Alalay sa Pamilya at Bayan relief operations Lipa, 19 Jan 2020, Taal eruption
Last January 12, 2020, most of Luzon were caught off guard when Taal Volcano suddenly erupted and spewed thick ash plumes. This led to tens of thousands of Batangas residents being evacuated to neighboring towns and cities to escape the dangers imminent from another more devastating magmatic eruption of #Taal.
As of this writing, over 50,000 people are taking shelter in 244 evacuation centers in Batangas and Cavite, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The council also reported that 65,184 people have been affected by the volcano’s eruption.
Families from Calauit, Balete, Talisay at Sala were evacuated to Lipa City. They number about close to two thousand individuals. A hospital in Rizal provided beddings and donated through ADOPT-A-FAMILY volunteer/sponsor Dr. Lilian Rivera.
Families from Calauit, Balete, Talisay at Sala were evacuated to Lipa City. They number about close to two thousand individuals. A hospital in Rizal provided beddings and donated through ADOPT-A-FAMILY volunteer/sponsor Dr. Lilian Rivera.
The ADOPT-A-FAMILY Initiative and the "No One Left Out (NOLO)" initiative organized relief operations the weekend of January 18th. Through donations sent in by people from PAREF Rosehill School, Alalay sa Pamilya at Bayan Foundation, PCDW, and their friends, relief goods were purchased. The Board of Alalay sa Pamilya at Bayan (APB) Foundation, Inc. allowed the use of APB's office (Cedar Mansion I, Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center).
Volunteers and donors and other responders took action and were mobilized to purchase and pack relief goods for that community in Inusloban, Lipa City. Late Saturday, January 18th, the volunteers pictured above and below took action…
Of course, as we have always been taught in APB during volunteers training seminars, volunteers constantly had recourse to prayer, to appeals to Our Lord and Our Lady for blessings, graces, energy and strength to be able to provide this much-needed aid to the evacuees.
Early next morning, Sunday, January 19, 2020 (Feast of the Santo Niño), the group trooped to Lipa –hearing Mass on the way down south– to deliver a vanful of these relief goods.
The previous day, we were told that, through social worker Marianne Panopio, a small ‘program’ was to be prepared:
- an Inspirational Talk;
- parlor games for the kids;
- hygiene talk for teenagers;
- bracelet rosaries to be given out (evacuees were to be encouraged to pray);
- one-on-one counselling (if needed).
As of this writing, comments are being received, such as: the relief/aid provided was greatly appreciated; the ‘personal touch’ and the talks were highly appreciated; and MORE of this help is being asked for.
We ask the reader to PRAY, so that the volunteers and members of ADOPT-A-FAMILY will have continued strength to go back and participate in further relief operations. We pray for everyone’s health and SAFETY.
Let’s pray this prayer:
