Miracles Reach Calayan Group of Islands
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The Rotary Club of Makati Dasmarinas was fortunate to be invited in this “ALL IN ONE BAYANIHAN MISSION , last July 25-29, 2016 in the Calayan Group of Islands. Rotary Club of Makati Dasmarinas was part of a Multisectoral Government and Non governmental organizations namely: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), Go Share, Local Government of Cagayan, Black Pencil Project, Operation Blessings, Ephphetha Foundation, Rotary Club of Makati Dasmarinas, Philippine Dermatological Society, Unilab, Waves for Water, National Book Store Foundation, Soles for Souls, SpringBoard Foundation, Feedmix, Natasha Project NOAH, and Land Rover Club of the Philippines that went to these group of islands to give various community service to the people of Calayan.
It was an adventurous journey to say the least, it took us a 3 hour land trip to Northern Command in Tarlac, then a 3 hour Huey helicopter ride to Calayan Island and that was the VIP treatment, the rest went by sea thru our Navy and have to endure 24 hours wavy ship ride.
As the name of the mission implies it’s an ALL IN ONE Community service that covers All the area of focus:
Peace and Conflict Resolution - The Wreath Laying on the marker of BRP Datu Kalantiaw. BRP Datu Kalantiaw was the flagship of the Philippine Navy. It is a destroyer type ship which sank in September 21, 1967. The wreath laying was headed by the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command Lt General Romeo Tanalgo. There was also Peace and Order Council Meeting among the local government leaders. Fishing competition was also initiated by the Navy and communication equipment were donated to the fisherfolks.
Disease Prevention and Treatment and Maternal And Child Health – The people of Calayan and the neighboring islands were given free medical consultations, free cataract and other eye surgeries, pediatric, derma, and internal medicine consultations, and free dental services. Past President Dr Bong Cruz of The Rotary Club of Makati Dasmarinas and Ephthetha Foundation did the free eye consultations and surgeries. There are also several other volunteer doctors in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Surgery. Free Medicines were also given care of Unilab Pharmaceutical and the Philippine Dermatological Society. The Medical Summary are as follows:
Pediatric Consult 455 patients
Internal Medicine 481 patients
Ophtha Consult 460 patients
Derma Consult 115 patients
Derma Surgery 51 patients
Cataract Surgery 27 patients
Pterygium Surgery 12 patients
Dental service 42 patients
Basic Education and Literacy – Schoolchildren were all given notebooks, pad paper, pencils and other school paraphernalia. This was headed by the National Bookstore Foundation, Go Share, Klasrums ng Pag-asa and the Black Pencil Project.
Community and Economic Development – Project Noah representatives entertained the people of Calayan by teaching them disaster preparedness and updated the barangay executives in disaster management. Also fisherfolks were given lectures on how to be a responsible and eco-friendly methods of fishing.
Water and Sanitation – The Waves for water (NGO) donated and demonstrated clean and potable water system in the community. It’s a filtration system that is portable and easy to use.
During the 81st anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by President Rodrigo Duterte, participants of the All-in-One Bayanihan Mission were given the AFP Gawad ng Kaunlaran Award. This award is the second highest distinction presented by the AFP to civilians and government officials. It is awarded for valuable achievement in the pursuit of socio-economic and non-combat activities which contributed in accomplishing the peaceful objectives of the AFP.
(Article by PP Bong Cruz)