina.
“Each relief pack is worth 1,500 pesos which is good for two days in one family with 4 to 6 members,” says Br. Ricky.
Meanwhile, the administration had already solicited support from different private sector partners, such as the Indra Garments Manufacturing Corporation which will deliver two million pesos worth of clothes. According to the USG, the school itself has also promised P300,000 worth of goods.
“Cooked food will be [provided]. It will be given out when the volunteers would be deployed to different communities. So while giving the packed donations we will also give food,” Janine Noblezada, USG Vice President for External Affairs said. “We’ve contacted different chefs who are from La Salle. Then those chefs will be cooking the food and would be with the team for deployment to the different communities,” she added.
With regards to the volunteers, there are about 270 students that came last Aug. 9. Many of the student-volunteers lived near-by and resided in condominiums like One Archers’ Place, Burgundy Transpacific Place and EGI.
“To the volunteers who really [took the] time, I am very very thankful. It’s very easy to stay in the comfort of our homes and just sleep. Doing this is really out of their way as Lasallians,” shares USG President Jana Cabuhat. “This is really one step in becoming people who are Lasallian achievers for God and country,” she mentions.
The administration had suspended classes from Aug. 9 to 11 to focus on relief efforts. Br. Ricky states that the University is planning to hold make-up classes on Aug. 20, 21 and 27. The other details of the revisions in the University Calendar are detailed in announcements by the Academic Services Group in their Facebook page.
