Dan Daz
As part of a support group of civic organizations and civic-minded individuals in Albay and the Bicol region, I had the privilege of participating in several service-oriented projects. These projects range from feeding programs; gift-giving, medical-dental missions to quiz shows and the UPCAT orientation seminar for Bicol high school students who want to enter the State University. As simple as they may seem, these activities are more intricate than meets the eye. I have witnessed the meticulous planning needed before the projects are implemented and the time, effort, logistics and commitment demanded from all those involved in the project.
But the civic-minded organizers and donors are not complaining. Instead they pursue it with a passion. For them, the happiness painted on the recipients faces, the smiles and occasional tears of joy, the simple thank you’s and the thought that they have made a difference in someone’s life no matter how small or fleeting are more than enough rewards.
For the recipients especially the least fortunate, more than the material benefits, the food that momentarily fills an empty stomach or the medicines that will cure their illnesses, these proceedings represent a validation of their self-worth; one worthy of the love, time and caring from their more affluent kababayans.
One such undertaking is Operation Blessings. A joint project of the UP Ibalon Alumni Association in Bicol led by its president Butch M. Robredo and the Physicians for Peace, an affiliate of the 700 club, led by Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc; the group will be distributing the first batch of wheelchairs to qualified indigent recipients at the Naga City Civic Center Gymnasium on February 6, 2009.
The initial batch of recipients was identified through the assistance of the Kapisanan ng mga Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad (KSBK) under President Lolita Mancera-Nantes. Meanwhile, the indigent amputees will be screened and those eligible will have their measurements taken for the artificial limbs during the said event.
Operation Blessings plans to distribute free wheelchairs in Bicol on the 3rd to 4th week of March 2009. For Camarines recipients, Daet in Camarines Norte will be the initial stop-over before going to Naga City and Camarines Sur. The distribution team will then proceed to Tiwi, Tabaco City, Santo Domingo and Legazpi City in Albay province, after which the group will proceed to Sorsogon City in Sorsogon Province for the last stop.
Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, a UP- PGH Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist and also a member of the UP Ibalon Alumni Association has outlined the following guidelines in the conduct of the charity work.
A) Requirements of Operation Blessings for the wheelchair recipients are:
1. Name, age, medical diagnosis and reason(s) for needing a wheelchair: a physician’s signature is preferred, but not required.
2. DSWD Case Study report on the recipient
3. Barangay certificate that the recipient is a resident of the barangay.
B) Operation Blessings’ counterparts— the Local Government Units (LGU’s), Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Civic Organizations or partner(s) are enjoined to assist in the following:
1. Board and lodging of the Operation Blessings team (normally 6 personnel) for 2-3 days
2. Venue for distribution - preferably a gym or something like the Naga Civic Center
3. Transportation expenses of wheelchairs
4. Manpower to assist in the wheelchair assembly
Ibalonians within and in between the above-mentioned areas may submit requirements of potential recipients before February 15, 2009 so they may be included in the distribution. In a telephone conversation with our president Butch Robredo, Butch said part (A) above have been mostly taken cared of but he appealed for support from the Operation Blessings counterparts (B) who will assist in the provision of the Board and Lodging of the OB personnel, the venue, transportation of wheelchairs and the manpower to assist in the wheelchair assembly.
Expecting to be in Naga City on February 6 to meet with those involved with the project, UP Ibalon Alumni president Butch M. Robredo and Physicians for Peace’ Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, in behalf of their respective organizations expresses their thanks to all those who will commit themselves for this worthy endeavor. The participation of more UPIAA members and non-member volunteers are welcome and gratefully appreciated.
You may contact Butch Robredo at 0920-9266981.
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